Over 80 Years of Service (1939 - Present)

1939
1939

Robert B. Krost Public Accountant is established in Pasadena in 1939

Robert B Krost

KROST, formerly Robert B. Krost Public Accountant, was established in 1939 by Robert B. Krost, who previously worked in the accounting offices of Lockheed Corporation. Venturing out to create his own firm he established many key contacts to help his clients through the various tax rules and regulations of the time. Some of these were with local IRS office managers and the head of the State Board of Equalization. Needless to say, these contacts were very important in resolving various tax issues for his clients which helped him grow his practice.

1943
1943

Robert B. Krost Public Accountant

black and white city image

Robert opened his accounting practice at the Security Bank building on 234 Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA.

1948
1948

Robert B. Krost & Associates

After establishing a partnership with R. H. Redmond & D. H. Tronvig, Robert B. Krost Public Accountant became Robert B. Krost & Associates.

1952
1952

Robert B. Krost & Company

After a new partnership with Chester Chan, Robert B. Krost & Associates became Robert B. Krost & Company.

1956
1956

Office Moved and Second Office Opened

Office moved to 53 S. Euclid Av., Pasadena and a second office at 117 E. Colorado Blvd.

1960
1960

A Family Business

California State University LA

In the 1960s, Robert’s sons John and Rick began working at the firm. John worked for the firm while attending college at California State Los Angeles. Rick joined after serving two years in the army, then also attending California State Los Angeles.

1960

John S. Krost Joins the Firm

John S. Krost

John Krost joins the firm on December 1, 1960 as an accounting intern.

1966
1966

John Krost is Promoted to Partner

On January 1966, John Krost receives his CPA License and becomes the second person to be promoted to partner at Robert B. Krost & Company, joining his father to lead the practice.

1968
1968

Computer Technology & Automation

Balistics Research Lab [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

“At the beginning of the computer age (late 60’s) the firm saw the benefits that automation could provide to their clients and to the office.  They installed one of the first automated accounting systems (Monrobot), which was a punched tape to tape system that created the general ledger and financial statements from tape machines reading to electric typewriters. As technology improved the firm upgraded to a minicomputer (Basic 4), a big improvement over the old tape to tape machine.  Once this system was installed the firm was fully automated to handle all their clients accounting needs, in fact, we were the first accounting practice in the Pasadena area to be computerized.” — Rick Krost  

1968

New Location

Moved office to 110 S. Euclid Ave. Ste. 100.

1969
1969

New Addition to the Firm

Rick Krost is now working for the firm.

1969

Suite Change After Tremendous Growth

After just one year, Robert B. Krost & Company outgrew Ste 100 and moved upstairs to Ste 200 with three private large offices, a separate reception area, and a computer room.

1971
1971

Upgraded to a Mini Computer System

Robert B. Krost & Company outgrew the Monrobot and moved to a true Mini Computer system. The new basic four system offers removable electronic disk data drives and Accounting, Payroll & Accounts Receivable programs. The software is a basic language easily learned.

1972
1972

Rick Krost is Promoted to Partner

Rick Krost

After passing the CPA exam, Rick Krost is the third person at the firm to be promoted to partner.

1973
1973

First Merger: Krost Russell and Company

CPA Certificate

In 1974, Robert was planning his retirement, so John and Rick decided to grow the firm. They purchased a well known and respected firm, William Russell and Company, along with the building the firm occupied at 719 E. Union Street in Pasadena. The firm, now doubled in size, changed its name to Krost Russell and Company.

1974
1974

Robert Retires

beach image

In 1974, the firm’s founder Robert Krost retires and moves to Hawaii to live out his life in a warm climate.

1974

Roger Baumgarten Joins as Partner – Audit & Assurance Now Offered as a Service

Roger Baumgarten

In 1974, John’s brother-in-law Roger Baumgarten joins the firm as partner. Roger leads KROST’s first Audit & Assurance practice.

1975
1975

A New Payroll System Leads the Way as the Firm Becomes the Premier Service Provider for Restaurants

The firm had a strong base providing services to restaurants in and around the Pasadena area. In the 70’s restaurants had unique rules for how to pay their employees.  The firm leadership saw a need for a specialized payroll system to be able to accommodate these unique rules, so a programmer was hired to develop a proprietary payroll program to solve the problem.  Once this program was complete the firm began offering  specialized payroll for restaurants and other companies outside the industry. This service became very popular with KROST’s entire client base and was one of the reasons the firm became known as “restaurant specialists.”

1981
1981

Name Changed to KROST, KROST and Baumgarten, An Accountancy Corporation

In 1981, the firm changed its name to KROST, KROST and Baumgarten, An Accountancy Corporation.

1989
1989

Greg Kniss is Promoted to Principal

In 1989, the firm announced the promotion of the founder’s grandson, Gregory A. Kniss, to Principal. Greg would later be promoted to Managing Principal.

1995
1995

Luis (Lou) Guerrero Promoted to Principal

Lou Guerrero

In 1995, the firm promoted Lou Guerrero to Principal. Today, Lou leads the firm’s tax practice.

1995

Name Changed to Krost, Baumgarten, Kniss & Guerrero, An Accountancy Corporation

In 1995, the firm changed its name to Krost, Baumgarten, Kniss & Guerrero, An Accountancy Corporation.

2006
2006

Krost, Baumgarten, Kniss & Guerrero Moves

krost move announcement

On July 17, 2006, the firm announced a move from their former location on the corner of Hudson and Colorado to 790 E Colorado Boulevard.

2007
2007

Jason Melillo Promoted to Principal

Jason Melillo

In 2007, the firm promoted Jason Melillo to Principal.

2012
2012

Rick Krost Retires

Rick's retirement party invite

On January 23, 2012, KROST honored Rick Krost as he retired from the firm. A celebration was held at the University Club in Pasadena.

2014
2014

Jean Hagan Promoted to Principal

Jean Hagan

In 2014, Jean was promoted to Principal. Today, Jean leads the restaurant industry practice providing business management solutions to operations across California.

2015
2015

Venturelli, Cary & Company Merges With KROST

In August 2015, Venturelli, Cary & Company merged with KROST

2016
2016

Name Changed to KROST CPAS & Consultants.

Krost CPAs - Los Angeles CPA Firm

In 2016, Krost, Baumgarten, Kniss & Guerrero, An Accountancy Corporation rebranded and changed the company name to KROST CPAS & Consultants.

2019
2019

Gaynor & Umanoff Merges With KROST

On January 1st, 2019, Gaynor & Umanoff, a CPA firm based in Los Angeles, merges with KROST.

2019

So Sum Lee Promoted to Principal

So Sum Lee

In 2019, So Sum Lee was promoted to Principal. Today, she works in partnership with Lou Guerrero to run KROST’s tax department. Lou often refers to So Sum as his “right hand.”

2019

KROST Celebrates the 80th Anniversary

KROST Celebrates the 80th Anniversary

2019 marked the 80th anniversary of the firm. To commemorate the milestone, the firm released a special edition logo.

2020
2020

Office Expansions

KROST settles into three new office locations: 225 S. Lake Ave Suite 400, Pasadena, California. 21650 Oxnard Street Suite 1700, Woodland Hills, California. 6701 Center Drive W Suite 825 Los Angeles, California.

2021
2021

Stacey Korman Promoted To Principal

Stacey Korman

In January 2021, Stacey Korman was promoted to Principal.

2021

Evelyn Fernandez Promoted To Principal

Evelyn Fernandez

In June 2021, Evelyn Fernandez was promoted to Principal.

2022
2022

Greg Kniss Promoted To Chairperson of the Board

Greg Kniss

In January 2022, Greg Kniss was promoted to Chairperson of the Board.

2022

Jason Melillo Promoted to CEO

Jason Melillo

In January 2022, Jason Melillo was promoted to CEO.

2022

Keith Hamasaki Promoted To Principal

Keith Hamasaki

In January 2022, Keith Hamasaki was promoted to Principal.

2022

Paren Knadjian Promoted To Principal

Paren Knadjian

In July 2022, Paren Knadjian was promoted to Principal.

2022

Brad Pauley Promoted To Principal

Brad Pauley

In July 2022, Brad Pauley was promoted to Principal.

2023
2023

Grant Miller Joins as Principal of Tax

Grant Miller

In January 2023, Grant Miller joined as Principal of Tax.

2023

Matthew Weber Promoted To Principal

Matt Weber

In August 2023, Matthew Weber was promoted to Principal.


Pasadena in the 1940s Source: Samhuddy at English Wikipedia. [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Monrobot Image Source: Balistics Research Lab [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Hawaiian Beach Source: National Archives at College Park [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons