Keith Hamasaki, CPA
DIRECTOR - ASSURANCE & ADVISORY
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY LEADER
Keith Hamasaki, CPA, is passionate about empowering others so they can build a better future for themselves. He reveals these possibilities by bringing together a strong and cohesive team to provide his clients value-added experience through collaborative partnership. With over a decade of consulting experience, Keith specializes in audit and business advisory services to emerging and middle market companies in areas such as process improvement, internal controls, technical GAAP accounting implementation, and procedural review assessments. As someone who has consistently overcome challenges, Keith has developed an expertise in a variety of industries including real estate and construction, financial services, technology, digital media, restaurants, hospitality, not-for-profit organizations, and employee benefit plans. Further, Keith leads the firm’s Manufacturing and Distribution Industry Group and oversees the day-to-day operations of the firm’s Assurance & Advisory practice.
Prior to joining KROST, Keith was a Fund Controller at a SEC-registered investment advisor of institutional quality commercial real estate portfolios, where he oversaw the value-added commingled fund and separate accounts. Before this, he was an Experienced Assurance Manager at a top 10 national firm where he served clients in many industries.
Keith is recognized as a thought leader and industry speaker on topics of business and accounting issues. He has spoken for organizations and educational institutions such as CalCPA, California State University Northridge, Loyola Marymount University, Glendale Community College, and Pasadena City College. Further, Keith regularly instructs continuing education courses on audit methodology and analytical review procedures for professional staff. As an active member of the community, Keith has been a recurring Selection Committee Member for the Los Angeles Business Journal’s CFO of the Year Awards and is on the Professional Advisory Board for Accounting Curriculum at Pasadena City College and Glendale Community College.
Education
• Bachelor of Science, Accountancy from California State University, Northridge
• Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Emphasis in Business Law from California State University, Northridge
Professional Affiliations
• Member of CalCPA
• Member of AICPA
• Member of Asian Pacific CPA Association
• Member of Urban Land Institute
Extracurricular Activities
• Professional Advisory Board for Accounting Curriculum at Pasadena City College (2017 – present)
• Professional Advisory Board for Accounting Curriculum at Glendale Community College (2018 – present)
• CalCPA, Board of Director – Los Angeles (November 2015 – present)
• CalCPA, Officer – Los Angeles (May 2017 – present)
• Asian Pacific CPA Association, Board Member (2018 – present)
• Urban Land Institute, Los Angeles Strategic Partnership Committee (2016 – present)
• Los Angeles Business Journal, CFO of the Year Award Selection Committee Member (2016, 2017, and 2018)
• Attendee of CalCPA Leadership Institute (2013 – 2014)
Certificate
• AICPA Cybersecurity Advisory Services
The IRS Recommends Working with a Cybersecurity Professional: Why You Should Heed Their Advice
Consulting with a cybersecurity professional should be a top priority for tax businesses to protect their clients’ data. Tax preparers deal with a large amount of sensitive information including social security numbers, bank account numbers, EINs, etc. This makes them perfect targets for cybercriminals whose main objective is to file fraudulent tax returns. “As cybercriminals … Read More
Can OZ Work for You? Accounting for Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds
Below is a preview of one of the articles in the new KROST QUARTERLY Real Estate Issue, titled “Can OZ Work for You?” by Keith Hamasaki, CPA If you’ve ever wanted to help revitalize an economically distressed community but couldn’t justify it economically to generate enough capital from investors, then the new Opportunity Zone Program … Read More
Is Your Firm Prepared For a Cyberattack?
At KROST, we take cybersecurity seriously. As a CPA firm, we deal with large amounts of sensitive information daily. Understanding cybersecurity will help prevent malware attacks, phishing scams, system hacks and identity theft. We have taken steps to demonstrate our capabilities to manage cybersecurity threats. Assurance & Advisory Director, Keith Hamasaki, CPA, completed AICPA’s 16-hour … Read More
Manufacturers Beware: The Continued Threat of Cybersecurity Breaches, Hacking & Malware
Below is a preview of one of the articles in the new issue, “Manufacturers Beware: The Continued Threat of Cybersecurity Breaches, Hacking & Malware” by Keith Hamasaki, CPA & Steve Chhuor, CPA: Since the Target data breach in 2013, and Equifax in 2017, there are more and more cybersecurity concerns brought into public view each … Read More
CFO Awards 2018 Nominees: Eight Insights for CFO of the Year Awards
As the longest serving Los Angeles Business Journal judge, it is amazing to see all of the accomplishments and great talent Los Angeles has to offer. It has been an honor to participate in the LABJ CFO of the Year Awards for the last three years. Over time, I’ve come to recognize some common themes … Read More
Trade Wars: A Whole New World
Below is a preview of one of the articles in the new issue, “Trade Wars: A Whole New World” by Keith Hamasaki, CPA. Trade Wars: A Whole New World Another week, another new list of potential tariffs on imported manufactured products. If you’re manufacturing in China, Europe, Canada, or Mexico the potential trade war will … Read More
KROST Quarterly: Manufacturing Issue Now Available – Cybersecurity, Tax Incentives, Transactions, Trends and More
We are happy to announce the release of our second quarterly magazine! The Manufacturing Issue highlights some of the hot topics in manufacturing including cybersecurity, tax benefits and incentives, technological advances in manufacturing, and trends. What You’ll Find Inside this Issue: Manufacturers Beware: The Continued Threat of Cybersecurity Breaches, Hacking & Malware by Keith Hamasaki, CPA … Read More
Career in Accounting: Audit or Tax
Campus recruiting is a daunting, time consuming and necessary task for students looking to enter public accounting. As a professional on the other side of the table, I can’t tell you the number of times the icebreaker is “audit or tax”. This is a common icebreaker but very few students know the answer, audit or … Read More
Accounting for Net Neutrality
We recently published our new KROST Quarterly Magazine which is packed full of articles and insider knowledge focusing on tech topics. Here is an excerpt from the article “Accounting for Net Neutrality” by Assurance & Advisory Director Keith Hamasaki, CPA: “When it comes to technology nothing has taken the business world by storm like cryptocurrency. … Read More
Accounting for Throttling, the New Net Neutrality
When it comes to technology nothing has taken the business world by storm like cryptocurrency. However, something that slid under the radar and continues to slide under the radar with ever lasting effects are the changes to the Net Neutrality Rules. Net Neutrality is dead, but what does this even mean? Net Neutrality is the … Read More
