Our Staff

Originally founded in 1975 by Alfred L. Nella, the certified public accounting firm A.L. Nella & Company we believe has developed a reputation for responsiveness to clients` accounting needs, assistance in financial and business strategies, and tax planning. Over the years the firm has grown to a current staff of two partners and eight full-time individuals.

Our professional team shares the importance and depth of experience in public accounting that covers many disciplines. Most accountants have a minimum of fifteen years experience and are certified public accountants.

Although Alfred Nella passed away several years ago, his philosophy of timely and accurate service has continued to be at the core of our business.

A.L. Nella Staff
Kenneth McCauley - Partner D. Chris Kollaja - Partner Joan Zawaski - Director of Tax Daniel W. Anderson - Manager Kenneth Dembner - Staff Accountant Larry Herzog - Office Manager Jeff Kohn - Staff Accountant Mila Krasnova - Staff Accountant Wesley R. Sito - Accountant Kevin Tusing - Staff Accountant Tracy Wixted - Senior Accountant

Kenneth McCauley specializes in accounting management, forecasting and budgeting for small and large businesses. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1973 with a bachelor`s degree in accounting, Mr. McCauley gained professional experience working for several multinational corporations: He first served as senior auditor at KPMG Peat Marwick (formerly Main Lafrentz & Company) and then as a senior financial analyst of international operations for Cooper Laboratories in Palo Alto. Subsequently, he became the manager of financial forecast at Genstar Corporation in San Francisco.

His experience at these companies gave him an excellent background in the development of accounting controls and procedures as well as budgeting and forecasting systems.

In 1985 Mr. McCauley began his own public accounting firm, through which he gained substantial experience solving problems encountered by emerging businesses. In 1988 he merged his practice with Alfred Nella & Company, where he is now a partner. He heads AL Nella`s North Bay office in Sebastopol.

Mr. McCauley is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is very active in community services and has served on the boards of the Golden Gate Business Association and 18th Street Services.

Chris Kollaja has been in public accounting for over twenty years. A California Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Kollaja received his master`s of public accounting degree in taxation from the University of Texas at Austin, where he also earned a bachelor`s degree in accounting.

Mr. Kollaja`s experience has addressed such industries as professional services, tax-exempts, real estate, construction, retail, wholesale, insurance and other areas. He has worked for Ernst & Young (formerly Arthur Young & Company) and Grant Thornton, and also held the post of chief financial officer for a real estate company. With his experience as a financial officer, Mr. Kollaja understands the importance of internal accounting systems and financial reports.

Mr. Kollaja now uses his accounting specialization to help individuals and families build sound, long-term financial portfolios. He heads ALN Financial Planners .

Mr. Kollaja`s general activities include membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. He also serves on the board of directors of a healthcare foundation and is an active member of many charitable and religious organizations.

After more than fifteen years in the field of public accounting, Joan Zawaski has extensive experience with the tax-exempt, construction, entertainment, healthcare, legal and hospitality industries, as well as with manufacturing and wholesale and retail sales.

Ms. Zawaski received her bachelor`s degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Before entering the field of public accounting, she held the post of lecturer in English at California State University, Hayward, and chief financial officer of Rail Construction, Inc., a general construction firm in Oakland. Her background in the construction industry gives her a special understanding of the necessity of controlling costs and budgets and of the need for up-to-date, accurate financial information.

Ms. Zawaski actively participates on the East Bay Chapter Committee on Taxation of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the San Francisco Area Women Tax Lawyers. Her general activities include service with various community organizations as general member and director.

Daniel Anderson joined the staff of A.L. Nella & Company in October 1981. He received his CPA certification in 1990, and is currently pursuing a master`s degree in taxation at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

Mr. Anderson graduated with honors in 1977 from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana with a bachelor`s degree in math/economics and German language studies. After college, Mr. Anderson became a staff accountant for an oilfield drilling company in northern Montana. Several years later, he accepted a position as a staff accountant for a licensed public accounting firm, gaining experience in individual tax returns for farmers and other small business proprietors.

Since joining A.L. Nella & Company, he has gained further experience with taxation of small professional corporations, S-corporations, partnerships, proprietorships, nonprofit organizations and a wide variety of individual income tax situations, as well as experience in financial reporting.

He serves on the board of directors of several nonprofit organizations and assists them with financial matters.