James S. Bone, CPA, MBA, CMI

Jim provides property tax, accounting, dispute resolution, and consulting services to California businesses and individuals.

Professional:
 
Property Tax:  Jim provides property tax recovery and reduction services to national and local owners of California property.

Jim's property tax experience began when he was appointed to the Assessment Appeals Board in Orange County in 1977, just after California's voters approved Proposition 13. Over the next 13 years, Jim was a leader in the implementation of the new law as thousands of cases came before the Board. Since 1990, Jim has provided property tax consulting services to clients in Southern California, focusing on complex, technical issues. Beginning in mid-1996, Jim was actively involved in the California Board of Equalization's revisions of its Assessors Handbook series. The first of four books he worked on, AH 501 Basic Appraisal was adopted by the BOE in October, 1997; the others, Advanced Appraisal of Real Estate, Advanced Appraisal and Assessment of Business Equipment and Personal Property, and Assessment Appeals were adopted during 1998.

Author on Property Tax Matters: Jim is the author of the California Property Tax Handbook, a compilation of property tax law and guidelines by subject, which was published in 1991. A new book for property owners and their advisors, Property Tax California Style was published in May, 2000. In addition, Jim has written a number of articles on property taxation, and was the property tax editor for Speidell's California Tax newsletter.

Accounting: James Bone & Associates, established in 1976, provided accounting, income tax, and general consulting services to small businesses and individuals in Southern California. Prior to founding James Bone & Associates Jim served in controllership positions with Health Industries and The Handyman Stores, and as a staff accountant with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG Peat).

Dispute Resolution: Jim was a member of the panel of arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association, and is a qualified mediator in the State of California. His experience is primarily in the area of accounting disputes.

Expert Witness: Jim has provided expert witness testimony in cases involving complex technical California property issues. He is qualified as an expert in California property tax matters in the Los Angeles Superior Court system.

Education:

Education: After growing up in the Point Loma area of San Diego, Jim attended Oregon State University and graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in accounting. While working at The Handyman Stores, he attended US International University and received an MBA in finance. Recent courses in geology occasionally help with appraisals, but mostly help with Jim's interest in plate tectonics.

Personal: Jim lives in Pasadena, California, with his wife Kathy. A musician at heart, he still has his drum set, even though he rarely play professionally these days. He's also interested in geology, especially the tectonic history of Southern California. Jim occasionally participates in earthquake awareness programs as a USGS Volunteer for the Pasadena office. Kathy and Jim enjoy dancing and relaxing on weekends in Big Bear City in the local San Bernardino mountains. They also enjoy their combined family of children, grandchildren, cats and dogs!