Full Biography for James S. "Jim" Bone

Candidate for
Assessor

James S. Bone, CPA, MBA

Jim provides property tax, accounting, and consulting services to California businesses and individuals from offices in Lake Forest, California.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Property Tax:

After opening his CPA firm in 1976, Jim was appointed to the Assessment Appeals Board in Orange County in 1977, just before 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, James Bone & Associates has provided property tax consulting services to clients in Southern California, focusing on complex, technical issues. Jim is recognized as an expert on assessment and appeals matters in California, and has maintained his California Property Tax Resources page as a public service since July 4, 1996.

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 Personal Property and Fixtures, and Assessment Appeals Manual are still in process and are scheduled for completion later in 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 is in its final editing stages and is due out in July. In addition, Jim has written a number of articles on property taxation, and was the property tax editor for Spidell'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. In 1994, Jim combined operations with the CPA firm of Hodges, Morris and Company, and provides income tax and consulting services with HMC. 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).

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. As a CPA, Jim attends courses each year for professional development, which have included appraisal, business valuation, and similar courses. In addition to professional courses, Jim has also taken a number of courses in geology which occasionally help with appraisals, but mostly help with Jim's interest in plate tectonics.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Jim lives with his wife Judy in Mission Viejo, where they raised three daughters, Cristy, Katie, and Suzi. A musician at heart, he still has his drum set, even though the last professional job was many years ago! More recently, both Jim and Judy were active in the Marriage Encounter and Cursillo movements of the Catholic Church. Both Jim and Judy were Rector(a)s, and the music was fun! After years of watching daughter Suzi in club soccer through State and Regional successes, Jim became a U.S.S.F. referree at youth and adult levels until knee problems forced retirement. Geology, especially the tectonic history of the ground under Saddleback College, has replaced ref'ing recently. Jim occasionally participates in earthquake awareness programs as a USGS Volunteer for the Pasadena office. These days, Jim and Judy enjoy their two new grandsons, Gabriel and Tyler, who live in Orange County also.