Jarrett Ganan, CPA, JD, LLM in Tax

Bio

Jarrett joined the accounting profession in 2011. A tax professional with experience in many diverse industries, he specializes in partnership tax compliance and has extensive experience dealing with the tax planning aspects of structuring business ventures and transactions. His primary practice areas include cannabis, entertainment (both film production and for talent) and high net worth individuals.

He earned a B.S. in accounting and a B.A. in business administration (finance) from Loyola Marymount University, and a J.D. and LL.M. in taxation from the University of San Diego Law School. Jarrett is an active member of the California State Bar and a member of the American Bar Association, the California Lawyers Association Taxation Section and the California Society of CPAs.

Q&A

Early in my career, I was working at a very stable accounting firm. A boss that I respected and had a great working relationship with left for another firm and offered me the opportunity to join. I struggled with making the decision to leave the security of my previous firm, but I ultimately decided to follow that working relationship, and built other relationships following that move that continue to have a big impact on my life. I'm thrilled that I decided to take that leap.

The cannabis industry is, for obvious reasons, a very regulation- and tax-heavy industry. While I don't see the regulations easing up any time soon, I think the tax burdens could be relaxed significantly. Right now, my clients run up against Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code and can't deduct many of their business expenses. I think that will change in the next two years — that's where the environment is going.

I have a couple of large entertainment clients that are really fun to work with. We use our expertise to help them structure joint ventures to finance new projects. It's exciting to go to the multiplex and see the resulting film up on the big screen. I always feel like I have a little part in helping that movie get produced.

I consider myself thorough, detail-oriented and collaborative. I like to understand a problem forwards and backwards and get other people’s points of view and input.

I feel like I have a new proudest moment after every tax deadline. I come out of each tax season having gained so much knowledge and understanding of my clients and the challenges they face.

My older brother has a huge influence on me. He’s always pushed me to work harder and has been there to help me through any difficulties I’m having. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like without him in it.

The most important traits that anyone can have in this industry are both a desire to learn and a willingness to help. Opportunities will grow from that, and it will lead to the acquisition of more knowledge as well as greater connections in the workplace.

Jarrett Ganan, CPA, JD, LLM in Tax

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