Nonprofits Are More Than
Our Focus, They’re Our Passion

We go way beyond traditional accounting because we
care about what you do.

We understand that many small and medium-sized nonprofit organizations don’t have professional accountants on staff. That’s why we’ve gone beyond what the typical CPA firm offers to provide a more integrated service. So what does that mean for your nonprofit?

It means our focus is different. We’re not just about the numbers, we want to show you how to improve your internal systems and structures to be more effective and efficient. It means we take the time to answer your questions. It means we create clear reports, then work with managers, board members, and staff to make sure everyone understands what’s happening and what needs to happen next.

HOW & WHY WE GOT STARTED?

Cook & Company was founded in 2011 by Douglas Cook. As an experienced CPA with an MPA degree in Nonprofit Finance, Douglas knew he wanted to use his skills and knowledge to support nonprofits in their efforts to make the world a better place.

Through this work he began to realize there was an unmet need in the nonprofit sector for high-quality, reasonably priced audit, review, and tax services that catered to smaller organizations. And that’s how Cook & Company was born.

That commitment to giving back is still the guiding principal of everything we do. We’ve shaped our entire firm around being as helpful as possible; explaining things in plain English, answering questions, advising staff on ways to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, and making sure the reports we prepare are accurate and easy to understand.

OUR COMMITMENT TO
THE ENVIRONMENT

We are proud to be one of the few Green Certified CPA firms under the California Green Business Program. Since opening our doors in 2011, we have adopted various cutting edge technologies to enhance our services and reduce our carbon footprint.

To do this, we’ve migrated from traditional paper-based to computer-based auditing (to safeguard client data, our file server is hosted within an SSAE16-compliant data center in California). By using this electronic audit system, we reduce paper use, greenhouse gasses associated with traditional mailing methods, and packaging waste.

For us, being green is socially responsible and makes good business sense, too. The money we save by following environmentally friendly practices allows us pass savings along to our clients.

SAVING<br/>TREES
SAVING
TREES

Traditional paper-based auditing to a computer-based audit management system.

REDUCING <br/>GREENHOUSE GASSES
REDUCING
GREENHOUSE GASSES

We encourage clients to submit materials electronically instead of traditional shipping and mailing methods.

USING 100% <br/>RECYCLED PAPER
USING 100%
RECYCLED PAPER

Since we cannot avoid paper completely we only use 100% recycled paper. We also recycle and compost.

BUYING <br/>ENERGY STAR
BUYING
ENERGY STAR

When possible, we only use Energy Star Appliances in the office.

RIDING PUBLIC <br/>TRANSIT
RIDING PUBLIC
TRANSIT

Our employees use public transit and we then subsidize this by providing commuter benefit vouchers.

OUR DIVERSE TEAM

No stuffed shirts here! Every member of the Cook & Company team goes above and beyond to make sure your experience with us is pleasant, helpful and adds value to your organization.

Douglas E. Cook, CPA/MPA

Douglas Cook has 16 years of professional accounting experience, primarily working with nonprofit organizations. . “As an accountant and teacher, I view each of our client relationships as an educational opportunity to help an organization strengthen its infrastructure, and thereby be in a better position to deliver its mission.”

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Douglas E. Cook, CPA/MPA

Founder & Principal

Douglas E. Cook, CPA/MPA
Douglas E. Cook, CPA/MPA

Founder & Principal

Douglas Cook has 17 years of professional accounting experience, primarily working with nonprofit organizations.

Douglas earned his Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree (with an emphasis in Nonprofit Finance) from San Francisco State University, where he conducted award-winning research on nonprofit governance issues. He also holds a B.A. in Business from Dominican University of California and completed a Certificate in Accounting at U.C. Berkeley.

He is a member in good standing of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Not-for-Profit Section and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Douglas is also committed to teaching. “As an accountant and teacher, I view each of our client relationships as an educational opportunity to help an organization strengthen its infrastructure, and thereby be in a better position to deliver its mission,” he explains. “One of the greatest pleasures of being a CPA for nonprofits is knowing I can use my knowledge and experience to help so many organizations make a positive difference in today’s complex world.”

Douglas currently teaches Nonprofit Financial Management as part of the Nonprofit Management Certificate Program at San Francisco State University. He has also taught accounting and auditing to undergraduates and graduates  at Golden Gate University, and has served as a Fiscal Compliance Panelist/Instructor for the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership’s Emerging Leaders Program.

In addition, he recently started a blog where he discusses various topics relating to nonprofit accounting, financial management and good governance practices.

Ying Zhang, CPA/MS

Ying Zhang is our senior associate on financial review engagements. She also serves as a technical advisor to the audit team and is our go-to person for training junior staff. She has significant expertise in government contracts, temporarily restricted net assets, endowments and functional expenses.

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Ying Zhang, CPA/MS

Senior Staff Accountant

Ying Zhang, CPA/MS
Ying Zhang, CPA/MS

Senior Staff Accountant

Ying is the firm’s senior associate on financial reviews and she is passionate about working with numbers and nonprofits! She also serves as a technical advisor to the audit team and is our go-to person for training junior staff.

Prior to joining Cook & Company, she served as a Staff Accountant for Star Vista, a multimillion dollar human services nonprofit. Ying’s experience in accounting for government contracts, temporarily restricted net assets, endowments, and functional expenses has proven invaluable to our clients.

Ying, who moved to the United States from China, is a CPA and holds an M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Florida State University. She is also a member in good standing of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Kelsey Branstetter

Kelsey joined the firm in 2018 with a background in a variety of administrative support and client services positions.

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Kelsey Branstetter

Bookkeeper / Executive Assistant

Kelsey Branstetter
Kelsey Branstetter

Bookkeeper / Executive Assistant

Kelsey joined the firm in 2018 with a background in a variety of administrative support and client services positions. She serves as an administrative liaison between the audit team and our clients, in addition to supporting the tax return preparation function.

Education
BFA, Screenwriting/Film

WHY CHOOSE COOK & COMPANY
FOR YOUR AUDIT, REVIEW, & TAX NEEDS?

WE ARE FRIENDLY

We see no reason why auditors and accountants have to be stuffy or grumpy. We’ve hand-picked friendly, open people who can translate GAAP and IRS jargon to plain English and are committed to sharing their knowledge and experience with others.

WE ARE INNOVATIVE

Just because something’s been done a certain way in the past doesn’t mean it’s the best way to do it. Our team is addicted to technology, and we’re always “thinking outside the box” to provide our clients with a faster, less expensive, and more reliable way to do

WE ARE TRUSTED

We Give Meaningful Advice We don’t just crunch the numbers and drop a report on you. We get to know how your organization works and make useful suggestions to enhance effectiveness and efficiency (and give you more time to focus on your mission)!

WE ARE ATTENTIVE

What you do is important, and it’s our greatest pleasure and privilege to lend our expertise to support your efforts. And that’s why we’re rigorous, thorough, and include you in our process.

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READY TO FIND OUT HOW COOK & COMPANY CAN HELP YOUR NONPROFIT?

Get our FREE tool: Sample Nonprofit Accounting Close & Financial Statement Preparation Checklist.

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CONTACT US

(415) 621-1112 | toll-free (855) 676-2727 | fax (855) 568-8895
Click here to book a 15-min phone call.

    Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. We look forward to hearing from you.

    Northern California
    One Sansome Street, Suite 3500
    San Francisco, CA 94104

    Southern California
    3110 Main Street, Bldg. C
    Santa Monica, CA 90405

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