Sean Nelson didn’t always envision a career in tax consulting. Like many on the Lavine, Lofgren, Morris & Engelberg, LLP team, he found his way to accounting by happenstance and went all in — Sean is now a tax manager and trusted advisor for industry-leading companies, startups, investors and individuals.
Originally from Torrance, Sean stayed in state to study biology at UC Santa Barbara.
“It was biology’s unknowns that led me to accounting,” Sean says. “I’ve always been a numbers guy and a problem solver, but studying biology made me realize I wanted more certainty in my work.”
Drawn to the certainty, structure and logic of numbers, Sean shifted careers. He began taking online accounting classes through a community college and later earned his master’s degree in accounting from CSU Long Beach. Today, Sean works with a diverse range of clients — from real estate partnerships to biotech startups and international investors — bringing clarity and strategy to complex tax situations.
We recently sat down with Sean to chat about all the things: career moves, the shifting tax landscape, life at LLME, advice for students entering the field and travel plans. Here’s what Sean had to say:
Sean, let’s kick off our conversation with what drew you to LLME?
I wanted to move to San Diego and this job listing at a public accounting firm caught my eye. It happened to be with LLME and offered a completely different work environment and required a different set of skills and from where I was and what I was doing, which was accounting for a food manufacturing plant. With LLME, I liked the idea of working in one office where you see familiar faces. But I also didn’t want to get lost in the shuffle of a larger firm where I’d be working with one team on one project day after day.
What is it about LLME that’s made you stay?
Here, we work with a wide range of clients, from individuals to businesses across industries, on varying projects. No two days are the same, and I am constantly learning. I’ve had the opportunity to work with all, or nearly all, of our managers and partners who’ve helped make me a better tax accountant.
These collaborative opportunities and our culture keep me here at LLME. This isn’t your typical accounting firm. Overall, the vibe at the firm is laidback and professional. Really, I enjoy the people I work with and the firm’s atmosphere, which make all the difference during our busier, hard times.
What does your day-to-day look like?
About 50% of my work revolves around reviewing tax returns, and another 25% is tax consulting throughout the year. I field questions from clients about buying or selling property, setting up entities or navigating international reporting requirements — anything with a tax consequence. It’s different every day. The remaining 25% revolves around administrative work, such as working on internal trainings and staff development as well as taking continuing professional education to further my own personal development.
Tell us about your clients? What are some unique challenges they face?
I don’t have a specialty per se, but I work with a lot of real estate partnerships, high-net-worth individuals and clients with international filings. For international clients, my role often moves to the educational side of taxes. Many clients don’t realize they must report foreign accounts and properties to the IRS — even if they seem immaterial — or face steep, yet avoidable, monetary penalties being levied. Failing to file forms to comply with Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) or the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) can lead to penalties of $10,000 or more. It’s my goal to stay proactive and ask the right questions to keep our clients informed and compliant with federal international tax filing requirements.
What major tax changes are on your radar right now?
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions from 2017 are set to expire at the end of 2025, which comes with a lot of uncertainty. We’re advising clients on the benefits that are expiring and how to prepare if these laws are reverted or extended. It’s a challenging time to give clients concrete advice, but I stay informed and help clients navigate the potential scenarios ahead.
You also work with a lot of biotech startups. What tax issues are they facing?
A big one is the 2022 change in Research & Development deductions. Previously, companies could deduct 100% research expenses in the year they were incurred but now they have to amortize them over several years. It’s a huge issue for startups that are spending millions of dollars on research, but not yet profitable, to be faced with massive tax payments. There’s been a lot of back-and-forth on reversing this that’s directly impacting the robust biotech scene here in San Diego. With all the unknowns, the best we can do is give our clients sound advice and extend their returns to hold off finalizing as long as we can in hopes of a change in tax law.
Tell us about your involvement with the firm’s Recruiting Committee.
We review resumes for internships and entry-level roles and attend a lot of meet-the-firm recruiting events on local college campuses. It’s great being out in the community and representing the firm. This isn’t an experience I had in college since I was a biology major, and I really enjoy helping students see what their own career in tax could look like.
What advice do you give students entering the accounting and tax services field?
I always say: you have to ask questions. Nothing sets off an alarm in an interview more than when someone comes in and doesn’t ask a single question. There is simply too much information, too much material for anyone to absorb passively. My next piece of advice: take notes! This way you can easily follow up on anything being shared. I also encourage students I talk to and our firm’s interns to not be afraid to make mistakes. They are an opportunity to learn and grow.
What do you enjoy most about working in tax consulting?
The variety. Clients and issues may be similar, but no two are ever identical. I love that my days are always different. My first job was repetitive — this is the opposite, and it keeps me mentally engaged.
Turning away from work, what’s a typical weekend like for you?
I’ve recently taken up playing golf, though I’m still honing my skills. My wife and I also enjoy hiking and going on day trips. We recently moved toward Scripps Ranch, so we’ve been exploring the area. It’s also a great time for me to catch up on TV shows I may have missed during busy season.
Do you have a favorite travel destination or a place you hope to visit soon?
Japan! I’m half Japanese and spoke the language with my mom growing up. Japanese was actually my first language and something I studied until I was 12. My last trip was for my honeymoon, but my sister lives in Japan full time now. It’s time to visit again and explore more via its amazing public transport.