Dean G. Guske, CPA
Dean Guske has over 35 years of experience in the areas of taxation, accounting and business consulting. In addition to his many years as a CPA, Dean has worked in private industry and was also a managing director of a real estate development company. The value he brings to his clients lies in his ability to identify and understand complex issues and how they relate to businesses and their individual owners.
Dean has significant experience with businesses in the medical and legal use cannabis industry. He currently has several hundred clients in the space including the leading producers, processors and retailers in the country. He is a frequent speaker on the complex tax, accounting and business issues that entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry face. He has developed and implemented strategies and best practices that help guide these pioneering businesses on the path of success.
In addition to his expertise in cannabis, He has extensive experience in all facets of real estate and businesses related to real estate. His clients have included everything from development and construction to brokerage and rental. Because he has also participated in these businesses as an owner, the impact of his hands on experience sets him apart from others who have only dealt with these issues on paper.
He holds a Masters degree in taxation from Golden Gate University and a Bachelor of Arts (business) degree from the University of Washington. He is a licensed CPA in the state of Washington.
Dean is a member of the WSCPA where he is a member of the Taxation Committee. He is also a member of the AICPA.
Michael Briggs, CPA
Michael Briggs has been a Certified Public Accountant for over 20 years, specializing in entity taxation (C Corps, S Corps, LLCs, and Partnerships) for local, national, and international firms. He advises clients on beneficial tax practices, entity formation, efficient accounting practices, and financial management issues. Mike manages the tax preparation and bookkeeping activities at Guske & Company, overseeing a talented staff of accountants and bookkeepers. In addition to a full range of general tax engagements, he also reviews financial statements, consolidated corporate returns, and handles complex tax issues and negotiations with the IRS.
Since 2015, a significant amount of Mike’s tax work has involved clients in the medical and adult use cannabis industry throughout the U.S. He advises these clients on entity formation, accounting practices unique to the industry, and specialized tax strategies. Mike has participated in seminars and spoken about the unique cannabis-related tax issues at cannabis industry events throughout the U.S.
Mike holds a B.Sc. degree in Accounting and Finance from Central Washington University, and received one of the top scores on the Washington State CPA exam in 1997. He is a QuickBooks Certified Pro Advisor and has taken International Tax courses at the University of Washington Law School. He served 4 years as President of the South King County Chapter of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants (WSCPA), and an additional 3 years as Treasurer. Mike also has an engineering and physics background, having studied at Rensselaer Polytechnic University before switching to accounting. He was Cubmaster of his son’s Pack in Renton for many years, is a proud Eagle Scout, and enjoys being in wooded areas without cell service.
James G. Hunt, Esq.
James G. Hunt is a tax attorney with Guske & Company, Inc. He has extensive experience in advising individuals, non-profit organizations, closely held and public companies on federal and multi-state issues and compliance.
Mr. Hunt is a frequent speaker on state and federal tax issues impacting the Cannabis Industry and currently represents clients in all sectors of the cannabis industry. He is the past Chair of the State and Local Tax Committee of the Washington State Bar Association.
Mr. Hunt’s prior roles have included: practicing law at a leading boutique firm; managing federal and state audits and litigation as Director of Tax Controversy for Washington Mutual/Chase; managing complex state tax audits for Amazon.com and GE Capital; and, holding leadership positions in Big 4 and mid-market accounting firms.
Mr. Hunt holds a J.D. from the University of Iowa, a B.S. from Northern Illinois University. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Washington.