David M. Primes, CPA.CITP                                      

David Primes balances full client responsibilities, primarily for professional service firms, with his role as our technology leader. As a speaker and consultant on computer topics, David has established Sobul, Primes & Schenkel as one of the region's leaders in the area of accounting technology. He joined the firm in 1981 and has been a shareholder since 1984.

The Journey

David has always had an interest in mathematics and science. In fact, he started his university career as an engineering major. Early on, David enjoyed reading "hard science" science fiction, especially the works of Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov. He drifted into "fantasy" science fiction and became a devout Star Trek fan.

During his college career, David was a part-time computer programmer and software writer for businesses. He later switched to accounting as his major and worked part-time at a large LA accounting firm as a "Percenter" (running percentages for financial statements, before the age of electronic calculators). After being an accounting intern for three years, and graduating from CSUN, David joined the accounting firm full-time.

Though he is a CPA and shareholder of Sobul, Primes & Schenkel, he has never lost his love of technology and how it has come to drive the accounting process; this is why David is so focused on helping clients get the most out of the available technologies.

Degrees, Certifications & Memberships

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, California State University, Northridge

Certified Public Accountant, 1978

Member: California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)

Member: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Member: Information Technology Division, AICPA

Member and Past Chair: State Technology Committee, CalCPA

Past President: CalCPA Education Foundation

Speaker: CalCPA discussion groups, annual trade show, California State Education Foundation, Institute of Management Accountants and AICPA

Past Member: Advisory Board, CSUN School of Accounting

Appointments

Accountant with large Los Angeles firm in 1974

Joined Sobul, Primes & Schenkel in 1981

Shareholder in 1984

Beyond the Office

Lives in Northridge with his wife, Joyce, and their daughters, Amanda and Victoria

Interested in science fiction and computers

Former Chair: National Kidney Foundation of Southern California

Member: Porter Valley Country Club

President: Friends of the Observatory (Griffith Observatory), www.friendsoftheobservatory.com