Due to COVID-19 and the shelter-in-place order, all firm personnel is temporarily working from home. You may contact us using our regular phone number: 559-438-8740 or you may email us at info @lingercpa.com
MEET THE TEAM
Bryce Gage
Senior Associate
I was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee and moved to the Valley in grade school. I am a graduate of Fresno State with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. I enjoy working at LPS and feel like I am a part of a team filling an important role. In my free time I play Dungeons & Dragons.
Gaokia Xiong
Senior Associate
I graduated with my BS in Accounting at Fresno State. During my free time, I enjoy being on the road and traveling to spend time with family and friends. I also entertain myself by cooking, baking, knitting, crocheting and working on other arts and craft projects. Being a part of the LPS team is amazing. Everyone is very friendly, patient, and are always ready to lend a hand.
Sergio Altamirano
Senior Associate
I grew up in Kern County and attended Wasco High School. I graduated from Fresno State with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a minor in Economics. I enjoy watching and playing basketball, trying out new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Working for LPS has been an amazing experience. The staff is very helpful and welcoming.
Bret Harrison
Partner
I have over 15 years of experience in audit, tax, payroll and general accounting. I’m passionate about helping people and care about all our clients as I would friends and family. My addiction is college football. I enjoy family, finding great food spots and playing the guitar and drums. I’m a graduate of Fresno State and earned a Masters of Business Administration from The University of Nebraska.
Kara Higashida
Manager
I'm a Fresno State graduate, but I'm also a fan of Notre Dame. If I'm not working, I enjoy sleeping in, traveling and seeing new places. I like hanging out with friends and family, and tailgating at Fresno State home games. It's a pleasure working at LPS because of the people and also because I feel valued here. My favorite dish is lasagna at Luna's in Clovis.
Stephanie Ligtas
Manager
I graduated from California State University, Fresno with a bachelor’s degree in Business with an emphasis in Accounting. I was raised in the Central Valley. In my free time, I like to read books, try new restaurants, and travel to fun places. I like working for LPS because the people are kind and I’ve learned a lot from my experience here.
Lily Saetern Kosila
Senior Associate
I graduated from Fresno State with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. When I'm not working I enjoy hanging out with my family, friends and cats. I also like to travel so I can try out different types of food and visit places like museums, zoos, amusement parks, etc. Being part of the LPS team has been a great experience. Everyone is super nice and I've learned so much from working here.
Kevin Siharath
Senior Associate
I graduated from Fresno State with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. I spent the early years in my life in Utah and later moved to Fresno and have been here ever since. During my free time I enjoy reading different novels, hanging out with my friends, and playing with my cats. My time here at LPS has been nothing short of incredible because everyone here is friendly, welcoming, and I have learned a whole bunch from working here!
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Harley Boyer
Associate
After starting a family and working as a bookkeeper for five years, I joined LPS as an intern while finishing my degree from WGU. After gaining hands-on experience, I’m grateful to now be part of the team full-time. My grandpa Jerry is one of the reasons I found my path into accounting, and I’m proud to carry on his legacy after his passing in 2024. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my three kids and husband, and I love all the “grammy hobbies” — quilting, knitting, crocheting, and card games.
Marilynn Mena
Associate
Recent graduate with bachelor's degree in accounting from Fresno State, and I'm currently pursuing my CPA with the help of LPS. I enjoy solving problems, learning new skills, and relaxing anywhere with a blanket. I have never met a company that cares so much for its employees than LPS.
OUR HISTORY
Our founder, C. Edwin Oyster (pictured), originally from Ohio, moved to Fresno and began practicing accounting. He later founded our firm in 1922. In 1925, he became the first CPA licensed in Fresno (California CPA license #196). C. Edwin Oyster & Co. was a successful firm, even in the midst of the great depression. After Mr. Oyster's untimely death in September of 1934, Thomas C. Roberson, who had been working for Mr. Oyster, acquired the firm and renamed it Thomas C. Roberson & Co. The firm was successful and grew under Mr. Roberson's leadership for the next 44 years. Upon Mr. Roberson's retirement in 1978, Robert L. Linger became the managing partner and led the firm for 26 years until his retirement in 2004. Jim Peterson was the managing partner until he retired in 2009. Gary A. Shrum was the managing partner until his retirement in 2016. Bret D. Harrison became the managing partner in February 2016.
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Names of the firm over the years:
1922 - C. Edwin Oyster & Co.
1922 - Oyster, Gardiner & Co.
1926 - Oyster, Gardiner, Watson & Co.
1927 - Oyster, Watson & Co.
1934 - Thomas C. Roberson & Co.
1943 - Roberson, Martin & Co.
1953 - Roberson, Martin, Horg & Ryckman
1964 - Roberson, Martin, Ryckman, Rouch & Linger
1971 - Roberson, Martin, Rouch & Linger
1978 - Martin, Linger, Mastro, Borchardt, Schafer & Peterson
1979 - Martin, Linger & Co.
1997 - Linger, Peterson, Shrum & Co.
2016 - Linger, Peterson & Shrum
2021 - LPS
