BlueBird, CPAs is proud to serve all our clients with professional and dedicated staff members.
Manager
Jamshed Kudratov, CPA
Background
Jamshed joined BlueBird as a staff accountant in 2012, shortly after graduating with his Masters of Accounting degree, and has since been promoted to Manager. Jamshed’s areas of expertise are in gaming, state and local government, federal contracting, and construction. He previously worked as a tax CPA, overnight auditor, and graduate assistant and in the College of Business. He was a recipient of the Nevada Society of CPAs scholarship and a member of Beta Alpha Psi.
Education
University of Nevada, Reno – Masters of Accountancy
Tashkent Financial Institute, Uzbekistan – Bachelor of Science in Banking
Certification
Certified Public Accountant
Professional Affiliations
Beta Alpha Psi
Interesting Fact
Jamshed speaks fluent English and Russian and is always on the search for knowledge. He enjoys learning new things and is always up for a challenge. If you can stump him with a good, thought-provoking word puzzle, you will earn a gold star in his book! He is a passionate follower of politics and the FIFA World Cup.
Senior Auditor
Peng Gao
Background
Peng started at the firm in early 2015 after he graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a Master of Accountancy. He is currently studying for his CPA exams.
Education
University of Nevada, Reno – Master of Accountancy
Interesting Fact
Peng speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and is a fan of soccer. His favorite teams are Manchester United and Real Madrid; whenever they play in the United States Peng will fly or drive to the game and is there cheering them on.
Senior Auditor
Randall Spierer
Background
Randall joined BlueBird in 2015 and is currently studying for his CPA exams. His areas of expertise include internal audits, Title 31 compliance audits, and 401(k) audits. His experience includes the supervision of multiple Tribal, gaming, and employee benefit plan audits. He has also supervised and performed internal audits and Title 31 compliance audits.
After moving from California to Reno, Randall’s work with the Robby Schlesinger Foundation gave him first-hand experience in perseverance, dedication to a cause, collaboration, and the power of a group to affect change.
Education
University of Nevada, Reno – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Information Systems
Magna Cum Laude
Interesting Fact
He previously served as the CFO of the Robby Schlesinger Foundation, a charity raising money for suicide prevention and grief support. Randall is an amateur baker (he makes a mean crème brûlée), an aspiring mixologist, enjoys metalcore rock music, and considers himself a foodie. He finds it hard to pass up any food challenges posted by restaurants.
Senior Auditor
Brad Ebert
Background
Brad began with the firm a few months after graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno. During his time at UNR, Brad worked as a student-athlete tutor, served as a student mentor for incoming freshmen, and served as the Vice President of Finance for his fraternity.
Education
University of Nevada, Reno – Bachelor of Science in Accounting
University of Nevada, Reno – Bachelor of Science in Finance
Interesting Fact
In the summer of 2016, Brad lived in the Bahamas doing bookkeeping work for a company that plans high school graduation trips.
Staff Auditor
Daniel Johnston
Background
Daniel joined the firm shortly after graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno. During his time at UNR, he was an active member of Beta Alpha Psi on the professional activities committee, and during his time at Lake Tahoe Community College he was treasurer of the Student Senate.
Education
University of Nevada, Reno – Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Interesting Fact
Daniel enjoys being active and likes to snowboard, hike, workout, and anything else that involves being active. He also loves spicy food, the spicier the better, and has even eaten a Carolina Reaper!
Staff Auditor
Devon James Butler
Background
Devon joined the firm shortly after graduating and moving to Reno from California in August 2019. While attending CSU, Devon was an active member of the Student Veterans Association. During this time, he promoted veteran causes through advocacy and community service. He is currently studying for his CPA exam.
Education
California State University, Fullerton – Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Accounting Concentration
Interesting Fact
Devon makes physical exercise a priority, spending much of his spare time at the gym or hiking at Lake Tahoe with his friends and family. He served in the United States Marine Corps and has traveled to several other countries. His experience abroad gave him an immense appetite and he is always up for trying new food.
Staff Auditor
Benjamin Schwartz
Direct Descendant of a Person on the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Roll
Background
Ben joined the firm after working for over ten years in the Casino business. After graduating from Linfield College in 2008, Ben devoted his career to creating the perfect guest experience. While working for large gaming corporations in hospitality and marketing, Ben quickly moved up to a Director level employee. Ben is currently working on receiving his executive MBA from the University of Nevada, Reno where he currently holds a 4.0 GPA.
Education
Linfield College – Bachelor of Science in Business Management
University of Nevada, Reno – Executive MBA (in progress)
Interesting Fact
Ben is an Alaskan Native enrolled Tribal Member and spent his childhood splitting time between Palo Alto, CA and an Alaskan Native Village, Northway, AK.
Staff Auditor
Jim Petrovic
Background
Jim began working with the firm in January 2020. Prior to that, he had five years of experience in the accounting industry with firms in the Reno area.
Education
University of Nevada Reno – Bachelor of Science Accounting
University of Nevada Reno – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Economics
Interesting Fact
Before getting his degree, Jim once pack a box at a warehouse where he was working, only to later unpack the same box at the retail location it was shipped to, where he was also working.
Staff Auditor
Robert Archer
Background
Robert joined the firm in March 2020, shortly after graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno. While attending UNR, he was an active member of Beta Alpha Psi. Robert will be returning to school in fall of 2020 to pursue an online master’s degree in Accounting.
Education
University of Nevada Reno – Bachelor of Science Accounting
Interesting Fact
Robert spends every bit of his spare time outside whether it be skiing in the winter, or mountain biking and golfing in the summer. He loves to travel with family and friends seeking adventure outside of the Reno/Tahoe area!
Accounts and Administrative Director
Kami Alt
Background
Kami joined the firm in early 2015 as a receptionist. She had prior experience in retail and customer service but found she was seeking a more career focused profession, which she found with BlueBird. As Accounts and Administrative Director, Kami usually has her hands full with running the office. Hers is one of the voices you hear when you call the office seeking invoices or portal questions. She oversees anything related to human resources, manages accounts payable and receivable, and sees to other administrative items that may arise around the office.
Education
Truckee Meadows Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Law
Interesting Fact
Kami is intrigued by abnormal psychology and gets her fix by listening to serial killer podcasts and watching documentaries.
Marketing and Administrative Director
April Dockrey
Background
April started at the firm in late 2012 as the receptionist. She then moved to an associate position where she took over proofreading and formatting our endless reports. As Marketing and Administrative Director, April manages all the marketing for the firm and works with Kami to oversee the administrative and human resources aspects of the office. April is also our Employee Engagement Advocate, party planner, Newsletter writer, official package shipper, marketing expert-in-training, and tradeshow specialist.
Education
University of Nevada, Reno – Bachelor of Arts in English Literature
Pierce College – Associate of Arts
Interesting Fact
April is passionate about organization, the Oxford comma, and correct formatting. She practices tai chi three times a week, usually has her nose in a book, loves binge watching tv shows, enjoys live music, and was reintroduced to fishing by her red-bearded boyfriend.
Travel Coordinator & Receptionist
Sidney Hopkins
Background
Sidney joined the firm in March 2019 as a part-time receptionist. She was then made Travel Coordinator and full-time receptionist in July 2019. As receptionist and Travel Coordinator, Sidney spends her day answering calls, binding reports, and making travel arrangements for the auditors; as well as many other day-to-day office tasks.
Interesting Fact
Sidney is extremely passionate about animals and hopes to one day have a large amount of land where she can foster, rescue, and adopt many different animals.