ROBERT W. DOWNING
 

Robert’s interest in financial matters started at a young age. His parents joked that he was trying to carry a briefcase at 5 years of age. As far back as junior high he enrolled in a business bookkeeping class where a hypothetical company and books were kept and by the end of the class, his company and team were on top with the best profit results. In 1978 working for the old Pacific Telephone, Robert was responsible for preparing and balancing the daily bank deposits for all of the incoming payments of the company.

In 1983, at the urging of his mentor Bill Slattery, Robert obtained his California certification to prepare tax returns. While working for him on a limited basis for the next few years, he founded Robert Downing Tax Service on November 23rd 1983.  At the urging of Bill Slattery and his other mentor Lee Reams from Independent Preparer services, Robert continued moving toward the certification of Enrolled to Practice before the Internal Revenue Service. In 1986 Robert sat for the two day Treasury Department exam and passed it and in 1987 he was awarded his Enrollment card.

In 1987 Robert changed the business name to Downing Tax & Financial Service. In 1995, through his affiliation with H. D. Vest Investment Services^SM added Financial Services to the growing menu of services that the business offered. In 1999 he was blessed enough to be able to buy his mentor, Bill Slattery’s, tax business and add it to his own.

Robert currently holds a series 6 & 63 Investment Company Rep, a series 7 General Securities Rep, a series 24 Registered Securities Principal and a series 65 Registered Investment Advisor. He also holds a California Insurance License for life and variable contracts. In addition Robert is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) as well as a Certified Income Specialist (CIS). He is currently working to become Board Certified in Estate Planning.

Robert is also the Field Leader for the Los Angeles Chapter of the H. D. Vest Investment Services^SM regional chapter program. Robert gives educational seminars to other securities representatives from H D Vest Investment Services^SM . He has been a dedicated field leader for over 10 years now and is also a certified field advisor and helps other H D Vest representatives find the best strategies for their clients.

Robert is active in his community via his Church as well as local Food Pantry. He is an avid runner completing 1 full marathon, several ½ marathons and more 5K races than he can remember. He enjoys bicycle riding as well.

NICOLE J. DOWNING

Nicole began her career in the tax & financial industry in 1997 at a local tax & financial firm here in the Santa Clarita Valley. While there, she took some tax courses & obtained her 6 & 63, Investment Company Securities licenses. In 2000, she obtained her series 7, General Securities Representative license, California Life and Health agent license and her Enrolled Agent's license to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. After joining forces with her husband, Robert, in 2003, she obtained her series 65, Uniform Investment Adviser license and her Certified Funds Specialist (CFS) designation in 2009. Comprehensive financial planning is Nicole’s specialty along with providing her clients with tax saving strategies emphasizing in small business planning and wealth management strategies. She also co-hosts H.D. Vest Chapter Meetings in the Northern Los Angeles area where they provide educational services for other local financial planners. 

In her free time, Nicole enjoys running and spending time with her family. Robert & Nicole's family consists of 2 dogs & 2 cats. I am sure you have seen their many photos around the office. Nicole is an accomplished athlete having run 6 full marathons, many half-marathons, 5k's, & mud runs. Her most recent hobby has been teaching fitness classes at the Fitness Edge Boot Camp where she became a Certified Personal Trainer. She enjoys constructing fun, creative, yet challenging workouts.
 

EMILY A. CROWLEY

Emily joined Downing Tax & Financial in 2005 as an Investment assistant. She holds the Series 6  & 63 Investment Company Rep securities licenses and a California Insurance license for Life & Variable Contracts. She is also  a licensed member of the California Tax Education Council (CTEC).

Prior to joining the firm, Emily had over 12 years experience in the Financial Services industry. She now resides in the Spokane area of Washington with her husband Paul and has two children. She enjoys camping and spending time in Maine at her vacation home.

 ROSEMARY COMPETELLI

After her introduction to the Downing Tax family in 2007, Rosemary was so pleased to become the 4th member of the team. Beginning in mid August, she began assisting Emily with managing the day to day office operations. She quickly advanced and is now the office manager and provides administrative support to our team and bookkeeping clinets. 
In addition to working with Downing Tax & Financial Service, Rosemary along with her sister owns and operates Frankie’s New York Italian Restaurant located here in Valencia at Bridgeport Marketplace. Her experience and understanding of running a small business made her a perfect fit to us here at Downing Tax. She also works directly with clients to assist them with all their business needs; ranging from general office organization & time management to complete  office management.

During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Coming from a traditional Italian family, Sundays are always a special day with lots of food, laughter and memories. She also spends a lot of time out doors with her son, Dominic who loves riding his 65. And lastly we can’t forget hanging out and spending time at Frankie’s is always on the top of the list.
 

JOHN L. DOWNING

Headin up our bookkeeping department, John works directly with our Bookkeeping and Payroll service clients to deliver payroll on a weekly basis. He is also responsible for Payroll and Sales Tax reporting as well as monthly bank reconciliation and financial reporting for our business clients.

John and his wife are active members of their ranch-community and enjoy riding their horse, Regal. John spends his free time flying planes and racing his dragster.