Herbert H. Bowman, CPA

There would be no Bowman & Company if, in 1947, Herb Bowman hadn't decided to "sit in on" classes that would lead to his becoming a certified public accountant in 1949, the year he founded this firm. "There were only five other CPAs in Stockton at the time," he recalls.

Herb co-founded the firm with his pal Bob Tout, with whom he'd served in the ROTC, attended Harvard Business School and enlisted as officers in the U.S. Army during World War II. When concerns arose at the time that tax work might infringe upon the practice of law, he and Bob worked with Humphrey's College to establish a law school. Herb was in the first graduating class and was recently inducted into Humphrey's Law School Hall of Fame.

Herb Bowman was born and raised in Stockton. He attended Victory Elementary School and Stockton High School. He began college as a Latin major at UC Berkeley, then switched to Economics. His accounting specialties are estate planning and estate and trust tax.

The partners, managers and staff of Bowman & Company say that Herb gave the firm not only its initial reputation for care and professionalism but also has inspired its continuing standing within the accounting profession and community. "I still enjoy meeting with the clients year after year," Herb says, "and discussing their personal situations, achievements and problems."

Affiliations: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, California Society of CPAs, California State Bar Association, Haggin Museum (Emeritus Trustee), Rotary Club of Stockton (a member since 1955).

Off The Record: "I like this generation of Bowman partners: I like how they put an emphasis on the quality of our work and that everyone here gets along. And I enjoy the fact that they allow me to still hang around the place."