Meet the Board: Todd Larson, Director – ASA, Vantage Point Advisors, Inc.

Introduce us to your day job, title and responsibilities.  

I am a Director at Vantage Point Advisors.  In this capacity, I am responsible for completing valuations of businesses and investments.  These valuations are typically for Gift & Estate Tax, Financial Reporting (purchase price allocations, IRC409a/ASC718, etc.), Litigation, ESOP Administration, and consulting purposes.

What inspired you to pursue a job in this industry? 

I have always been enamored by finance and financial concepts.  Like many college students pursuing a business degree during the late 1980’s, Gordon Gekko (one of the main characters in the movie “Wall Street”) was a bit of a role model…okay…assuming you overlook the illegal activities.  But, hey…it was a movie.  In any case, that movie gave me an interest in investment banking.  Then, when I was nearing graduation, I found a job listing for a business valuation analyst posted on the school job board.  I read the job description and it “ticked all the boxes” for the financial concepts in which I had an interest.  I interviewed for that first position the day before my wedding and started the day after my honeymoon.  Yes, I had to do everything at once…graduate, marry, and start a new job.

Provide a short bio (or a link to it on your company website)

https://www.vpadvisors.com/team_member/todd-larson

Why was it important for you to be involved in ACG 101 at the Board level? 

I started attending ACG 101 events in 2016 and was immediately struck by the quality of attendees at the events.  I knew that joining the Board and working with the dynamic and passionate members of the Board was the next step. 

Describe your current responsibilities on the Board, if applicable. 

In addition to general Board duties, I focus on developing and increasing the membership of ACG 101.  I am always trying to develop and implement new “value-adds” for our members.  So, if you have any ideas of things you would like to see as a member, please reach out to me and voice your suggestions.

What is your favorite thing about ACG 101? 

Besides the general quality of attendees, I like the fact that when you attend every event, you are met with a mix of regular and new attendees.  Our events allow our members to develop deep relationships with other members and also introduces them to many “guest” attendees that don’t attend on a regular basis.

What excites you most about the direction of ACG 101, and how will you contribute to it?

The Board instituted a new event program for 2020 which includes more evening events and new industry focused events, such as our new Music Industry event that took place at the Canyon Club and featured many of our local professionals taking part in a jam session.  It was a lot of fun.  Unfortunately, some of those events have been postponed.  But, this gave us the opportunity to pivot and host virtual events, which have been very successful.  I think that ACG101 will emerge form this trying time even stronger and I look forward to seeing where the group goes from here.

3 Fun Facts

• I have known my wife since we were kids.  After thirty years (and one marriage each) later, we finally married.
• I am a part-time lecturer at CSUN where I teach finance and computer courses.
• I lost my spleen in a motorcycle accident.

Todd Larson
Vantage Point Advisors
O 858.876.3108
C 310.699.0562