Our Team
We love what we do.
At The Guardian CPA, we believe that the best financial advice comes from people who actually know you. Behind every tax return and financial statement is a team of dedicated professionals who value relationship as much as rigor. Based in Santa Barbara and serving clients across the country, our team combines diverse backgrounds—from local Central Coast roots to international expertise—to provide a holistic approach to your finances.
We aren’t just a firm of "number crunchers." We are Eagle Scouts, adventurers, and family-oriented professionals who understand that your business and personal goals are deeply intertwined. Whether we are streamlining your bookkeeping or architecting a multi-year tax strategy, our mission remains the same: to give you the clarity and peace of mind you need to focus on what matters most to you.
John F. Duston IV, CPA
Owner, Founder, CPA
John Duston is the founder of The Guardian CPA and Ballast Bookkeepers. A UC Santa Barbara Economics and Accounting graduate, John transitioned to full-time practice in early 2024 to serve as a dedicated partner to his clients. He personally reviews every return with a simple goal: maximizing your savings through compliant, expert strategy.
A Palos Verdes native turned Santa Barbara local, John is deeply committed to the Central Coast business community. When he’s not navigating tax codes, he’s an avid outdoorsman who enjoys sailing, hiking, and skiing, and spending quality time with his wife, Charissa, their baby boy, and their cat, Strider. John treats every client’s business with the same care and protection he gives his own family.
Nesreen Ghannan MBA
Staff Accountant
Nesreen joined The Guardian CPA in January 2023, bringing a wealth of international and local expertise to the team. Her role is central to our clients' success, as she manages bookkeeping, calculates tax liabilities, and prepares both individual and business returns. Nesreen finds the most meaning in helping clients maximize their deductions and secure the largest possible returns, all while ensuring strict compliance with current tax regulations.
Originally from the coastal city of Tartous, Syria, Nesreen earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics before moving to California to complete her MBA at the University of La Verne. Now a resident of Ventura, she loves spending her free time outdoors with her husband and two daughters. Whether she is hiking, traveling, or baking with her girls, Nesreen brings the same warmth and dedication to her community that she provides to our clients.
Abby Lovold
Staff Accountant
Abby joined The Guardian CPA in January 2023, specializing in bookkeeping, general accounting, and the preparation of individual and business tax returns. With a natural love for math and organization, she finds great satisfaction in keeping clients' books pristine and uncovering tax savings that protect their bottom line. Abby holds a Liberal Arts degree from Thomas Aquinas College, a background that supports her analytical and detail-oriented approach to accounting.
A native and current resident of Long Beach, CA, Abby balances her technical work with a deep passion for the arts and family. When she’s not crunching numbers, she is likely reading, baking with her sister, or heading to the beach with her family and their dog. An avid musician, Abby also spends her free time playing, writing, and listening to music, bringing a creative perspective to everything she does.
