Introduction
When John Carbahal and his brother Manny founded their accounting firm in Davis back in 1984, they probably never imagined that one day their children would join them as partners and staff members. Today, John’s son Eric Carbahal represents the next generation of the family business, bringing fresh energy to an established practice that has become the largest accounting firm in Davis.
The story of Eric Carbahal is inseparable from the broader narrative of john carbahal’s son & Company, a firm built on community involvement, client-first service, and family values. As Manny Carbahal noted about working with his son, “That’s been a real thrill; it’s kind of recharging me working with my son.”
Early Life and Family Influence
Growing up as the son of one of Davis’s most prominent business leaders, Eric Carbahal was exposed to entrepreneurial thinking and community service from an early age. The Carbahal family’s roots in the region run deep, with John and Manny originally hailing from nearby Winters before establishing their practice in Davis.
John Carbahal’s influence on his son extended beyond just business acumen. The founding principles of Carbahal & Company putting clients first, ensuring excellent service, and maintaining strong community involvement became part of Eric’s upbringing. These values shaped his understanding of what it means to run a successful business that serves both its clients and the broader community.
The family’s commitment to education was evident in John’s own journey, having convinced his brother Manny to change his major to business while they were students at Chico State in the late 1970s. This emphasis on adaptability and continuous learning would later influence Eric’s own professional development.
Professional Journey and Career Development
Eric Carbahal joined the family firm as a staff accountant, starting from the ground up despite his family connection to the business. This approach reflects the company’s merit-based culture and commitment to thorough professional development.
Working alongside his uncle Manny and the other partners Jennifer Nitzowski, Steven Willhoff, and his cousin Stephanie Carbahal Adamo (John’s daughter) Eric gained comprehensive experience in various aspects of accounting and client service. The firm’s growth from a two-person operation to Davis’s largest accounting practice provided him with insights into business scaling, client relationship management, and operational excellence.
His role as a staff accountant allowed him to understand the business from the foundation up, working directly with clients and learning the detailed processes that make Carbahal & Company successful. This hands-on experience proved invaluable in understanding both the technical aspects of accounting and the relationship-building skills essential to the firm’s community-focused approach.
Continuing the Family Legacy
Eric’s presence at Carbahal & Company represents more than just family succession it embodies the firm’s commitment to long-term thinking and sustainable growth. His participation in the business helps ensure continuity of the values and practices that have made the firm successful over more than three decades.
The multi-generational aspect of the business, with both Eric and his cousin Stephanie as part of the team, demonstrates the firm’s ability to attract and retain talent while maintaining its family-oriented culture. This approach has contributed to what Manny describes as “probably the best group of employees we’ve ever had.”
Eric’s involvement also reflects the firm’s broader philosophy of community investment. Just as his father and uncle built their success on deep community roots, Eric represents the next generation’s commitment to serving Davis and the surrounding area.
Impact on Carbahal & Company
The addition of Eric to the team has brought renewed energy to the firm, as evidenced by Manny’s comments about feeling “recharged” by working with his son. This generational collaboration combines experienced wisdom with fresh perspectives, helping the firm continue its growth trajectory.
Eric’s presence also reinforces the firm’s stability and long-term commitment to the Davis community. Clients can be confident that the values and service standards they’ve come to expect from Carbahal & Company will continue into the future.
Building on a Strong Foundation
Eric Carbahal’s story is still being written, but it’s clear that he’s building on the strong foundation laid by his father John and uncle Manny. The principles that guided the firm’s growth from a small two-person operation to Davis’s premier accounting practice client focus, community involvement, and employee satisfaction continue to shape his approach to business.
As Carbahal & Company continues to evolve and grow, Eric represents both continuity and change. He carries forward the family legacy while bringing his own perspectives and ideas to help the firm adapt to new challenges and opportunities in an ever-changing business environment.
The presence of Eric and his cousin Stephanie in the firm ensures that the Carbahal name will continue to be associated with excellence in accounting and community service in Davis for years to come, honoring the vision that John and Manny established when they first opened their doors in 1984.
