Image Shows Diana Akhmerova, Founder of Seattle Accountants Professional Corporation
Seattle, WA – A remarkable journey of perseverance and success emerged from the dynamic city of Seattle, where innovation and business flourish. Diana Akhmerova is the founder of Seattle Accountants. Her journey from a small town in Russia to prominence as a certified public accountant in the United States is nothing short of remarkable. The story of Diana Akhmerova stands as a beacon of resilience and determination. Diana began her American journey as a new immigrant, juggling the roles of a single mother and an audit intern at PwC. With an unwavering commitment and steadfast dedication, she swiftly navigated the complex world of accounting. Within ten short years of her inaugural internship, Diana not only earned professional respect but also attained financial independence, becoming a multi-millionaire. Now, as the founder of Seattle Accountants, backed by 7 years of public accounting experience, Diana’s mission transcends numbers. She has passionately invested in mentoring and supporting emerging entrepreneurs and small business owners, guiding them toward their own American dreams. Dive into Diana’s remarkable journey to appreciate the depth of her commitment and her vision of building long-lasting relationships with her clients, especially entrepreneurs and small business owners.
From Rural Russia to the American Dream
Diana Akhmerova grew up in a little town around 60 kilometers from the city of Kazan, Russia, thus her roots are firmly planted in the country. From a young age, Diana was captivated by the allure of the United States, her imagination was ignited by Hollywood blockbusters on old VHS tapes, especially those featuring action legend Arnold Schwarzenegger. Little did she know that fate would uniquely intertwine their paths. Years later, as she pursued her education in the United States, it was none other than Arnold’s signature, during his tenure as the Governor of California, that would grace her university diploma.
Her life took a surprising turn when she immigrated to the United States at the age of twenty. Accounting was not always on Diana’s radar. While pursuing a major in French at the University of Oregon, she was still charting her path. As part of her decision to minor in Business Administration, she took a required accounting class. To her surprise, she was captivated by the subject, a sentiment largely fueled by her exceptional professor, a passionate CPA. Her engaging teaching style made the subject come alive for Diana. After securing an “A” in that transformative class, Diana found her calling and decided to switch her major to accounting.
A Lifelong Obsession
From that point on, Diana Akhmerova became obsessed with accounting, viewing it as a complicated puzzle where each piece was equally important. She enjoyed the logical and mentally challenging aspects of accounting.
“Accounting is the language of business,” Diana emphasized. She recognized that accounting provides the critical information necessary for making informed business decisions, a skill she knew would enable her to contribute to the success of various businesses. In addition, she enjoyed the challenges of staying current with the ever-evolving nature of her profession.
Diana earned her accounting degree from California State University, San Bernardino, with the unexpected twist of having her diploma signed by none other than the “Terminator” himself! Fresh from college, she secured an audit internship at PwC, one of the Big 4 accounting firms. Over the next seven years, she honed her audit skills in public accounting, working with globally renowned firms like PwC, EY, and BDO in San Diego, and later with Clark Nuber in Seattle.
Gaining Diverse Experience
Diana cultivated a profound understanding of diverse business landscapes during her tenure as an auditor at public accounting firms. Engaging with a spectrum of clients, from startups to multinational corporations, she cultivated a deep appreciation for meticulous and reliable accounting. This exposure spanned multiple industries, including pharmaceuticals, financial services, technology, healthcare, real estate, consumer goods, retail, non-profits, and manufacturing. Beyond technical acumen, her role also enriched her with unparalleled soft skills, global perspectives, and an intricate understanding of industry-specific challenges and best practices.
Later, Diana embraced a new role as the Controller of WISErg, a Seattle-area startup that has pioneered upcycling nutrients from recovered food for use in fertilizer and nutrient-efficiency products that enhance plant and soil health. Diana took charge of WISErg’s financial health and set the foundation for its success. Diana sharpened her international acumen by overseeing the company’s subsidiary in Mexico, adeptly maneuvering through Mexico’s tax intricacies and managing Spanish-speaking teams.
Diana expanded her skill set in HR operations during her tenure as the Vice President of Finance and Human Resources at Digital Fortress, a Seattle-based fast-growing multitenant and wholesale data center provider offering colocation, network, and cloud access services to large and mid-size enterprises.
Motivated by the COVID pandemic’s impact, Diana launched her own CPA firm, focusing on empowering others to achieve their financial dreams. A pivotal highlight in her journey was her tenure as a CFO for a renowned hedge fund manager’s family office in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Diana Akhmerova finally settled in Washington, a city known for its thriving technological sector and startup scene, where she founded Seattle Accountants to provide tailored financial solutions, empower entrepreneurs, and foster the growth of innovative businesses.
Mastering the Art of Taxation and Legal Expertise
Diana Akhmerova, an avid learner, pursued her master’s degree in U.S. Taxation to better navigate the intricacies of American tax law. This advanced knowledge enabled her to adeptly guide clients through tax planning, ensure compliance, and offer solutions to tax dilemmas. But her quest for knowledge did not stop there. To further enrich her understanding, she delved into a JD program, enhancing her ability to think critically and address challenges, bolstered by her comprehensive legal training.
A New Journey In The Heart Of Seattle
Diana started Seattle Accountants out of a genuine desire to guide small business owners through the tax and accounting maze.
Seattle Accountants Professional Corporation is a boutique CPA firm that specializes in serving small businesses, offering all-in-one, world-class accounting, payroll, tax, business advisory and CFO services.
Driven by her dedication to personalized client experiences, Seattle Accountants tailor their services to the specific requirements of each client. They do this by taking care and consideration at every step:
Thorough Onboarding: Diana and her staff get to know their clients’ businesses inside and out to build a comprehensive understanding of their unique financial needs and preferences.
Custom Service Plans: Based on the findings of the initial assessment, Seattle Accountants develops a custom service plan to meet the unique needs of every client. This individualized strategy guarantees that each client receives guidance that aligns with specific company objectives.
Proactive Client Engagement: Diana maintains regular communication with her clients to stay updated on any developments at the client’s business that can call for a change in their service plan. In this way, the company can anticipate and adapt to the changing demands of the market.
Flexibility and Agility: As businesses grow and evolve so do their financial needs. To keep up with their clients’ demands, Diana and her staff at Seattle Accountants maintain a flexible and agile mindset by adjusting their strategies and services as needed.
Client-Centric Approach: Seattle Accountants value their clients’ opinions and use cutting-edge financial tools and software to provide individualized service. The company’s dedication to constant development guarantees its clients receive personalized, relevant, and effective services that support clients’ specific business objectives.
Contributing to the Success of Independent Entrepreneurs
“I was motivated to focus on small business owners for several reasons,” Diana Akhmerova explained. “I am drawn to the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that small businesses embody. They are the backbone of the economy, providing jobs and services, and often bringing unique ideas to the market.”
Diana realized that her knowledge of taxation and accounting might make a big difference in assisting small businesses with the specific issues they encounter. She understood the significance of precise accounting records to the success of a business and its ability to plan for the future and make informed decisions. She hoped that by providing individualized assistance, she might help her clients better understand their finances and taxes so that they could devote more time to expanding their businesses.
Making an Impact and Forming Lasting Relationships
The foundation of Seattle Accountants is the relationships formed with their clients. They take a hands-on and personable approach to each connection cultivated because Diana understands that their success directly correlates to her own.
“I am passionate about accounting. Accounting for me is not a job, it is a calling,” Diana emphasized.
Many of her clients have shared experiences of how Seattle Accountants’ services have improved their financial situation because of her dedication to co-creation and collaboration. Diana finds great pleasure in seeing her clients succeed, whether she is advising them through a complex tax issue with the IRS or helping them improve their cash flow management.
Just recently, Seattle Accountants shared an inspiring success story that demonstrated the firm’s positive influence on a client’s financial well-being. The client was in over his head with taxes; the IRS was hot on his tail seeking more than $2 million. The client’s home and bank accounts were in jeopardy of being taken by the IRS, and the situation had reached a breaking point. He turned to Seattle Accountants for help when no one else would help. What they found was that the client’s former CPA, who was only involved once a year in filing the tax return without providing essential assistance or instruction, had a poor grasp of tax law and IRS processes.
Diana, acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, proceeded by briefing the client on tax law and IRS processes, outlining his alternatives, and helping him make an informed decision on how to proceed. The second part of the process was proficient negotiation with the IRS on behalf of the client. Diana’s hard work and professionalism paid off, and the client was able to keep his home and his bank accounts. An example of the essential positive impact that Seattle Accountants can have on its clients’ lives, this resolution prevented the client from going bankrupt and gave him some much-needed peace of mind.
Conclusion
Diana Akhmerova’s journey from a small town in Russia to becoming a prominent CPA in Seattle is an amazing monument to the power of drive and enthusiasm in a world where opportunity and resilience meet. Diana Akhmerova, through her dedication to fostering long-lasting connections and assisting small company owners, is improving the prospects for many business owners in Seattle and beyond. She has continued to inspire and encourage small business owners through Seattle Accountants, proving that everything is possible with hard work, dedication, and the proper team behind you.
For more information about Seattle Accountants, please visit their website at www.seattleaccountants.com
Media Contact: Adam Reynolds
Website: www.seattleaccountants.com
Email: hello@seattleaccountants.com
Address: 1201 3rd Ave, Suite 2200, Office # 23-111, Seattle, WA 98101
