Alina Nikishina, CPA – 2017 40 Under 40 Honoree

Professional Associations/Memberships (please include any leadership roles): PASBA (Professional Association of Small Business Accountants); CASBA (Colorado chapter of PASBA); the Alliance of Professional Women (Member & Secretary for Outreach Committee)

In the last few years, I have helped with implementing new technologies and streamlined work flows into our company. Our Quickbooks Online clientele grew to almost half of our client base, which has opened new opportunities for us to give our clients more value through proactive advice. There has been a big initiative on my part to really learn the software and train my team and clients. I brought in more paperless tools such as Adobe less printing and e-signature/online payment tools for documents during tax season. I worked alongside our executive team to create the framework of our firm and our sister companies so we can fuel our purpose with clear goals and relevant tasks. The biggest project we’re working on now is building a consulting arm to our business. We have been advising our clients for many years, but our goal is to build a system that everyone can utilize.

For about a year now, I’ve been a part of the Alliance of Professional Women in their Outreach Committee acting as a volunteer and Secretary. There are various volunteering events we support throughout the year, while connecting with women locally for support in our lives and careers. I recently joined the board of directors of a non-profit here in Denver that supports the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program in Colorado. Also, I do some pro bono accounting and tax work to help some local business owners that need help, but can’t afford it. Next year I’m looking into mentoring accounting students at a local university. Opportunities are everywhere!

Favorite influencer(s) (authors, bloggers, mentors, speakers, etc.)

The owner of our firm, Sean Manning, is a very important mentor in my life. He always takes time to ensure that I am growing personally and professionally. Coming to work for me every day is exciting because with Sean’s initiatives we are working on projects that we feel will be very relevant to the next generation of this profession. It’s exciting to be a pioneer! Additionally, I really enjoy following inspirational speaks & authors like Esther Hicks, author of “The Law of Attraction”, and Don Miguel Ruiz, author of “The Four Agreements”.

———-

Read about the other 40 Under 40 Honorees for 2017.