Yuriy G. Akopyan, CPA
Yuriy G. Akopyan, CPAYuriy, the founder of Akopyan & Co., has 20+ years’ experience in tax preparation, advising, and public accounting.
A Certified Public Accountant since 2002, he specializes in creating and executing operational and tax strategies for businesses. By doing so he is able to increase efficiencies and minimize liabilities.
Clients benefit from Yuriy’s unique ability to understand their individual needs and provide expert guidance on business matters. His background as a tax software developer and analyst for large corporations is what sets him apart from other CPAs. With Yuriy’s business insights clients are given the keys to success.
And as an entrepreneur himself, Yuriy understands the importance of trusted advisors and their impact on a growing business. He believes “no client is too small!” Whatever the size of your business, it’s important to you — and it’s important to Akopyan & Co., too.
Yuriy enjoys travel and fine dining, and also is a firm believer in giving back to the community. He’s an active participant in charitable work for the Armenian community in the PNW.
Stella O. Akopyan
Stella O. AkopyanLongtime accountant Stella joined Akopyan & Co. in 2004, and has been instrumental in the company’s growth and development.
She has extensive knowledge in several aspects of accounting and day-to-day operations, including payroll and QuickBooks.
Stella’s attention to detail and diligence helps provide each client with personal service and advice tailored specifically to their needs. She has five years’ experience as a senior staff accountant, along with work as a staff accountant.
She also is a dedicated and proud mother of two children. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, walking, sightseeing and helping her daughter with piano lessons.
Keith O. Applegate, CPA
Keith O. Applegate, CPAA veteran CPA with 40+ years of experience, Keith has been part of the Akopyan & Co. team since 2019.
His career began in Springfield, Ohio, where he joined a firm after college and eventually rose to managing partner. There he was active for 15 years, serving on various committees with the Ohio Society of CPAs. He also was closely involved with numerous charities.
What Keith loves most about accounting are the close relationships he builds with clients. Work gives him opportunities to learn while helping people move through business and life.
In 2017, he and his wife of 30 years, Kathleen sold the business and moved to Bothell. Now they are just two houses away from their daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren.
Not the stereotypical “green-eyeshade accountant,” Keith is a theater and music lover who has performed in nearly 100 amateur productions. He also is an emeritus director of the Springfield Symphony.
Jennifer Berry – Tax & Accounting Manager
Jennifer Berry – Tax & Accounting ManagerJennifer Berry has over 10 years of experience helping small businesses with their accounting and payroll needs.
A licensed Enrolled Agent, she earned her accounting degree from the University of Idaho. Jeni also volunteers her time and financial expertise in support of various local nonprofits.
She enjoys exploring the outdoors as well as spending time with her husband and two sons. Both in college, one lives in Montana and the other on the East Coast.
Heather Wright—Staff Accountant
Longtime accounting professional, Heather came to Akopyan & Co. in 2022 with more than 25 years in financial roles.
Starting out, she worked at her family’s small office-equipment store and a local landscaping company.
She says she loves helping business owners manage “what most of them don’t want to do—their books!” Getting accounts to balance perfectly is her specialty and always gives her immense joy.
Heather has played softball since she was a teenager and still cannot wait to get on the field. She also plays golf, snowboards, and enjoys game nights at home in Maple Valley with her two sons and fiancé.
Ted Deaton—Tax & Accounting Supervisor
Ted Deaton—Tax & Accounting SupervisorOver several years in the industry, Ted Deaton has helped thousands of clients save money on their taxes—including clients with unique and complicated tax situations.
While he works for Akopyan & Co. remotely from Bella Vista, Arkansas, Ted has deep Seattle roots: He grew up in the Seattle area and tries to visit friends and family here as often as possible.
Married with two daughters, Ted has a bachelor’s degree in economics and an MBA in finance. He enjoys walking, hiking, and running, along with the occasional round of golf.
Michelle Orndorf, Client Payroll Specialist
Michelle Orndorf, Client Payroll SpecialistMichelle Orndorf, who manages payroll and bookkeeping for Akopyan & Co. clients, has been in the accounting industry for more than 25 years.
Before joining us in 2018, she worked as an accountant, comptroller, and bookkeeper for a variety of companies, from PRO Sports Club to Safeway. She also has served as a commissioner in Water District 119 since 2010.
Michelle loves working with her clients, spending time with her dogs at her home in Duvall, and driving her MINI Cooper—she’s a member of the Puget Sound MINI Motoring Club.
Ronni Whitacre – Client Accounting Specialist
Ronni Whitacre – Client Accounting SpecialistA Pacific Northwest native, Ronni Whitacre got her start with bookkeeping and accounting during her years as a small-business owner.
Before joining the Akopyan & Co. team in 2017, she spent eight years working for a fast-growing builder and an accounting firm. Today, Ronni is proud to serve local business owners as they grow with the community.
Her interests include gardening and landscape design, learning languages (French is the current project), volunteering and spending time with family and friends.
Lidia Avakyan - Client Accounting Specialist
Lidia Avakyan - Client Accounting SpecialistUniversity of Washington graduate Lidia Avakyan provides Akopyan & Co. clients with accounting services.
Lidia has six years of experience as an accounts payable lead, and also puts her professional talents to use for her condominium association, volunteering as treasurer and helping the organization maintain financial stability.
When she’s not working with numbers, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Erin Garvin, Client Accounting Specialist
Erin Garvin, Client Accounting SpecialistErin Garvin joined Akopyan & Co. in 2019, but her experience in finance extends back more than a quarter-century.
For more than 15 years, she was a full-charge bookkeeper for various companies and firms in the aerospace, manufacturing, and construction industries. Erin enjoys the forensic side of accounting—finding the answer, solving the puzzle—and in addition to her wealth of hands-on experience, she is pursuing a degree in accounting.
When she’s not going over the numbers, Erin can be found reading, baking, and traveling. She lives in Snohomish.
Thomas High – Accounting Supervisor
Thomas High – Accounting SupervisorThomas High’s path to Akopyan & Co. was a unique one: After earning his degree in accounting, along with a master’s in business administration, he spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroun, West Africa.
Upon his return, he spent more than 10 years with Deloitte and Touche, as well as other regional firms. Tom also has worked as a controller and CFO, and after 25 years in the financial industry.
He says his greatest satisfaction comes from helping owners of small- and mid-sized businesses succeed.
Gordon Kuaimoku – Tax Consultant & Preparer
Gordon Kuaimoku – Tax Consultant & PreparerGordon Kuaimoku’s experience spans more than 20 years in tax preparation and planning for both individuals and small businesses.
A graduate of Seattle University and a retired U.S. Army officer, he believes strongly in proactive tax planning. That’s why he keeps clients informed throughout the year, working with them directly to prepare accurate and timely returns that take all factors into consideration.
Gordon, an old surfer from Hawaii, enjoys swimming and tennis on a regular basis.
Garnik Akopyan – Tax Manager
Garnik Akopyan – Tax ManagerAfter spending five years as a financial planner with Boeing, Garnik Akopyan joined Akopyan & Co. in 2019.
A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in accounting and finance, he enjoys helping his clients understand the financial side of their business in order to reach their goals.
Garnik lives in Bellevue and has a young son who “always keeps me on my toes.” He loves travel, playing soccer and chess, working out, and grilling while gathering with friends and family. Garnik is a huge NBA and NFL fan as well.
Mary Jilek – Payroll Specialist
Mary Jilek – Payroll SpecialistWith both a father and husband who are small-business owners, Mary Jilek has always been devoted to supporting small businesses.
A graduate of the University of Washington with a B.A. in Business Administration (Marketing and Finance), she is very happy to be in the accounting world after years in the insurance industry.
Mary has two kids and enjoys movies, going out to dinner and spending time with friends and family.
Scott Hancock – Operations Manager
Scott Hancock – Operations ManagerScott Hancock loves Seattle’s entrepreneurial spirit — he joined Akopyan & Co. because the firm’s focus on small businesses allows him to play a part in our city’s innovation and growth.
Scott’s attention to detail, passion for client service and technical background keep the office (and our systems) running efficiently and effectively.
When he’s not working, Scott enjoys cooking, spending time with his family and taking in the glorious natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Jennifer Henry—Administrative Assistant
Jennifer joined Akopyan & Co. in 2022 after spending over 15 years in the mortgage and real estate industries. Her strong financial background includes experience in loan processing as well as title and escrow services.
She is enjoying learning yet another industry—tax and accounting—while cultivating relationships with our clients and the rest of the team.
A resident of Fall City, Jennifer and her fiancé, John, have six kids, two dogs, and a guinea pig. She loves cooking and all things food, along with reading, watching movies, and traveling.
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