Today we’d like to introduce you to Ragi Riad.
Hi Ragi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
At the young age of 19, back in 1997, I immigrated to the US by myself. I learned quickly to be completely independent and to face every challenge on my own. Back then, the use of the internet was not popular, and it was much harder to get the necessary information needed for the daily activities. When I was faced with cultural, language, social, and economical barriers, I learned quickly how to trust God, to rely on His faithfulness, and to venture on my own. Although my mother was supportive and present in my life, the transition to California was very challenging and daunting as I had a non-existent support system in the US at first and I was expected to work, go to school, support myself, make friends, learn the culture, and navigate through the daily challenges while growing up. I learned quickly to not accept NO for an answer and to always try resolving issues or finding answers. I am very blessed and grateful for the education I received at Biola University where it was impressed on my heart and mind that my education and ultimately, my work ought to be an act of worship to God. I am grateful to have been able to be listed on the Dean’s list for most semesters and to graduate cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in Biblical Studies. After graduation, I took and passed my CPA exams. As I started my career, I spent the first nine years working at various local CPA firms in Orange County, CA where I learned how to research tax matters, write professional responses to the taxing authorities and to clients, and the invaluable lesson of collaborating with other team members and with clients. In 2012 through 2014, God allowed several negative circumstances and setbacks to shape and mold me professionally, which came to full fruition in the start of my CPA practice. My passion in life has always been connecting with people and making friends from different cultures, backgrounds, and ethnic groups. This excitement easily translated to my CPA practice where I see myself as a strategic partner for my business clients.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My start was extremely humble, filing a couple of tax returns from our garage. There were a lot of resentment and negative voices. I thank God for my wife’s unwavering support and encouragement when things looked bleak and uncertain. Moreover, God placed many trusted and wise professionals in my path; such individuals shaped me professionally and personally and helped me accept and embrace challenges while measuring risks. They mentored, guided, and encouraged me to thrive and succeed. As my business continues to grow through referrals and online presence, I always refer back to this verse “to him much is given, much will be required”. As a trusted advisor and business consultant to my clients, I fully understand the honor and responsibility in providing the most excellent service while advocating on behalf of my clients. I pray to provide ART to my clients; to be Accessible, Reliable and Trustworthy. It is easy to become complacent and comfortable. The challenge is to remain consistent and thrive to provide a unique experience in resolving their tax issues, guiding them through their business’ operations and in sharing best practices, procedures, and tips with them. The key is to listen to their pain points, share with them what they need to hear (not what they want to hear), meet them where they are, and to celebrate small successes with them; everything ought to be done in the spirit of humility and with a servant attitude. Another challenge is to be an effective leader and communicator where my clients listen to my advice and follow my recommendations pertaining to their operations. I work exclusively with business owners who are looking for a strategic partner and a behavioral tax strategist and business consultant. I pray that they always see value and reward in working with my team.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Riad CPA PC?
We are a full-service Certified Public Accounting firm in Charlotte. We have over two decades of accounting and tax experience consulting and advising with the owners of small and mid-size companies and high net worth individuals in various States such as California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada. Our approach and business model is unique in the fact that we are not a transactional CPA firm; we focus on people. We work exclusively with business owners as their strategic partner, and we are their behavioral tax strategists. We not only address our clients’ major problems in their businesses; more importantly, we find solutions by collaborating and partnering with them. We focus on mentoring, training, and educating our business clients so they can have a better grasp of their finances. We are blessed with clients who experience an unmatched level of satisfaction and delight in our interactions, level of expertise, and attention to their needs. The reviews on our google page (Ragi Riad, CPA) is a great testament of such positive experience. Also, we are blessed with a network of other professionals throughout the country who we view as compliment, not competitors. If you have a need that we can’t meet or a problem that we can’t solve, we will try our best to connect you with the right people. Our ultimate prayer is that by working or interacting with us, client would gain knowledge or receive guidance for action items.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
We are blessed to be nominated one of three best rated accounting firms in Charlotte three years in a row. The main reason is God’s provision and providence in allowing us to use our gifts and talents in serving our clients excellently and professionally. Our business model is based on seven essential “P” s; one of which is the fact that people are the backbone of our business. I am grateful for our clients who choose to continue working with us and to trust our expertise knowing that they have tens and hundreds of choices. In fact, several of them have been loyal to us since our humble start in 2015. Also, our team of professionals excel at their work demonstrating the highest level of integrity and commitment to our clients’ success and growth. They have an innate sense of connection and relating to others while providing professional service. We pray that our clients have a unique experience that goes beyond their finances and taxes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.riadcpa.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ragi-riad-cpa-01597b2a/
