July 28, 2023 • 23 mins
Gary Weiss, CPA and host, interviews Susana Barajas, CPA | Partner of Allegent Group, LLP.
About Susana Barajas
About Gary Weiss
About Echelon Business Development Network
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Episode Transcript
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Announcer (00:00):
The Echelon Radio Network presents the Tax Matters
radio podcast, a conversationabout money for everyone with
your host Gary Weiss.
Gary Weiss (00:19):
Welcome to the Echelon Tax Matters Specialty
Group podcast. I'm your hostGary Weiss. This podcast is
written and developed for thoseof us impacted by the complex,
lengthy and confusing tax laws.
Taxes of all kinds are part ofour everyday life. And this
podcast is a way to bring youthe relevant, easy to
(00:41):
understand, and very relatabletopics to help you make informed
sound financial decisions.
Besides all that, I haveinteresting and wonderful guests
with amazing stories. I am alicensed CPA in California I
have a practice in WoodlandHills with my partner, Quentin
Staples. I also do TaxResolutions, services, so I'm
(01:02):
always fighting the IRS and theFTB. Speaking of amazing guests
sitting across the table from metoday is a lovely, highly
intelligent, multitalentedSusana Barajas of the Allegent
Group. Susanna, welcome to thepodcast.
Susana Barajas (01:19):
Thank you, Gary for having me.
Gary Weiss (01:21):
Okay, so begin, tell our tell our listeners that want
to know definitely now that Ibuilt you up, tell us a little
bit about you, your background,how you got where you are. And
what what makes Susana tick.
Susana Barajas (01:34):
Well, I am the number seventh child in a family
of eight. I was born last withmy twin brother. And my family
is originally from Mexico, mostof my brothers and sisters
immigrated over to the UnitedStates. And my myself and my
twin brother are born here.
Growing up, my mom instilled inme, you know, hard working
(01:59):
values. And, and we've alwaysbeen really close. And they've
always been supportive of me.
One of the things she instilledin me was to get an education.
Unfortunately, she wasn't ableto go to school because my
grandfather had her working inthe field. So she always wanted
to go to school. And since shedidn't have the opportunity, she
(02:20):
always wanted all of herchildren's to have a quality
education. So I'm growing up ina Mexican family, you just see,
you know, women get married. Youknow, settle down, be housewives
and growing up that's what Ithought I was going to do.
That's what I saw growing up.
But you know, when I was in highschool, my mom, you know, just
(02:42):
said to me, you know, you'reeither gonna go to school,
you're gonna go to college, oryou're gonna get a job. And I
was like, Oh, I thought I wasjust gonna, you know, get
married and have children andtake care of my husband. And
she's like, No, I don't want youhere in the house doing nothing.
So I was like, Well, I don'tfeel like going out and look for
a job. But you know, so I hadreally good grades. And I got a
(03:06):
really nice scholarship and Pellgrants to go to Woodbury
University. And the way I chosemy profession, I always knew I
was good with numbers was one ofmy easiest class is algebra
geometry. So I decided to justget into accounting. So that's
how I decided to become a CPA.
Gary Weiss (03:27):
So what was your favorite accounting course?
Susana Barajas (03:29):
Oh, algebra. And calculus. Those were the easiest
classes for us.
Gary Weiss (03:35):
But, what was your favorite accounting course?
Which What did you what? Becausethat first course, when I took
accounting was the first coursethat nailed me. I was interested
in. I was hooked at that point.
So what what what was yourcourse? That said, this is what
I want to do
Susana Barajas (03:48):
Introduction to Accounting, my that my first
intro class, I was like, I cando this.
Gary Weiss (03:53):
would you learn in that class, that made you...
Susana Barajas (03:55):
Debits and credits, that everything needs
to balance?
Gary Weiss (04:00):
So you like balance?
Susana Barajas (04:00):
I love balancing.
Gary Weiss (04:02):
You want to tell our listener what debit and credit
means
Susana Barajas (04:05):
Accounting terms, you know, a debit me I
know, that's usually an expenseor, you know, deposit into your
bank account or credit. It's iseither an income or a liability.
And your balance sheet account,
Gary Weiss (04:19):
In the ancient terms, debit means left credit
means right. That's all it is.
You know, I did not know that.
That's, that's all that means.
So everybody says use this termthey have they think it's a big
deal. Nothing is a big deal. So,so tell me, you're from Mexico.
That's great. So what's yourfavorite food?
Susana Barajas (04:36):
I love my mom's enchiladas, homemade enchiladas.
Gary Weiss (04:40):
And when you go out what type where's your what's
your favorite Mexicanrestaurant?
Susana Barajas (04:46):
Fritas greatest Mexican cuisine in Glendale?
Gary Weiss (04:50):
In Glendale? Great place for a Mexican restaurant.
Susana Barajas (04:53):
My mama my mom approves of their who there's
like this is authentic.
Gary Weiss (04:57):
I think it is more important If mom gave her
blessing then it is good food.
Yes.
That's really interesting. So, Iknow a secret about you, which
I'm going to talk about rightnow has nothing to do with
accounting has nothing to dowith anything. The one of your
passions is salsa dancing. Sotell us about that.
Susana Barajas (05:15):
Well, that was a complete surprise. I, it was
shocking that I even got intothat because I grew up
introverted. And, you know,since I was a youngest girl, I
was highly, you know, wereprotected by the whole family
and I was really shy and reallyquiet. And my sister was dating
(05:35):
a Central American fromNicaragua who snuck me into a
nightclub Riviera. It was one ofthe hottest salsa spots at the
time. And I just saw this coupledancing together to salsa, and I
loved the way they danced. And Ijust kept going back and
learning how to dance. And itjust, I just got hooked. I
(05:59):
dragged my sisters because theywill allow me to go in, as long
as I was accompanied by by agrown up who was over 21. And I
would drag my sister everySaturday to take me dancing so I
can learn more. And...
Gary Weiss (06:15):
so for those who don't know, not that not
everybody knows what that is,please describe salsa dancing to
someone who has no clue what itis.
Susana Barajas (06:23):
It's tropical music, it's, you know, couple
dancing, and it's highlytechnical. And, you know,
there's many combinations youcan do and it's music usually,
that comes from Central America.
It's, it's not really well knownin Mexico where I'm from, so I
(06:45):
really didn't like the music. SoI love the dancing first before
I even grew to liking the music.
The music just grew on me, butit was just the dancing the way
This couple was dancingtogether. So smoothly in harmony
with so much rhythm and youknow, passion, they were just
feeling the music. And I wasjust in awe of this couple. I
(07:07):
remember them to this day,
Gary Weiss (07:08):
You know, what I know of salsa dancing, I am not
a dancer, trust me. But what Iknow of salsa dancing: passion
is, is probably the mainingredient to it. When you see
true salsa dancers, there istremendous connection between
them. The passion is strong,it's it makes the dance.
Susana Barajas (07:26):
It really does.
Gary Weiss (07:27):
So when you dance, you dance the same way with that
level of passion and strengthand power.
Susana Barajas (07:32):
I like to think so. I was going after I
graduated from Woodbury, I wasgoing six nights a week, I there
was no place open on Tuesdays.
So that was my day off for goingsalsa dancing. You know, my mom
was really upset at me because Iwas out every night. But that's
all I was doing. I was just,like, hooked. And the thing
(07:54):
about is every, I mean, a man isthe one that's to lead you. And
so every man has their own ownsteps, their own style, and that
was what made it fun. And I wasjust answering all these
different people and it wasnever the same thing. They had
their own style moves, dips. SoI was just really hooked on it,
(08:16):
I was just getting better andbetter. And then I got asked to
be in a dance group. And then Itried that it it was more
learning routines and you know,building a presence and, and
learning how to perform in frontof people, which was a totally
nerve wracking. Nerve racking,because I was like, let me do
(08:38):
this and and so um, you know,little by little with practice
after practice, you know, it gotbetter. And then I met my two
best friends who had beenperforming for years. And so
they took me under their wingand they showed me how to do
makeup. Because the first time Ishowed up with the amount of
performance or like where's yourmakeup I'm like so ready on and
she's like, No, you look like aghost on stage and so they had
(09:03):
their makeup artists do mymakeup and in my hair and they
advised me on you know, I haveto build this, this persona on
stage that you want to convey.
And you know when I saw myselfon video I'm like no, I don't
look so sharp. I'm looking downto my time not making good
(09:23):
audience contact and thatbrought me out of my shell. I
had to to if I wanted to be agood salsa dancer.
Gary Weiss (09:29):
That's interesting.
So what kind of costumes are insalsa dancing?
Susana Barajas (09:33):
Oh my god.
Really skimpyones. Things that Iwas not used to wearing.
Gary Weiss (09:40):
And so your mother used to see you in wearing?
Susana Barajas (09:43):
Oh yeah, there was an arguing because she she
does alterations and I wouldhave her alter my costumes. And
that was an argument in itself.
She thought they were too shortor too tight. But yeah, they're
usually they were dresses, youknow, a lot of sequins and
shinier, they were the better,that sort of thing.
Gary Weiss (10:03):
Okay, great. So let's go back a little bit
further. So you're from Mexico.
Susana Barajas (10:07):
Yes.
Gary Weiss (10:07):
Okay. And when when, what age did you come here?
Susana Barajas (10:11):
I was born here.
My twin brother myself are thelast ones born here. Yeah, all
my other six siblings were bornin Mexico.
Gary Weiss (10:17):
Where did you grow up?
Susana Barajas (10:18):
In LA, in Highland Park.
Gary Weiss (10:20):
Nice. So Where Where did you go to school?
Susana Barajas (10:23):
I went to Franklin High School, Benjamin
Franklin High School. And then Iwent to Woodbury University in
Burbank.
Gary Weiss (10:30):
Nice. So you're so you're you've sort of have both
cultures, and you have Americanculture, well grounded in their
well grounded in Mexicanculture. So for you, it's easy
to go back and forth.
Susana Barajas (10:41):
Yes.
Gary Weiss (10:42):
No, that's nice.
That's good. So let's talk alittle bit but after Woodbury,
so you decided I'm going tobecome an accountant. Very
exciting. So you just took theCPA exam passed it, decide to
get a job.
Susana Barajas (10:54):
It didn't really work out that way. When I
graduated, I was sick and tiredof being in school. I was a good
student, I studied and, andworked my butt off, you know,
through high school, got goodgrades and in college. And then
I was hooked in salsa dancing,so I did that for the next 12
years. Yes, I got into the dancegroup. And then I was competing.
(11:19):
I started off as an amateur. Andthen I, you know, I my dance
partner was a professional. So Iwas classified as a
professional. And that washarder competition. So I did
that for
Gary Weiss (11:31):
Nice. A professional salsa dancer, who is also a CPA,
a partner in an accounting firm,boy does not get more well
rounded than that. So it's,that's great. All right. So with
all the accolades, so how didyou make that transition to
finally be passed the CPA examand start working in the
accounting field?
Susana Barajas (11:48):
Yes, so I decided that, you know, dancing
professionally wasn't gonna, youknow, support me in California,
so that I decided to sit downfor the exam, I got a job in my
first CPA firm. And it was oneof the hardest things ever
having to study after being outof school for a long time. And,
(12:14):
and that took me a while to youknow, commit to it. And I had to
stop dancing. I couldn't stopcommunicating with my friends I
just worked in and study for theCPA exam that took me I don't
even know if I want to admit howlong it took me. But I finally
passed it and it was more aboutlearning the profession and gain
(12:35):
experience in a CPA firm.
Gary Weiss (12:37):
So So now that you in so you passed the CPA exam,
you got you started inaccounting. And, you know, when
I did it, by the way, I didsomething very similar to that
left school. You know, what tookthe CPA exam way after I
finished school. So I definitelyunderstand all you do is study
just give you one quick story. Iwas working at Hughes Aircraft
(12:57):
at the time, and I was studyingfor the exam. And I was I was
taking Dauberman and I had atthat time, it was the first time
they had come out with floppydisk. If anybody remembers what
a floppy disk is, it's a littlepiece of plastic that goes into
a computer. So it I was sittinglate at night in the building
everything everybody had gonehome and I was going over the
(13:18):
you know the questions on thescreen. At one point the all the
lights went off, guys kept goingdidn't make a difference. You
have to study right. At onepoint I realized I was going
like this A, B. C literally thatfast. Because I had memorized
this outline of the of thequestion. I didn't even have to
read it anymore. I went home Ifigured I'd I studied enough.
(13:38):
But yeah, that's it's a majoraccomplishment to pass the CPA
exam. It's a lot of work.
Susana Barajas (13:43):
It is
Gary Weiss (13:43):
okay, so now you pass the exam, you start
working, what did you find inaccounting that that kept you
there? Because that love it, youknow, you know that being in the
position you're at as you get alot of people who start and say
this is just not for me, andthey'll leave. So what kept you
Susana Barajas (13:58):
I was really good at it. Um, my first my
first CPA firm, it was withthree partner women, they took
me in and trained me inauditing. And really, they
started me off and reallycomplicated audits like HUD
Yellowbook. And yeah, they threwme in there, and I didn't think
(14:21):
I would be able to do it. Butyou know, it was my job. And it
was just surprising how I wouldaccomplish them everything they
threw at me, I wouldaccomplished and they gave me
high praises and, and I wasgetting things done that I
didn't think I would be able tothe level and and I just saw my
that they experienced thattechnique, the ability to do
(14:44):
things just growing and that'swhy now I knew I was in the
right place.
Gary Weiss (14:48):
For those who are listening a yellow book audit
is?
Susana Barajas (14:53):
Governmental requirements of that the
government wants businesses orwhoever gets funding to do
audits. And it's highlytechnical and the government is,
you know, has their, theirextensive requirements that need
to be done.
Gary Weiss (15:11):
Yes. So then you did that. But where do you go from
there?
Susana Barajas (15:16):
Well, I moved into another better paying CPA
firm. Where I was was notworking for me, I wasn't able to
pay my bills. And being a smallfirm, they claim they couldn't
really pay me more. So I need toget a better paying job. And so
I moved to the firm where I wasat for almost eight years. And
(15:40):
they were willing to accommodateme and pay me more and I grew
even further. In this in thisaccounting firm,
What did you do there?
More of the same thing. And Idid more audits over there and
more tax work, just morecomplicated and dealt with more
clients and, you know, justcontinued growing as a CPA.
Gary Weiss (16:04):
Okay, so now you're a partner, at the Allegent
group. That's, that's anincredible accomplishment,
figuring you started out as asalsa dancer. So what tell us
about what Allegent group does,what do they specialize in? What
do you specialize in? What areyour clients look like?
Susana Barajas (16:21):
At Allegent group, we do a little bit of
everything, we have anattestation side. And that's
where we do formal financialstatements that are compilations
reviews and audits. And then wehave a tax accounting side, tax
work side. And I work on bothsides. And what I really like
about Allegent group is that wedo really work as a team, and we
(16:43):
work closely with our clients,which are, you know, closely
held companies, medium sizedentities, the highest, the
biggest client we have is about35 million in gross. And so we
just don't hear from them, youknow, every year we, we get to
know them, we build arelationship with them, and we,
you know, help them in everyasset, facet of their business,
(17:06):
and then their personnel. Andthey know they can reach out to
us for any questions they mayhave. And during COVID, bad side
of our business, the consultingside really grew and took off,
because with everything that wasgoing on with the pandemic, and
all these, you know, governmentfunds that were being dished
(17:27):
out, and clients needed helpgetting information on how to
get the PPP loans or theirstimulus or, you know, so that
we paved the way for that sideof our business. And we have a
lot more interactions with ourclients, they know that, you
know, we can help them out withmuch more than just their tax
return every year.
Gary Weiss (17:48):
So you try to make your connection to your clients
personal.
Susana Barajas (17:51):
Absolutely
Gary Weiss (17:52):
Helps them and they feel when they walk into your
office, they feel comfortable.
Susana Barajas (17:56):
Yes.
Gary Weiss (17:57):
Like the client we were just discussing before we
started, though, when they camein, they hasn't filed since
2017. Always an interestingthing when people are panicking,
right?
Absolutely.
That's really part of our job isto stop them from panicking.
Make them feel comfortable thattax returns are a secondary
thing. But maybe that's what wetry to do is make our clients
(18:18):
feel comfortable,
Susana Barajas (18:20):
Well not only feel comfortable, but actually
think of us when they're goingthrough a life change. You know,
they want to retire, if theirkids going to take over their
business, what that's going tolook like, what needs to be done
to do the transitioning. And ifthey're ready to, you know,
retire in, you know, how muchare they going to need to
(18:43):
distribute from their retirementin order to, to live and how
that's going to look on the taxside of things. Or if they want
to build their estate, what,what are the tax consequences
when that kicks in? That's theimportant thing, reaching out to
us before any of that happens,and be prepared for things like
that.
Gary Weiss (18:59):
To do that, you have to know your client, not just
not a person coming in, you haveto really know a lot about their
personal life, who they are,what type of person they are,
what their goals are.
Susana Barajas (19:08):
Well, not only that, but have them feel
comfortable enough to talk to usabout personal things like that.
Because not everybody will wantto tell us, you know, you know
about their children or youknow, our plan for things in the
future. That's it, sometimesit's an uncomfortable
conversation for them. And ifthey can trust us and be
comfortable opening up to us onthey really will it does really
(19:31):
help that relationship and ithelps them know and grow and be
aware of what the consequencesare tax wise.
Gary Weiss (19:39):
Great. So tell us a little bit this point. Tell us
about what you see in the futurefor you individually and what
you see where do you see the taxprofession going and what those
type of things?
Susana Barajas (19:51):
Well, I just became partner the start of this
year, so I'm really working ongetting acclimated with that
side of the business. It's adifferent mindset and and still
being able to serve as myclients and, you know,
transitioning into that rolemore of as a partner, we are
looking to grow and we arelooking to get more, hire more
(20:15):
talent. And that's been achallenge. We're looking into
see how we can retain and, andbring in employees and help them
grow and be happy with, youknow, in their profession
working with us. So that's agoal done in the future, whether
it's remotely getting more usedto being remote or hybrid and
(20:36):
getting used to those changes.
Gary Weiss (20:38):
We have a question, if somebody is listening to this
and goes, Wow, this sounds likea great place to work. What kind
of what kind of talent are youlooking for at the moment?
Susana Barajas (20:48):
Well, we are looking to somebody to come in
and willing to learn and growand expand our firm is, is
diverse in what we do. It's notjust plain audits. It's not
just, you know, taxation, it's acombination of everything. And
they'll really we'll learn alittle bit of everything at our
firm because we always we dealwith so many facets of the
(21:10):
profession from you know, basicbookkeeping to payroll sales tax
up to you know, more complicatedaccounting, financial statements
up to audits, complicated taxreturns a little bit of
everything projections, taxplanning, so they really will
get the full experience of whatour profession is in
Gary Weiss (21:31):
for you personally, any more salsa dancing in the
Susana Barajas (21:33):
you know, I do.
After COVID Everything was shutfuture?
down and, you know, some of theplaces I used to go to have
disappeared and now I you know,have to see where the happening
places is, but I do miss it alot. And I do plan on you know,
putting on the shoes and gettingback on the dance floor at some
point I need to get back intoshape.
Gary Weiss (21:53):
Your shape looks pretty good. I don't think it'll
be a whole lot. A whole lotmore. You know, work. You know,
dancing is one of those things.
It's like riding a bike. All yougot to do is just the muscles
are there. So you can do it. Sothat's great. So is there so
tell us how do we get a hold ofyou? What's your website, your
telephone number anything? Thoseyou know, so if somebody wants
(22:14):
to get ahold you how do theyfind you?
Susana Barajas (22:17):
It's Allegent Group. We're located in Woodland
Hills right at the corner ofTopanga Canyon Boulevard and
Oxnard, the address is 5959Topanga Canyon Boulevard, suite
370, Woodland Hills. We do haveour website. It's
www.Allegentgroup.com. We have alot of tools on there that are
useful and we get to know ourstaff a little bit about us on
(22:40):
there. Many information you needabout this you can give us a
call at 8188065 don't evenremember my phone number. I just
blanked out.
Gary Weiss (22:50):
That's okay. Don't worry about it if you don't
remember thank you but you gavethe website and the number is on
the websites. All right. Wellthen intrepid listeners that is
all the time we have for today.
I would like to thank my guestswho's Anna bras. Amazing, me
amazing salsa dancer. Thank youvery much.
Susana Barajas (23:07):
Thank you.
Gary Weiss (23:08):
Please look forward to future podcast right here
same bat time, same bat channel.
I guarantee you you will beentertained enlightened at the
same time. I'm your host GaryWeiss. I look forward to
spending time with you on ournext podcast, which will be next
week for me. Y'all come back nowyou hear.
Announcer (23:32):
The Tax Matters Radio podcast presented by the Echelon
Radio Network and EchelonBusiness Development. More than
just networking, way more.
The Echelon Radio Network presents the Tax Matters
radio podcast, a conversationabout money for everyone with
your host Gary Weiss.
Gary Weiss (00:19):
Welcome to the Echelon Tax Matters Specialty
Group podcast. I'm your hostGary Weiss. This podcast is
written and developed for thoseof us impacted by the complex,
lengthy and confusing tax laws.
Taxes of all kinds are part ofour everyday life. And this
podcast is a way to bring youthe relevant, easy to
(00:41):
understand, and very relatabletopics to help you make informed
sound financial decisions.
Besides all that, I haveinteresting and wonderful guests
with amazing stories. I am alicensed CPA in California I
have a practice in WoodlandHills with my partner, Quentin
Staples. I also do TaxResolutions, services, so I'm
(01:02):
always fighting the IRS and theFTB. Speaking of amazing guests
sitting across the table from metoday is a lovely, highly
intelligent, multitalentedSusana Barajas of the Allegent
Group. Susanna, welcome to thepodcast.
Susana Barajas (01:19):
Thank you, Gary for having me.
Gary Weiss (01:21):
Okay, so begin, tell our tell our listeners that want
to know definitely now that Ibuilt you up, tell us a little
bit about you, your background,how you got where you are. And
what what makes Susana tick.
Susana Barajas (01:34):
Well, I am the number seventh child in a family
of eight. I was born last withmy twin brother. And my family
is originally from Mexico, mostof my brothers and sisters
immigrated over to the UnitedStates. And my myself and my
twin brother are born here.
Growing up, my mom instilled inme, you know, hard working
(01:59):
values. And, and we've alwaysbeen really close. And they've
always been supportive of me.
One of the things she instilledin me was to get an education.
Unfortunately, she wasn't ableto go to school because my
grandfather had her working inthe field. So she always wanted
to go to school. And since shedidn't have the opportunity, she
(02:20):
always wanted all of herchildren's to have a quality
education. So I'm growing up ina Mexican family, you just see,
you know, women get married. Youknow, settle down, be housewives
and growing up that's what Ithought I was going to do.
That's what I saw growing up.
But you know, when I was in highschool, my mom, you know, just
(02:42):
said to me, you know, you'reeither gonna go to school,
you're gonna go to college, oryou're gonna get a job. And I
was like, Oh, I thought I wasjust gonna, you know, get
married and have children andtake care of my husband. And
she's like, No, I don't want youhere in the house doing nothing.
So I was like, Well, I don'tfeel like going out and look for
a job. But you know, so I hadreally good grades. And I got a
(03:06):
really nice scholarship and Pellgrants to go to Woodbury
University. And the way I chosemy profession, I always knew I
was good with numbers was one ofmy easiest class is algebra
geometry. So I decided to justget into accounting. So that's
how I decided to become a CPA.
Gary Weiss (03:27):
So what was your favorite accounting course?
Susana Barajas (03:29):
Oh, algebra. And calculus. Those were the easiest
classes for us.
Gary Weiss (03:35):
But, what was your favorite accounting course?
Which What did you what? Becausethat first course, when I took
accounting was the first coursethat nailed me. I was interested
in. I was hooked at that point.
So what what what was yourcourse? That said, this is what
I want to do
Susana Barajas (03:48):
Introduction to Accounting, my that my first
intro class, I was like, I cando this.
Gary Weiss (03:53):
would you learn in that class, that made you...
Susana Barajas (03:55):
Debits and credits, that everything needs
to balance?
Gary Weiss (04:00):
So you like balance?
Susana Barajas (04:00):
I love balancing.
Gary Weiss (04:02):
You want to tell our listener what debit and credit
means
Susana Barajas (04:05):
Accounting terms, you know, a debit me I
know, that's usually an expenseor, you know, deposit into your
bank account or credit. It's iseither an income or a liability.
And your balance sheet account,
Gary Weiss (04:19):
In the ancient terms, debit means left credit
means right. That's all it is.
You know, I did not know that.
That's, that's all that means.
So everybody says use this termthey have they think it's a big
deal. Nothing is a big deal. So,so tell me, you're from Mexico.
That's great. So what's yourfavorite food?
Susana Barajas (04:36):
I love my mom's enchiladas, homemade enchiladas.
Gary Weiss (04:40):
And when you go out what type where's your what's
your favorite Mexicanrestaurant?
Susana Barajas (04:46):
Fritas greatest Mexican cuisine in Glendale?
Gary Weiss (04:50):
In Glendale? Great place for a Mexican restaurant.
Susana Barajas (04:53):
My mama my mom approves of their who there's
like this is authentic.
Gary Weiss (04:57):
I think it is more important If mom gave her
blessing then it is good food.
Yes.
That's really interesting. So, Iknow a secret about you, which
I'm going to talk about rightnow has nothing to do with
accounting has nothing to dowith anything. The one of your
passions is salsa dancing. Sotell us about that.
Susana Barajas (05:15):
Well, that was a complete surprise. I, it was
shocking that I even got intothat because I grew up
introverted. And, you know,since I was a youngest girl, I
was highly, you know, wereprotected by the whole family
and I was really shy and reallyquiet. And my sister was dating
(05:35):
a Central American fromNicaragua who snuck me into a
nightclub Riviera. It was one ofthe hottest salsa spots at the
time. And I just saw this coupledancing together to salsa, and I
loved the way they danced. And Ijust kept going back and
learning how to dance. And itjust, I just got hooked. I
(05:59):
dragged my sisters because theywill allow me to go in, as long
as I was accompanied by by agrown up who was over 21. And I
would drag my sister everySaturday to take me dancing so I
can learn more. And...
Gary Weiss (06:15):
so for those who don't know, not that not
everybody knows what that is,please describe salsa dancing to
someone who has no clue what itis.
Susana Barajas (06:23):
It's tropical music, it's, you know, couple
dancing, and it's highlytechnical. And, you know,
there's many combinations youcan do and it's music usually,
that comes from Central America.
It's, it's not really well knownin Mexico where I'm from, so I
(06:45):
really didn't like the music. SoI love the dancing first before
I even grew to liking the music.
The music just grew on me, butit was just the dancing the way
This couple was dancingtogether. So smoothly in harmony
with so much rhythm and youknow, passion, they were just
feeling the music. And I wasjust in awe of this couple. I
(07:07):
remember them to this day,
Gary Weiss (07:08):
You know, what I know of salsa dancing, I am not
a dancer, trust me. But what Iknow of salsa dancing: passion
is, is probably the mainingredient to it. When you see
true salsa dancers, there istremendous connection between
them. The passion is strong,it's it makes the dance.
Susana Barajas (07:26):
It really does.
Gary Weiss (07:27):
So when you dance, you dance the same way with that
level of passion and strengthand power.
Susana Barajas (07:32):
I like to think so. I was going after I
graduated from Woodbury, I wasgoing six nights a week, I there
was no place open on Tuesdays.
So that was my day off for goingsalsa dancing. You know, my mom
was really upset at me because Iwas out every night. But that's
all I was doing. I was just,like, hooked. And the thing
(07:54):
about is every, I mean, a man isthe one that's to lead you. And
so every man has their own ownsteps, their own style, and that
was what made it fun. And I wasjust answering all these
different people and it wasnever the same thing. They had
their own style moves, dips. SoI was just really hooked on it,
(08:16):
I was just getting better andbetter. And then I got asked to
be in a dance group. And then Itried that it it was more
learning routines and you know,building a presence and, and
learning how to perform in frontof people, which was a totally
nerve wracking. Nerve racking,because I was like, let me do
(08:38):
this and and so um, you know,little by little with practice
after practice, you know, it gotbetter. And then I met my two
best friends who had beenperforming for years. And so
they took me under their wingand they showed me how to do
makeup. Because the first time Ishowed up with the amount of
performance or like where's yourmakeup I'm like so ready on and
she's like, No, you look like aghost on stage and so they had
(09:03):
their makeup artists do mymakeup and in my hair and they
advised me on you know, I haveto build this, this persona on
stage that you want to convey.
And you know when I saw myselfon video I'm like no, I don't
look so sharp. I'm looking downto my time not making good
(09:23):
audience contact and thatbrought me out of my shell. I
had to to if I wanted to be agood salsa dancer.
Gary Weiss (09:29):
That's interesting.
So what kind of costumes are insalsa dancing?
Susana Barajas (09:33):
Oh my god.
Really skimpyones. Things that Iwas not used to wearing.
Gary Weiss (09:40):
And so your mother used to see you in wearing?
Susana Barajas (09:43):
Oh yeah, there was an arguing because she she
does alterations and I wouldhave her alter my costumes. And
that was an argument in itself.
She thought they were too shortor too tight. But yeah, they're
usually they were dresses, youknow, a lot of sequins and
shinier, they were the better,that sort of thing.
Gary Weiss (10:03):
Okay, great. So let's go back a little bit
further. So you're from Mexico.
Susana Barajas (10:07):
Yes.
Gary Weiss (10:07):
Okay. And when when, what age did you come here?
Susana Barajas (10:11):
I was born here.
My twin brother myself are thelast ones born here. Yeah, all
my other six siblings were bornin Mexico.
Gary Weiss (10:17):
Where did you grow up?
Susana Barajas (10:18):
In LA, in Highland Park.
Gary Weiss (10:20):
Nice. So Where Where did you go to school?
Susana Barajas (10:23):
I went to Franklin High School, Benjamin
Franklin High School. And then Iwent to Woodbury University in
Burbank.
Gary Weiss (10:30):
Nice. So you're so you're you've sort of have both
cultures, and you have Americanculture, well grounded in their
well grounded in Mexicanculture. So for you, it's easy
to go back and forth.
Susana Barajas (10:41):
Yes.
Gary Weiss (10:42):
No, that's nice.
That's good. So let's talk alittle bit but after Woodbury,
so you decided I'm going tobecome an accountant. Very
exciting. So you just took theCPA exam passed it, decide to
get a job.
Susana Barajas (10:54):
It didn't really work out that way. When I
graduated, I was sick and tiredof being in school. I was a good
student, I studied and, andworked my butt off, you know,
through high school, got goodgrades and in college. And then
I was hooked in salsa dancing,so I did that for the next 12
years. Yes, I got into the dancegroup. And then I was competing.
(11:19):
I started off as an amateur. Andthen I, you know, I my dance
partner was a professional. So Iwas classified as a
professional. And that washarder competition. So I did
that for
Gary Weiss (11:31):
Nice. A professional salsa dancer, who is also a CPA,
a partner in an accounting firm,boy does not get more well
rounded than that. So it's,that's great. All right. So with
all the accolades, so how didyou make that transition to
finally be passed the CPA examand start working in the
accounting field?
Susana Barajas (11:48):
Yes, so I decided that, you know, dancing
professionally wasn't gonna, youknow, support me in California,
so that I decided to sit downfor the exam, I got a job in my
first CPA firm. And it was oneof the hardest things ever
having to study after being outof school for a long time. And,
(12:14):
and that took me a while to youknow, commit to it. And I had to
stop dancing. I couldn't stopcommunicating with my friends I
just worked in and study for theCPA exam that took me I don't
even know if I want to admit howlong it took me. But I finally
passed it and it was more aboutlearning the profession and gain
(12:35):
experience in a CPA firm.
Gary Weiss (12:37):
So So now that you in so you passed the CPA exam,
you got you started inaccounting. And, you know, when
I did it, by the way, I didsomething very similar to that
left school. You know, what tookthe CPA exam way after I
finished school. So I definitelyunderstand all you do is study
just give you one quick story. Iwas working at Hughes Aircraft
(12:57):
at the time, and I was studyingfor the exam. And I was I was
taking Dauberman and I had atthat time, it was the first time
they had come out with floppydisk. If anybody remembers what
a floppy disk is, it's a littlepiece of plastic that goes into
a computer. So it I was sittinglate at night in the building
everything everybody had gonehome and I was going over the
(13:18):
you know the questions on thescreen. At one point the all the
lights went off, guys kept goingdidn't make a difference. You
have to study right. At onepoint I realized I was going
like this A, B. C literally thatfast. Because I had memorized
this outline of the of thequestion. I didn't even have to
read it anymore. I went home Ifigured I'd I studied enough.
(13:38):
But yeah, that's it's a majoraccomplishment to pass the CPA
exam. It's a lot of work.
Susana Barajas (13:43):
It is
Gary Weiss (13:43):
okay, so now you pass the exam, you start
working, what did you find inaccounting that that kept you
there? Because that love it, youknow, you know that being in the
position you're at as you get alot of people who start and say
this is just not for me, andthey'll leave. So what kept you
Susana Barajas (13:58):
I was really good at it. Um, my first my
first CPA firm, it was withthree partner women, they took
me in and trained me inauditing. And really, they
started me off and reallycomplicated audits like HUD
Yellowbook. And yeah, they threwme in there, and I didn't think
(14:21):
I would be able to do it. Butyou know, it was my job. And it
was just surprising how I wouldaccomplish them everything they
threw at me, I wouldaccomplished and they gave me
high praises and, and I wasgetting things done that I
didn't think I would be able tothe level and and I just saw my
that they experienced thattechnique, the ability to do
(14:44):
things just growing and that'swhy now I knew I was in the
right place.
Gary Weiss (14:48):
For those who are listening a yellow book audit
is?
Susana Barajas (14:53):
Governmental requirements of that the
government wants businesses orwhoever gets funding to do
audits. And it's highlytechnical and the government is,
you know, has their, theirextensive requirements that need
to be done.
Gary Weiss (15:11):
Yes. So then you did that. But where do you go from
there?
Susana Barajas (15:16):
Well, I moved into another better paying CPA
firm. Where I was was notworking for me, I wasn't able to
pay my bills. And being a smallfirm, they claim they couldn't
really pay me more. So I need toget a better paying job. And so
I moved to the firm where I wasat for almost eight years. And
(15:40):
they were willing to accommodateme and pay me more and I grew
even further. In this in thisaccounting firm,
What did you do there?
More of the same thing. And Idid more audits over there and
more tax work, just morecomplicated and dealt with more
clients and, you know, justcontinued growing as a CPA.
Gary Weiss (16:04):
Okay, so now you're a partner, at the Allegent
group. That's, that's anincredible accomplishment,
figuring you started out as asalsa dancer. So what tell us
about what Allegent group does,what do they specialize in? What
do you specialize in? What areyour clients look like?
Susana Barajas (16:21):
At Allegent group, we do a little bit of
everything, we have anattestation side. And that's
where we do formal financialstatements that are compilations
reviews and audits. And then wehave a tax accounting side, tax
work side. And I work on bothsides. And what I really like
about Allegent group is that wedo really work as a team, and we
(16:43):
work closely with our clients,which are, you know, closely
held companies, medium sizedentities, the highest, the
biggest client we have is about35 million in gross. And so we
just don't hear from them, youknow, every year we, we get to
know them, we build arelationship with them, and we,
you know, help them in everyasset, facet of their business,
(17:06):
and then their personnel. Andthey know they can reach out to
us for any questions they mayhave. And during COVID, bad side
of our business, the consultingside really grew and took off,
because with everything that wasgoing on with the pandemic, and
all these, you know, governmentfunds that were being dished
(17:27):
out, and clients needed helpgetting information on how to
get the PPP loans or theirstimulus or, you know, so that
we paved the way for that sideof our business. And we have a
lot more interactions with ourclients, they know that, you
know, we can help them out withmuch more than just their tax
return every year.
Gary Weiss (17:48):
So you try to make your connection to your clients
personal.
Susana Barajas (17:51):
Absolutely
Gary Weiss (17:52):
Helps them and they feel when they walk into your
office, they feel comfortable.
Susana Barajas (17:56):
Yes.
Gary Weiss (17:57):
Like the client we were just discussing before we
started, though, when they camein, they hasn't filed since
2017. Always an interestingthing when people are panicking,
right?
Absolutely.
That's really part of our job isto stop them from panicking.
Make them feel comfortable thattax returns are a secondary
thing. But maybe that's what wetry to do is make our clients
(18:18):
feel comfortable,
Susana Barajas (18:20):
Well not only feel comfortable, but actually
think of us when they're goingthrough a life change. You know,
they want to retire, if theirkids going to take over their
business, what that's going tolook like, what needs to be done
to do the transitioning. And ifthey're ready to, you know,
retire in, you know, how muchare they going to need to
(18:43):
distribute from their retirementin order to, to live and how
that's going to look on the taxside of things. Or if they want
to build their estate, what,what are the tax consequences
when that kicks in? That's theimportant thing, reaching out to
us before any of that happens,and be prepared for things like
that.
Gary Weiss (18:59):
To do that, you have to know your client, not just
not a person coming in, you haveto really know a lot about their
personal life, who they are,what type of person they are,
what their goals are.
Susana Barajas (19:08):
Well, not only that, but have them feel
comfortable enough to talk to usabout personal things like that.
Because not everybody will wantto tell us, you know, you know
about their children or youknow, our plan for things in the
future. That's it, sometimesit's an uncomfortable
conversation for them. And ifthey can trust us and be
comfortable opening up to us onthey really will it does really
(19:31):
help that relationship and ithelps them know and grow and be
aware of what the consequencesare tax wise.
Gary Weiss (19:39):
Great. So tell us a little bit this point. Tell us
about what you see in the futurefor you individually and what
you see where do you see the taxprofession going and what those
type of things?
Susana Barajas (19:51):
Well, I just became partner the start of this
year, so I'm really working ongetting acclimated with that
side of the business. It's adifferent mindset and and still
being able to serve as myclients and, you know,
transitioning into that rolemore of as a partner, we are
looking to grow and we arelooking to get more, hire more
(20:15):
talent. And that's been achallenge. We're looking into
see how we can retain and, andbring in employees and help them
grow and be happy with, youknow, in their profession
working with us. So that's agoal done in the future, whether
it's remotely getting more usedto being remote or hybrid and
(20:36):
getting used to those changes.
Gary Weiss (20:38):
We have a question, if somebody is listening to this
and goes, Wow, this sounds likea great place to work. What kind
of what kind of talent are youlooking for at the moment?
Susana Barajas (20:48):
Well, we are looking to somebody to come in
and willing to learn and growand expand our firm is, is
diverse in what we do. It's notjust plain audits. It's not
just, you know, taxation, it's acombination of everything. And
they'll really we'll learn alittle bit of everything at our
firm because we always we dealwith so many facets of the
(21:10):
profession from you know, basicbookkeeping to payroll sales tax
up to you know, more complicatedaccounting, financial statements
up to audits, complicated taxreturns a little bit of
everything projections, taxplanning, so they really will
get the full experience of whatour profession is in
Gary Weiss (21:31):
for you personally, any more salsa dancing in the
Susana Barajas (21:33):
you know, I do.
After COVID Everything was shutfuture?
down and, you know, some of theplaces I used to go to have
disappeared and now I you know,have to see where the happening
places is, but I do miss it alot. And I do plan on you know,
putting on the shoes and gettingback on the dance floor at some
point I need to get back intoshape.
Gary Weiss (21:53):
Your shape looks pretty good. I don't think it'll
be a whole lot. A whole lotmore. You know, work. You know,
dancing is one of those things.
It's like riding a bike. All yougot to do is just the muscles
are there. So you can do it. Sothat's great. So is there so
tell us how do we get a hold ofyou? What's your website, your
telephone number anything? Thoseyou know, so if somebody wants
(22:14):
to get ahold you how do theyfind you?
Susana Barajas (22:17):
It's Allegent Group. We're located in Woodland
Hills right at the corner ofTopanga Canyon Boulevard and
Oxnard, the address is 5959Topanga Canyon Boulevard, suite
370, Woodland Hills. We do haveour website. It's
www.Allegentgroup.com. We have alot of tools on there that are
useful and we get to know ourstaff a little bit about us on
(22:40):
there. Many information you needabout this you can give us a
call at 8188065 don't evenremember my phone number. I just
blanked out.
Gary Weiss (22:50):
That's okay. Don't worry about it if you don't
remember thank you but you gavethe website and the number is on
the websites. All right. Wellthen intrepid listeners that is
all the time we have for today.
I would like to thank my guestswho's Anna bras. Amazing, me
amazing salsa dancer. Thank youvery much.
Susana Barajas (23:07):
Thank you.
Gary Weiss (23:08):
Please look forward to future podcast right here
same bat time, same bat channel.
I guarantee you you will beentertained enlightened at the
same time. I'm your host GaryWeiss. I look forward to
spending time with you on ournext podcast, which will be next
week for me. Y'all come back nowyou hear.
Announcer (23:32):
The Tax Matters Radio podcast presented by the Echelon
Radio Network and EchelonBusiness Development. More than
just networking, way more.
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