Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Otto.
Hi Ryan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path to accounting was accidental, but it turned out to be exactly where I belong.
I started college studying biochemistry and took a part-time job at a hotel doing accounting, just to pay the bills. Pretty quickly, though, it became more than that. Within a year, I had taken on multiple roles in their accounting department and was promoted to Assistant Controller. That’s when I realized I’d found my lane in accounting and hospitality.
I spent several years on the finance team for the Hilton chain, building and deepening my experience. After a few years, I stepped away to co-found a manufacturing startup with my dad, where I wore every hat imaginable—CFO, COO, purchaser, even forklift driver.
Running a small business was intense and humbling. After three years, due to circumstances beyond our control, we had to shut down and file for bankruptcy—one of the hardest moments of my life.
After some twists and turns, my wife and I saw potential in a local business and decided to take the leap. In October 2022, we acquired Accent Financial Services.
Now, I get to combine everything I’ve learned from my accounting background, my entrepreneurial experience, and the lessons from failure to help others build strong financial foundations, launch and grow their businesses, and create generational wealth.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not! The hardest part of this journey has been realizing just how much I didn’t even know I needed to learn.
While my background is in accounting, running a business requires so much more. From choosing the right technology and integrations to onboarding employees and clients, generating new business, and building a strong company culture, there’s been a steep learning curve.
It’s been a humbling and eye-opening experience, but one that’s pushed me to grow in ways I never expected.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Accent Financial Services is an accounting and tax firm based in Allen, Texas. Our signature offering, Tax$mithing (trademark pending), is a holistic approach to personal and business financial strategy.
Through Tax$mithing, we help clients create long-term plans to build and protect assets, lay the foundation for generational wealth, grow business profits, and save money on taxes along the way.
We use what we call the Living Blueprint, which visually lays out all the moving parts, helping clients clearly see their financial landscape. From there, we have deep conversations about their goals and the strategies available to achieve them. Sometimes the strategies are simple; other times, they can get extraordinarily complex.
As a full-service firm, we also support clients with entity formation, bookkeeping, fractional CFO services, and, of course, tax preparation. We serve clients both online and in person.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Allen is where I live and work, and I’m proud to call it home. Having lived in different parts of the country, I’ve seen a lot of cities, and I love that Allen has its own unique culture.
Every kid here is an Allen Eagle, no matter their age. I’ve participated in several Allen ISD meetings and programs, and I really appreciate how much the community cares about its students and how responsibly the city stewards our tax dollars.
I enjoy our community events and seeing local businesses show up to sponsor, support, and be involved.
Pricing:
- First Taxsmithing Meeting – $750
- Individual Tax Return – $399
- Business Tax Return – $849
- Accounting – $399-$3,499
- CFO Services – $975-$9,999
Contact Info:
- Website: https://accentfinance.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accentfinance
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/accentfinance
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accentfinance
- Twitter: https://x.com/accentfinance
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@accentfinance
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/accent-financial-services-allen
