Rachel Aharonoff, a summa cum laude graduate in Accounting from California State University, Northridge, became a licensed CPA in 2014. She specializes in reviewing corporate, partnership, estate, gift, and exempt organization tax returns, and conducts financial statement attestation engagements across various industries. Rachel’s focus is on helping clients achieve their financial goals, while ensuring compliance with the latest accounting standards and regulatory changes.

Rachel has extensive experience performing audits for HUD, foundations, non-profits, public/private companies, and employee benefit plans, as well as financial statement reviews and compilations. She is also involved in the firm’s peer reviews for attestation engagements, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Prior to joining Manela & Co. in 2012, Rachel worked at J.H. Cohn, LLP as a Staff Accountant, performing audits and preparing tax returns for individuals, partnerships, and organizations.

As a double Bruin, Omar is double majored in Political Science and Chicano Studies at UCLA, having graduated in Spring 2024 with Dean’s List honors.

Omar Almaraz is a Compliance Specialist at Manela & Co., where he supports daily operations, client communications, and regulatory compliance. He manages document intake, filing, and research to assist with client inquiries, ensuring the firm maintains organization and compliance.

Limor Amrani has been with Manela & Co. since 2006, managing and reviewing complex tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, and trusts. She specializes in IRS and FTB audit management, estate tax planning, civil tax controversies, and tax exemptions, particularly for high-net-worth clients. Limor also advises on multi-state apportionment, 1031 exchanges, payroll taxes, non-profit exemptions, and recently guided clients on CARES Act NOL carrybacks and the Employer Retention Credit.

She holds a Master’s in Business Taxation from USC (2017) and a B.A. in Business Economics with a minor in Accounting from UCLA, graduating magna cum laude. Limor has been recognized by Congress, the California Legislature, and the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Top 100 Accountants list, and was named one of the Top 100 Accountants in 2025 by the Los Angeles Business Journal for her professional and community contributions.

Before joining Manela & Co., she gained experience as an Advisory Compliance Intern at National Planning Corporation and as an Investment Accounting Intern at Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors.

As a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor since 1997, Barbara provides expert bookkeeping services and compliance support to clients at Manela & Company, APC. She works closely with the assurance and advisory teams, assisting with various client needs and helping ensure smooth day-to-day operations. Barbara is the firm’s senior bookkeeping and payroll specialist and plays a key role in overseeing all aspects of clients’ bookkeeping, including payroll processing, financial reporting, and tax compliance. She also assists her team with QuickBooks-related issues and meets directly with clients to address questions and concerns. Her responsibilities include preparing and filing payroll quarterly and year-end returns, as well as corporate tax filings.

Amy Cohanfard, a summa cum laude graduate from California State University, Northridge with a B.S. in Professional Accounting, has been with Manela & Co. since 2020. She earned her CPA license in 2024 and specializes in preparing tax returns for individuals, businesses, and nonprofits. Amy also reviews returns for accuracy and compliance, trains staff, and provides strategic tax guidance tailored to client needs. With a perfect 4.0 GPA in all accounting courses, she demonstrates both dedication and expertise while building strong client relationships and simplifying the tax process.

Moran Cohen joined Manela & Company, APC in 2018 as the Audit & Assurance Services Manager and has since advanced to Senior Manager. She holds a Master’s in Accounting from USC (2012) and a B.A. in Business Economics from UC Irvine, where she was a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Moran has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2016 and holds a Type A CPA license.

In her role, Moran leads financial statement audits, reviews, and compilations for a diverse range of industries, including HUD, foundations, non-profits, hospitality, real estate, and financial services. She also manages tax returns, including corporate, partnership, individual, and multi-state filings, while overseeing monthly, quarterly, and annual sales tax returns. She works closely with clients, advising on tax strategies, savings, and compliance matters.

Before joining Manela & Company, Moran gained significant experience at Deloitte & Touche, specializing in audits and reviews of real estate and financial services clients, including REITs and Funds.

Friendly, composed, and ready for absolutely anything, Adan Galvez serves as an Administrative Assistant at Manela & Co., where he provides support across a range of office functions including billing assistance, administrative coordination, and preliminary tax preparation. Adan helps train new team members to ensure smooth onboarding and integration into the firm

Adan holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology Cal State Dominguez Hills and is certified Quickbooks Pro Advisor in both QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online

Houtan Gholian is a Managing Director at Manela & Co., specializing in federal, state, and international tax consulting and compliance for clients in industries such as real estate, asset management, healthcare, entertainment, and more. He provides business consulting, structuring services, and tax strategies for business owners, entities, foundations, and trusts.

Before joining Manela & Co., Houtan spent 12 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in their Financial Services and Private Financial Services practices, advising clients including private-equity and hedge funds, distressed-debt funds, and high-net-worth individuals. He has deep expertise in complex tax areas like PFICs, CFCs, and private-equity restructurings, and led training on tax technical topics at PwC.

Houtan’s career began at Deloitte, where he spent a year in the audit practice. He holds a BS in Business Administration (Accounting concentration) and a BA in Political Economy of Industrial Societies from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Certified Public Accountant in California and a member of the AICPA and CalCPA. He was also named one of the Top 100 Accountants in 2025 by The Los Angeles Business Journal, recognizing his leadership and contributions to the profession.

Anna Golan holds a bachelor’s degree in economics with a Minor in Accounting from UCLA. She has successfully passed the CPA exams and is in the process of obtaining her CPA license. Anna specializes in value investing and plays an integral role in both tax preparation and bookkeeping services at Manela & Company, APC.

Her duties include preparing individual and corporate tax returns, reconciling financial statements, maintaining accurate general ledger entries, and assisting with quarterly and year-end tax planning. She also helps ensure compliance with federal and state tax regulations, communicates with clients regarding tax-related inquiries, and supports the team in reviewing financial data for accuracy and completeness. Anna's analytical background and detail-oriented approach contribute to the firm's efficiency and help clients make informed financial decisions.

Nery Gonsales is the Billing Manager at Manela & Co., where he oversees all aspects of client billing and financial documentation. His role includes managing invoicing, payment tracking, accounts receivable, and addressing client billing inquiries. He also supports the tax return filing process, ensures clients receive final copies, facilitates e-filing, and coordinates tax payments.

Nery holds a BS in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Southern California.

Sholom Jaeger is a Senior Tax Accountant and Compliance Specialist at Manela & Co. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Post University. As a CPA, Sholom brings a wealth of expertise to the team, specializing in the preparation and review of tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, and non-profit organizations.

Sholom plays an integral role in ensuring compliance and resolving any tax-related issues that arise for the firm’s diverse clientele. His keen eye for detail and problem-solving skills enable him to effectively navigate complex tax and compliance matters. In addition to his tax expertise, Sholom assists with a range of other tasks, contributing to the overall smooth operation of the office and ensuring that client needs are met efficiently.

Tzipporah holds a BA degree in Finance and Business Administration from the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University.

Tziporah Kohanpour is a Senior Tax Accountant and Compliance Manager at Manela & Co., where she oversees the preparation, review, and planning of individual and business tax returns. She manages audits and serves as the main point of contact between clients, auditors, and tax authorities. Her responsibilities include analyzing financial records, identifying compliance risks, and resolving tax disputes. Tziporah also handles a wide range of federal and state compliance matters, including installment agreements, penalty abatements, and tax resolution strategies.

Yocheved Levychaim, CPA, is a dedicated Tax Manager at Manela & Co., where she has been an integral member of the team since 2008. A magna cum laude graduate of Touro College in 2011, Yocheved earned her CPA license in 2012, establishing a strong foundation in the field of tax management.

In her role at Manela & Co., Yocheved manages a diverse portfolio of clients, including high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and partnerships. She is responsible for reviewing tax returns with precision and ensuring compliance across various tax filings. Known for her patient and thorough approach, Yocheved excels at assisting clients with their tax-related inquiries and guiding them through the complexities of their tax returns. Her keen attention to detail and dedication to providing customized solutions help clients confidently navigate intricate tax matters.

Mindy Manela, a Tax Accountant at Manela & Co. since 2011. In her role, Mindy plays a key part in preparing monthly financial statements, reconciling month-end totals, and analyzing financial data for general ledger entries. Her meticulous approach ensures accurate financial reporting and effective resolution of discrepancies.

Mindy’s ability to balance her academic and professional responsibilities highlights her commitment to excellence, making her a promising figure in tax accounting.

Helene Manela has been with Manela & Co. since 2011. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Touro College in 2022, graduating with distinction and a 3.66 GPA, and was named to the Dean's List.

As a Senior Tax Accountant, Helene specializes in preparing various tax forms (1065, 1040, 1120, 1120-S) using CCH Tax Software, QuickBooks, Lacerte, and ProSeries. She is dedicated to ensuring accurate, compliant filings and resolving client issues with federal and state taxation authorities.

Dovid Manela has been an essential member of the Manela & Co. team since 2011, specializing in legal research with a focus on tithing. His education at Riverdale Yeshiva, Brisk, and Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood has equipped him with valuable skills that enhance the firm’s financial services.

Dovid’s expertise in legal research and tithing ensures that clients receive precise, compliant, and value-aligned financial guidance. His work contributes to the firm’s ability to offer top-tier services, aligning clients’ financial decisions with both legal requirements and personal beliefs.

Chana Manela has been an integral part of Manela & Co. since 2011, contributing to the firm's success with her expertise in finance and accounting. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Touro University in Brooklyn, NY, graduating in May 2022 and earning Dean’s List honors.

Chana specializes in tax preparation for individuals, corporations, partnerships, and non-profits. She is skilled in resolving IRS issues, drafting responses to IRS notices, and optimizing processes to minimize penalties and maximize savings.

Yosef Manela is the principal of Manela & Company, APC, the youngest firm ranked among the top 50 accounting firms in Los Angeles County by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Prior to founding the firm, Yosef worked at Deloitte & Touche LLP in Los Angeles, where he was responsible for financial statement audits for Fortune 500 and Blue Chip companies. He also contributed to business consulting and tax compliance issues for these clients, starting as a summer intern during his undergraduate years at UCLA.

Education and Certifications:
Yosef graduated Magna Cum Laude from UCLA with a B.A. in Business Economics, with minors in Accounting, Computer Science, and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures. He also earned a Bachelor of Talmudic Law from the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia. Yosef went on to complete a Juris Doctor from UCLA School of Law, specializing in corporate law, and a Masters in Business Administration from the John Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA, focusing on finance and entrepreneurial studies. He later earned a Masters of Law (LL.M.) in Taxation from Loyola Law School and a Masters of Law (LL.M.) in Estate Planning from the Heckerling Institute at the University of Miami.

Career and Expertise:
Yosef is a licensed CPA and Attorney in California, with multiple legal specializations in Taxation and Estate Planning. He is Certified by the AICPA in Financial Forensics and holds the Accreditation in Business Valuation. In addition to his role as principal of Manela & Company, Yosef sat on the State Bar of California’s Taxation Law Advisory Commission, providing guidance on issues related to tax law practice in California.

Throughout his career, Yosef has received numerous honors, including Special Congressional Recognition for his outstanding community service. He has also been recognized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s office. Additionally, Yosef has appeared on ABC televisiondiscussing tax planning strategies on behalf of the California Society of CPAs.

Payroll Specialist and Human Resource Assistant, Manela & Co.

Laura holds a degree in Business Administration with a focus on Management and Human Resources from California State University, Los Angeles. She is a certified Pro Advisor in QuickBooks Desktop, Online, and Payroll.

Laura Martin provides payroll support to clients, including preparing quarterly and year-end payroll, handling in/out-of-state payroll forms, and managing 1099 filings. She also oversees internal HR functions for the company and handles bookkeeping tasks, ensuring smooth financial operations and adherence to company policies.

Gabriel Martinez is an Associate Accountant specializing in bookkeeping, tax preparation, and client financial support. He manages full bookkeeping processes, handles IRS and state tax communications, and prepares tax returns for individuals, businesses, and various entities.

He is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor (Desktop, Online, Payroll) and is currently pursuing an accounting degree, with plans to obtain his CPA license.

Judith Martinez has been with Manela & Co. since 2019. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University. She specializes in accounting preparation, bookkeeping, and compliance support, preparing federal, state, corporate, partnership, exempt, and individual income tax returns. Judith also reviews and maintains client books and records, advising on corrections and adjustments, and assists with compliance issues related to federal and state notices.

A Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Judith has extensive experience with QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, and Quicken.

A focused, sincere, and resilient personality highlight Matthew’s professionalism on our team. As an administrative assistant at Manela & Co., Matthew assists with administrative, bookkeeping, and tax-related tasks to ensure efficient firm operations. His responsibilities include managing mail, answering phones, maintaining office supplies, preparing tax returns, performing bookkeeping tasks, extracting financial data, and organizing documents for CPAs.

Mathhew Mizukami holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from California State University Los Angeles and is currently pursuing an MBA at Grand Canyon University. He is certified in Excel 2019 and as a Pro Advisor QuickBooks Online (Levels 1 & 2).

Having graduated summa cum laude from UCLA in 2016 with a B.A. in Applied Linguistics and a double minor in English and French, Emily also achieved a 4.0 GPA at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, while studying Communication Sciences and Disorders. Emily Meyerhoff has been with Manela & Co. since 2017, managing the Compliance Team and overseeing all aspects of federal and state Government Compliance as well as estate planning.

Emily cares about everyone and everything. Emily specializes in resolving property tax issues, estate planning, and handling complex legal documents like Trusts and Share Transfer Agreements. She leads the team in business entity registrations, including nonprofit formations and IRS compliance. Emily has successfully led pre-trial hearings and Tax Court Petitions, reversing penalties and saving clients substantial amounts.

Forrest Genteel-Meyerhoff is a Compliance Specialist at Manela & Co., where he resolves compliance issues with local, state, and federal agencies to help clients save time and money. He handles annual filings, maintains entity records, and leads client outreach, ensuring that all processes align with current regulations.

Forrest is currently pursuing a B.S. in Biology at Arizona State University.

Julie Mitrani, a Certified QuickBooks Advisor, oversees all aspects of bookkeeping, payroll, compliance support, and business management for our clients. She leads her team, providing guidance on QuickBooks and compliance issues, while meeting with clients to address their concerns. Julie’s warm, patient, and supportive approach has made her a client favorite.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Chico. Prior to joining Manela & Co., she gained over 25 years of experience in bookkeeping and office management, working for organizations such as NCSY and The Teleosis Institute.

Eliana Pouraty holds a BS in Business with an emphasis in Accounting from Excelsior University. She specializes in preparing corporate, partnership, nonprofit, and individual tax returns. Eliana is also experienced in bookkeeping using QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, and Quicken.

Chana Robbins supports administrative and compliance functions at Manela & Co. Her responsibilities include drafting correspondence, preparing compliance documents, tracking deadlines, and maintaining required filings. She assists with quarterly and year-end payroll tasks, including 1099 preparation and submission. Chana also handles bookkeeping duties such as data entry, account reconciliation, and maintaining organized financial records.

Genuine and authentic, our clients find Henry sincere, adaptive, friendly and refreshingly curious. As an Administrative Assistant at Manela & Co., Henry supports daily operations by handling a variety of clerical and organizational tasks. His responsibilities include answering client phone calls, preparing and mailing tax returns, managing physical file organization, and leading a paperless transition project by digitizing records, mailing documents to clients, and ensuring accurate electronic filing in the firm’s database.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from California State University, Los Angeles, and is certified in QuickBooks as a Quickbooks Pro - Advisor.

Melody Soleimani is a Senior Tax Accountant with a solid background in handling diverse tax filings, including federal and state returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and nonprofit entities.

She earned her bachelor's degree in accounting and has built a reputation for her precision, analytical skills, and ability to navigate complex tax matters. Melody takes pride in helping clients meet their tax obligations efficiently while ensuring accuracy and clarity in every return she prepares.

Ilana serves as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, bringing over a decade of expertise in psychometric assessment, analysis and interpersonal dynamics honed through her background in educational psychology. Her unique perspective fuels a meticulous and thorough approach to operational efficiency and execution.

With a proven ability to diagnose complex situations and inspire teams, Ilana fosters a collaborative environment driven by a commitment to excellence. Her charismatic leadership and genuine respect for individuals have earned her the high regard of colleagues and clients alike. She is instrumental in streamlining operations, optimizing team performance, and ensuring the firm consistently delivers exceptional service and achieves outstanding results.

What differentiates Manela and Company internally are the core values of employee accountability, client ownership, and firm responsibility. These values provide our clientele with the requisite ingredients for effective trust and efficient execution of client projects. Accordingly, Ilana’s focus continues to be the long-term effectiveness of the firm’s distinctive culture of empowering professionals to concentrate on client ownership via solution-based performance.