Divya K. Gill: Leading Gill Tax Group while Charting Financial Success
Top 10 Empowering Women Leaders of the Year 2024
In the world of finance, Divya K. Gill stands as a beacon of expertise and empowerment, spearheading a mission to revolutionize the way individuals, families, and small businesses navigate the complexities of taxation and financial management. As the proud owner of Gill Tax Group, Divya brings over two decades of unrivaled experience to the table, offering a comprehensive suite of services designed to minimize tax burdens and maximize profits.
With a career spanning back to 2003, Divya’s journey as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a steadfast commitment to client success. Her licensure as a CPA in 2012 and her authorization to practice in the States of California and Nevada attest to her unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and expertise.
Prior to embarking on her entrepreneurial venture with Gill Tax Group, Divya honed her craft in a variety of esteemed roles, including Auditor, Accounting Manager, and Controller, within large organizations boasting annual revenues ranging from $100 million to over $1 billion. It was during her tenure in the corporate realm that Divya’s profound realization dawned – the transformative potential lies in empowering small and medium-sized businesses, the heartbeat of the economy.
Driven by a passion to effect real change at the grassroots level, Divya made the bold decision to transition from climbing corporate ladders to carving her own path as a private CPA practitioner. Her vision is clear: to equip small and medium-sized businesses with the essential accounting and financial tools necessary to thrive and flourish. With her wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to client empowerment, Divya believes that the sky is truly the limit for businesses poised to unlock their full potential.
Leading Gill Tax Group with Expertise and Passion
Divya, a second-generation CPA following in her father’s footsteps, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She is a licensed California CPA and holds an MBA degree from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Additionally, she obtained a Leadership Certificate from Cornell University.
Considering the myriad challenges faced by businesses today, Divya finds motivation in the potential to make a difference by empowering these businesses with knowledge and tools. At Gill Tax Group, PC, they specialize in providing accounting services, bookkeeping, and tax strategies aimed at helping businesses overcome obstacles and thrive. With rising labor costs and evolving regulations, financial management becomes increasingly complex, but Divya’s firm offers the necessary support. They streamline accounting procedures and stay updated on tax code changes, ensuring clients save money on both state and federal taxes. Whenever a tax incentive or deduction arises, the firm promptly puts it to work for their clients. With comprehensive support in accounting and tax planning, businesses can efficiently manage their finances and position themselves for both short-term and long-term success.
Response to the Current Business Landscape
According to Divya, Gill Tax Group is currently facing numerous challenges at both domestic and international levels. On one end, the firm is grappling with inflation, changes in various tax laws, rising interest rates, cash flow issues across businesses, and a shortage of qualified individuals to fill positions across various industries.
On the other hand, at an international level, there appears to be a mixed outlook, encompassing factors such as pandemics affecting society, globalization impacting cybersecurity, international tax laws and reporting, and economic instability. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a new direction is acknowledged, albeit with its own drawbacks, including threats to the human race. Additionally, the government is imposing tougher reporting requirements under FINCEN, mandating BOI reporting. These additional external and internal requirements are placing greater demands on management, necessitating business owners to be more agile and dynamic while maintaining efficiency.
To tackle these issues, a global approach is deemed necessary. This entails preparation, empowering businesses with knowledge, and providing the appropriate business tools to ensure reporting accuracy. Through reliable and accurate reporting, along with increased automation of time-consuming and error-prone tasks, businesses will gain more time and better data for strategic decision-making. This underscores the importance of businesses partnering with the right Accounting team, which becomes a crucial ally in guiding business strategy.
Redefining Accounting
Divya emphasizes that while “exciting” might not typically be the first word associated with accounting needs, at Gill Tax Group, PC, they strive to change that perception. The firm views accounting as more than just number-crunching; it’s an opportunity to collaborate with small business owners and contribute to their growth.
By listening to and understanding each client’s unique needs, the firm tailors their services to meet immediate requirements while laying a solid foundation for future endeavors. With an understanding that circumstances can evolve rapidly, Gill Tax Group pledges ongoing support, whether for businesses or individuals.
The firm is enthusiastic about partnering with clients as they navigate strategic financial decisions and set long-term growth goals. Gill Tax Group approaches tax strategy and accounting as collaborative opportunities, leveraging their expertise to support clients’ business growth. With a dedicated team of professionals offering top-tier tax strategy, planning, financial, and accounting services, along with personalized customer care, the firm is committed to their clients’ success. They take clients’ businesses personally and infuse their work with personality, ensuring that “Your Business is Our Business!”
Leadership in Motion
According to Divya, leadership is a dynamic and ever-evolving principle that requires adaptability to organizational trends and the impact of internal and external forces. A successful leadership strategy incorporates both short-term and long-term goals, considering the growth trajectory of the organization.
Divya aligns her leadership approach with Transformational Leadership, which prioritizes both people and processes. This style involves recognizing and nurturing the strengths of individuals within the team to foster growth. As a leader, she emphasizes the importance of providing a vision that extends beyond the immediate future, harnessing the team’s energy to position members in roles conducive to collective success and growth. She underscores her role not only as a leader but also as a team member, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and synchronization. Divya believes that collective effort is essential for delivering results to clients, aligning with the growth strategy, adapting to change, and ultimately realizing the firm’s vision.
In line with John C. Maxwell’s philosophy, Divya sees success as not just a personal victory for the leader but as a shared achievement, particularly when team members experience success. This collaborative mindset fosters a culture of mutual support and achievement within the organization.
Fostering Unity and Growth
Divya consistently emphasizes the importance of unity within the team, reinforcing the idea that “we are in this together.” At Gill Tax Group, PC, they prioritize providing the necessary tools and training to enable employees to succeed, fostering both personal and professional development.
Constant communication, both internally and externally, is regarded as crucial in maintaining alignment and facilitating collaboration. The firm encourages employees to pursue continuing professional development through various courses, aiming to enhance their skills and effectiveness in their roles.
By investing in employee growth and skill development, Gill Tax Group ensures that team members are equipped to contribute towards mutual success and growth. This approach reflects Divya’s commitment to cultivating a supportive and collaborative work environment where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
Growth, Commitment, and Personalized Service
In Divya’s inaugural year, operations began from a home office with just a handful of clients. Since then, the firm has experienced significant growth, now boasting a client base of over 500, including a steady influx of start-ups. Divya’s personal commitment to supporting women-based businesses has remained steadfast throughout this expansion.
At Gill Tax Group, PC, they prioritize quality services over quantity, adhering to their philosophy of “Your Business is Our Business.” This approach has guided their evolution, with a focus on hiring individuals who grasp both the “people and processes” aspects of the firm’s vision. As a result, the team has expanded to encompass three offices in Southern California (Los Angeles, Irvine, and San Diego) and one office in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Looking ahead, the firm envisions further growth over the next five years, with plans to extend their reach and become a vital support system for both existing and new clients as they pursue future endeavors. Recognizing the increasing demand for strategic partnerships, especially among start-ups and established businesses, Gill Tax Group is committed to expanding its presence intelligently and efficiently, while maintaining the core values of its vision.
Despite their growth, the firm remains dedicated to maintaining personal connections with clients, ensuring they are small enough to understand individual needs yet large enough to meet the ever-expanding requirements of their growing clientele.
Driven by Vision
Divya draws inspiration from various business leaders and writers, but it’s Steve Jobs whom she admires as a visionary and trendsetter in the business world. His story resonates deeply with her, serving as a source of inspiration for her own journey. One particular quote from Jobs has been instrumental in shaping Divya’s path: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”
This quote propelled Divya to establish Gill Tax Group, driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference for businesses with a compassionate approach. She believes in the importance of understanding one’s “Why,” crafting a plan, and developing a solid strategy. Divya acknowledges that success and failure are inevitable parts of the journey, but the key is to persevere—to keep running, to pick oneself up after falling, and to keep pushing forward.
With this mindset, Divya remains committed to guiding businesses from all walks of life, recognizing the need for the right CPA to partner with. By staying true to her passion and purpose, she aims to continue making a positive impact on the businesses she serves.
Website: gilltaxgroup.com