“Any time people come together in a meeting, we're not necessarily getting the best ideas; we're just getting the ideas of the best talkers.” (Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain)
Describe the best thing about GHJ and why it matters to you.
One of the best things about GHJ is its adaptability. In the short time I have been with the firm, I have watched it reinvent itself several times to change and stay ahead of the new markets and industry developments. This willingness to adapt and change is in large part a result of the diverse and progressive Firm leadership, but it is also due to the great team we have that loves to learn and grow.
What makes you get up in the morning, and how does it impact your work style?
I love learning new things every day, and in my professional life, this translates into a passion for accounting research. I love helping my clients and team members find solutions for the complex accounting questions they have.
What is your proudest professional moment, and why?
My proudest professional moments happen when my mentees succeed. In the beginning of my public accounting career, I had a mentee who was an extremely hard worker with probably the best work ethics I have ever seen, yet he could not pass the CPA exam no matter how many times he tried. I have supported him through this journey and encouraged him not to give up. Several years later, it was incredible to hear that he did finally pass all four sections and was able to progress in his career.
What is your favorite quote that best describes your professional philosophy?
I really like the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain, as I am an introvert myself. One of my favorite quotes by her is “Any time people come together in a meeting, we're not necessarily getting the best ideas; we're just getting the ideas of the best talkers.” I wholeheartedly believe this to be true and prefer collaborating and talking to people in smaller groups to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.
If I weren’t an accountant/consultant, I’d be a _________. Why?
Book author. I have always loved how books translate someone’s thoughts and ideas to paper and create new worlds. I used to write fiction stories when I was younger.
Yulia Murzaeva, CPA, CIA, exclusively serves nonprofit organizations and provides audit and consulting services to a wide range of clients with an emphasis on GHJ’s arts and culture, clinics and healthcare and social service subniches. Yulia is the audit quality control lead at the Firm and oversees the implementation of new accounting and auditing standards, as well as several other audit quality and efficiency initiatives.
In 2022, Yulia spent several months working at the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center where she concentrated on advocacy for the latest regulatory and audit quality issues and serving as AICPA’s subject matter expert on governmental and single audit accounting and auditing matters, including working with the senior representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She continues to be a speaker for AICPA webinars and conferences.
Yulia is passionate about opportunities for women and currently co-chairs GHJ’s Women’s Empowerment Cohort. In addition, she volunteers her time by being on the Audit Committee of the Chronicle of Philanthropy, the premier source of news, information, analysis, and opinion in the nonprofit world. In 2023, Yulia has been recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as Woman of Influence: Accounting.
Yulia graduated from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and has worked with GHJ since 2017.
Yulia is married and has two daughters. She enjoys spending time with family, reading and an occasional Zumba class.
Fun Facts
Favorite place in the world:
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Favorite music/band/singer:
I have an eclectic taste and love many different things – classical composers, Russian and German rock, R&B, Latin rhythms and even an occasional pop song.
Favorite movie or book of all time:
Too many to name – some of the recent favorite books are The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
One word that best describes me:
Efficient
When I am not working, you will catch me doing this:
spending time with my family or reading
