LOS ANGELES, CA (January 29, 2025) – GHJ, an award-winning advisory, accounting and tax firm, is proud to announce the elevation of two exceptional leaders, Nonprofit Tax Practice Leader Lizbeth Nevarez and newly appointed Northern California Market Hub Leader Yulia Murzaeva, as well as the addition of Tax Partner Jack Garabedian, to its leadership team. These additions reflect GHJ’s commitment to fostering growth within the Firm while bringing in dynamic external talent to enhance its capabilities and better serve its clients and communities.

“Jack, Lizbeth and Yulia exemplify GHJ’s spirit of innovation and excellence. Each brings a unique perspective and specialized expertise that strengthens our ability to serve our clients and communities,” said GHJ Managing Partner Tom Barry. “GHJ’s diversity of thought, investment in people and ability to adapt to an ever-changing world allow us to grow stronger together. I am excited to see how Jack, Lizbeth and Yulia’s leadership will inspire others, shape our future and continue delivering meaningful value to our clients.”

At GHJ, leadership is built by empowering people to grow and succeed on their own terms. Lizbeth and Yulia embody this spirit, each carving out unique career paths as working mothers and respected leaders in their areas of expertise. Lizbeth’s journey from intern to partner at GHJ and Yulia’s transition from dispersed employee to Northern California Market Hub Leader reflect a culture that values flexibility, diversity and the development of future leaders.

This commitment to growth is complemented by the addition of seasoned talent like Jack Garabedian, who brings decades of expertise and a client-first approach following GHJ’s addition of GGF this past fall. Together, these leaders exemplify GHJ’s ability to blend internal and external growth to drive innovation and deliver exceptional value to clients.

LIZBETH NEVAREZ

Lizbeth’s journey from DACA recipient to Nonprofit Tax Practice Leader reflects her commitment to overcoming barriers and mentoring others. During her time at GHJ, Lizbeth has grown into a nationally recognized nonprofit tax expert with a passion for guiding organizations through complex tax challenges. She is also dedicated to mentoring others and showing how education and accounting can transform lives, particularly for underserved communities.

“I believe the accounting profession is one where, regardless of your background or the school you went to, you all start on the same playing field,” Lizbeth said. “My accounting degree changed my life for the better, and I think we have the opportunity to change people’s lives and continue to make GHJ a great place to work.”

Lizbeth serves as a co-sponsor of GHJ’s Women’s Empowerment Cohort, where she uses her experiences as a Latina, a mother and a trailblazer to foster conversations that inspire change and advance equity in the industry. She also serves as Secretary for GHJ Foundation. Outside of her work with GHJ, Lizbeth serves on the board of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, which supports the socio-economic betterment of the greater Latino community of California, and Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, which provides free legal assistance to nearly 160,000 individuals and families throughout Los Angeles County every year.

YULIA MURZAEVA

Yulia’s career path is an inspiring example of innovation and adaptability. Since joining GHJ in 2017, she has balanced parenthood and career by building niche expertise in nonprofit audits with a focus on arts and culture, healthcare and social service organizations. Additionally, Yulia leads the Firm’s efforts to implement new accounting and auditing standards and spearheads initiatives to enhance audit quality and efficiency.

GHJ’s inclusive culture and flexibility enabled her to advance her career, even after relocating from Los Angeles to Indianapolis and now San Jose.

“I believe that a large part of my success comes from finding the right firm to work for,” Yulia said. “GHJ is very agile, but something that does not change is its culture: the diversity of backgrounds and thought, the investment in people’s growth and the friendships that have been built through overcoming challenges together. I look forward to learning new skills, meeting new challenges and serving clients in this new role. More importantly, though, I look forward to continuing to invest in others and help them achieve their goals, just as I was helped along the way.”

In her new role, Yulia will work out of GHJ’s office in San Jose, where she will spearhead GHJ’s presence and growth in the Northern California region and brings a bold vision and strategic focus to the area. Additionally, Yulia serves as a co-sponsor of GHJ’s Women’s Empowerment Cohort, where she advocates for creating spaces where women can balance family and professional aspirations while achieving leadership success.

JACK GARABEDIAN

Jack has spent his extensive career guiding middle-market businesses across a diverse range of sectors. His deep commitment to mentorship and collaborative problem-solving has defined his career. 

As a member of GHJ’s Tax Practice, Jack specializes in comprehensive accounting, tax and business consulting solutions. He is a certified public accountant and excels in strategic business consulting and provides expert guidance on planning, financial risk mitigation and budgeting. 

Jack was a partner at GGF in Los Angeles before it joined GHJ in 2024, and he brings his client-centric approach to the Firm as he continues to help clients achieve their goals.

“After a fulfilling 18-year partnership at GGF, I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter with GHJ. Joining GHJ allows me to bring new expertise and services to our valued clients with even greater resources,” Jack said. “With over 25 years of experience in public accounting, I am deeply passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders and empowering our clients to achieve their full potential. Witnessing their success and supporting them every step of the way, while also developing strong friendships with both clients and colleagues, has been incredibly rewarding.”

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About GHJ

GHJ is a national advisory and accounting firm with a mission to help its clients and team members #BeMore by pursuing their passions, building thriving businesses and creating a better future. Headquartered in Los Angeles with additional offices in San Jose, Buffalo and Denver and over 250 professionals and 22 partners throughout the U.S., GHJ serves thousands of clients worldwide. The Firm meets clients where they are and specializes in a diverse range of industries, including entertainment, food and beverage and media and advertising companies and nonprofit organizations.

Ranked as a Top-100 Firm, 7th Fastest-Growing Firm, Top Regional Leader in the West and Best Firm to Work For by Accounting Today, GHJ is recognized for its innovative approach and dedication to client success. This is driven by the belief that its collective diversity of thoughts, backgrounds and experiences are exactly what makes GHJ a place where employees can each #BeMore – together. Employees are invited to pursue their passions, deliver exceptional service and support the causes they care about. The Firm embraces hybrid work and prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA). Additionally, GHJ Foundation supports the community through financial contributions and volunteerism.

GHJ is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC), the California Society of CPAs and the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofit). As a member of HLB International, the global network of independent advisory and accounting firms, GHJ provides clients with seamless access to expertise in over 150 countries to deliver solutions that meet both local and global needs. 

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