Making Taxes Make Sense: The Woman Redefining Accounting With Heart

Through her firm, OB CPA, Odelya Buganim transforms the intimidating world of taxes into an empowering experience, especially for women who want to take control of their finances.

The morning starts early for Odelya Buganim. Before the rest of Los Angeles shakes off its sleep, she’s already been to the gym, packed lunches, and dropped off her two kids. Then she switches gears entirely, stepping into her office at OB CPA with the same determination she brings to every client meeting. “I just feel like this is the Odelya I always dreamed of being,” she says with a smile, “a career-oriented woman who can conquer the world if she just wants to.”

For many, accounting is an intimidating and sterile topic, all spreadsheets and stress. But for Odelya, it’s personal. At OB CPA, she’s built a firm that speaks your language literally and figuratively. Her mission is to make taxes simple, understandable, and empowering, especially for women who’ve been told for too long that money is someone else’s department.

From Corporate Halls to Building Something of Her Own

Long before she became known as “the CPA who makes taxes easy,” Odelya was climbing the ranks at Deloitte, working as an auditor right after earning her degree. It was a prestigious start, but something inside her wanted more than a corporate title.

“I had a really good friend, Kevin,” she recalls. “We were school buddies, both tax nerds. One day, we were just talking about how we’d love to start our own company. That’s how OB CPA was born.”

The duo combined their strengths, her entrepreneurial spark and his deep research skills, to launch their accounting firm in 2020, right as the world was shutting down. “We decided to give it a chance,” she says. “I’m the rainmaker; I love bringing people in, doing social media, talking to clients. He was the one who learned everything and brought it to the table.”

The timing could not have been more chaotic, but their shared enthusiasm carried them through the uncertainty. “We started during COVID,” she says. “It was a beautiful journey.”

A year and a half later, her business partner pursued another dream, exotic cars, of all things. But Odelya stayed the course. “This is my baby,” she says proudly. “Now we’re six years in, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Turning Fear Into Financial Freedom

What sets OB CPA apart isn’t just Odelya’s expertise; it’s her empathy. She noticed a pattern early on that struck a chord. “So many women would tell me, ‘Oh, my husband handles this,’ or, ‘My dad takes care of the finances,’” she explains. “I hate that. Because at some point, they will need to understand. Life changes. Sometimes people divorce or lose loved ones, and they’re left trying to figure out something they should have been part of all along.”

So she made it her mission to change that narrative. OB CPA became a place where women could ask questions without feeling embarrassed, where financial literacy wasn’t a privilege but a partnership. “I like to put things on the table and make it easy,” she says. “We’re a team, not just accountant and client.”

The Balancing Act

Behind the confident professional exterior, Odelya faces a daily challenge that many working mothers know too well: balancing ambition with motherhood.

“I’m a mom to two amazing kids,” she says. “And that’s a full-time job in itself.”

She remembers one tax season in particular, running between client meetings and school drop-offs, feeling pulled in every direction. “During tax season, I’ll never forget having to take the kids to everything because I didn’t have anyone else. I was talking to another CPA who’s been doing this for 30 years, and he said, ‘You’re a woman. Accept that this is part of your job.’ And he was right. I’m a mother first.”

But she doesn’t use that as an excuse; she uses it as fuel. “Sometimes it means working until 1 a.m. while others are asleep,” she admits. “But that’s how I overcome it. I just keep going.”

Her determination reflects a quiet strength that was built not on perfection, but persistence.

A Business Built on Connection

What makes OB CPA truly different is how deeply personal the experience feels. “I don’t just hand off clients to another CPA,” Odelya explains. “I sit with them. I answer every question, and I help guide them through financial decisions.”

She’s not only focused on the numbers but on the stories behind them. “If a client wants to take a loan, I help them find the best route,” she says. “I look at their books strategically so they can have the best tax outcome next year. I’m proactive. I want my clients to save money and understand how they’re doing it.”

That accessibility has earned her a reputation for being more than just an accountant. She’s a trusted guide, part financial strategist, part confidante.

The Social CPA

While most accountants shy away from social media, Odelya leans into it. “I just have a passion for it,” she says. “I like to put it out there, to make people feel that taxes don’t have to be scary.”

Her posts on TikTok and Instagram, where she breaks down complex financial topics with humor and clarity, have made her a familiar face, especially in Los Angeles’ Jewish and Israeli community. “Everywhere I go, people recognize me,” she laughs. “They say, ‘Thank you! Thanks to you, I finally asked my CPA about this,’ or, ‘I didn’t understand it until you explained it.’”

Even if her online presence doesn’t always translate directly into revenue, it’s made an impact. “I’m consistent,” she says. “I show up. People know who I am, and they trust that I care.”

Empowering the Next Generation

Looking ahead, Odelya’s vision is rooted in growth and giving back. “We’re growing, thank God,” she says. “I just brought in two new team members, and I’m working on getting an intern.”

For her, mentoring young women entering the accounting field is deeply personal. “I love helping others who used to be me,” she says. “Another woman who maybe doesn’t believe she can make it, I want her to see that she can.”

Her short-term goal is to double her client base within a year while keeping her business organized and efficient. “I want everything to run smoothly,” she says. “And with the help of God, we’ll get there.”

Why Her Clients Keep Coming Back

Most of OB CPA’s clients come through word of mouth, the most honest kind of marketing. “People refer me to their friends and family,” Odelya says. “They know I’ll treat them with care.”

It’s not uncommon for her clients to text her after hours with a quick question or a moment of panic, and she always finds a way to respond. “I think that’s why people stay,” she says. “They know I’m reachable, and they know I care about their success.”

The trust she’s built within her community has made OB CPA more than just an accounting firm. It’s become a symbol of empowerment, a reminder that financial literacy is for everyone, not just those who grew up with it.

Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

When asked what she wants readers to take away from her story, Odelya doesn’t hesitate. “You can be anything if you really want it,” she says. “With effort and time management, you can be a mom, a career woman, an entrepreneur, even a foreigner, and still succeed here. Nothing comes easy, but if you truly love what you do, the sky’s the limit.”

Her words echo the philosophy behind OB CPA: confidence, compassion, and clarity. In a world where taxes often cause anxiety, she’s rewriting the story.

For those who want to work with someone who genuinely cares about making their financial life easier, OB CPA offers that rare combination of expertise and empathy.

You can visit OB CPA at obcpa.tax or follow Odelya on TikTok at @odelya_buganim and Instagram at @odelya_buganim and Facebook at OB CPA to learn more and get helpful tax insights that actually make sense.

This feature is part of The Business View Journal’s Local Spotlight Series — your trusted source for discovering the best small businesses in your community.