Yelena Epova, Atlanta Office and International Practice Leader, and Tax Partner, Aprio

In an interview with Focus:, Yelena Epova, Atlanta Office and International Practice Leader, and Tax Partner at Aprio, discussed the firm’s growth and evolving strategies in Atlanta. “Atlanta remains our headquarters and has experienced the largest growth,” Epova said, sharing insights on talent acquisition, technology integration, and navigating economic challenges, such as tariffs.

Reflecting on the past year, what have been the most significant changes for the Atlanta office of Aprio?

We continue to grow across all locations, but Atlanta remains our headquarters and has experienced large growth. This growth has been primarily organic, although we have also made a few small acquisitions and brought in lateral partners in the region. At this point, we have more than 400 team members in Atlanta, and the office serves as a hub for many of our specialty practices. 

Over the past year, we have significantly expanded our middle-market and high-growth company client base. We have also brought in a substantial amount of global clients and continue to grow our international practice. Our team now speaks more than 60 languages across all offices and markets, Atlanta remaining the most international location, as the global practice originated here. The office has become a true melting pot of languages, with English sometimes feeling like the exception rather than the rule. This diversity brings me great joy, as it reflects the environment and clients we serve across the globe. 

What impact do you believe the acquisition of RSM’s Professional Services+ (“PS+”) Practice will have on your client relationships and opportunities in the Atlanta market?

The acquisition of RSM’s Professional Services+ (“PS+”) Practice involves a network of firms to which we will provide specialty services they currently do not offer. This presents a significant growth opportunity and allows us to expand our service offerings to a broader range of clients.

With lateral partners and other mergers, growth remains a primary focus, but acquiring talent is equally important. These partnerships allow us to strengthen areas where we are already successful while also bringing in new experience, technical skills, and service lines. Some of this talent is based in Atlanta, while other additions are located elsewhere in the country. However, we operate seamlessly as a team, and clients increasingly prioritize talent over physical location. That said, in-person meetings and face-to-face interactions still hold value.

How has your hiring strategy evolved, and what challenges or opportunities are you seeing in attracting and retaining top professionals?

One of the primary challenges is the declining number of individuals entering the profession. Demand for skilled professionals remains high, and competition among firms is intense. However, our position as the 24th largest business advisory and accounting firm in the United States gives us a competitive edge in attracting talent.

Our diverse service lines and global presence are major selling points. Many candidates are drawn to the opportunity to work with international clients in their native languages. In addition, our entrepreneurial culture — marked by rapid growth, expansion into new markets, and continuous innovation — appeals to young professionals seeking dynamic career paths.

The nature of the work has also evolved. When I began my career, much of the work involved data entry and low-level tasks. Today, we leverage AI to balance routine work, allowing our team members to spend more time with clients, focus on analysis, strategic planning, and higher-value tasks. This shift makes the profession more engaging and is another advantage in recruiting top talent.

How is technology, including AI and data analytics, shaping the way your firm delivers services and ensures operational efficiency for clients?

We have a dedicated technology team that continuously evaluates emerging technologies and brings new tools to the table. While there can be some resistance to change, particularly when introducing new software, these tools ultimately save time, improve efficiency, and enable us to work smarter. At Aprio, we believe AI should enhance human intelligence, not replace it. 

Staying ahead of technological advancements is a priority. Clients’ needs are becoming increasingly complex, and automation allows us to focus on strategic initiatives, such as tax planning, rather than repetitive tasks. By leveraging technology, we ensure our team spends more time on high-impact work and delivers greater value to clients.

Looking at current economic conditions, how have tariffs impacted your clients and your firm’s approach?

Tariffs have definitely come into play. About three years ago, we launched a customs and tariffs practice as part of our international group. 

Since then, we have continued building the practice, strengthening our market presence, and expanding our services to help clients mitigate tariff impacts. As a result, our customs and tariff practice has become one of the fastest-growing practices at the firm, and our customs specialists are now in high demand given current market conditions.

Because of our extensive experience in this area, clients frequently come to us when they encounter any tariff-related challenges. In many cases, we can help minimize the impact—not by changing the law, but by identifying applicable exemptions for certain products, such as pharmaceuticals. We also support clients, particularly within our manufacturing and distribution practice, in evaluating potential supply-chain challenges. That includes assessing how goods are delivered, where they originate, and even whether relocating manufacturing operations makes sense.

The goal of these policy changes may be to bring more manufacturing back to the United States, but that is not an overnight process. For clients that outsource production to unrelated companies in China, shifting to another country may be feasible. For those that own factories, the transition is far more complex and time-consuming. We work closely with clients to explore all options and help them remain profitable while adapting to these changes. It’s a dynamic environment, with developments occurring almost daily.

What are the biggest shifts you’re seeing in the consulting services sector, and how are you advising clients to prepare?

One of our key focuses is becoming even more consultative in nature. We don’t simply deliver audits and tax returns; we serve as business advisors across tax, accounting, advisory, wealth management, and legal services. Clients are searching for integrated platforms instead of working with multiple advisors in silos. Our role is to look at the big picture and support clients from multiple angles. We are working with our clients to prepare by strengthening the foundation of how they run the business while thinking more proactively about the future. This includes improving financial visibility, modernizing processes and technology, and approaching decisions with a more strategic mindset. Instead of reacting to change, we are here to set our clients up to be more resilient, scalable, and prepared for growth. 

What are your top strategic priorities for the Atlanta office as you look ahead?

Our priorities include continuing to grow organically in Atlanta, as well as through lateral partner hires and potential mergers or acquisitions, in alignment with the firm’s broader goals.

Another key focus is developing our team’s technical experience and business acumen. We emphasize this early by involving team members in client and prospect meetings, so they understand the business context of our work — not just debits and credits. My goal is for everyone to grasp the broader picture and become exceptional advisors, especially in an ever-changing economic and political climate.

Attracting top talent remains a priority, including professionals who can enhance our existing capabilities and potentially introduce new service lines. Finally, one of our major goals is to become the number one accounting employer in Atlanta — not necessarily by headcount, but by the quality of talent we attract. While the Big Four firms offer strong opportunities, what we provide goes above and beyond what is available elsewhere.