LOS ANGELES, CA, Dec. 4, 2017… Effective January 1, 2018, GHJ (GHJ) has appointed Akash Sehgal to lead the firm’s Tax Practice. Akash will transition into the role currently held by Partner Polina Chapiro. Akash joined GHJ in 2012 to lead the State and Local Tax Practice.

This celebrated succession comes on the heels of a rigorous strategic planning process by the partner group, which has a deep commitment to growing future leaders. Polina will continue as a partner with the firm after January and will be transitioning to the firm’s Executive Committee.

In her new role on the firm’s Executive Committee, Polina will be a key decision maker with a focus on the vision and direction of the firm. Her leadership abilities and expertise will be a great asset to her fellow committee members Partner Anant Patel and incoming Managing Partner Tom Barry.

“We are thrilled to have Polina join the Executive Committee and know that her knowledge and passion for GHJ will help us greatly,” Tom expressed. “Polina is a known and respected leader in the firm and community and having her on the Executive Committee will be great for the firm. We are looking forward to benefiting from her wisdom and expertise.”

Polina has been at GHJ since 2006 and led the Tax Practice for nearly as long. Under her guidance the Tax Practice has flourished, with expanded breadth through new employees with deep expertise in international tax, state and local tax, property tax, tax due diligence and structuring, real estate transactions and much more. She is deeply committed to “growing” next generation talent and is excited for Akash to transition into his new role as head of the Tax Practice.

“I could not be happier to see someone that I respect and trust take over leading the Tax Practice,” Polina explained. “Akash’s commitment to the Firm and innovation will help him push the practice to the next level. I am looking forward to seeing the results of his efforts as he brings his vision for the team to reality.”

Growing great people is integral to the GHJ Vision and Values as the firm’s underlying success is driven by retaining the best, most diverse talent. As the leader of the Firm’s State and Local Tax Team for several years, Akash is known as an innovative leader at GHJ.

“I am looking forward to continuing Polina’s legacy, as well as further developing the practice and the expertise of our team,” Akash elaborated. “The deep knowledge and experience of GHJ Tax Practice has only grown over the years, and I plan to help continue advancing us ahead.”

Having Akash move into the role as head of the Tax Practice is just one more example of how GHJ is showing its commitment to growing great people and transforming vision and passion into tangible results for its clients and people.

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About Polina Chapiro

Polina Chapiro has over 30 years of tax and accounting experience in the areas of corporate reorganization, mergers and acquisitions (due diligence, agreements, negotiation), taxation of multinational companies (foreign tax credit, structuring, repatriation planning), partnership and S-corporations’ taxation, income tax provisions, tax audits at the federal and state level and negotiations with the IRS, state and foreign tax authorities.

Polina has extensive experience in the real estate, entertainment and technology industries and has held management positions as Director of International Tax with a private equity firm where she was responsible for all tax aspects of the international M&A transactions and Director of Tax for a public company in the Southern California area. She was formerly a Tax Partner with a Big Four accounting firm, which included a two-year expatriate assignment in Europe.

As head of the firm’s Tax Department, she is responsible for managing all administrative, technical and personnel functions of the department.

Polina was recognized as a 2017 “Most Influential Women in Accounting” by the Los Angeles Business Journal. She is also a member of the International Tax Forum, Society of Trust & Estate Professionals, International Tax Club, California CPA Society and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a frequent speaker on international tax topics. She is actively involved in the community and has served on the boards of a number of civic and charitable organizations in Southern California.

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About Akash Sehgal

Akash Sehgal is currently the partner leading the Firm’s State and Local Tax Practice and focuses on assisting clients with multistate income and franchise tax, sales and use tax and credits and incentives. He has over 20 years of state and local tax experience with two Big Four firms in Los Angeles and Seattle.

Akash assists his clients on complex state and local tax issues related to transactional planning, mergers and acquisitions, general day-to-day consulting and compliance. He has significant experience dealing with state tax issues in California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington and local city taxes including the Los Angeles City Business Tax. He is a frequent speaker for a variety of tax associations including Tax Executive Institute (“TEI”) and the Council on State Taxation (“COST”).

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About GHJ

Founded in 1953, GHJ is a Los Angeles-based accounting firm that specializes in nonprofit, food and beverage, entertainment and media and health and wellness companies. Named a “Best Places to Work” by the Los Angeles Business Journal eight times since 2008, GHJ is passionate about helping clients and its people #BeMore by focusing on building thriving businesses and creating a better future. The firm works as a business advocate for its clients — providing personalized service and building long-term relationships to help position our clients for growth.