
Overview
Yelena has over 30 years of experience providing valuable strategic advice, guidance, and support to C-level executives and general directors of multinational corporations looking to expand their operations across borders. She founded Aprio’s International practice and scaled the group to more than 100 professionals. The team speak 60+ languages and serve clients in more than 50 countries. Delivering results has fueled their growth into one of the largest international tax practices in the U.S.
Her leadership extends beyond Aprio’s International Practice and the realm of accounting. In addition to focusing on leading and growing her team, she helped establish the Black Business Forum at Aprio, actively contributes to organizations like the Atlanta Ballet and the Atlanta Symphony as a board member, and is a frequent speaker on various international business topics as well as leadership topics in the U.S. and around the globe.
Experience
She works with multinational companies that are looking to set up operations in the United States, and U.S. companies that are looking to set up operations abroad. Yelena advises a wide variety of clients, from C-level executives to tax, human resources, and general directors.
She specializes in advising domestic and international companies on international tax matters and tax strategies related to inbound and outbound operations. Yelena also partners with other CPA firms with limited international capabilities. Here are just a few of the ways she add value to her clients:
- Reduce risks associated with global operations.
- Provide the support to “go global.”
- Give strategic advice on global tax planning and strategy.
- Advise on tax credits, incentives, and planning opportunities.
- Engage as a featured speaker on a variety of tax-related topics.
- Work across borders alongside colleagues from different countries.
Education & Affiliations
Yelena earned a Master’s in Engineering from the Technological College of Leningrad and a Master’s in Accounting from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), and a member of the Georgia Society of CPAs (GSCPA). She is a founding member of the Women Tax Executive Forum and serves on the North American Board of Morison KSi, as well as the board of directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
Yelena has received the Global Impact Award from the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Women Who Mean Business” Award, the Golden Key Award, and the Elijah Watt Sells Award. She was recognized as one of the 55 Most Influential Foreign-Born Atlantans, named as one of the Titan 100 Top CEOs and C-level executives in 2022, and named to the 2024 Forbes Top 200 CPAs list.