CEO & Founder
Washington
My path to founding Xpatax Solutions has been anything but linear. I began as a scientist with a Master’s in Neurobiology from University College London, but like many expats, I pivoted careers to secure work authorization. This brought me to Deloitte London, where I worked in audit and Corporate International Tax while studying for my ACA.
The 2008 financial crisis created an opportunity to return to science in Berlin, where I started a PhD in experimental neurosurgery at the Charité. When my project ran into funding issues, I found myself working at KPMG as a translator. This job did wonders for my German as I spent a couple of years translating contracts, financial statements, and tax documents.
While working there, I made the decision to fully commit to accounting. I earned my CPA and German permanent residency, which opened the door to join KPMG’s Global Mobility team working on individual taxes for international employees. I quickly realized I much preferred individual tax work to corporate taxes. We were also working with tax technology and processes, which has been a great foundation for the process and technology-forward company I’m building.
The technical work was engaging, but I grew increasingly frustrated with big four firm culture. Too often, it felt like the focus was on impressing colleagues with technical knowledge rather than truly serving clients well. The combination of long hours and inefficient processes was maddening – I could see how better systems would benefit everyone. I tried Deloitte Germany, thinking it might be different, but found the same challenges.
That’s when I decided to build the firm I actually wanted to work for. I started Xpatax Solutions as a solo practice in 2017, and it’s grown ever since. I’m building a company centered on our values – one that serves clients exceptionally well while also creating genuine career opportunities for our team, especially work-from-home parents who need flexibility but don’t want to sacrifice professional growth.
The need for quality, values-driven service in international taxation is enormous, and I’m proud to provide that guidance to clients who are navigating these complex waters.