About the Founder

Intro

Sandy founded Ascend Tax & Advisory Firm to provide clear, dependable tax and financial guidance to individuals and businesses. She believes everyone deserves access to high-quality financial services and advice delivered with clarity, integrity, and long-term perspective.

Founder's Background

Before launching the firm, Sandy served as a corporate executive at Transamerica, where she led the Workplace Financial Services department and managed five multifunctional teams with nearly 50 employees.

Credentials & Education

She is an IRS Enrolled Agent and CFA charter holder, with deep expertise in tax strategy, accounting, investments, and retirement services. Her academic background includes a Master of Science in Finance from DePaul University and a Master of Management in Accounting from Xiamen University.

Professional Experience

Her career spans public accounting, finance, investment, insurance, and retirement services, giving her a uniquely comprehensive perspective. She has also served as a risk assessment consultant to real estate businesses, further expanding her cross-industry expertise.

Her Commitment to Clients

Clients value her detail-oriented approach, clear communication style, and ability to make complex topics understandable.

As a bilingual advisor serving both English-speaking and Chinese-speaking communities, Sandy is committed to helping clients feel understood and supported, no matter how complex their tax or financial situation may be.

Sandy Shao