MILLER WARD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
Chris brings over 30 years of bookkeeping and business management experience to Miller Ward Aziz. Chris is our administrative assistant performing many duties including tax return assembly, Accounts Receivable collections, follow up on procuring signed tax authorization forms and being an important utility employee taking on many different tasks with her engaging laugh and great smile.
Chris enjoys making stained glass, crafting, travel and wine tasting as well as all types of music and spending special times with her family and grandchildren.
Chris can be reached at cgreene@millewardaziz.com.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
Eliot is a native of Long Island, New York who relocated to California at an early age. He graduated from Miraleste High School in Palos Verdes and later earned a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from UCLA. While attending UCLA, Eliot played the trumpet as a member of the UCLA Marching, Basketball, and Concert Bands performing at and watching UCLA sporting events and concerts. A true Bruin, Eliot even met his wife Jodie (also a trumpet player) while in the UCLA Band.
After graduating from UCLA, Eliot attended Cal-State Northridge, and graduated with a Master's degree in Accounting. His accounting career began as an auditor with Alexander Grant & Co. (now Grant Thornton). Eliot earned his CPA certificate after passing all four parts of the CPA exam in one sitting.
He moved into in the private industry sector and held controller positions with several small and large companies. His responsibilities in this area included human resources, computer networks, and pension administration. Eventually Eliot returned to public accounting, where he now assists individuals and small businesses in solving their tax and business issues. He is also a Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor and has taught computer classes in Excel, Word, Access, and QuickBooks.
A huge baseball fan, Eliot still follows UCLA sports and continues to play the trumpet, now with the UCLA Alumni Band. He has been married to Jodie for many years. They like traveling to faraway places where they can enjoy the culture and Eliot, a talented photographer, can capture the sights with his camera.
Eliot's can be reached at eullman@millerwardaziz.com.
Job Titles:
- ACCOUNTANT
- Professional Staff Member
As a tax professional with 2 years of experience, Emran Ellahy has developed a comprehensive understanding of tax laws and regulations, as well as a deep expertise in tax preparation and planning. Despite holding a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Emran made the decision to specialize in tax preparation and pursue a CPA license.
During his time in tax accounting, he has gained extensive experience in preparing tax returns for individuals, partnerships, and corporations, while providing tax planning advice to clients. Emran takes a proactive approach in identifying tax savings opportunities and ensuring that clients are always in compliance with tax laws.
In his free time, Emran enjoys staying up-to-date with the latest technology trends and experimenting with new software and gadgets. He is also an avid reader and enjoys learning about topics related to business, finance, and technology.
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
- Office Assistant
- Receptionist
Jackie has been a receptionist/office assistant for most of her working career. With a keen eye for details, she has 8 years of experience is still learning! Growing up with a Hispanic mom, she is fluent in Spanish and English. Jackie started working with Miller Ward Aziz at the beginning of 2023 and is a helpful hand around the office as well as with our clients.
She plans to keep enhancing her career goals and knowledge of tax administration. Jackie enjoys being with her family and visiting different theme parks. In her spare time, she enjoys creating custom DIY cups, tumblers and t-shirts and has established a following on social media for her work.
Jackie can be reached at jmunoz@millerwardaziz.com.
Job Titles:
- PRINCIPAL
- Professional Staff Member
The newest addition to our firm, Jeffrey Leonard, is an experienced CPA with over 40 years of providing personalized and comprehensive Income Tax and Accounting services. Jeffrey has a wealth of experience in providing simple solutions for complex tax matters. Clients in all different industries regardless of size, have relied on Jeffrey for his practical approach to provide guidance on any/all income tax matters for individuals, trusts, estates, small and medium sized companies. Jeff is continuing to provide clients expert advice on many subject matters. Throughout his career, Jeffrey has built a reputation for delivering comprehensive tax, accounting, consulting, and business management services for clients to help achieve their financial goals.
Jeffrey's expertise extends to advising, consulting, strategic tax planning, retirement issues, purchase/sale of businesses, investment opportunities, and business management services. With his exceptional analytical skills and a deep understanding of the financial landscape, Jeffrey has become a trusted advisor to many successful high net worth individuals and businesses in the San Fernando Valley and beyond.
Jeffrey is married to Risa for 33 years, has raised 3 adult grown children, and is an avid Golfer.
Jeffrey is very excited to join the MWA family and continue providing exceptional services for many more years.
Jeffrey can be reached at jleonard@millerwardaziz.com.
Job Titles:
- Founding Partner
- Partner
- FOUNDING PARTNER C.P.a., P.F.S
Jerry Ward is a founding partner of Miller Ward Aziz. He has extensive experience in business management and financial consulting in the areas of entertainment, creative artists, sports and other entrepreneurial pursuits. Jerry's insight into complex financial and tax matters and his ability to creatively solve problems are the cornerstones of his success.
Jerry attended UCLA, earned his B.S. degree and went on to earn his CPA designation. He worked for a number of business management and accounting firms, along with entertainment conglomerates. While at these firms Jerry provided professional services to high income and high net worth clients, primarily in the entertainment and music industry where he toured with a rock and roll band in the heyday of the 70s.
Jerry started his own practice in 1983, eventually merging with Michael Miller in 1984 to co-found Miller Ward & Company. He is a member of California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA), and earned his Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation from the California Society of Certified Public Accounts (CSCPA).
In addition to working with a wide variety of high-profile clients worldwide, Jerry is active in supporting the arts and is an advisor to several theatre groups. He is married with two daughters. In his spare-time Jerry enjoys playing golf, riding his motorcycles and traveling.
Jerry can be reached at jward@millerwardaziz.com.
Job Titles:
- ACCOUNTANT
- Professional Staff Member
Joel Miller's professional career is still rather young, but don't look now, it is almost 15 years long. Fresh out of college Joel started his career in the housing industry, working on the back-office side for the largest home building company in California (later in the country) with headquarters in the South Bay. He later made the move to the commercial side of real estate. When the economy started to shift, he knew it was time to find a different path and turned to the accounting industry.
Since joining Miller Ward Aziz over 5 years ago, Joel has made it his goal to learn all of the ins and outs of the accounting industry (tax side), while at the same time earning his CPA accreditation. Joel is also very interested in technology, and tries to keep Miller Ward Aziz current with what is taking place in that fast moving industry.
A graduate of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he holds a B.S. in Business Management as well as a license from the California Department of Real Estate.
Joel grew up in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley. He met his wife in 2002 and got married in 2007. He has one child, a son, who gets most of his attention when he is not at the office. In his spare time, Joel loves to spend time with family, travel and play and watch sports.
Joel can be reached at jmiller@millerwardaziz.com.
Kushal Bodahennadi joined the Bookkeeping Department at Miller Ward Aziz in 2018. He has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Accountancy from California State University, Northridge as well as an Associate of Science in Business Administration.
Kushal was born in Sri Lanka and was an intern in Colombo before coming to the United States in 2009. He is currently studying for his CPA license and likes to watch and play Cricket. He also enjoys badminton and table tennis. Kushal is a volunteer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program assisting others prepare their income tax returns.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Senior Tax Accountant With Specialized Knowledge of Federal
Levon joined Miller Ward Aziz in December of 2014. He earned his CPA license in 2008. He is a graduate of California State University Northridge.
Levon is a Senior Tax Accountant with specialized knowledge of Federal, California and out-of-state requirements.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Founding Partner
- Partner
- MANAGING PARTNER C.P.a., C.G.M.a., P.F.S
- Member of the American Institute
Zahid has a strong pedigree of accounting expertise embodied by his decades long experience in financial consulting. He has established himself as a trusted professional and colleague by showing competency in all areas of economic and business advising.
Zahid understands the challenges of small business operations and prides himself on finding solutions that are tailored to the needs of his clients. You can rely on him in any phase of your journey from structuring an entity to cash flow analysis and compliance with local, state and federal agencies. His diverse experience in business management, estate and tax planning, wealth investment and preservation ensure the best representation for your financial needs.
As an advocate of small business, he has:
held talks at US Small Business Administration (SBA) program for new and startup business.
Member of Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, advocating for small business in Los Angeles.
Board member and treasurer for Advantage CDC which provides loans to small business.
Professionally;
Co-chaired local meetings for San Fernando Valley Business Managers for CalCPA
Co-chaired joint discussion group for CPAs and Attorneys from CalCPA and San Fernando Valley Bar Association.
Board member New Horizon School Los Angeles.
Zahid Aziz was recognized as "Most Trusted Advisor", by San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
Zahid received his B.S. degree in Accounting from Southeastern University in Washington D.C. He worked with various local accounting firms before joining Miller Ward in 2005.
Zahid Aziz is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant (AICPA) and the California Society of Certified Society Accountants (CSCPA).
He resides in Los Angeles with his wife and three daughters. Zahid enjoys spending time with his daughters, going for hikes on weekends, and taking short local trips.
Zahid can be reached at zaziz@millerwardaziz.com.
Job Titles:
- Founding Partner
- Partner
- FOUNDING PARTNER C.P.a
Michael N. Miller's professional career in accounting spans more than 50 years. Over this time, he has built and retained long-term relationships with his clients, assisting them to navigate the financial cycles impacting their business and family lives. His extensive experience in the field includes real estate, cash flow analysis and forecasting, and investment and estate planning, as well as tax projection and preparation.
Job Titles:
- Administrator
- OFFICE & BILLING MANAGER
Mimi Clark has been an Administrator for over 40 years. She earned her Business Administration Certification from Loyola Marymount University and started her career at Northrop Corporation. While there for over ten years, Mimi worked on many programs that built airplanes and missiles for the US Military.
After working in many Secret Department of Defense programs, she transitioned to a career in the Entertainment Industry as an administrator working with many different movie studios in the San Fernando Valley. After marrying and having two sons, Mimi began her career in Tax Administration and Office Management at Miller Ward Aziz. Mimi has been with our firm for 21 years and has watched us grow and prosper! She enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her extended family.
Mimi can be reached at mclark@millerwardaziz.com.
Job Titles:
- ACCOUNTANT
- Professional Staff Member
Muhammad Ahmed IS a U.K. Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA) who comes from a family of medical health professionals. Although his parents always encouraged him towards medical subjects he, unfortunately, never held much interest in biology and the sight of blood makes him queasy. Since Muhammad was always good with numbers and received 98% in math classes, his parents finally decided to give up their efforts and from then on there was no looking back. He received his ACCA certification from the U.K. He then moved to Jeddah where he worked as an accountant for 3 years, moving to the U.S.in 2018. He began his public accounting work in 2020 as an intern tax accountant, then joined Miller Ward Aziz as a tax accountant in November 2021. He is working towards acquiring U.S. credentials.
Muhammad is happily married with two toddlers. As a Pakistani, he enjoys indulging in rich foods of his heritage and then works that off at the gym after hours. He loves spending time with his family, hiking and playing cricket with the local teams.
Muhammad can be reached at mahmed@millerwardaziz.com.
Job Titles:
- ACCOUNTANT
- Professional Staff Member
Saad was born in Jordan before moving to China where he spent the majority of his childhood. He was fortunate enough to experience various cultures and traditions from a young age. In 2008, Saad moved back to Pakistan for a short period, before moving to the US with his family in 2010. Saad attended California State University, Northridge, where he obtained a Bachelor's in Professional Accountancy.
Saad developed his interest in accountancy while working as a bookkeeper throughout his late high school and early college years. After graduating in 2020, Saad joined Moss Adams, LLP where he worked as a tax staff accountant before being promoted to Senior tax accountant in 2021. He also continued to further his education and credentials during this time by obtaining a CPA license in early 2022. Saad joined Miller Ward Aziz in February of 2023.
In his spare time, Saad likes to spend time with his family and friends. He enjoys playing various sports, along with going on occasional hikes and exercising.
Saad can be reached at smahood@millerwardaziz.com.
Job Titles:
- Company 's Tax and Billing Administrator
- TAX & BILLING ADMINISTRATOR
- TAX & BILLING MANAGER
Sherry Baylis is our company's Tax and Billing Administrator. Since 2008 she has been in charge of tracking and statusing every single tax return from preparation to e-filing, as well as meeting every deadline for preparation and submittal of 1099s, payroll and sales tax returns, projects, year-end financial closings and the list goes on and on!
Sherry has an Associate of Arts degree and has used her communication and organization skills in many facets of business. These include working production in the entertainment industry for numerous years to owning her own restaurant on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles.
In her free-time, she loves watching old movies and has quite the autograph collection from her years of working in the entertainment industry. She is grateful that she was able to meet so many film and music icons who are no longer with us. She has 2 beautiful daughters and has passed her love of film history on to them.
Sherry can be reached at sbaylis@millerwardaziz.com.
Tammy Jones has been an Administrator and Customer Service Representative for over 20 years. She started her career working for 5 years at the National Notary Association, in their Business Accounts department, where she flourished as a great representative, due to her natural ability to handle customer needs on the phone.
She then started working at Chatsworth Products Inc., which is an Employee Stock Ownership Program company, which made structure mainframes for computers. In 2013, Tammy became a Certified Nurse Assistant, where she also flourished; assisting the Elderly with their Active Daily Living.
Tammy is married and has a daughter and son. When not at work, Tammy enjoys going out on outings with her Husband and listening to various kinds of music.
Tammy's primary responsibilities at Miller Ward Aziz includes Income Tax return assembly, answering the phones and other related Administrative duties.
Tammy can be reached at tjones@millerwardaziz.com.