Partner

Eugenie Ooi, CPA

Tax

It’s okay to stumble, just make sure you keep going.

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Bio

Meet Eugenie

Eugenie collaborates with leaders at Armanino to implement and drive the firm’s strategic plan for the Tax practice. She works to align client needs with the practice’s vision and goals, taking clients and tax practitioners alike to the next level. Eugenie’s focus includes ensuring standardization among Armanino’s Tax department with both systems and processes. She ensures optimal resource management and firmwide training and development programs that reach all of Armanino’s geographic locations.

Eugenie has been serving clients in public accounting since 2004, including two years at EY. Before assuming her current role at Armanino, Eugenie was a senior manager in Armanino’s Tax practice, where she worked primarily with entertainment industry clients and privately held businesses.

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Experience

Professional History

Associations

  • California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) 

Education

  • Georgia State University
  • The University of Georgia

Experience

  • Rothstein Kass
  • EY
  • McKesson

Q&A

Q. What role do you play at the firm?
I play an operational role within the Tax group, and my role is to make sure we are doing all the right things operationally to deliver the highest value to our clients, from technology to training to new ways of delivering client services. This way, we can ensure that our clients benefit from advancements and receive the highest level of service possible.
Q. What was it that drew you to Armanino?
The integrity of the people. I was going through a challenging personal time when I was asked to join Armanino. Andy Armanino, the managing partner at the time, flew to L.A. to meet me and my team, and his personal touch spoke volumes to me. I told him I would love to join but would need to take a leave of absence once hired. I will never forget the trust he had in me and his willingness to work with me during this difficult time.
Q. Without naming names, tell us about your favorite client and why you enjoyed working with them.
I consider myself a servant leader. I want to roll up my sleeves and work directly with staff as a team player. I have empathy and I want my personal experiences to help them find their definition of work-life balance. I want to be there for my staff in every way possible. I have a couch in my office and have even been known to serve as a “therapist”!
Q. What’s your proudest moment?
As an Asian female working in a competitive profession, becoming partner is my proudest moment. I don’t want to take it for granted, and I appreciate that someone recognized my potential and knows what I’m capable of.
Q. Who is (or was) the most influential person in your life?
My mother was a single mom who raised three of us alone in Malaysia and worked day and night to create a better life for us. My stepfather also helped shape me into who I am today, instilling American culture in me while respecting my Asian heritage.
Q. If you could pass on a nugget of wisdom to aspiring accountants or consultants, what would that be?
Have faith and believe in yourself. It’s okay to stumble; just know that you’ll get up afterward. Don’t give up easily. Find balance in your life — it will look different for everyone, but it will help you find joy.
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