Leading the Way
in Cannabis Financial Services

Stephanie Cuffy-Jeffries joined 420 CPA as Business Development Administrator in 2023. With four years of experience supporting executives, she excels in optimizing business operations and fostering partnerships. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys video games, anime, and working on independent films.Stephanie Cuffy-Jeffries joined 420 CPA as Business Development Administrator in 2023.

Florian Philippe is a brand marketing leader with over 13 years of international experience in brand transformation and growth. Specializing in digital strategy, brand positioning, and cross-functional leadership, Florian is known for his hands-on approach and ability to turn ideas into business results.

Driven by a passion for creating impactful brand experiences, Florian thrives on pushing boundaries and innovating across industries. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and immersing himself in different cultures, which fuels his creativity and strategic thinking.

Tina Suarez has over 20 years of experience as a Human Resource Manager, specializing in strategic HR planning, payroll, compliance, and employee relations. She excels in developing HR policies and compensation programs for California-based and multistate businesses. In her free time, Tina enjoys camping and riding her quad in the Dumont Dunes.

Melissa Walters joined 420 CPA in 2018 and focuses on client relations, tax notices, and project management. With a passion for seeing projects through to completion, she ensures clients are satisfied with the results. Outside of work, Melissa loves hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Mary Ann Gazzingan, CPA, has nearly 10 years of experience in accounting, serving clients from Australia, the US, and the Philippines. With her extensive skills, she brings high-quality service to 420 CPA clients. Outside work, Mary Ann enjoys recording music, playing mobile games, and watching documentaries.

Milen Gomez has over six years of experience in accounting for US and Hong Kong entities. She specializes in taxes, payroll processing, and improving accounting efficiency. In her free time, Milen loves spending time with her family, reading, and traveling to new destinations.

Monica Villanueva is a Certified Financial Market Professional (CFMP) and Certified Bookkeeper (MICB) with extensive experience in accounting and tax compliance for international businesses. She is currently handling tax data collection and supports our clients with accounting services needed before finalizing the tax returns. Monica enjoys watching movies, travelling, and trying adventurous activities in her free time.

Simon Menkes, CPA, is a Trusted Advisor at 420CPA with almost three decades of accounting experience spanning many fields. Together with 420CPA's Rachel Wright, Simon co-authors articles on the business of cannabis, examining the forces shaping the future of the industry. Simon provides clients with wise counsel, enabling them to grow their businesses and achieve their goals. Previously Simon was a controller and senior accountant in a range of industries including real estate, property management, technology and financial services. Responsibilities included daily accounting and financial operations, cash flow analyses and special projects, month-end close, payroll, audit compliance, and more. Simon earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Princeton University and is a CPA in the state of California and a mediator certified by the National Conflict Resolution Center. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In his free time, Simon embraces the Renaissance spirit, enjoying karate, surfing waves, or swing dancing with his wife. He has written three novels and is a painter of landscapes and other subjects.

I’m a Web Development and Project Management Expert with 9 years of experience, passionate about crafting engaging web experiences that excel in both design and performance.

With expertise in the latest technologies like WordPress, HubSpot, Webflow, Framer, Shopify, PHP frameworks, and more, I deliver aesthetically pleasing and highly functional websites. My work with industry leaders in SaaS, FinTech, and Healthcare has equipped me with the skills to address unique industry challenges and ensure compliance with regulations.

Charlene is a trusted leader and management consultant with over 25 years of experience in driving high-stakes programs and building top-performing teams. After a successful career in healthcare, she transitioned to the cannabis industry, where she advocates for plant medicine and federal legalization. Charlene is passionate about using cannabis as a tool for policy reform, healthcare equity, and improving the quality of life for users.

With expertise in leading through change, aligning people, processes, and technology, Charlene excels in fast-paced environments and fosters collaboration. She is committed to working with mission-driven cannabis companies to drive sustainable, inclusive change.

Roni Ryckman began in her career in the “Big 4” working at KMPG Peat Marwick. She worked her way through college as a bookkeeper while also learning Tax Preparation. After a couple years, Roni transitioned into private practice as it became more fulfilling. Working with small/medium size businesses became Roni’s passion as she became skilled at best practices, workflow and set-up and training bookkeeping staff. Roni graduated from San Diego State University and enjoyed the community so much she decided to establish San Diego as her home base with her family. She has specialized in the construction industry for most of her 2 decades of practice but has branched out into other areas as well following the demands of other industries. She loves a challenge and has never met a set of books she could not “fix”. Roni loves to travel with her children, most often abroad including Italy where her family originated. She was a musician long before an accountant and loves to write and perform music whenever time allows.

Adrian has a strong background in accounting and a proven track record of delivering accurate financial insights, positioning him as an effective contributor to clients’ needs. In his previous roles, he has successfully handled responsibilities relevant to bookkeeping, including daily tasks, reconciliation, financial analysis, budgeting, and journal entry management. Adrian is skilled in leveraging accounting software like QuickBooks Online (QBO) and Xero to enhance financial processes. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting and five years of experience, Adrian has a solid grasp of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and a keen eye for detail. While he is not a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), his commitment to delivering high-quality work ensures that clients feel secure about their business’s financial health. Outside of his professional life, Adrian enjoys playing the guitar, immersing himself in anime, and gaming. These hobbies fuel his creativity and provide balance in his day-to-day life.

With a bachelor's degree in Accountancy from the Philippines, Kate brings over six years of experience in end-to-end bookkeeping and accounting, supporting clients across the U.S., Australia, and the Philippines. She is also certified in various accounting software.

Outside of work, she enjoys tending to her succulent garden, watching movies, and diving into books on her Kindle.

Fiona Chen is a seasoned UX Designer with 7 years of experience in creating intuitive, user-centered digital experiences. She specializes in designing seamless interfaces that prioritize both functionality and aesthetic appeal, ensuring users have a smooth and engaging journey.

In 2011, while serving in the nuclear division of the military, I experienced a personal event that resulted in a prescription. This led me to develop a deep fascination with cannabis. I began researching the plant extensively and having long discussions with industry leaders to learn as much as possible. Soon after, cannabis companies started contacting me to write blog articles and help them with technical SEO strategies. After 14 years, I've worked with over 100 cannabis companies providing content and SEO services to enhance their online presence.