Abalos & Associates, PLLC is an award-winning CPA firm with a national reputation for leadership in the public policy arena as it affects business issues. Some of the firm’s awards and honors are listed below.
2003 – 2009: Top Accounting Firm in Arizona
Abalos & Associates, PLLC was named the number one accounting firm in the state for the seventh consecutive year by Ranking Arizona’s “The Best of Arizona Business,” the state’s largest business opinion poll. The poll identifies more than 200 different business and leisure categories based on quality of product, service and customer satisfaction. Arizona Business Magazine publishes the ranking yearly with polling from the previous year.
2007 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence
Abalos & Associates, PLLC won the 2007 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility, ranking nationally in the top 20 percent of employers in terms of flexible work programs, policies and culture. The Alfred P. Sloan Award recognizes employers that are successfully using workplace flexibility to meet both employer and employee goals.
2007 Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women magazine
Sandra Abalos was named 2007 Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women magazine. This award honors women business owners who have record business growth and are leaders in the community and mentors to other women in business.
2007 Arizona Woman Who’s Who in Business
Arizona Woman Who’s Who in Business named Abalos & Associates, PLLC as a top business in the category of accounting firms. Who’s Who in Business award recipients are women-owned businesses in more than 60 categories that possess outstanding leadership, employees and revenue.
2005 Arizona Small Business Administration Woman Entrepreneur of the Year
Arizona Small Business Administration (SBA)recognized Sandra Abalos for owning and operating her own women-owned small business, for demonstrating staying power, and for her outstanding contributions to the Arizona community.
Valley Influential Class of 2004
In a survey of readers of The Business Journal, Sandra Abalos was selected as a member of its "Valley Influential Class of 2004." The supplement recognized the area’s most powerful business leaders.
2003 Arizona Small Business Person of the Year
Sandra Abalos was selected as the 2003 Small Business Person of the Year by the Arizona office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). She was chosen because of her dedication to small-business concerns and her efforts to educate lawmakers about those concerns.
2003 Woman Business Owner of the Year
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) recognized Sandra Abalos for her support of other women in business, her business success and her community involvement.
1999 Working Women magazine Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
Sandra Abalos was recognized by Working Women magazine for incorporating social responsibility factors into her work and life.
1997 National NAWBO Public Policy Special Recognition
The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) recognized Sandra Abalos for her dedication to promoting the growth and economic development of women business owners as well as overseeing all lobbying and public affairs efforts for the organization.
1996 National Accountant Advocate of the Year
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) awarded Sandra Abalos for excellence in public policy on both a local and national level.
Public Service Award, Arizona Society of CPAs
The Arizona Society of CPAs (ASCPA) has recognized Sandra Abalos for her volunteer efforts and professional and community service.
Friend of Phoenix
Sandra Abalos was named “Friend of Phoenix” by Mayor Skip Rimsza in recognition of her exemplary leadership to promote industry, develop trade and improve the standard of living in the greater Phoenix area as a member of the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) Board. The IDA focuses on economic development, increased availability of affordable housing and finance projects throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.
1995 White House Conference on Small Business
As Arizona Tax Chair, Sandra Abalos was recognized as a national expert in the area of taxation and independent contractor status.
Civic and Community Service
Present
Advisory Board, Phoenix Tax Workshop
Sandra Abalos is on the Advisory Board of the Phoenix Tax Workshop, a nonprofit organization dedicated to excellence in tax education.
Director, Western National Bank
Sandra Abalos sits on the board of directors of Western National Bank.
Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW)
Sandra Abalos was named to the board of directors of the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW), headquartered in Oklahoma City. The IEEW is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit empowering women to grow their businesses, pursue greater entrepreneurial ventures and become more active public policy advocates. The Institute accomplishes this mission by focusing on education, mentorship, and coaching women in the United States and abroad who are seeking to acquire entrepreneurial skills to help start and grow a business.
National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA)
Sandra Abalos was named to the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), a nonprofit organization that researches nonpartisan public policy. As a council member, Abalos provides her expertise in banking and accounting as NCPA works to elicit change and educate policymakers in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) National Advisory Council
Sandra Abalos serves on the U.S. SBA National Advisory Council.
Past
Arizona Citizen Finance Review Commission
Sandra Abalos was appointed by Governor Janet Napolitano to serve on the Citizens Finance Review Commission representing the interests of the privately held business community.
NFIB Federal Regulatory Advisory Committee
Sandra Abalos has acted as a spokesperson with legislators and the media for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the largest small-business advocacy group in Arizona and the nation.
Board of Directors, Phoenix Metro Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
Sandra Abalos served on the executive board and board of directors for the Phoenix Metro Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and headed the organization’s Public Policy Committee. As the Director of National Public Policy, she oversaw all lobbying and public affairs efforts.
Guardian Advisory Council, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
Sandra Abalos served on NFIB’s Guardian Advisory Council to represent the consensus views of NFIB members before legislative bodies in all 50 state capitals and in Washington, D.C.
Former Director, Arizona Society of CPAs
Sandra Abalos has managed the group of active professional organization of CPAs and business professionals.
Member, National Assistance League Advisory Council
Sandra Abalos advised the organization on meeting its goals and assisted in the implementation of its finance software.
President, Industrial Development Authority of the City of Phoenix
As president, Sandra Abalos was responsible for enacting the mission of the organization and assisting small business in economic development.
IRS Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC)
Considered a national expert in the area of taxation and independent contractor status, Sandra Abalos chaired the Practitioner’s Committee. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) acknowledged Sandra Abalos for her work in making the transition easier for the small business community in the development of procedures for the IRS Electronic Tax Administration.
Region IX Tax Chair, White House Conference on Small Business
As a result of the White House Conference on Small Business, Sandra Abalos served as Region IX Tax Chair, working for small business rights for 10 years.
