Esther Phahla

President & CEO, Esther N. Phahla CPA, APC

Esther Phahla is the Founder and President/CEO of Esther N. Phahla, CPA, A Professional Corporation, a Temecula, California Professional Tax Services Firm specializing in tax planning, tax resolution, tax preparation and business consulting for small businesses and individuals. Esther is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in California and a Certified Tax Strategist (CTS) dedicated to helping small business owners and individuals design an optimal tax strategy. 

Esther holds a Master of Science in Taxation degree from Golden Gate University and a Law degree from South Africa. Esther uses a Close Personal Attention approach in serving her clients because every client’s needs and goals are different. She keeps up to date with tax law changes by taking professional education coursework every year. 

Esther is an active member of Toastmasters International where she has served in numerous leadership positions including District 12 Director. She believes in servant leadership. She is also active with the Rotary Club of Temecula where she currently serves as Vice President and 4 Way Test Speech Contest Chair, and has also served as the Programs Chair and International Director.  She is a member of the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, where she currently serves on the Board of Directors as 2nd Vice Chair on the Executive Board and past Treasurer. She is a past Board member of the Susan G. Komen Inland Empire. Esther belongs to several professional organizations: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, California Society of Certified Public Accountants where she serves on the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Commission, and American Institute of Certified Tax Planners. 

Esther has received numerous awards in her profession and Community: 2021 Chairman’s Choice by the Temecula Chamber of Commerce, 2020 Top 50 Women in Accounting by Practice Ignition; 2016 Woman to Watch: Experienced Leader by the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) in partnership with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and it’s Women’s Initiatives; 2014 Lead By Example Award: Firm Leadership by the American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants (AWSCPA); 2014 Excellence in Marketing by Toastmasters International; 2013 honoree for the 25 Most Powerful Women in Public Accounting Awards by the CPA Practice Advisor; 2013 Sterling Business of the year by the Temecula Chamber of Commerce; 2013 Forty Under 40 Young “Movers and Shakers” by the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, traveling and reading.