Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamilah Gothard, CPA.
Hi Kamilah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been the kind of person who loves solving puzzles. My mom still tells the story of how, at just two years old, I would flip puzzles upside down and work them from the wrong side—just to make it more challenging. That same curiosity and problem-solving followed me into school, where math quickly became my strength.
When I went off to Tuskegee University, I started as “Undecided.” I knew I wanted to be in business, but I wasn’t sure which lane to choose. Eventually, I landed in Business Management and fell in love with my courses—especially Accounting. My professors kept nudging me to major in it, but I resisted. At the time, I pictured accountants chained to a desk all day, and I wanted something more social and creative. So, I pursued Sales and Marketing and graduated Summa Cum Laude.
But here’s the thing—I took my first job in software sales, and I dreaded every minute of it. I quickly realized that if this was the path to Marketing, it wasn’t for me. That disappointment led me to teaching, which I adored. Being in the classroom and working with children was a joy, and it gave me flexibility to spend time with my son. But when the housing crisis hit and schools froze hiring, I had to pivot again.
That’s when the memory of my professors’ advice came back to me—Accounting. I found a program at Georgia State University that let non-accounting majors earn a Master’s and even pursue the CPA track. It was tough—raising my son, substitute teaching, volunteering with my nonprofit, and studying for the CPA exam—but I pressed through. I graduated with a 4.12 GPA, passed all four parts of the CPA exam, and became licensed in 2014.
I worked for a mid-size CPA firm, then at Chick-fil-A corporate, but ultimately I wanted to build something of my own. In 2019, I launched MpowerED CPA Services, and it’s been such a rewarding journey ever since.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all! But I wouldn’t trade the bumps and curves because they shaped who I am today.
At one point, I thought I’d be in Marketing forever. At another, I thought I’d stay in education. Each time life said “no,” it actually nudged me closer to the “yes” I was supposed to walk into.
The hardest part was balancing it all—being a mom, going through grad school, working, volunteering, and sitting for the CPA exam. There were days I was exhausted, but my “why” kept me going.
On the business side, the challenge has been finding the right team members. Accounting isn’t just about numbers—it’s about trust and integrity. When someone doesn’t pull their weight, it impacts everyone. That’s why I’m intentional about creating a culture of balance, flexibility, and excellence.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about MpowerED CPA Services?
At MpowerED CPA Services, we help small business owners take the stress out of taxes and turn it into opportunity. We specialize in tax planning, preparation, and bookkeeping with a focus on franchise owners, nonprofits, and real estate professionals.
What sets us apart is education—that’s what the “ED” in MpowerED stands for. We don’t just do the work for you, we teach you along the way so you feel empowered to make smart financial decisions.
Since we started, we’ve saved clients over $1 million in taxes. That’s not just numbers on a page—that’s money back in people’s pockets to grow their businesses, take care of their families, and build generational wealth.
I’m also proud that MpowerED isn’t my only outlet for making an impact. Through my nonprofit, I’ve been able to teach kids music and financial literacy, and through my creative business DoveLove LLC, I even wrote and produced a stage play, The Accountant & The Counselor, about mental health. For me, this journey has proven that you don’t have to pick one passion—you can create a life that honors all of them.
And because customer service is so important to me, we work hard to give clients more than just tax returns. We build relationships. We want our clients to feel cared for, understood, and supported every step of the way.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The accounting world is changing fast. With AI and automation, the days of just filing paperwork are fading. In the future, clients won’t just want someone who can “do their taxes.” They’ll want a trusted advisor—someone who can help them build wealth, avoid costly mistakes, and make smart moves for their future.
There’s also the challenge of misinformation. With so many “TikTok tax tips” floating around, people are more confused than ever. They need CPAs they can actually trust.
That’s where I see MpowerED thriving. We’re leaning into education—through workshops, webinars, and content—to make sure people have the right knowledge in their hands. We’re also dreaming bigger, even considering a franchise model so we can expand and serve more communities.
At the end of the day, the goal is simple: empower people, build legacies, and prove that taxes don’t have to be scary—they can actually be a tool for freedom.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mpoweredcpa.com
- Instagram: @mpoweredcpa
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mpowered-cpa-services
- Youtube: @mpoweredcpa
Image Credits
Captured By JoJo
