About

Michael Argento, CPA

Founder

My name is Michael Argento, and my passion is helping business owners and their teams live their ideal lifestyle by building a business that’s worth more and makes more profit. I work with clients to identify what adds value — and what detracts value — from their company, then pinpoint the single biggest constraint bottlenecking growth. From there, I don’t just hand over the diagnosis — I work with owners to create and execute a clear action plan to remove that constraint, backed by financial models that track and measure the metrics that matter most for exiting at the highest valuation possible.

I became a CPA to make finance clear, empowering, and strategic — not confusing or intimidating. After earning top marks in my accounting program, winning a scholarship from one of Vancouver’s largest independent firms, and gaining my CPA designation, I launched Argento CPA in 2016 with just two clients. Since then, I’ve grown the firm into a national team serving high-performing entrepreneurs across technology, SaaS, agencies, and construction trades.

An entrepreneur at heart, I’m obsessed with continuous improvement — investing over $300,000 into masterminds, coaching, and mentorship with icons like Jay Abraham and Alex Hormozi. My approach blends deep financial expertise with insights into sales, marketing, leadership, and growth strategy. I believe in building long-term relationships with clients, many of whom become close friends, and helping them create a business that supports the life they truly want.

When I’m not advising clients, you’ll find me in Lions Bay with my family, lifting weights, training in boxing, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling, hiking with my German Shepherd, or riding my Harley.

Our Mission:

To inspire our team and clients to live their ideal lifestyle.

Our Core Values

We believe in the power of working together and sharing ideas. By listening, learning, and trusting one another, we build a strong, united team that can achieve greater success than any individual could alone.

We never settle. Each day, we look for ways—big or small—to improve. Over time, these small gains add up, making us more adaptable, creative, and prepared for any challenge.

We keep an open mind and respect every point of view. By staying humble, we learn from each other, support one another, and create an environment where everyone feels valued and included.

We take responsibility for our work and follow through on our promises. When things don’t go as planned, we view it as a chance to learn, adjust, and grow stronger. We never give up, because every setback is a step toward a better solution.

Michelle Ratcliffe, CPA, CA, CPA(WA)

Director of Operations

I’m the Director of Operations, specializing in cross-border personal tax as well as Canadian personal and corporate tax. For the past 16 years, I’ve assisted small and mid-sized businesses and individuals in navigating the complexities of taxation, including 10 years focused on cross-border personal tax. I hold both a CPA, CA designation in Canada and a CPA (Washington State) designation in the U.S., reflecting my commitment to staying at the forefront of international tax regulations and best practices.

My educational journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Simon Fraser University, followed by completing U.S. Master’s-level tax courses at Golden Gate University. Throughout my career, I’ve been proud to help clients feel more at ease with their tax obligations—my aim has always been to take the stress out of the process and make it as transparent and understandable as possible.

I chose to become an accountant as a way to help people in a practical, tangible way. My personal work philosophy revolves around empathy, clarity, and ensuring my clients truly understand their taxes so they can feel confident and in control. One of my key accomplishments has been assisting clients in successfully managing cross-border tax complexities, providing peace of mind and saving them both time and money.

In my downtime, I love to travel, go camping, swim, and indulge my creative side with sewing and other crafty projects. A fun fact about me is that I was actually a pastry chef before returning to school to pursue accounting—my sweet tooth (and baking skills) are still very much alive! My biggest inspiration is my mom, who was a teenage single parent and worked tirelessly to create a better life for our family. Watching her achieve her dream of becoming a technical writer at Microsoft showed me the power of persistence and hard work, and it inspires me to keep pushing for my own goals every day.

Though I used to volunteer with the Vancouver Humane Society, I now focus on donating to causes I care about whenever I can. Overall, I’m driven by the desire to make the tax process clearer and less intimidating, and I’m excited to continue helping our clients thrive—no matter where they do business.

Suzanna Neville, PCP

Accounting Manager

I’m the Accounting Manager, specializing in process development and software integration with QuickBooks Online (QBO). With more than 30 years of experience in the accounting field—spanning a variety of industries—I’ve gained extensive knowledge working with programs such as QBO, Xero, FreshBooks, Dext, Wagepoint, Knit, ADP, Stripe, Shopify, Amazon, and Service Titan. I’m proud to hold a Payroll Compliance Professional Certification from the National Payroll Institute, as well as QBO Pro and Xero Pro Certifications. My educational background includes a Diploma in Business Administration Accounting from St. Lawrence College. I also actively pursue ongoing payroll training, covering administration in Ontario, Quebec, and BC, along with annual training for payroll year-end and new year preparation.

Over the years, I’ve learned that a streamlined process is essential for my clients’ success. One of my key accomplishments has been creating processes and documentation that allow our team to support clients effectively and efficiently. I’m solution-oriented and invested in each client’s success, so I make it a priority to talk through scenarios and offer my advice whenever it’s appropriate. By getting to know my clients on a personal level, I can build a relationship of trust that’s rooted in knowledge and understanding.

Outside of my professional life, I’m passionate about using my own trauma story to educate and inspire others. I’ve spoken publicly at events like “Take Back the Night,” taught boundary classes at Sexual Assault Support Services, and volunteered for the Sexual Assault Crisis Line. Recently, I moved to a new city and I’m excited to discover fresh opportunities to help others in my community. Erin Brockovich has always been a huge inspiration to me—her heart for others and her ability to speak up for those who can’t have influenced my approach to advocacy and standing up for what’s right.

On a lighter note, a fun fact about me is that I schedule my gym time on the calendar—if it’s on my schedule, I’m more likely to go! I look forward to continuing my work supporting clients and communities, and I’m always eager to find new ways to learn, grow, and make a difference.

Chelsea Huang, CPB

Bookkeeping Manager

I’m the Bookkeeping Manager at Argento CPA, where I focus on bringing clarity, efficiency, and structure to our clients’ financial operations. With 15 years of experience in cloud accounting and small-business bookkeeping, I’ve built a career around making numbers easier to understand and helping business owners feel confident in their financial decisions. I’m a Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB) and hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from BCIT.

I got my start in the industry by helping my aunt—an accountant—with side projects, and that early exposure sparked a passion for numbers. From there, I spent several years as an Accounting Assistant at a local CPA firm before joining a bookkeeping practice where I grew from a new Bookkeeper into a Senior Bookkeeper and led client onboarding. Much of that work involved restaurant clients, which gave me hands-on experience navigating a fast-paced, detail-heavy industry.

After that, I joined a national accounting firm, where I was promoted early into a Lead Bookkeeper role and oversaw a team—reviewing work, training new staff, and mentoring developing bookkeepers. I’ve also used my skills to support my community, volunteering as a bookkeeper for a dog rescue that had no accounting system in place. I built their books from the ground up, brought their filings up to date, and created sustainable processes.

My approach is rooted in accuracy, clarity, and empathy. I aim to simplify the financial side of a business so owners can focus on what they do best. Whether I’m helping a client understand their numbers or supporting a teammate through a complex file, I try to meet people where they are and make the process as smooth as possible. Building trust—through clear communication, reliable work, and patience—is always at the center of how I show up.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me outdoors with my family and our dog, exploring new food spots around Vancouver, or unwinding with a sauna and cold plunge. Giving back remains important to me, especially when it comes to supporting animal rescues and community initiatives.

I’m excited to continue supporting Argento CPA’s clients with reliable processes, thoughtful guidance, and a strong commitment to making their financial lives easier. My goal is to create a positive experience for everyone I work with—clients, colleagues, and community alike.

Eloisa Ortega, CPA

Accountant

I’m a Bookkeeper responsible for accurately tracking and categorizing client transactions. Each month, I reconcile bank statements and accounts, make any necessary adjustments, and then generate reports accompanied by a summary of key insights. My goal is to ensure clients always have a clear and current understanding of their financial position.

My background includes time in accounting firms, ensuring my clients stay up-to-date. I’ve also worked as a Financial Manager for a major port and cargo management company, helping establish the financial team and streamline reporting. I’m a Philippine-licensed CPA and hold certifications in both QuickBooks Online (QBO) and Xero, backed by a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.

Two quotes that guide my professional and personal approach are, “Chance favors the prepared mind” and “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” These philosophies remind me to stay ready for opportunities and to break down challenges into manageable steps.In my free time, I’m passionate about beauty and fragrance, with years of honing my makeup skills and exploring perfumes—though I keep a “reasonable” collection.

My love for makeup often surprises people, given my career as an accountant.

I draw much of my inspiration from my grandmother, who was an educator and played a huge part in my childhood. Her guidance instilled in me a lifelong love for learning and a commitment to doing things thoroughly and thoughtfully. While I don’t have any current volunteer work, I’m proud to be a member of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), where I continue to learn and engage with fellow professionals.

Bon Jovi, CPA

Accountant

I’m a Bookkeeper with about six years of hands-on experience supporting clients across a wide range of industries—from small businesses to large corporations. My work centers on recording daily transactions, managing accounts receivable and payable, reconciling bank and credit card accounts, maintaining organized financial records, and producing accurate monthly reports. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at St. Paul School of Professional Studies and hold my CPA designation, which has strengthened my technical foundation and my commitment to clean, reliable financial work.

My career started from a genuine interest in numbers and a desire to help people understand their finances more clearly. Over the years, I’ve taken on roles that allowed me to expand that impact—training teammates, guiding new staff through software and processes, and being the person colleagues go to when they need clarity or help getting unstuck. I’ve supported clients through compliance, helped them avoid penalties, and made sure their books stay audit-ready. Delivering clean books on time is something I take pride in, not just because it reflects accuracy, but because it gives clients the confidence they need to make sound decisions.

My approach is simple: keep things clear, relevant, and responsive. I focus on accuracy and communication so clients feel supported and informed every step of the way. Patience and empathy guide how I work—real client challenges taught me early on that technical skill matters, but how you show up for people matters just as much. Whether I’m managing daily bookkeeping or helping a teammate learn a new tool, I aim to make the process smoother for everyone involved.

Outside of work, I love spending time with friends—traveling, trying new restaurants, singing karaoke, or doing anything that creates memories and good stories. I’m also currently into bodybuilding, which has taught me discipline and consistency. People often say I seem quiet at first, but once I’m comfortable, I’m the one cracking jokes and keeping everyone laughing. I try to give back when I can, especially through volunteering at my local church.

I want clients and colleagues to know that they can count on me—accurate work, steady communication, and a supportive, approachable attitude. I’m excited to continue growing at Argento CPA, contribute to the team, and help clients stay organized, confident, and focused on what matters most.

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