Whether she’s on the racetrack or in the office, GHALIA NELSON, CPA, is moving at top speeds. More than 30 years ago, Nelson’s parents immigrated to the U.S.


from Damascus, Syria to find better opportunities for their family. Her family, especially her brother, greatly influenced her work ethic and success.


When Nelson was about seven years old, she and her brother would help their father at their family-owned wholesale produce company. Her brother would prop her up on the pallet loader as she read and checked everything off the packing list and her brother loaded the items onto the truck.


“Tis was every Saturday morning, and afterwards we would go have


lunch,” Nelson said. “Tese were some of the first ‘working days’ I had with my brother.” Her brother did not have the opportunity to go to college, but


throughout his life was always a business owner of some sort. “He has helped teach me and mold me on staying determined and dedicated to my goals and to focus on my future,” she said. With the encouragement of her family, Nelson made it her mission to push through obstacles and build her academic resume as a first- generation college graduate. Within five years, Nelson earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and her CPA license. “I remember the anticipation of waiting late nights for my scores to come out, not knowing whether I would be crying tears of joy or defeat. In the end, it was all worth it,” Nelson said. “I hope my achievement inspires my younger brother to go to college and others who come from a family background where they feel that it isn’t possible for them.” While still pursuing her education, Nelson took a position in audit at


GHALIA NELSON, CPA MURET CPA, PLLC


STAFF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT


Muret CPA, PLLC in Tulsa. By 24, Nelson was serving in a bookkeeping leadership role with the firm, managing three staff members and more than 60 clients. She currently serves as an audit and assurance manager and has been offered the opportunity to take over the executive director role in April 2022. When Nelson isn’t accelerating in her career, she’s accelerating on the racetrack, racing cars. “What appeals to me is the anticipation of when to hit the gas…the


excitement of feeling your body shift with the speed of the car,” Nelson said. “It definitely gets my heartrate going and puts a big smile on my face!”


When she’s not racing, cooking allows Nelson to slow down and TRAILBLAZER TIDBITS


Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degree in accounting and financial analysis from Northeastern State University


OSCPA Involvement: Week of Service volunteer Professional Organizations: AICPA


Community Involvement: Life Church (Broken Arrow) Operations Team; NSU Broken Arrow Income Tax Assistance Volunteer


reconnect with her Syrian roots. She enjoys exploring recipes from a variety of cuisines, but using food as a love language toward her family and friends is a unique trait passed down from her mother.


May/June 2022


CPAFOCUS


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