You’ve built a career in accounting spanning more than two decades and have spent nearly all that time at your firm, Palermo, Landsman & Ross, PA, where you are currently a Partner- and all before turning 40! What initially drew you to the field, and what convinced you early on that this was the right long-term path?
My journey into accounting didn’t begin in a lecture hall. It began behind a cash register in the Florida Keys at a little spot called The Frog and the Fly. At just 15 years old, I was entrusted to close out the register, and it clicked. Numbers made sense. They told the truth, held no bias, and offered structure in a world full of noise.
That early trust evolved into reconciling the books at Outback Steakhouse between waiting tables, where I learned just how meaningful it is to connect with people. Before I envisioned building a firm, I was already building relationships and reading financial stories.
By age nineteen, the time I went searching for a “real job,” I realized I wasn’t searching at all. Accounting had already chosen me. It was never just a career choice. It was a calling I had unknowingly answered years before.
What’s kept me here, especially in the world of tax, is that no two situations are ever the same. Every client brings a new challenge, a unique narrative, and a chance to solve something important. I love tax because it's ever evolving, and it keeps me thinking, growing, and learning. Most of all, I love the people. The real reward is in the trust clients place in me to guide them, and the relationships we build together as we navigate complexity side by side.
What has been your proudest achievement thus far and why?
I built a career without breaking my family.
I never had to choose between success and motherhood; that’s my proudest achievement. I’ve built a career I’m deeply proud of without ever missing the moments that matter.
Every school event, every Sunday supper, every milestone- I was there. Not by accident, but by intention. Alongside my husband, we set goals for our family and met them together, no matter how long it took or how tough it got. Our family always remained the pillar.
I didn’t build a résumé. I built a life my family could depend on by being fully present whether in the boardroom or on the bleachers.
What were some of your failures and challenges along the way and what have they taught you?
Failure doesn’t define me, but it absolutely refined me.
I’ve misjudged loyalty. I’ve held onto relationships that were only meant to last a season. I’ve lost clients I believed would be lifers.
Those moments sting, but they taught me the value of emotional maturity- how to discern what matters, when to let go, and how to forgive myself in the process. The biggest lesson? Not all relationships are meant to last forever, but they all come with purpose.
Growth doesn’t happen without loss, and I’ve learned to trust the timing of the people, the pivots, and the opportunities that are born from failure.
What has surprised you most on this journey?
I never imagined I’d spend my entire career in one place. In a world of job-hopping and career pivots, I dug my heels in, and more importantly, I built something worth staying for.
Now, over two decades in, I’ve helped grow a boutique firm rooted in values, trust, and impact. I’ve built more than a career. I’ve helped create a culture. Yet, what surprises me most is how much fulfillment can come from consistency, loyalty, and legacy.
Loyalty isn’t lost, it’s just rare. And I found loyalty by demonstrating it first.
What influences and inspires you?
Money doesn’t drive me, but it speaks to me. As an accountant, numbers are my native language. They tell stories other people can’t articulate, but it’s not about consumption. It’s about what money represents: dreams, risk, sacrifice, and sometimes even survival. What inspires me is being the translator, taking those numbers and purposefully helping clients shape their story, their legacy, and their peace of mind.
Through philanthropy, I’ve been deeply moved by the power of giving and the ripple effect it creates. It’s shown me that the network I’ve built over the years - the clients, colleagues, and community - is more than just a circle of professionals. It’s a force for good.
That realization inspires me to be intentional about using my platform, my relationships, and my firm’s reach to serve others in meaningful ways. I believe in giving back not just financially, but also by investing my time and sharing my skills for impact. Whether mentoring young professionals, serving on nonprofit boards, or supporting families through community initiatives, I find purpose in showing up fully as a leader and a human being.
Purpose, not profit, is what influences and inspires me.
Every leader faces moments of uncertainty, doubt, or fear. What’s a recent fear or challenge that’s truly tested you, and how has it shaped you, both professionally and personally?
Fear doesn’t live here. My foundation is faith, family, and phenomenal mentors. There’s just no room for fear. I simply “do it scared.”
I face challenges daily: changes to tax codes, managing people, navigating evolving industries and expectations. I’ve even been thrown a global pandemic where our industry was faced with the opportunity to shine and provide expertise without receiving anything in return. Through it all, I’ve learned to face fear head-on, guided by values and grounded in integrity.
I’ve also learned the hard way that mental health matters. Worry and burnout have knocked, but I don’t answer those doors anymore. I’ve learned if it doesn’t align with God, family, or my peace then it’s not worth my time.
What are some common challenges your clients often face and how does your firm uniquely solve them- in a way that sets you apart from the many other South Florida CPA firms?
Most clients come to me carrying a quiet anxiety and distrust of their prior CPA, or the fear that no one’s really listening. That’s where our firm comes in.
I was mentored to deliver more than tax preparation- I was taught to deliver peace of mind. I ask the questions our clients didn’t know they needed to answer. I hear what they don’t say.
That’s what makes our boutique firm different. We don’t treat clients like files. We treat them like whole people, with families, insecurities, and ambitions. My role is to close the gap between uncertainty and clarity, and to walk with them as a partner, not just a practitioner.
What is the biggest mistake clients make when hiring a CPA? And what advice would you give to prevent this?
Too many business owners buy into the myth that the big, marble-floor CPA firm guarantees sophistication and reliability. Except they’re getting impersonal service, mid-level experience, and a revolving door of staff.
On the flip side, some go for the lowest cost- the solo practitioner- who lacks the infrastructure, foresight and, most importantly, the passion to help grow their business.
The industry is shifting. Automation, AI, and outsourcing are changing everything. I’m not anti-tech, but I am pro-balance. Our mission? To be the firm where innovation meets tradition. We use smart systems, but we lead with a highly human touch that delivers tailored and optimized outcomes for our clients. That’s our difference.
What is the biggest misconception about your industry? What’s the one thing you wish more clients understood?
You’re not just hiring a CPA. You’re hiring an interpreter for one of the most complex, emotional, and vital parts of your life: your finances- and sometimes, your family’s legacy.
Your CPA should know your story, not just your spreadsheets, and ask for more than tax returns. Demand proactive planning. Seek a team who will translate the language of your numbers into peace, clarity, and empowerment.
Your business isn’t just business. It’s personal... It’s your legacy.
What does the future of accounting look like?
The future of accounting is moving fast, especially in tax planning. We’re watching a seismic shift driven by automation, AI, and increasingly digital-first client expectations. Compliance work is becoming commoditized, and with the increase of platforms promising “one-click solutions,” it’s tempting for firms to chase speed, volume, and surface-level wins.
But I’ve chosen a different direction.
While much of the profession is growing louder, faster, and more transactional, I’m doubling down on what my experience tells me truly lasts: relationships.
We’re in a time when algorithms can process data in seconds, so listening has become a rare and powerful skill. I believe the firms that will thrive in this evolving landscape won’t be the ones that automate the most; they’ll be the ones that make empathy their competitive edge.
Tax is personal! People don’t just want accurate returns; they want trusted advisors who understand their unique stories, pain points, and goals- and help them achieve them!
At our firm, we’re seeing that clients crave proactive, value-driven guidance more than ever as the business landscape continues to shift drastically for all industries. Planning is where we add lasting value, not just tax preparation.
This means being more than tax practitioners; it means being educators, advocates, and partners. That’s why we’re scaling with purpose, not just growth for growth’s sake. We’re building systems to support expansion, but never at the cost of client experience or internal culture.
My personal future in this space is about legacy leadership. I’m focusing on elevating the next generation of CPAs, scaling our firm with purpose, and keeping our culture rooted in real human connection. I’m committed to cultivating a firm where connection, compassion, and clarity are non-negotiable. The industry may evolve, but for us, the heart of it will always be human. That’s our superpower.
What are your goals currently? What is next on the horizon for Karen Ross?
Legacy mode: activated.
My current focus is building my personal brand. It’s not for vanity, but for visibility. I want to show the rising talent within our firm what’s possible. I want to mentor, inspire, and create a platform for the next generation to shine- the way that platform was created for me.
We’re automating workflows, refining and expanding our ideal client base, and laying the foundation for long-term growth. The horizon is vast, and the next wave of leaders is already rising. I’m here to develop a clear pathway for their success.
What advice would you give to other professionals who want to be successful in this industry or are embarking on a similar journey?
Success in this industry isn’t just about mastering tax codes. It’s about mastering yourself and finding your “why.” There’s a reason God gave us two eyes and two ears, but only one mouth.
Listen more than you speak, observe more than you react, and never stop learning.
Find your space in a firm that aligns with your values- a place where your voice is heard, your growth is supported, and your contribution matters. If you don’t find one, create one! Stay at the cutting edge. Tax laws change, technology evolves, and so should you. That means investing in your personal development just as much as your technical expertise.
Always remember you can never be overdressed or overeducated, and if you’re the smartest person in the room, it’s time to find a new room!
