Jiwon Lee
Manager – Kim & Lee CPAs, LLP
Email: jilee@kimleecpas.com
Languages: English & Korean
Certification: Certified Public Accountant
Education: B.A., Business Administration & Economics – Ewha Womans University (Korea)
Professional Summary
With more than 25 years of combined nonprofit and public accounting experience, Jiwon Lee provides practical, reliable, and solution-oriented guidance across a broad range of U.S. tax and accounting matters. After spending 14 years in nonprofit accounting, she transitioned into public accounting and is now in her 11th year at Kim & Lee CPAs, LLP. Her work focuses on international tax compliance, multi-state tax (SALT), and Client Accounting & Advisory Services (CAAS), while continuing to support audit engagements.
Certification: Certified Public Accountant
Education: B.A., Business Administration & Economics – Ewha Womans University (Korea)
With more than 25 years of combined nonprofit and public accounting experience, Jiwon Lee provides practical, reliable, and solution-oriented guidance across a broad range of U.S. tax and accounting matters. After spending 14 years in nonprofit accounting, she transitioned into public accounting and is now in her 11th year at Kim & Lee CPAs, LLP. Her work focuses on international tax compliance, multi-state tax (SALT), and Client Accounting & Advisory Services (CAAS), while continuing to support audit engagements.
Areas of Expertise
• International Tax
• State & Local Tax (SALT)
• Client Accounting & Advisory Services (CAAS)
• Financial Reporting & Audit Support
• Nonprofit Accounting
• AR Process Optimization & Month-End Close Improvement
• Korean-Affiliated Corporate Support (Inbound Businesses)
• International Tax
• State & Local Tax (SALT)
• Client Accounting & Advisory Services (CAAS)
• Financial Reporting & Audit Support
• Nonprofit Accounting
• AR Process Optimization & Month-End Close Improvement
• Korean-Affiliated Corporate Support (Inbound Businesses)
Professional Experience
Jiwon has extensive experience serving Korean-affiliated corporations entering or expanding within the U.S. market. She understands the communication styles, reporting expectations, and operational challenges commonly encountered by inbound businesses and delivers guidance that is both technically sound and culturally informed.
Her professional approach is direct, clear, and highly solution-oriented. Clients value her ability to quickly diagnose issues, understand operational workflows, and provide actionable recommendations that strengthen internal processes and improve financial accuracy. She is known for building strong relationships grounded in trust, consistency, and effective communication.
Before transitioning into accounting, Jiwon trained professionally as a violinist. Although she ultimately chose a different career path, her musical background continues to influence her work—sharpening her listening skills, empathy, and ability to connect meaningfully with clients and team members.
Jiwon has extensive experience serving Korean-affiliated corporations entering or expanding within the U.S. market. She understands the communication styles, reporting expectations, and operational challenges commonly encountered by inbound businesses and delivers guidance that is both technically sound and culturally informed.
Her professional approach is direct, clear, and highly solution-oriented. Clients value her ability to quickly diagnose issues, understand operational workflows, and provide actionable recommendations that strengthen internal processes and improve financial accuracy. She is known for building strong relationships grounded in trust, consistency, and effective communication.
Before transitioning into accounting, Jiwon trained professionally as a violinist. Although she ultimately chose a different career path, her musical background continues to influence her work—sharpening her listening skills, empathy, and ability to connect meaningfully with clients and team members.
Client Service Philosophy
Jiwon believes that accounting should provide clarity, confidence, and operational stability. Whether supporting multinational companies or local organizations, she prioritizes accurate reporting, efficient processes, and a proactive service mindset. Her blend of nonprofit, corporate, and international tax experience gives her a uniquely broad perspective.
Jiwon believes that accounting should provide clarity, confidence, and operational stability. Whether supporting multinational companies or local organizations, she prioritizes accurate reporting, efficient processes, and a proactive service mindset. Her blend of nonprofit, corporate, and international tax experience gives her a uniquely broad perspective.
Personal Background
Born in Busan and raised primarily in Seoul, Jiwon moved to the United States 25 years ago and now resides in Los Angeles. She remains passionate about music and continues to enjoy it as a meaningful part of her life outside the office.
Born in Busan and raised primarily in Seoul, Jiwon moved to the United States 25 years ago and now resides in Los Angeles. She remains passionate about music and continues to enjoy it as a meaningful part of her life outside the office.
Delivering Success: Strengthening AR Processes and Monthly Closing Through CAAS
In a recent CAAS engagement, Jiwon assisted a client whose accounts receivable (AR) processes had become unreliable due to incomplete clearing, inconsistent posting, and insufficient documentation. As a result, the company’s AR aging report became unusable, preventing management from monitoring outstanding balances or making informed decisions.
Jiwon redesigned the AR workflow by:
• Implementing consistent posting and clearing procedures
• Establishing proper documentation and reconciliation standards
• Restoring accuracy to the AR aging report
• Restructuring the monthly closing process to meet the company’s D+3 deadline for the first time
Her improvements stabilized the company’s accounting operations, strengthened financial reporting, and created a sustainable foundation for future growth.
In a recent CAAS engagement, Jiwon assisted a client whose accounts receivable (AR) processes had become unreliable due to incomplete clearing, inconsistent posting, and insufficient documentation. As a result, the company’s AR aging report became unusable, preventing management from monitoring outstanding balances or making informed decisions.
Jiwon redesigned the AR workflow by:
• Implementing consistent posting and clearing procedures
• Establishing proper documentation and reconciliation standards
• Restoring accuracy to the AR aging report
• Restructuring the monthly closing process to meet the company’s D+3 deadline for the first time
Her improvements stabilized the company’s accounting operations, strengthened financial reporting, and created a sustainable foundation for future growth.