Hidden Gems: Meet Ara Oghoorian of ACap Advisors & Accountants

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ara Oghoorian.

Hi Ara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began my career in finance while still in high school, working at a local radio station called Money Radio, whose tagline—“Your Road to Success”—proved prophetic. That early exposure led to a position at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, where I spent nearly a decade building a strong foundation in finance and accounting. In 2005, I was offered the opportunity to serve with the U.S. Treasury as an Advisor to the Republic of Armenia, relocating there for two years. After returning to the United States, I lived in Washington, DC, working for a boutique wealth management and tax firm. In 2009, I moved back to Los Angeles to found ACap Advisors & Accountants.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting and running a business is never a smooth road—the only constant is change. I founded my firm in 2009, at the height of the Great Financial Crisis, when businesses were failing, people were losing their homes, and banks had largely stopped lending. As any business grows, the regulatory landscape becomes increasingly complex, adding new layers of challenge to the work.

As you know, we’re big fans of ACap Advisors & Accountants. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
ACap Advisors & Accountants was built through years of working closely with clients and seeing the value of coordinated, intentional financial planning. When tax planning, investment strategy, and long-term financial decisions are considered together, clients gain clarity around how their financial lives fit together. That insight shaped ACap into an integrated firm designed to support people as their lives, businesses, and responsibilities evolve.

We work with business owners, executives, and families whose financial lives have grown more complex over time. Our specialty is proactive tax strategy paired with long-term wealth planning. As a fee-only firm, our advice isn’t tied to products or commissions, which keeps our focus aligned with our clients’ best interests. We’re known for clear communication and for helping clients understand their options before making important financial decisions.

Our approach is grounded in how we work every day. We’re problem solvers by nature, focused on thoughtful planning rather than one-off solutions. Our integrated model allows tax planning and investment strategy to be addressed together, and our proactive mindset emphasizes planning ahead rather than reacting after the fact. We’re humbly authentic, transparent in our recommendations, and easygoing in how we communicate, even when the subject matter is complex.

We’re proud of the trust our clients place in us and the consistency of our relationships over time. Clients appreciate that we’re focused, approachable, and steady in how we show up. The ACap brand reflects that balance — thoughtful and strategic without feeling rigid or transactional. Internally, we’ve built a culture centered on accountability, curiosity, and genuine care.

ACap is for people who want a strategic, long-term partner as their financial lives evolve. We help bring structure and clarity to complex financial situations through integrated planning and ongoing guidance. Because we’re fee-only, our role is to advise with transparency and integrity — always with the client’s best interest in mind.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Los Angeles makes it easier for me to enjoy both work and life. There’s no shortage of professional opportunity, and I truly value the ability to learn from so many entrepreneurs and professionals who are building and growing here. The city also supports an active lifestyle. I can play tennis or pickleball year-round, wear shorts most weekends, and take advantage of the sunshine (I don’t miss scraping ice and shoveling snow!). I enjoy the access to great food, live music, and entertainment, from concerts and comedy shows to neighborhood theaters, and I love being close to the ocean.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.acapam.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acapadvisorsaccountants/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACapAdvisorsAccountants/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acapadvisorsaccountants/
• Twitter: acapadvisorsaccountants
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Acapam
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/acap-advisors-and-accountants-studio-city-4