EA, CTC
Anteneh Dejene
Email: anteneh@dejenetax.com
Anteneh Dejene began his career in 1998 as an intern for the California Board of Equalization (BOE), now known as the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). Anteneh entered a full-time position as Sales Tax Auditor for BOE, auditing small retail businesses and eventually multimillion dollar entities including franchise restaurants and bars, gas stations, construction companies, advertising agencies, hospitals, and vehicle and aircraft dealers, through 2010.
While working as a Tax Auditor, Anteneh started his own tax preparation business to help the local community. This part-time business grew to over 500 clients in a short period of time, and he was able to convert his business to an H&R Block Franchise in 2010, growing the business to multiple franchise locations serving over 3,500 clients with 27 employees. In 2016, H&R Block’s corporate company gave him the option to sell back his offices. This allowed him to purchase a business brokerage franchise called Transworld Business Advisor in 2017, in which Anteneh helped business owners buy and sell their businesses, assisted with franchise sales, and converted successful businesses to franchise models. He relied on years of experience and skills from his tax auditing business to understand and support business owners in sale transactions.
During his successful career roles, Anteneh learned that his true passion is assisting clients as a trusted advisor with tax and audit needs. As a result, in 2019 he acquired an established 30-year CPA practice, D.A. Rogers & Associates, Inc., in order to transition back into the Tax Consulting business. Under the name of Dejene & Associates, Inc., Anteneh hopes to serve others, satisfy his passion, and bring current and professional tax support to the people.
Anteneh is an Enrolled Agent, the highest certification granted from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and holds a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from California State University, Los Angeles. Anteneh is also a Sales Tax Audit Specialist and was involved in many audits while working at the BOE. Today, he represents clients with audit issues and saves clients significant tax liabilities against BOE audits.
As a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents and a National Tax Practice Institute (NTPI) Fellow®, Anteneh offers evidence of significant expertise before the IRS in the representation of taxpayers as well as the completion of a stringent, three-level IRS client representation program of study. He learned to guide clients with challenging IRS codes, internal regulations, and agency structure, and engage in advantageous communication with the IRS.
Anteneh is also an active member of the American Institute of Certified Tax Coaches, tax professionals with advanced training in proactive tax planning, specializing in finding deductions, credits, loopholes, and strategies to help their clients pay less in taxes.
CPA
Wondwossen Dejene
Email: Wondwossen@dejenetax.com
Wondwossen Dejene started his career in 2000, working as an IT Support Technician for IBM for six years where he supported current technology and gained valuable customer services skills. In 2009, he became a Tax Professional/Office Manager for H&R Block where he served until 2013. He then went to work for Los Angeles County where he would serve in a number of valuable roles: Eligibility Worker II for Public Social Services, Accountant II for the Auditor/Controller, Accountant III for Mental Health CBO and Accounting Officer I for Mental Health PRS. Wondwossen was instrumental in these roles and was able to further improve his excellent accounting credentials.
In his accounting roles, Wondwossen was involved in high-level accounting and reporting responsibilities and honed his skills to perfection. Along the way, he also developed proficiencies in unified team leadership and professional consulting.
In his most recent endeavor, Wondwossen took on the Tax Preparation role for Dejene & Associates, Inc., to not only share his wealth of accounting education and experience but also to guide clients in their accounting challenges. Wondwossen was educated at California State University, Los Angeles, where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems in 1999 and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2009 and is a Certified Public Accountant.
CPA, MBA
Derrick A. Rogers
Email: derrick@dejenetax.com
Derrick is a Registered Representative of National Planning Corporation (NPC) and an Investment Advisor Representative with The Sudol Group of NPC Financial Advisors. He is a Certified Public Accountant; Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Accounting; Certified Estate Planner and holds a Masters degree in Business Administration.
Derrick is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the National Society of Accountants. He has over 30 years of experience in tax and business planning and has served extensively as President of the Board of Directors of a major non-proit organization in the Los Angeles area.
E.A.
Lorraine Lewis
Email: lorri@dejenetax.com
Lorri is an Enrolled Agent (EA) authorized to practice before the Internal Revenue Service and the Franchise Tax Board. She has over 20 years of experience in Corporate, Partnership, Limited Liability Companies, Trust/Estate and Individual tax work.
An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a federally-authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation and who is empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service for audits, collections, and appeals.
CPA
Jim G. Salfity
Email: Jim@dejenetax.com
Jim is a Certified Public Accountant with over 25 years of experience in tax planning, preparation and accounting for individuals and closely-held business enterprises. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Jim graduated from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Jim also utilizes continuing education courses and practical applications to gain a solid understanding of estate planning and trust administration.
CPA, MST
Ahmed Mohammed
Email: Ahmed@dejenetax.com
Ahmed Mohammed, CPA, MST is a partner at Dejene & Associates, Inc., an accounting and tax firm that serves clients throughout the Southern California in the following ways:
Tax preparation services for individuals, small businesses, corporations, real estate partnerships/LLCs, estates and trusts, and not-for-profit organizations
Accounting and management advisory services for small businesses
QuickBooks set-up and consulting
IRS communications and tax audit representation
Ahmed is a Certified Public Accountant, California since 2010, and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the California Society of CPAs.
His career spans over twenty years in California, starting as audit associates with the Marcum Josephson (previously Stonefield Josephson) There, he was a audit senior and also work for Audit preparation firm as senior accountant as well as Director of accounting for Hawthorne based Surf Air inc. He then practiced for ten years as a principal of Valencia Tax Group.
Ahmed is a native of Ethiopia and a graduate of CSUN (Northridge), where he earned his Bachelor of Science in accounting and Masters degree in Taxation. He is married and have 3 sons. His hobbies include travel, bowling, and playing soccer.
CPA, CFPA, MBT
Michael Hines
Email: mike@dejenetax.com
Phone: (310) 375-9110 x 2
Michael has over 30 years of public accounting and taxation experience and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.
From the University of Southern California, Michael received an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree and a graduate Master of Business Taxation degree.
Michael is married with three adult children and enjoys spending time with his two young grandchildren and riding his bicycle.
Tax Manager & Accountant
Tina Weisman
Email: tina@dejenetax.com
Phone: (310) 375-9110 x 3
Tina Weisman started as a tax firm administrative assistant in 2008 and moved up in her position to Office Manager over the years. In 2012, Tina became certified as a California Registered Tax Preparer. Tina has a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in accounting. Tina has over 12 years of tax preparation experience in individual, business, and fiduciary taxation, as well as small business accounting. Tina is in the process of becoming certified as an Enrolled Agent.
On her free time, Tina enjoys running husky adoption events for Hollywood Huskies Rescue, including fostering and training huskies for the rescue. She also loves saving huskies on death row from high-kill animal shelters and finding them their forever homes. In 2024, Tina personally fostered and found forever homes for 12 huskies!!
Office Manager
Jen Franco
Email: jen@dejenetax.com
Phone: (310) 375-9110 x 1
Jen is an accomplished Office Manager with over 25 years of experience in office administration, specializing in optimizing organizational efficiency and fostering productive work environments. She is skilled in managing daily operations, streamlining processes, and coordinating with the team to achieve business objectives. She is adept at handling organizing, scheduling, and ensuring compliance with company policies and regulations. Jen is recognized for exceptional communication, problem-solving, and leadership abilities that enhance team collaboration and overall productivity. With a proven record of maintaining smooth office workflows, Jen is also dedicated to supporting organizational success through meticulous diligence and a commitment to excellence.
Jen has a bachelor’s degree in Tourism at La Consolacion College, Manila Philippines. She is an undergraduate in her master’s degree in business administration at University of Santo Tomas Manila Philippines. She completed basic accounting courses and QuickBooks desktop at Torrance adult school. She is also CTEC CA registered tax preparer, and QuickBooks Certified.
Outside the office, you can find Jen cycling on the bike routes of Torrance beach, venturing the hiking trails in Palos Verdes and traveling the world with her family.
