Our Staff
Southwest Accounting Pros, LLC
Southwest Accounting Pros, LLC is an accounting firm that has been operating since 2016 with professional accountants who have over 40 years of experience. Our team of multiple CPAs and CMAs specialize in providing all-inclusive accounting and tax services designed for small to medium-sized businesses. Read more about our staff members below, and request a call back today to get started!
Larry Filener
CPA and Owner
Larry Filener is the owner and founder of Southwest Accounting Pros, LLC. Larry has been a CPA and accountant for over 42 years. He has been a speaker on accounting topics at national symposiums and a contributing author of accounting texts. He was a featured speaker at a national symposium held by the nation’s sixth-largest accounting firm. During Larry’s entire career, he has focused on the provision of services to small closely held businesses. Even though Larry is an owner, he is also very hands-on. Before starting his own firm, Larry was a partner in one of the largest locally-owned firms in the state. He started his own firm with the belief that time and attention spent assisting clients was often missing and that a better level of service could and should be achieved. Larry is a past officer and current member of the New Mexico Pilot’s Association. He is also a board member of Friends of the Fatherless, a ministry devoted to supporting orphanages throughout the world. He has been married for over 44 years and has four children.
Samuel Valenzuela
CMA and Senior Accountant
Sam joined Southwest Accounting Pros, LLC in 2021 and has worked in accounting roles from the age of 16. He is a recent graduate of the University of New Mexico with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. He graduated cum laude and obtained a minor in economics. Sam is currently seeking his master of accountancy degree from UNM and serves as the VP of Finance for Beta Alpha Psi, an accounting and finance honors organization. He also serves as a board member for the Albuquerque chapter of the Institute for Managerial Accountants and is a student member of the New Mexico Society of CPAs. Sam was also recently recognized as a scholarship recipient by the NMSCPA. He is actively pursuing his CPA license and obtained his Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential in 2024. Sam was married in 2023 and is a local graduate of St. Pius X High School.
Edward Meier
Staff Accountant
Ed has provided accounting / bookkeeping services, over the past 41 years, as a controller for private/public sector companies. During his tenure as Controller, Ed was in charge of multi-million dollar operations with hundreds of employees. Ed also serves offsite accounting supervisor and CFO for small businesses. Ed helps prepare payrolls, complicated CRS-1 calculations, payroll reports to federal and state agencies, and monthly financials. Additionally, he consults with small business clients with accounting and CFO issues. Ed is a 1976 graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a BA in accounting. Ed has been married for over 43 years with two children and two grandchildren.
Aharon D. Franklin
Office/Administrative Manager
Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Aharon is the most recent addition to the team. Holding the title of Office/Administrative Manager, he is your first point of contact here at SWAP. Having spent sixteen years in the customer service profession, and most of that time with the largest coffee chain in America, he brings a warm voice and demeanor to the day to day operations of the firm. Aharon is a graduate of St. Pius X High School and spent time studying Music Education at the University of New Mexico. Versed in QBO, our client portal and other helpful office software, he is the person to help keep your information and appointments in order. He is eager to help you.
Steve Johnson
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