Nora Galleros firm among elite M/WBE companies in New York

By Cristina DC Pastor

Balancing work and family can be a tightrope act if you’re a woman. 

That’s why Nora Galleros, CEO of Galleros Robinson Certified Public Accountants and Advisors, created a company with a culture that recognizes the importance of family and does not regard it as a liability.

The CPA firm with 72 employees in the U.S. — New York, New Jersey, Florida,  and soon Chicago – and the Philippines and a gross revenue of over $5 million and growing, is one of the largest certified Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses (M/WBE) in New York and New Jersey  in the accounting field. It has contracts with government agencies, the private sector, as well as not-for-profit institutions. With a flagship office on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, Galleros Robinson is one company that has attracted women and young couples  because of what Nora calls its “family first culture.”

“We have an IT infrastructure where you can log in anywhere.  Your family needs you? Don’t feel guilt, drop everything. Go to your family,” she said when interviewed by The FilAm.

She added how the company was not badly disrupted when the pandemic erupted because employees are used to working flexible hours and working from home. “Sanay na kami,” she shrugged.

The whole “family first culture” became her personal philosophy when she was  working for O’Connor Davies LLP in 2008 as its first Asian partner.

“My son was 6 years old,” she said. “We would tutor by  cellphone. We hardly saw each other. Nahirapan ako, I became guilty as a mother.”

Reflecting on “what’s best” under the circumstances, Nora quit the company after three years and formed her own. She was joined by other young mothers who, like her desired flexible hours.

“They liked that I could give them flexibility even if high salaries could not be offered,” she said.

That was the start of Galleros Koh being M/WBE-certified, meaning it is at least 51% owned and controlled by minorities or women, according to the definition of   regulatory agencies.

The company expanded from there with other partners   joining Galleros Koh. “We didn’t just accept them, we made sure we couldget along.”

The partners brought their  commercial accounts, experience and skill sets to complement what is now known as Galleros Robinson  CPAs LLP. The company currently has seven partners with Nora possessing majority ownership. Including her, it has nine partners and officers: Stewart Robinson, Richard Levychin, Derek Flanagan, Magdalena Lopez, Robert Engler, Cristina Koh-Tungol, Ronald Weinbaum, and Barbara Siochi.

In one of its most recently completed contract for a total of $500,000, the company was given a PE rating of “Excellent.”

One of her first partners was Christina Koh, a Filipino Chinese CPA who was recruited from the Philippines.

“We have big public service and non-profit contracts. That has always been my experience. Why not take advantage of our specialization. We could subcontract and we have the people…I would say that we are one of the top (in the industry),” she said. 

Honorary Bedan

Nora said she makes it a point to invite professionals in the Philippines to work with her.

In 2009 when there was a staffing shortage of auditors and senior accountants in the U.S., Nora brought  in Magdalena Lopez, formerly a manager at SGV, a top accounting firm in the Philippines, among other accountants.

Shared Nora, “I recruited her from the Philippines for O’Connor Davies.  When she was about to have a baby about 10 years ago she joined Galleros Robinson.   She was attracted to the company’s culture where she sees herself being able to raise a child  and work at the same time. She added Lopez “took a pay cut.”

Lopez is married to another accounting professional from San Beda, Czar Lopez. He joined the board of Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. when Nora was its president for two years.

“I went back and recruited more from San Beda,” and that’s how Nora came to be known as an “Honorary Bedan.”

Opening a Chicago office

Galleros Robinson is opening an  office in Chicago in February. Nora is looking at the auspicious date of Chinese New Year to inaugurate her fifth location.

“Palakihin natin ito,” said Nora of her dynamic firm that continues to expand over the years.

While her  client base is not Filipinos, she takes pride in  the services provided by a Filipino-owned company, and continues to nurture her relationship with the Filipino community.

“We’re still looking for people,” she said. She continues to look at the Philippines for professional support.

“I’m so proud of the people we have in the firm, our work ethic, our skill sets. If  I can help one person in the community, why not help more?”  This kind of corporate ethic has Nora written all over it.

Visit the website at www.gallerosrobinson.com