About
420CPA
Our Managing Director
Rachel Wright, MST, CPA
Rachel Wright, MST, CPA, is the Managing Partner of 420 CPA, a financial services firm with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Nice, France. Rachel provides comprehensive accounting, tax, Fractional CFO services, and consulting to cannabis companies globally, supporting them in launching, growing, and achieving financial sustainability through a holistic approach that ensures growth and scalability.
With her CPA designation, a Master’s Degree in taxation, and a Graduate Degree in International Taxation, Rachel offers essential guidance on tax planning, entity formation, and regulatory compliance. She also has experience as an audit committee chairperson for a publicly traded cannabis company, demonstrating her deep industry expertise.
Rachel’s collaborative approach builds lasting partnerships with her clients, helping them navigate complex financial challenges with confidence. As a thought leader, she shares her insights at prestigious events such as Benzinga and the Cannabis Summit and contributes to publications like Bloomberg Tax and the LA Daily Journal. She also serves on an international committee with the International Cannabis Bar Association and the advisory board of the Cannabis Summit, advancing the global cannabis sector and ensuring the financial success of the businesses she serves.
Our Trusted Advisors
Simon Menkes, CPA
Simon Menkes, CPA, is a Trusted Advisor at 420 CPA whose expertise spans many industries, but with a specialty in technology, finance, construction, retail, real estate, and cannabis. A seasoned veteran with two decades of accounting experience, he provides clients wise counsel and trustworthy guidance to grow their businesses and achieve their goals.
Previously Simon was a controller and senior accountant for various businesses in a range of industries, including real estate, property management, technology and financial services. Responsibilities included management of all daily accounting and financial operations, cash flow analyses and projects, month-end close, payroll, audit compliance, and much more.
Simon earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Princeton University and is a licensed CPA in the state of California and a mediator certified by the National Conflict Resolution Center. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA).
Simon spends his free time practicing karate, surfing waves, or dancing. He has also written two novels and is currently working on his third.
Sasha Mamula-Elkins, MBA, MSP, SHRM-CP
Sasha Mamula-Elkins, MBA, MSP, SHRM-CPWith over 13 years in business consulting and seven years directly in HR outsourcing in California, Sasha understands the unique challenges of small and medium-sized businesses. Currently, Sasha is President of an HR outsourcing firm focused on small businesses and, as an employer, has experienced the same issues with hiring, retaining, engaging, and managing a workforce her business clients face. She does not just consult on theory, she consults on law knowledge, knowledge of psychology, and from experience. She also serves as Membership Director on the BOD for her local SHRM chapter.
While working full time, she earned her MBA in 2010 and her Master of Science in Psychology in 2013, both which further strengthen her skill set as she approaches HR from both a business and psychological perspective. In addition, she is certified in Human Capital Management through ADP, certified as an HR Professional through SHRM, certified in California HR, certified in OSHA for HR, and IIPP writing.
Andrew Gradman
Andrew Gradman is a tax attorney in Los Angeles. Through his law practice, the Law Office of Andrew L. Gradman, APC, he has advised Verdant Strategies clients on a range of tax planning issues, including the taxation of M&A, real estate, corporate and partnership transactions, international transactions, and estate planning. He has co-authored several articles with Rachel Wright on the subject of cannabis taxation. www.gradmantax.com
Our Tax and Compliance Team
Rhonda (Roni) Ryckman, CPA
Roni Ryckman began in her career in the “Big 4” working at KMPG Peat Marwick. She worked her way through college as a bookkeeper while also learning Tax Preparation. After a couple years, Roni transitioned into private practice as it became more fulfilling. Working with small/medium size businesses became Roni’s passion as she became skilled at best practices, workflow and set-up and training bookkeeping staff. Roni graduated from San Diego State University and enjoyed the community so much she decided to establish San Diego as her home base with her family. She has specialized in the construction industry for most of her 2 decades of practice but has branched out into other areas as well following the demands of other industries. She loves a challenge and has never met a set of books she could not “fix”. Roni loves to travel with her children, most often abroad including Italy where her family originated. She was a musician long before an accountant and loves to write and perform music whenever time allows.
Melissa Walters
Melissa Walters joined 420 CPA in 2018. A client-oriented and results-driven individual, Melissa loves seeing jobs from start to finish and feels especially rewarded by clients’ happiness when they admire the finished product and end results. She is responsible for responding to client inquiries, handling tax notices, creating and closing out entities, SALT filings, coordinating and reporting on tax projects, and daily project management. She truly enjoys gaining more experience and knowledge each day she spends helping her clients and working with other members of the 420 CPA team.
Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and an associate’s degree in office administration from El Camino College. She is also a certified bookkeeper and office clerk.
When she’s not busy with work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and loves the great outdoors. She often finds herself hiking, exploring new places, relaxing on the beach, and traveling to various destinations. She’s also a huge fan of music, dancing, and horror movies.
Monica Villanueva
Monica earned her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree from Mapua University in Makati, Philippines. She became a Certified Financial Market Professional (CFMP) in 2017 to become knowledgeable and gain understanding of securities in the Capital Market.
Monica’s previous experience includes working with other international businesses providing accounting, payroll, audit, and tax compliance services. With her extensive experience in full cycle accounting, she has recently joined the CAS team to provide a high quality level of service to our clients.
Outside of work, Monica loves to watch movies and various television series. She also likes to travel and try adventurous activities like skydiving and bungee jumping.
Our Client Accounting Service (CAS) Team
Mary Ann Gazzingan
Mary Ann has a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila) in Manila, Philippines.
She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in the Philippines with almost 10 years of experience in end-to-end process of accounting, dealing with clients from Australia, US, and Philippines.
She has recently joined the team and with her skills and long-list of working experience, she is adding to the high quality of service we give our clients.
Apart from work, she loves music and often records song covers during her free time. She is also into playing mobile games and watching series and documentaries.
Milen Gomez
Milen graduated from Our Lady of Fatima University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology. With over six years of accounting expertise, Milen specialized in accounting operations for both US and Hong Kong entities while working mainly with international companies.
Our Human Resource and Administrative Team
Stephanie Cuffy-Jeffries
Stephanie joined our team in 2023 and as the Business Development Administrator. Coming into 420 CPA, she leverages 4 years of experience and expertise in supporting CEOs and Executives. She has earned the reputation as a resourceful problem-solver, multi-tasking across a broad spectrum of responsibilities to ensure the partners can optimize their time and energy in the most positive way possible.
With her previous experiences, she gained invaluable insights and experiences, including but not limited to cultivating business partnerships and sponsorships, curating events for donors, overseeing the development and completion of projects, and securing funding through partnered events and workshops.
In her free time, Stephanie enjoys playing video games, watching anime, and working on independent film projects.
Tina Suarez
Tina Suarez is a Human Resource Manager with over 20 years of experience in all areas of human resource management for California based and multistate businesses. Skilled in strategic planning and analysis, implementing HRIS technology solutions, employee and contractor relations, payroll and timekeeping processing, performance management, recruiting and retention practices as well as regulatory compliance. She is also strongly experienced in developing and implementing company policies, conducting workplace investigations, payroll and benefits administrator, and workers compensation, creating job descriptions and developing complex compensation programs. On her free time Tina enjoys spending time with friends and family in camping on the central coast of California and taking her quad out for riding at the Dumont Dunes.
