Meet Yusef Aduan

We were lucky to catch up with Yusef Aduan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yusef, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

When I think about how I found my purpose, it all traces back to the unwavering support of my family. My brothers were my first clients, and they trusted me in a way that still humbles me to this day. They made the bold decision to cancel their services with their current accountant, someone established and safe, and take a chance on me. At the time, I had limited experience, minimal resources, and plenty of doubts about whether I could truly deliver. But their confidence in me changed everything.

I committed myself fully, pouring countless hours into research, learning, and hard work. I didn’t just want to meet their accounting needs; I wanted to exceed their expectations. I worked tirelessly to provide solutions that improved their operations and brought real value to their businesses. When I saw the impact my work had, it wasn’t just fulfilling it was transformative. It taught me the value of trust, determination, and delivering real results, which has expanded me into officially opening my own accounting firm. Centennial Accounting Group

That experience also helped me realize something important about myself I can’t stand being micromanaged. I thrive in environments where I have the freedom to think critically, make decisions, and innovate. My brothers gave me that freedom, and it allowed me to do my best work. That sense of autonomy was empowering, and it showed me that my purpose wasn’t just about doing accounting. It was about helping others succeed while building something meaningful on my own terms.

Looking back, I owe so much to those early days. They became the foundation for everything I’ve built since, not just in my career, but in how I approach challenges and opportunities in life. My purpose became clear: to empower others through my skills, my dedication, and my commitment to excellence, all while staying true to my values of independence and impact.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I started my journey at the age of 21, driven by the realization that my hard work in the corporate world wasn’t being properly valued or compensated. With little money in my bank account and no steady income, I decided to take a leap of faith and build something of my own. I taught myself how to create a website, leveraging the accounting experience I had gained from previous jobs.

Starting virtually, as I couldn’t afford an office, I learned everything from marketing on a tight budget to efficiently onboarding clients. My motivation came from treating every business I worked with as if it were my own, striving to deliver measurable results and real value.

As my clients began to trust me and see the growth I helped bring to their businesses, they referred me to their networks, speaking highly of my work. I’m incredibly grateful for their support, as it has been instrumental in the growth of my firm. Today, I continue to honor that trust by delivering exceptional service and fostering lasting partnerships.

Over time, this trust and growth led to the evolution of Centennial Accounting Group, now staffed by CPAs, four skilled accountants, and Enrolled Agents. We are a growing team, continually expanding while staying true to our commitment to delivering services that provide long-term benefits for business owners. We take pride in being a trusted partner for businesses, ensuring their financial success and stability for years to come.

We are now on a mission of expanding our resources and network to have all the necessary tools needed to business owner that comes to us.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Earning Trust
Trust was the foundation of my career. My brothers believed in me enough to take a leap of faith, and I knew I couldn’t let them down. Building trust required transparency, consistency, and always keeping their best interests in mind. To someone early in their journey, my advice is to start by keeping your word. Deliver on your promises, even when it’s inconvenient or difficult. Trust doesn’t come overnight—it’s built through small, meaningful actions over time.

2. Self-Determination
Starting with little money, no office, and limited resources, I had to teach myself everything from marketing to building a website. Self-determination was my driving force. It pushed me to figure things out, no matter how overwhelming the challenge seemed. For those just beginning, focus on staying curious and resilient. Invest time in learning new skills and solving problems creatively. The ability to adapt and persist will serve you better than any shortcut.

3. Delivering Measurable Results
From the very beginning, I treated every client’s business as if it were my own. My focus wasn’t just on providing services but on delivering tangible improvements that my clients could see and feel. This set me apart and turned satisfied clients into advocates for my firm. My advice? Understand your clients’ pain points and focus on solving them. Go beyond the basics to show that your work has a real, positive impact.

For anyone early in their journey, the key is to combine these three qualities with patience and hard work. Trust takes time to build, determination requires consistency, and delivering results demands both effort and attention to detail. But if you focus on developing these, you’ll not only grow your skills you’ll also set yourself up for long-term success.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been in leadership and scaling operations at Centennial Accounting Group. As my firm has grown, so has the responsibility of managing a team, maintaining high morale, and ensuring that every client continues to receive the personalized, high-quality service we’re known for.

One major improvement has been fostering a collaborative and empowering culture within the firm. I’ve worked hard to ensure that every team member feels like a co-owner of the business, taking pride and accountability in their work. I’ve learned the importance of creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, which has strengthened our team dynamic and the results we deliver.

On the operational side, I’ve focused on scaling the business thoughtfully. This included refining our onboarding processes, improving communication systems, and leveraging tools to provide seamless and professional client experiences. These improvements have allowed Centennial Accounting Group to handle growth efficiently without compromising the trust and results our clients rely on.

Ultimately, this year has been about evolving from a hands-on entrepreneur to a leader who empowers a growing team while staying true to the mission of helping business owners achieve financial success. It’s been a rewarding journey, and I’m excited to see where Centennial Accounting Group will go next as we continue to expand and refine our approach.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cagaccountant.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cagaccountant/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAGaccountant
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/84906738/admin/dashboard/
• Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/9Y2L5FMVejfoQ0ghEcpDcg
• Other: https://www.alignable.com/denver-co/centennial-accounting-group-llc

Image Credits

I owe a great deal of my success to the unwavering support and mentorship of some incredible individuals who have played pivotal roles in my journey.

Moe Aduan – My older brother, who has been a constant source of mentorship and guidance. He shared with me the education and business skills I needed to persevere and grow, always encouraging me to keep going and never give up, even during the toughest times. https://www.moeaduan.com/

Abod Aduan – My brother who trusted me with his car dealership businesses, giving me the motivation and initial support to start my journey in accounting and leave the corporate world behind. His belief in my potential gave me the confidence to take that leap. https://www.denvercarchoice.com/

Noraldin Aduan – My other brother, who joined me at the very beginning, signing up for my services to provide additional support and income that allowed me to survive and start building my firm. His trust and commitment were critical to my early success. https://www.fivestarsmechanical.com/

Soufiane Elaamili – Our newest partner in an exciting program offered by Business Foundry called the Business Accelerator. This program provides all the necessary tools, education, marketing skills, and accounting services needed to ensure guidance and success for entrepreneurs. It also opens doors to investor opportunities for ventures. https://businessfoundry.com/

Morgan Siekman – My spouse, who has been my rock and my greatest motivation. Morgan encouraged me to quit my job and take the leap into entrepreneurship, pushing me to believe in my ability to create something meaningful. Without their encouragement and unwavering support, Centennial Accounting Group wouldn’t exist today. Beyond being my biggest cheerleader, Morgan is a talented abstract artist who owns and operates an art gallery, which serves as a constant source of inspiration for me.

I’m incredibly grateful to each of them for their belief in me and the invaluable support they’ve provided. Their encouragement has been instrumental in shaping both my career and Centennial Accounting Group into what it is today.