Insights & Media

Emma Hyatt

Client Concierge/Sr. Admin Assistant

emma@accumulus.cpa

Emma joined Accumulus in 2024 and brings experience in client support, office operations, and administrative management. She helps ensure that new client engagements start smoothly, supports internal initiatives, and helps support efficient office operations. Emma holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and enjoys reading in her free time.

Kim Saragena

Accounting Manager

kim@accumulus.cpa

Kim Saragena joined Accumulus in 2023. Her accounting expertise is from her experience at a CPA firm and various non-profit organizations since 2006.

She earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration and Associate of Applied Science in Accounting from University of Phoenix and Heald College, respectively. Kim enjoys spending time with her daughter, working out, and watching movies and tv shows in her free time.

Cliff Robben

Accounting Manager

cliff@accumulus.cpa

Cliff is an Accounting Manager at Accumulus with over 20 years of experience in financial reporting and budgeting. He has held senior roles in accounting and finance, overseeing multi-entity reporting, tax compliance, and team management. Clifford holds a BBA in Accounting from Portland State University and focuses on streamlining accounting processes for clients.

Jamey Muraoka

Accounting Manager

jamey@accumulus.cpa

Jamey joined Accumulus in 2019 and is currently an Accounting Manager. Prior to joining the Company, Jamey spent two years in the audit department of a local public accounting firm, with a focus in the insurance industry, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.

Jamey earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the School of Management at the University of San Francisco, and is currently pursuing a CPA license. She was born and raised on Oahu and in her free time enjoys shopping, traveling, photography, hiking, going to the beach, or any outdoor activity.

Ricky Peralta

Director of Client Services

ricky@accumulus.cpa

Ricky joined the Accumulus team as the Accounting Manager in May 2019. Ricky supervises the accounting team’s efforts in building and maintaining positive client relationships while also progressing the team in its own development and growth.

Ricky earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from Robert Morris University in Illinois and is currently a candidate for his Master of Science in Accounting from Keller Graduate School in Illinois. He has a broad range of managerial and accounting experience with over 8 years of corporate accounting and management experience in the Healthcare, Banking, and Finance industries in Illinois and California.

Ricky was born and raised in Chicago. He brings a wealth of leadership experience from serving on the executive team of several community organizations including his time as VP of External Affairs with the International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (ISFFA Chicago Chapter).

Ellie Zhao

Director of Accounting & Advisory Services

ellie@accumulus.cpa

Ellie joined Accumulus in 2017 and brings over a decade of experience in corporate and outsourced accounting, with a focus on the nonprofit, healthcare, and professional services sectors. She ensures the accuracy and efficiency of clients’ accounting operations and leads system implementations to streamline financial processes. Ellie holds a BA in Accounting and Human Resources from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and is committed to providing reliable, high-quality financial support that helps clients make informed decisions.

Brandon Asuncion, CPA

President

brandon@accumulus.cpa

Brandon joined Accumulus in 2022, bringing over 15 years of senior financial leadership across the distribution, airline, hospitality, and non-profit sectors. As a CPA with deep technical expertise and a proven track record in strategic operations, Brandon drives innovation by embracing emerging trends and technologies to deliver exceptional client value.

He began his career at KPMG LLP Honolulu and has since held leadership roles at Outrigger Hotels, Hawaiian Airlines, and Webco Hawaii, where he served as CFO. At Accumulus, Brandon combines technical proficiency with forward-thinking leadership to optimize processes and scale client operations effectively.

Brandon is a proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools and Loyola Marymount University. He is a member of the AICPA and HSCPA and actively gives back to his community, serving as Treasurer for Nu‘uanu Streamside and previously for the Outrigger Hotels Hawaii PAC.

Stacey Katakura, CPA

Founder & CEO

stacey@accumulus.cpa

As CEO and Founder of Accumulus, Stacey Katakura brings an unmatched level of accounting and financial advisory experience—having previously served for three years as President of HiAccounting, a division of The Hawaii Group, and for ten years prior to that as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Forest City Hawaii, a real-estate development and property management company responsible for over $2 billion in Hawaii real-estate and renewable energy projects.

Stacey is a licensed CPA in Hawaii and California, is a graduate of Kaiser High School, and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California’s Kenneth Leventhal School of Accounting. Stacey began her career in the Orange County, California offices of Ernst & Young, in the firm’s Real Estate, Hospitality & Construction group.

Stacey actively supports local community organizations and is currently on the board of directors for the YWCA and the Women’s Fund of Hawaii. She volunteers on numerous political campaigns and was named one of Pacific Business News’ Forty Under 40. Stacey is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Hawaii Society of CPA’s.

In her free time, Stacey enjoys spending time with Bogey her pug, hiking, yoga, pilates and traveling.

Ellie Zhao

Director of Accounting & Advisory Services

ellie@accumulus.cpa