Businesswoman receives honor

     By Jason Sheehan
     Special to View
      Having already fulfilled her dream of becoming a shareholder in an accounting firm at age 28, Dianna Russo, has a new goal: She wants to retire by 45.
      No more audits, no more tax returns, no more dealing with the IRS.
      Of course, no more awards, either.
      "Retire early, since I made it early," said Russo, now 32.
      The Southeast resident's hard work and dedication to 35 nonprofit organizations and 12 small businesses recently earned her recognition as "2000 Accountant Advocate of the Year" from the U.S. Small Business Administration of Nevada. The Henderson Chamber of Commerce nominated her for the award.
      "When I was nominated for this award, I was taken back, because I wasn't expecting something like that," said Russo, a University of Maryland graduate. "But then when I started filling out the documentation, I thought, `I guess, yeah, I kind of have helped a lot of people.' "
      Business partner Bonnie Houldsworth is delighted Russo was recognized for her hard work.
      "It's not surprising to me at all that she got nominated and won this award," said Houldsworth, 46, "because her clients all rave about her. She will do anything and everything for her clients and goes way beyond our job description. She becomes friends with them, too. She gets involved with them on a personal level, because she wants to help them so much."
      Russo moved from Maryland to Las Vegas in 1995. As a result of mailing 200 rŽsumŽs to potential employers, Russo received 11 interviews and five job offers. However, it was Houldsworth who gave Russo the best opportunity to succeed in a workplace that dealt with nonprofit organizations, an area of expertise Russo knew well from working with similar entities in Washington, D.C.
      "I talked to her on the phone for an hour and knew I found my soulmate for business right then," Houldsworth said. "I had her come and work for me, and she was exactly what I thought she was over the phone."
      In November 1996, after her first year in Las Vegas, Russo was at a crossroads. She desperately wanted to achieve her goal of gaining a partnership at a CPA firm. If it meant leaving Houldsworth, that was a gamble she was willing to take.
      Luckily, she didn't have to wait long. After receiving an offer for a partnership in another firm, Russo informed Houldsworth of her intention to leave. It was then that Houldsworth, fearing the loss of her most valuable employee, offered Russo a stake in her company.
      Russo immediately accepted and has had her name on the building at 1909 N. Green Valley Parkway ever since.
      The company's name, Houldsworth, Russo & Co., is one that makes Houldsworth beam with pride.
      "We're on the same wavelength in terms of how we want to help our clients and what we expect out of each other," Houldsworth said. "Her aggressiveness in terms of really trying to help clients impresses me. She is not afraid to try new things. She doesn't accept things like they are, but does whatever it takes to help the client, which is usually thinking outside the box."
      Russo credits her husband of 11 years, Joe, a real estate agent, for giving her the confidence needed to successfully assume a leadership role.
      "He's always been positive," Russo said of her husband. "I've had my doubts about being a partner and my doubts about if I could really do it. He's never had a doubt; he's always pushed me to go for what I want.
      "You're used to working for somebody, and suddenly you're working for yourself. You have a lot more responsibility for the way something runs and to make sure that people do their jobs and they do it well and they do it right, because you have to keep the customer satisfied and happy."
      Besides working with clients, Russo instructs students at UNLV in a budgeting class that deals with nonprofits. She also teaches the basics of Quickbooks, a computer accounting program, each month at her office for a $50 fee. Those interested in the sessions can call 269-9992.
      "I teach about six participants at a time in my office," Russo said. "I also provide free tax prep to some lower-income individuals through some of my nonprofits whom have low-income individuals as part of their program participants."
      Despite all the challenges and triumphs that await her in the future, Russo still remains passionate about an early retirement.
      Houldsworth, however, thinks this is one goal her colleague will be unable to achieve.
      "I don't believe her," said Houldsworth. "She'll retire like a lot of CPA's and do consulting work. I can't see her retiring. You get tired of traveling. You can do that for a couple of years, but then you want to do other things."
      "You can't be a success if you don't love what you do. If you love what you do, how can you give it up? I know I thought I would retire soon, too, but now that my kids are gone, I work even harder than I used to."