About Sandi Leyva

Sandi Leyva, CPA, is currently retired and finding her way through the nonprofit world in San Diego County. After authoring 31 books and thousands of articles during her career, her interests are currently focused on supporting literacy efforts.

Sandi has taken a turn serving on a few boards in the past few years: Shadowridge Panorama HOA, The Woman’s Club of Vista, and currently Friends of the Vista Library, Inc. She also volunteers for SCORE San Diego as a certified mentor, tutors an ESL student at Carlsbad Library, and supports South Vista Communities and Vista Silver Star Foundation. In the recent past, she taught basic computer skills at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center in Vista, CA. She welcomes inquiries from medium-to-large sized nonprofits in North San Diego County who need competent Board members.

Sandi sold her marketing agency in 2021 after 23 years of making payroll every other Friday. She continued emceeing and teaching CPE courses on AI and taxes through the end of 2024.

During her career, Sandi helped thousands of CPAs, EAs (IRS Enrolled Agents), bookkeepers, QuickBooks consultants, and accounting software resellers get more business through her Accountant’s Accelerator brand teaching marketing strategies, web site and copywriting formulas, and a millionaire mindset. More than 100,000 people have read her books and articles, used her training and coaching tools, or heard her speak at conferences.

Sandi was named one of the Top 25 Thought Leaders for 2014-2024 and one of the Most Powerful Women in Accounting by CPA Practice Advisor for 2014-2015. She won a 2013 Stevie Award for “Maverick of the Year” and was a member of the prestigious Forbes Coaches Council. Her work has been noted by Forbes, CBS News, PBS, Dallas Morning News, San Jose Mercury News, Accounting Today, Journal of Accountancy, Today’s CPA, and The Practical Accountant. She was a regular contributor to CPA Trendlines.

Sandi has authored 31 books, hundreds of CPE courses, and over 1,000 articles for clients such as Microsoft, Intuit, and the American Institute for CPAs. Prior to starting her business in 1993, Sandi served time in two Fortune 500 companies.

Sandi is one of a handful of women in the world who has copiloted a tiny six-seat, single-engine airplane over the oceans and around the world. Her book, Following Amelia: A Modern Day ‘Round-the-World Flight, describes her death-defying adventure along with the two award-winning humanitarian trips she managed to fit in along the way.

Sandi earned an MBA, holds a CPA in Texas and California, and earned an MS in neuroscience. She is an avid traveler and has visited 100 countries, including a backpacking trip alone around the world. Her volunteer work in Kenya, Russia, and Nepal earned her an AWSCPA Public Service Award and a Baird Community Service Award. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, volunteering, and spending time with family.