Prior to establishing her Certified Public Accounting firm Grace Williams CPA, PC, Lopez-Williams developed her finance and accounting acumen through positions with Arthur Andersen. She has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1989 and received her MBA from Loyola University in New Orleans and her BBA in Accounting from the University of Puerto Rico. In 2013, in addition to the traditional services such as accounting, auditing and tax preparation and advisory services, the firm has expanded its services to Financial and Tax Planning; for which Lopez-Williams acquired the following certifications in the Financial and Tax Areas: Financial Advisory Certification, Personal Financial Specialist, FINRA Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 Certification, Certified Tax Resolution Specialist and Tax Coach.
Grace Williams CPA PC integrates the traditional accounting services -- which is the past with tax-efficient services and now adding the financial advisory solutions —that is the future. On a professional level this has meant accolades and recognition among her peers and by the Hispanic community in Atlanta. Grace Lopez-Williams has been in the local spotlight since inception of the firm, Lopez-Williams was the first Latino member appointed by Governor Roy Barnes to the Workforce Investment Board. Also, The Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce bestowed upon her the award of Businesswoman of the Year. She was chosen one of Atlanta’s 100 Most Influential Women in Business by the organization Women Looking Ahead. Lopez-Williams has a passion for education and for years was the President and Founder of the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs. The Hispanic Business Magazine selected Lopez-Williams among the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States, a selection that put her in the national spotlight.
During his term, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Lopez- Williams, to the Georgia State Board of Accountancy In her newest appointment, Lopez-Williams regulated the practice of public accounting, set standards for accounting licensure and investigate and discipline unauthorized, negligent or incompetent practice. She was one of seven board members. Lopez-Williams, was the only Latina and the youngest woman on the State Board of Accountancy nominated by her peers as the board’s Chairperson another reason why she is considered a “role model not only for the Latino community but women in general.” Lopez-Williams is also the first Latina to serve on the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce board and is proud to note her involvement with this prestigious body. This year the Georgia House of Representative honored Lopez-Williams for her 25 years career and community involvement and dedication. Our community has in Grace Lopez-Williams an unconditional champion of Hispanic causes and endeavors. The Hispanic community—especially Latino women—has in Grace Lopez- Williams a leader, a role model and a heartwarming individual that asserts our pride to be Latino!
Grace shares that the best combination of cultural development is the Latino hot and feisty origin mixed with the cool and logical US cultural minds. She has developed both, positively of course, and that combination she has found perfect for her professional development: accountancy. More than just adding and subtracting... Real accountancy considers the mathematics but, to be complete and thorough, the human necessities and dreams need to be considered together. Grace has always worked under the premise that it's not just numbers... It is "people". Her involvement with organizations that are drawn by our humanity has been and will always be what moves her.