Elizabeth Shwiff is a certified public accountant and expert in financial services. She leads a team of professionals at Shwiff, Levy & Polo, LLP, in helping individuals and institutions handle complex financial matters.
Shwiff, Levy & Polo, LLP is a CPA firm specializing in offering expert tax advice, financial planning, fraud investigations, due diligence of life insurance, fraud investigations, litigation support services, and pension plan investment products. Elizabeth works hard each day to build her reputation as one of the most sought-after experts in the CPA and financial services.
Her extensive experience, profound integrity, and commitment to meeting her clients’ needs have enabled her to grow the company to 12 professionals. In 1999, the firm was ranked number 60 in the Bay Area’s "Top 150 Fastest-Growing Private Companies” annual ranking.
Thanks to Elizabeth, Shwiff, Levy & Polo, LLP has been able to endure some of the toughest transitions involving partnership dissolution, mergers, and de-mergers while remaining one of the country’s top CPA firms. Before establishing her firm in 1989, Elizabeth had worked around the world for the U.S. State Department and other institutions.
She is a linguistics expert and speaks English, German, Russian, and Yiddish. She even taught English, German, and Russian for four years, from 1974 to 1978. Ms. Shwiff holds various licenses and certifications as a manifestation of her vast professional capabilities and experience.
She is a U.S. Tax Court Practitioner, Accredited Estate Planner (AEP), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Personal Financial Specialist (PFSand a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She is also an ICF-credentialed professional coach.
One of Elizabeth’s most recent achievements is becoming a U.S. Tax Court practitioner at 73 years after passing the dreaded Federal Tax “Bar” Exam. Only 250 people have managed to pass this exam, so it’s an outstanding achievement for her.
Elizabeth obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Languages from Indiana University Bloomington in 1970 and a Master of Arts in Languages from UCLA in 1972. She also holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and Taxation from Indiana University - Kelley School of Business and a Master of Science in Taxation from Golden State University.
When she is not working, Elizabeth enjoys participating in CSR activities. She recently awarded a $5,000 sponsorship to a Business Circle event for Craig Newmark. She also sponsored Tracy Lemmon with $5,000 for the 11th Annual SF Peacemaker Awards. Elizabeth has also set up scholarship programs at international universities for students who need financial assistance.
