After earning his bachelor’s in accounting, Diyan Yap stepped straight into the world of numbers and never looked back.
He served as a business manager for the Network of International Christian Schools in Indonesia and Brazil before he and his wife moved to Austin. With his new job as a bookkeeper at a real estate equity firm, he spent the next decade immersed in high-level financial investments.
But as an immigrant, Diyan felt a growing pull toward those who felt overwhelmed by the system. He understood the uphill climb and wanted to be part of the solution.
“There’s an IRS program where you can volunteer with low-income people with their tax filing, called VITA. I volunteered for a couple of years,” says Diyan. “Being in the U.S., I wanted to know about the tax system while, at the same time, helping underprivileged families and people who need assistance.”
Over time, the firm’s demanding hours and downtown commute began costing him valuable moments with his family. So, he made the leap to launch his own business that offered greater flexibility—Yap Financial.
Now, without hours lost in traffic, when Diyan isn’t running numbers, you’ll likely find him staying active, hiking trails with his wife and biking with his two children. He’s also involved in his church community and enjoys meeting with clients at local coffee shops.
To strengthen his professional credibility, Diyan took the IRS Enrolled Agent exam. The designation allows him to represent taxpayers before the IRS, expanding his ability to guide clients in navigating tax strategy. And in his case, that means street-smart tax strategies.
“It’s not easy building a business because you start from scratch. But I actually have a few clients I already knew from my work with the equity firm, who I now help with tax planning,” says Diyan. “I’ve known them since I moved here, so I know their history.”
One couple in their mid-50s first came to him, owning a business but with no retirement savings. Diyan walked them through calculating their monthly burn rate so they could clearly see where their money was going, then identified realistic savings opportunities. Today, their retirement stack continues to grow.
Diyan believes in cutting through the noise. In a world full of social media financial “hacks,” he prefers simple, honest conversations. He’ll tell you that basic business 101 is that you need to make a profit before you even begin thinking about tax write-offs and benefits.
“If you go to the doctor, they do blood tests to determine why you’re sick. So, for me, the tax return is the blood test,” says Diyan. “I can see the real things that are happening. I can analyze them. I can offer a better way. But the final decision is based on them.”
Yap Financial is currently open to new service business clients, whether you’re in real estate, insurance, or beyond! Book your consultation at: yapfinancial.com
“Tax code is so complicated. But that’s why I need to understand it really well, to be able to explain it in simple words.”