Michael Porat, CPA

Michael Porat brings extensive financial experience and a broad perspective to ARU's financial planning and tax strategy. Michael has honed his skills in tax, accounting, and financial analysis.

Michael's journey in finance began at Deloitte Tax in Atlanta, where he worked with large multinational corporations. This experience laid the foundation for future roles in tax planning and consulting. The next step in his career was at the University of Florida Athletic Association, where he managed day-to-day financial accounting operations as the Assistant Director of Accounting.

Michael ventured into the fast-paced world of startups, joining Convoy in Seattle. He built the accounting and finance departments from the ground up. His ability to create efficient processes and simplify complex operations led him to Amazon, where he served in various roles, including Corporate Controller for Amazon Pantry and Senior Financial Partner for several key divisions. Michael then managed back-office finance and worked directly with C-suite executives at Bumble. This diverse background has given Michael a unique perspective on financial management across different industries and company sizes.

A proud alumnus of the University of Florida, Michael holds both a bachelor's and master’s degree in accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant in Florida as well as holding comprehensive security registrations (Series 7, 66).

Michael views his role at ARU as an opportunity to help individuals and businesses thrive. He empowers clients by guiding them through the complexities of their finances and the available resources. Michael's approach is to help people think through challenges creatively to reach their own definition of success which aligns perfectly with ARU's mission to provide comprehensive, client-centered financial solutions.