We recently had the chance to connect with Christian Onyemem and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Christian, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Energy is the most important to me because without it, nothing gets done. You can have all the intelligence in the world and a solid moral compass, but if you lack the drive to execute, you’ll stall out before anything meaningful happens. I was raised to believe in momentum, wake up early, get ahead, and never waste a weekend. That type of discipline fuels long-term success.
Energy keeps you in motion, even when things aren’t perfect. It builds resilience, because you’re focused on moving forward instead of overthinking every step. While I respect intelligence and expect integrity, energy is what separates people who dream from people who actually build something real. It’s what’s allowed me to stay focused and push through setbacks.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Christian Onyemem, founder and lead CPA at Christian Onyemem CPA Firm, PLLC. My journey into accounting began unusually early – at just 13 years old, I was working as a bookkeeper at my father’s medical clinic. That early exposure to the numbers side of business sparked something in me that has driven my entire career.
After gaining experience at one of the Big Four accounting firms, where I developed expertise across audit, tax, and accounting services, I launched my own firm in 2019. What sets us apart is our laser focus on construction companies and government contractors – industries that face unique financial challenges and complex compliance requirements.
We’re not just number crunchers. We’re business consultants who understand that every financial decision impacts the bigger picture. Our team excels in auditing, designing customized accounting systems, preparing financial statements, budgeting, and providing strategic accounting advice that actually moves the needle for our clients.
What I’m most proud of is the tangible impact we have – our clients save an average of $35,678 per year through our strategic tax planning and financial management. But beyond the savings, we help these businesses navigate the intricate world of government contracting regulations and construction industry financials.
Our success metric isn’t just profit margins – it’s client satisfaction. We’ve built our reputation on delivering personalized service that goes beyond what clients expect. Whether it’s helping a construction company optimize their project accounting or ensuring a government contractor maintains perfect compliance, we’re committed to being true partners in their success.
From that 13-year-old bookkeeper to leading a dynamic consulting firm, it’s been an incredible journey, and we’re just getting started.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My brother Emanuel and my father Emmanuel Ayman taught me everything I know about work ethic. They modeled the importance of discipline early on; wake up early, move fast, and treat weekends like workdays. That mindset was never about hustle for the sake of hustle. It was about intentionally using time to stay ahead of the curve.
Their example helped me build the habits that shaped how I operate today. I don’t see weekends as downtime, they’re leverage. When you live like that consistently, you naturally outpace people who are waiting for motivation. That edge has made all the difference in building this company.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Failing hard taught me that messing up isn’t the end of the world, it’s part of the process. What matters is how you respond to it. I realized I needed a system that allowed me to fail without falling apart. That meant learning from each mistake quickly and putting something in place so I wouldn’t repeat it.
I used to think I had to get everything right the first time, but that pressure just slowed me down. Now, I give myself permission to mess up, once. After that, the goal is to fix it and keep pushing forward. That shift changed how I operate under pressure and helped me become more efficient and confident in my growth.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
A lot of smart people are ignoring AI and automation, and it’s going to cost them. Being brilliant at what you do isn’t enough anymore, if you’re not adapting to the tools that are changing the game, you’re falling behind. Too many people think their expertise will always be enough, but the landscape is shifting fast.
If you’re not learning how to integrate AI into your work, someone else is, and they’ll be faster, leaner, and more scalable. We’re in a moment where you have to pivot or get left behind. The smart move isn’t just being great at what you know; it’s learning how to evolve with it. Bringing that same intelligence into tech-forward thinking is how you stay relevant.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I want people to say, “That guy was a hard worker.” That’s it. Not the flash or hype, just someone who showed up and did what needed to be done. I want to be remembered as someone who didn’t complain, didn’t wait, and didn’t back down from challenges.
It’s not about being the loudest or most visible, it’s about being consistent. I hope people remember me for my work ethic, the systems I built, and the way I stayed locked in on the mission. If they say I moved with purpose and made things happen, that’s the legacy I want to leave.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cocpafirm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocpafirm/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-onyemem-cpa-cfe-caa-70b37611a?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B5ax8ywEcTCe%2BJ%2BPK6oIzKg%3D%3D
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristianCPA
