Memberships
We combine the expertise of an established company with the personalized service that only a small firm can offer. Our clients come back to us year after year because they know they are in good hands. We work to develop long-term relationships; whether your needs are complex or straightforward, we can help.
As the founder of Katharos Business Advisors, Elena brings nearly two decades of experience in the accounting industry. Her journey began during her college years, when she interned at an accounting firm in Arlington, TX, as a sophomore. After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy from Northwood University, Elena launched her career in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, later relocating to Katy, TX, before returning to DFW to continue her professional growth.
Throughout her career, Elena has been dedicated to helping businesses and entrepreneurs streamline their accounting, office operations, and tax planning. She is passionate about building long-term relationships with her clients and focuses on proactive strategies that empower them to succeed through both opportunities and challenges.
As an Enrolled Agent, Elena is authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS, serving as a trusted tax advisor to her clients. She specializes in minimizing tax liabilities and ensuring compliance with evolving tax laws. Committed to staying ahead of industry changes, she regularly attends seminars and training to provide the highest level of service and expertise.
Giving back to the community is a core value for Elena. She is actively involved in supporting organizations across the Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston areas, including The Concilio and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Together with her family, Elena has volunteered to help rebuild homes with Habitat for Humanity, packaged meals for local food banks and Meals on Wheels deliveries, and participated in 5Ks, toy drives, galas, golf tournaments, and other charitable events. Her unwavering commitment to integrity, accountability, and service underscores her dedication to both her clients and her community.
Outside the office, Elena enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Juan, and their three children—Natalia, Sophia, and John. As a family, they love being outdoors, traveling, connecting with loved ones, and actively participating in their church community.
Charlotte brings almost three decades of diverse experience in accounting and finance, beginning her career in 1997 as a paid intern on the Accounts Receivable team for a national clothier. Back then, handwritten ledgers were the norm—a far cry from the advanced accounting software she expertly navigates today. Over the years, Charlotte has cultivated her skills in various roles, including over a decade with private corporations as a bookkeeper, accounting and payroll manager, and director of finance.
Her expertise spans full-cycle accounting, payroll management, budgeting, cash flow analysis for executive meetings and project proposals, managing GSA schedules, evaluating and approving employee benefits, and ensuring clean, audit-ready books for tax preparation. After excelling in private corporate accounting, Charlotte sought a new challenge and transitioned into the fast-paced, deadline-driven world of income tax services.
Since the early 2000s, Charlotte has held management roles in small to medium-sized tax firms across the East Coast, West Coast, and now the Southwest. Her focus includes income tax preparation, sales and payroll tax compliance, bookkeeping, and live payroll services. As a seasoned team leader, Charlotte also trains both firm and client in-house bookkeepers, ensuring best practices, accurate reconciliations, and clarity in general accounting matters. Acting as a liaison between clients and bookkeeping teams, Charlotte is known for her effective communication skills and her ability to set clear expectations, earning the trust and respect of colleagues and clients alike.
When the workday is over, Charlotte’s approachable nature shines through. Conversations often turn to local cuisine, cycling adventures, or her high school days as a guard on the varsity basketball team. Although she once considered the WNBA, she ultimately chose the rewarding path of accounting, where her career continues to flourish.
Yadira brings a wealth of experience in customer service, communications, project management, event planning, and business administration. A proud Texas native from East Texas, she earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from East Texas A&M University.
Over the past three years, Yadira had the privilege of working for East Texas A&M with outreach throughout the Dallas area communities, building strong relationships to support student success and foster valuable community partnerships. Yadira thrives in collaborative environments, where she enjoys helping to achieve the best possible experience.
At Katharos Business Advisors, she shares her passion for partnering with clients to create exceptional experiences, streamline operations within the firm, and ensure that every project runs smoothly. She is committed to delivering excellence and looking forward to working with all our clients to create impactful and memorable results.
Outside of work, you’ll find Yadira enjoying quality time with family, staying active through fitness, and developing her small business in event décor. She also loves exploring new places and trying new things, which keeps her creativity and enthusiasm for life fresh and inspired.

Katharos Business Advisors may be a new name, but it is built on a foundation of deep knowledge, experience, and a rich history that we are committed to preserving and enhancing. We honor the traditional principles that have guided us for many years, while also adapting to meet the evolving needs of businesses and individuals in today’s fast-changing world.
The original firms, which merged in 2005, have long provided exceptional services in accounting, business consulting, estate planning, and taxation for small businesses and individuals. Today, we are proud to carry forward that legacy, as we take the baton and continue serving clients with the same high standards of care and dedication, while ensuring their legacy lives on through Katharos Business Advisors.
Frank E Sands CPA, Retiring
Frank will be retiring but will continue to assist Elena in the transition to ensure a smooth and seamless experience for all clients. Frank’s contributions to the firm and the community have been vast. He is on the AICPA’s Counsel, a member of the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs, the Texas Society of CPAs, and the National Conference of CPA Practitioners (NCCPAP), where he also serves on the Board of the Texas Association of CPAs and as President of NCCPAP. Frank is actively involved in the North Texas Crime Commission and served as the Committee Chairman of BSA Troop 714. A passionate advocate for his community, he enjoys family travel, sailing, fishing, photography, black powder guns, and tinkering in his shop. Frank was also honored by Accounting Today as one of the top 100 most influential people in the accounting profession for 2023.
While Frank steps into retirement, his wealth of knowledge and years of leadership will continue to assist in ensuring that Katharos Business Advisors maintains the same level of excellence that has defined the firm for so long. We are honored to carry on his legacy of service and commitment to our clients and community.
Patti Sands, Retired
As part of this transition, we also want to acknowledge the retirement of Patti, our esteemed firm administrator and the primary contact for all clients. Patti has played an essential role in ensuring the smooth operation of the practice and coordinating all activities. Her dedication and commitment have been key to the firm’s success, and while we will miss her, we are grateful for her years of service. Patti’s legacy of excellence in client care will continue to influence our work as we move forward.
We are committed to excellence by staying up to date with the latest developments and technologies. By closely monitoring industry trends and the marketplace, we provide tailored service and advice to meet your unique needs and goals. Leveraging our experience and resources, we offer specialized insights and skills that maximize the value of your projects. Together, these factors enable us to deliver superior service and become a trusted adviser to you.
