Karifa is a highly experienced Certified Public Accountant (CPA) based in San Mateo, California, with over 20 years of experience advising wealthy clients and entrepreneurs in the San Francisco Silicon Valley area. He holds a BS and MS in Economics and Management from the University of Reims in France, with a focus on accounting and finance. He also earned a Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

With over a decade of experience working in San Francisco and Silicon Valley accounting firms, Karifa eventually founded Diawara & Associates, CPAs, P.C., a California accountancy corporation. He has held leadership roles in numerous not-for-profit organizations, serving as director and chairman of finance and audit committees.

Karifa has extensive expertise in international tax planning and compliance for multinational companies, US citizens living abroad and foreign nationals living in the United States. He is an active member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In addition to his professional accomplishments, Karifa is a polyglot and has lived in five countries.