Marcus Hernandez

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

Marcus Hernandez, originally from Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Grew up in the vibrant neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY. Became an accountant in 1981. Started my own practice in 1985 in Purchase, NY. Moved to Tampa, FL in 2005.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

The weather is absolutely beautiful in Tampa, FL.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

My journey in accounting began in New York City in 1981, where I had the privilege of working with some of the most respected accounting firms of that era, including Arthur Andersen and Robin, Slaten & Company. Those early experiences provided me with an invaluable foundation in accounting, taxation, and financial management.

However, I quickly discovered that my true passion wasn't working with large corporations—it was helping small business owners succeed.

That passion eventually led me to establish my own accounting practice, Hernandez Accounting Solutions, Inc. For over four decades, I have dedicated my career to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses navigate the complexities of taxation, bookkeeping, payroll, and financial planning.

What makes our firm special is our personal approach. We don't simply prepare tax returns or financial statements. We build lasting relationships with our clients, understand their businesses, and proactively look for opportunities to minimize their tax liabilities while helping them achieve financial stability and growth.

I take tremendous pride in knowing that, for many of our clients, we're not just their accountants. We're trusted advisors who have been alongside them through some of the most important financial decisions of their lives.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

Starting a business is one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys anyone can undertake, but it requires more than just a great idea. It takes careful planning, financial discipline, and a willingness to adapt.

My first recommendation is to surround yourself with knowledgeable professionals, particularly an experienced accountant who understands small business taxation. Tax laws are constantly changing, and making the right financial decisions early on can save business owners thousands of dollars and prevent costly mistakes.

Secondly, and something I cannot emphasize enough, is the importance of marketing and advertising. Too many entrepreneurs invest everything they have in opening their businesses but fail to allocate sufficient resources to attract customers.

You can have the greatest product or service in the world, but if nobody knows you exist, your business will struggle to survive.

Set aside a realistic advertising budget, especially during your first few years. Building brand awareness, establishing credibility, and consistently reaching potential customers are essential to long-term success.

Finally, be patient, remain persistent, and never lose sight of why you started your business in the first place.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

After more than 40 years in this profession, I've been incredibly blessed to work with some wonderful people. In fact, many of our clients have been with us since my early days in New York, over four decades ago!

To me, that kind of loyalty speaks volumes. It tells me that we've built something far more meaningful than just an accounting practice. We've built relationships based on trust, integrity, and genuine care.

Some of the comments that have stayed with me over the years are things like, "Marcus is always looking for ways to minimize our tax burdens," or "Marcus and his staff are absolutely top-notch. They genuinely care about our business."

Those words mean more to me than any professional recognition or award ever could.

Knowing that our clients trust us with their financial well-being, and that we've made a positive difference in their lives, is truly one of the greatest rewards of my career.

Where do you see your company in the future?

People occasionally ask me when I plan to retire, and my answer is usually the same: Why would I retire from something I genuinely love doing?

Accounting has never been just a job for me. It's been a lifelong passion. I enjoy the challenges, the problem-solving, and especially the satisfaction of helping business owners make sound financial decisions.

Looking ahead, I see Hernandez Accounting Solutions continuing its tradition of providing personalized, high-quality accounting and tax services while adapting to new technologies and the ever-changing financial landscape.

Of course, after more than four decades in the profession, I also appreciate the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work, family, and the other passions in my life.

But as long as I can continue sharing my knowledge, helping people, and making a positive difference, I intend to remain involved in the profession I love.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is the belief that hiring a CPA automatically guarantees a larger tax refund.

I often hear people say, "My friend used a CPA and received a much bigger refund, so maybe I should switch accountants."

The reality is that tax preparation doesn't work that way. Your refund is determined by your income, deductions, credits, tax payments, and applicable tax laws—not simply by the professional designation of the person preparing your return.

A qualified accountant should ensure that you're taking advantage of every legitimate deduction and tax benefit available to you, while keeping you in full compliance with the law.

More importantly, good accounting isn't just about what happens during tax season. The real value of an experienced accountant comes from proactive tax planning throughout the year.

My philosophy has always been that it's far better to help a client legally reduce their overall tax burden than simply focus on how large their refund might be.

A large refund doesn't necessarily mean you paid less in taxes. Sometimes it simply means you paid too much during the year!

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of the challenges I faced early in my career was establishing myself as a Hispanic accountant in an industry that, particularly in the corporate world during the early 1980s, did not always offer the same opportunities for everyone.

Those experiences certainly presented obstacles, but they also taught me resilience, determination, and the importance of believing in myself.

When I eventually established my own accounting practice in Purchase, New York, I discovered an incredible opportunity within the growing Hispanic business community.

There were many hardworking Latino entrepreneurs operating small businesses who needed professional accounting and tax guidance. Unfortunately, many struggled to find accountants who could communicate with them in Spanish and, equally important, truly understand their culture, values, and business challenges.

I realized that my background, which I once viewed as a potential obstacle in the corporate world, was actually one of my greatest strengths.

I could communicate with these business owners in their own language, understand their concerns, and provide the kind of personalized professional guidance they needed.

That's when my practice really began to flourish.

As those relationships grew, so did our reputation. Satisfied clients referred their friends, family members, and fellow business owners, allowing us to expand our reach well beyond the Hispanic community.

Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful for those early challenges because they helped shape the accountant and business owner I became.

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is that sometimes the very thing that makes you different is what ultimately makes you successful.

And today, more than 40 years later, I still carry that same philosophy into every client relationship: treat people with respect, earn their trust, and always give them your very best.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Eddie Palmieri and Orchestra Fuego. I was a big basketball fan, and my favorite athlete was Michael Jordan.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

Absolutely! I want to give a very special shoutout to my beautiful wife, Dr. Sylvia Hernandez, who also serves as our Vice President and Office Manager at Hernandez Accounting Solutions.

She is truly the backbone of our daily operations, making sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Her dedication, organizational skills, and attention to detail allow me to concentrate on what I do best—helping our clients with their accounting and tax needs.

Running a successful business takes teamwork, and I couldn't ask for a better partner, both in business and in life.

Behind every successful business is a great team, and I'm incredibly blessed to have my wife by my side.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

https://hernandezaccounting.com/