Today we’d like to introduce you to MARIA LOPEZ.
Hi MARIA, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I feel that I started my journey when I was 18 years old graduating from Miami Senior High school. I proceeded to attend Florida International University, the College of Business, to study accounting. I graduated with a bachelor’s in accounting and a masters in tax from FIU. While in college I learned about the Big 6 accounting firms, the largest and most prestigious accounting firms in the World and thus I began my journey to find out how I could join them and work with them. I wanted to gain great exposure to great companies and 3 years after graduation from FIU, I joined Coopers & Lybrand, which later merged with Price Waterhouse.
My career journey started in Miami, FL and then I was transferred to Chicago, IL and then later to NYC, as I was specializing in the Financial Services industry. I worked with many talented professionals at PwC and also with many great clients, and other colleagues. It was an exciting time in my career journey. I loved the city of Chicago. It was a great experience that I gained working with large publicly traded companies, in the hedge funds market, broker dealers, large commercial banks, and other financial institutions.
After Chicago, I relocated to NYC. I lived in NYC for 2 years in Manhattan working with PwC. I did some traveling as well. I had a great project in Amsterdan in 2001. I went there with two other colleagues for a due diligence work in the area of taxes for a merger of two organizations.
After NYC, I relocated back to South Florida where I continued my career as a tax advisor with PwC and then later with Ernst and Young. At EY, I joined its National Tax Department, focusing on process improvement for large tax departments of publicly traded companies and privately owned companies nationwide. I remember I was traveling on a weekly basis for 3 consecutive years. The experience was amazing and the people I worked with were very talented. After the 3rd year, I decided to take a role at EY in the local Miami market, where I live.
At about 2014, I moved to a regional accounting firm focusing on International taxation as a Director of Taxes, and then in 2016 I decided to launch my very own accounting and management consulting firm in Miami, FL: Gallant. Then, a couple of years later, I was hired by a local Fort Lauderdale CPA firm, to lead their tax and accounting services department. It was another wonderful experience as well leading this initiative and providing tax and accounting services to business owners in the South Florida market. I also enjoyed very much mentoring and coaching my team of professionals, accountants and consultants.
Deep in my heart, I continued with the desire to re-launch my own accounting and management consulting firm: Gallant, and so I did. It has now been since 2016, that I work with local clients both entrepreneurs and their families, and high net worth individuals. It has now been 15 months since I relaunched Gallant, and it is going very great.
I enjoy building the business, from business development and marketing, to serving clients with solutions that help their businesses grow financially and stay compliant with the income tax requirements and regulations. My main service and contribution to businesses is to help them reduce their income tax liability, legally, so that they have more funds to re-invest in their business and continue to grow.
Currently, I host speaking presentations in the areas of income taxes and growth strategies, to help businesses grow, at various business organizations in Miami, FL. I also believe in the power of relationships and collaborations so therefore I have built alliances with other professionals so that together we go to market to provide valuable content and services to the business community.
As we approach year-end 2025, and as I write about my journey, how I started and how I got to where I am today, I look back at the past 32 years since that day when I graduated from FIU, and I notice that the journey was not always a straight path. There were turns, and unexpected situations but all in all it has been a wonderful life, a great career and I am very optimistic about what is ahead!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My career journey has not been a smooth road. There were challenges and obstacles faced. When I was young graduating from High School, I thought if I study I will be successful in my career and have a lifestyle of joy and beautiful things, and travel and being with great people. Much of that has been true but there were challenges along the way. For example, when I relocated to Chicago in 1999, I did that by myself. And while I was happy on this journey, I also missed my family and friends from Miami. It takes a while to get used to a new city, new people, and new adventures. Gradually, I got used to it and I began to enjoy my time and stay in Chicago. Surrounding myself with people that were there for me made a difference. There were also challenges of competition throughout my career. Not everyone welcomes you to their city and place, and so what we often hear about resilience became a real-life scenario in my Life. I had to be strong and keep going. I appreciated those who were there for me. These challenges led me to stay true to myself and to choose the person I wanted to continue to be, to uphold my values and to appreciate what I have always appreciated: diversity and inclusion.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am most proud of who I am – let me explain. I am passionate about sharing my experiences and knowledge with others. I enjoy sharing with others how things work, whether it might be an excel schedule, to applying for a loan, or learning how to prepare a great meal, or learning about a great Moscato, my favorite dessert wine.
Great conversations I enjoy the most. I appreciate also those who taught me something or things throughout my life and career. I have worked with great coaches and mentors, since I was in High School.
The qualities that set me apart from others is my gratitude towards others. I am also a very simple person: I am not complicated, I am simple and many times I don’t expect perfection, but I do love and pay attention to details.
As I build my accounting and management consulting firm, I want to be known for delivering quality of services, timely deliverables and great customer service. I am intrigued about technology and artificial intelligence.
I am a forever learner. I am also a teacher at heart.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Miami is a fascinating city. I love the people; we have a diverse culture. People speak various languages, have different cultures and traditions. The city of Miami has grown a lot in the past 30-40 years. We have become a more high-profile city where there are hundreds now of high-rise buildings, beautiful beaches, great cuisine at restaurants and hotels, sports and music.
Miami is a glamorous city. It is a fascinating city.
The one thing I wish we had more of is larger organizations and employers. Having these organizations locally would help in the economic growth of the city and in providing jobs with higher income and benefits to the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bymarialopez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegallantadvantage
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegallantadvantage
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bymarialopez
- Other: https://www.thegallantadvantage.com
Image Credits
Photos taken by Magda Hernandez.
