Celebrating Hispanic-owned businesses during Hispanic Heritage Month

This year, September 15 to October 15 marks Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. Throughout the month, we’re honoring the cultures, achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latin Americans. We are excited to highlight a Hispanic-owned business in Xero’s community and the work they’ve been doing. 

Junior Batista, CEO of Jtax Corp

Can you tell us about Jtax Corp and what inspired you to get into accounting?

Jtax Corp was founded in 2017 and we’re based out of Boca Raton, Florida. We specialize in business and personal tax filing, bookkeeping, tax consulting and business startup formation. We also help with workers compensation exemption, ITIN (individual taxpayer identification number) application and document certification, FIRPTA and Certificate of Withholding application. 

I like to say that I fell into accounting. I started my career in Boston in 2009 where I worked for three years. I wanted to live in Florida and found the right time and opportunity to make the move, and I began working for a friend who had a tax office in Pompano Beach. I spent several years helping to develop his company, Tax Controller Inc, and served as a vice president from 2012 to 2017. 

In 2017, I was ready to venture off on my own. It was a hard decision to part ways with such a great friend, but my drive for success and improved technology was strong and inspired me to move forward and start Jtax Corp. I was a father of two at the time and my second child was only four months old when I went into this journey on my own, so it took lots of courage and will to make it happen against all odds. 

What motivates you as a business owner?

Accounting is a problem-solving business and the types of challenges you encounter on a day-to-day basis motivates me. A lot of what I focus on in my business is helping people by providing a solution to problems they are not able to solve on their own. I have the following quote hanging on my wall in my office and to me, this is what my job is all about:  

How does your practice support the Hispanic community?

Many of the clients I have worked with in the Hispanic community are here trying to work and support their families. One of the ways I support these clients is by helping them financially in the beginning, whether that’s setting up their ITINs so they have identification purposes for bank accounts or applying for a credit card. I also support a lot of clients as they start their own business and consult with them. They might need help and direction, what to do and understanding what type of company is best for them. I also advise them on what they can do to save more money on taxes. 

To me, being able to support the Hispanic community is about honoring people who are such hard workers. I have yet to find a community that is so hard working both physically and mentally.

I believe that when you educate your client well, it makes their life easier and ultimately, it makes your life easier too. When your clients have good experiences working with you, they’ll refer others – my primary goal has always been to help clients and help create this deeper sense of community. 

What was your proudest accomplishment as an advisor?

I recently advised a company that has been using Xero for about three months, but they have been struggling due to lack of knowledge and information about running a business. By pointing them in the right direction, they have now cut their bookkeeping hours in half. 

I also take pride in being able to serve our community with bookkeeping services and help them save time. While we work on their books, they can work on their sales and service, ultimately capitalizing more on this time to grow their business. We focus on providing excellent service and their growth and income is a consequence of that. 

What are you looking forward to in the coming year?

We are looking forward to providing high quality services and becoming a resource to our clients in all aspects of their tax and bookkeeping needs. We are currently working on a personalized platform that will enable us to connect with our clients on a more direct level as well as provide them with key information throughout the year. An educated client is a thankful client, and ultimately we will work together for the best outcomes. 

What would you want potential clients to know about working with you?

I have an obsession with making sure things are just right for clients. If I’m not going to do something 100%, I don’t do it because I want to provide a high level of service. My personal mantra that I live by is, “Earn money as a result of a job well done.” 

Learn more about Junior and Jtax Corp here.