Ray Fernandez, Jr.

Ray Fernandez, Jr., CPA, CM&AA, CVGA^®, CFP^® is the Director of Transactional Advisory Services at abip, P.C. with over 30 years of public accounting, industry, and wealth management experience.

Professional Background

Ray’s public accounting career includes leading audit engagements with two Big 6 accounting firms in San Antonio and Houston. He also served as an Audit / Tax manager for several local CPA firms. Ray’s industry experience includes being a Regional Controller for a personnel staffing company with revenues over $200M. Later in his career, Ray transitioned to personal financial planning and wealth management. As a Private Wealth Advisor, he worked with business owners and high-net-worth individuals to develop comprehensive financial plans that included life insurance and estate planning, wealth management, family office services, and tax planning. Throughout his career, he has found the most enjoyment in serving middle-market business owners throughout their entire business lifecycle.

Ray’s focus at abip will be serving these same middle-market business owners in the areas of Exit Planning, Business Valuation, Financial Due Diligence, and M&A Advisory services. His broad and varied experience provides a unique perspective for business owners by integrating their illiquid business wealth with their overall personal wealth picture. This perspective helps his clients avoid the common pitfall of post-sale / exit dissatisfaction by properly vetting potential buyers and ensuring a strong cultural alignment.

Education and Associations

Ray holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from St. Mary’s University (San Antonio). He is an active member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the Houston chapter of the TSCPA, Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA), Vistage, International Exit Planning Association (IEPA), Financial Planning Association (FPA), and XPX-Houston chapter.