From Military Service to Financial Empowerment: This Tax Professional Transforms Communities Through Simplified Tax Solutions

Toni Galang

Team Member

From military deployments to mastering the tax industry, Ciriniti’s story is one of purpose, resilience, and a commitment to empowering others. Driven by core values of education, service, and integrity, Ciriniti has built Luminous Light Solutions that simplifies complex financial processes while inspiring clients to take control of their financial futures. Through mentorship, continuous learning, and community engagement, they’ve helped families, entrepreneurs, and businesses navigate the tax landscape with confidence.

In this article, Ciriniti shares their path into the tax industry, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. From restoring compliance for business owners to providing invaluable advice for newcomers, their journey reflects a deep passion for making taxes approachable, empowering communities, and helping others thrive.

Ciriniti McCain, Luminous Light Solutions

Title: Founder and CEO

Location: Hamlet, North Carolina

Year established: 2023

Services: Bookkeeping, audit protection, tax planning, and tax preparation for both individuals and businesses

Connect with Ciriniti

Instagram: @Ciriniti_McCain and @Luminous_Light_Solutions

Website: www.llightsolutions.com

Facebook: Luminous Light Solutions

Luminous Light Solutions specializes in providing personalized financial services, including tax preparation, tax planning, audit protection, and bookkeeping, with a focus on empowering military members, students, teachers, first responders, and business owners. Our mission is to ease financial stress while equipping individuals and businesses with the knowledge and tools to achieve long-term financial success.

How Military Mentorship Led to a Career in Taxes

Q: What key moments or decisions led you to start your business or pursue a career in this field?

Ciriniti: While preparing for deployment to Kuwait with my Army Reserve unit, my Platoon Sergeant pulled me aside and asked about my long-term plans and how I intended to use the deployment to prepare for life after the military. I told him I wanted to start a business but wasn’t sure what kind. However, I knew I needed to begin planning for the future, especially for the day I would hang up my uniform.

Not long before returning home, I reached out to Bria Johnson, the co-founder of SmartWiz, who had been a mentor to me in the past. I expressed my interest in exploring the tax industry. She and her team took the time to explain what this career would entail, the level of commitment required, and the impact I could have on my community.

As I progressed through the training academy and interacted with others in the field, I realized not only could I succeed in this business, but I could also inspire and support others—service members preparing to transition, students and teachers looking to build financial knowledge, and aspiring entrepreneurs. My goal became clear: to show people that taxes does not have to be overwhelming. With the right guidance and understanding, they can be a powerful tool for financial growth. I wanted to share this knowledge, make the process approachable, and empower others to do the same.

Q: Describe any early challenges and how you overcame them.

Ciriniti: My biggest challenge was understanding the immense responsibility of being entrusted with people's livelihoods—along with the well-being of their families, friends, and even coworkers. I wanted to learn everything possible before starting, but my team helped me realize that no one knows everything when they first begin, and that’s okay.

What mattered most was recognizing two key points: first, this business has a direct impact on people’s lives, so accuracy and care are essential; second, if I didn’t know something, it was important to seek help. Whether that meant reaching out to my team or consulting the IRS, I learned to prioritize getting the right answers to serve my clients effectively.

How She Educates and Serves Clients

Q: What are the core values or mission that drive your business?

Ciriniti: The core values that drive my business are empowerment, education, and service. I believe in simplifying complex financial processes and equipping my clients with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed. My mission is to make a lasting positive impact on the communities I serve—especially military members, students, teachers, first responders, and business owners. By prioritizing accuracy, integrity, and care, I strive to help my clients build stronger financial futures while fostering trust and understanding.

Q: How do you stay connected with and build trust among your clients?

Ciriniti: We stay connected with our clients by maintaining consistent communication throughout the year, not just during tax season. Our goal is to build lasting relationships, ensuring clients feel supported as they plan for their families’ futures and work toward their business goals. We provide guidance and resources tailored to their needs, helping them stay on track to achieve their objectives.

To make ourselves accessible, we offer multiple ways to stay in touch, including email, phone, and video calls. By being available and proactive, we create a partnership built on trust, reliability, and a shared commitment to success.

Q: Are there any misconceptions about tax preparation that you frequently encounter?

Ciriniti: Here are some common misconceptions about tax preparation that I frequently encounter:

• Starting a business as an S-Corp or C-Corp is easy. While it’s simple to set up with your Secretary of State, operating as an S-Corp or C-Corp requires significant planning, guidance, and understanding of compliance requirements. Without proper preparation, it can harm both you and your business in the long run.
• Students don’t earn enough to benefit from tax preparation. Many students engage in side hustles that function as unofficial businesses. If you’re putting time, money, and energy into your work, it may qualify as a business. Proper documentation can help you claim deductions and potentially lower your tax liability.
• Earning a high income means you’ll owe taxes. This isn’t necessarily true. With the right planning and knowledge of deductions and credits, you can reduce your tax liability. Many people miss out on refunds because they delay filing or assume they’ll owe.
• Acknowledging you owe taxes automatically sets up a payment plan. Signing your tax forms doesn’t create a payment plan. You need to log into your IRS account and set it up yourself. Additionally, if you owe taxes, the payment is due by the last day of tax season unless you’ve arranged a plan.
• An extension means you don’t have to pay taxes owed. Filing an extension gives you more time to gather documents, not to pay your taxes. If you need more time to pay, you must set up a payment plan with the IRS.
• Buying a new car means you can write it off completely. Claiming a vehicle on your taxes requires that it’s used for business purposes. If it’s an electric vehicle, specific credits may apply, but buying a car solely for a tax write-off is a misconception. Always consult a tax professional before making such decisions.

Transforming Businesses: A Story of Trust, Education, and Success

Q: Could you share a client success story or impactful project?

Ciriniti: One of my most impactful client success stories involved a business owner who hadn’t filed taxes in several years. They had set up their business as a corporation but assumed that because they weren’t earning much, they didn’t need to file their personal taxes. They were also unaware of the additional reporting requirements and strict deadlines that differ significantly from those for sole proprietors and LLC owners.

I worked closely with them to bring their business back into compliance, ensuring all past filings were completed accurately. Throughout the process, I educated them on the requirements for operating as a corporation and helped them evaluate whether maintaining this structure was truly beneficial for their goals. By the end, they not only regained compliance but gained a clearer understanding of how to manage their business effectively moving forward.

Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Ciriniti: I am most proud of helping over 40 families and businesses in my first year as a business owner. It was incredibly rewarding to earn their trust and assist them with such an integral part of their lives—their finances. Knowing I made a positive impact on their financial well-being motivates me to continue growing and serving my community.

Continuous Learning and Mentorship

Q: Any advice for someone just starting in the tax industry?

Ciriniti:

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I learned quickly that asking questions—whether to my team, mentors, or successful individuals in the field—is crucial. You never know when someone else has had the same question or when they might offer a perspective you hadn’t considered.
• Don’t assume that completing the academy or tax season means you’re done learning. The off-season is just as important for building your knowledge base. Take the time to invest in yourself, continuously learning so you can better serve your clients and team.
• Vet the mentors and learning institutions you choose carefully. Not every program or mentor will be the right fit for you. Take the time to find what works for you and invest in those relationships and resources.

Q: Are there any resources (books, podcasts, or articles) that you find valuable?

Ciriniti:

• The IRS – They provide essential information and requirements for tax preparation. Knowing how to search for the right information is key to staying compliant and informed.
• Moneybag Tax Solutions – I’ve attended multiple events and trainings hosted by Moneybag Tax Solutions. Their attention to detail and in-depth knowledge of the tax industry equip you to leave their trainings ready to make an impact with your business and clients.
• My Mentor Jasmine – She sets me up for success by answering questions and keeping me on track toward my goals and maintaining balance in my business and personal life.
• SmartWiz – The community built here has been invaluable. From the founders to the staff, they’ve played a crucial role in helping me start and grow my business. They are always there to answer questions and ensure the software my clients use is top-notch.
• DNC Accounting Solutions – They provided the education and support needed to expand my knowledge and venture into new areas within the tax industry. They helped me turn my interests into impactful knowledge for my clients.
• Personal Development Books and Podcasts – Resources from individuals like Tabitha Brown, David Goggins, Bob Proctor, and John C. Maxwell have been invaluable for personal growth and business mindset development.

A Future of Growth

Q: What are your goals for the next year?

Ciriniti:

• Grow and strengthen the Luminous Light Solutions team by bringing on additional professionals with specialized skills in tax planning, audit protection, and financial management, with a particular focus on bringing in more service members, veterans, students, teachers, and individuals interested in starting a business in the field.
• Triple the number of clients we serve by broadening our outreach and helping the new generation develop a better understanding of what it takes to start a business and become financially literate.
• Work more closely with corporations, businesses, and their employees to help them gain a deeper understanding of taxes and strategies for making their money work for them.
• Prepare to start my master’s in accountancy to get closer to my educational and certification goals.