About Us

A Message From The Founders

At Essentage, we really do understand what it is like to be an entrepreneur and small business owner. This understanding comes not only from running our own local business, but also from our roots that took shape while we were growing up within family owned businesses. We feel grateful that we had both the opportunity to experience a blue-collar upbringing in business, as well as education and training as Certified Public Accountants. This unique blend of experiences is what makes us passionate about our work, and even more passionate about helping business owners realize their own goals and dreams.

Sal R. Hernandez, CPA
Anthony Villari, CPA
Founders of Essentage

Sal R. Hernandez

Sal R. Hernandez, CPA was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and moved to Tucson in 2010. Sal grew up in a single-mother household, and was the first member of his immediate family to earn a college degree. Sal graduated from the University of Southern California and holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Sal also holds a Certified Public Account (CPA) license in both Arizona and California. Sal has worked in the professional accounting industry for over 20 years, and began his career with one of the Big 4 accounting firms. Sal currently serves as a board member for the Autism Society of Southern Arizona. In partnership with Anthony Villari, CPA, Sal founded Essentage in an effort to bring cutting-edge bookkeeping and accounting services to Tucson business owners in a cost-effective and approachable way.

Anthony Villari

Anthony Villari, CPA was born in Toronto, Canada in 1981, and is the son of immigrant parents who moved to North America in the aftermath of World War II. Anthony is the oldest of two siblings, and he was the first member of his family to earn a college degree. Anthony holds two bachelor’s degrees in both Accounting and Finance, and he has worked in the accounting industry for nearly 20 years. Anthony’s career as a CPA started with one of the Big 4 accounting firms, and he has also worked in other public accounting firms, as well as in the private sector as a Corporate Controller. Essentage is the second business that Anthony has founded in his career, and along with Essentage co-founder Sal Hernandez, CPA, Anthony continues to find happiness and fulfillment in his work by helping local business owners scale new heights.