Staff Spotlight: Mark Hodges

Guiding Families with Empathy and Tax Expertise

At Keiter, Mark Hodges specializes in Family, Estate, and Trust Services, where he helps high-net worth individuals and family-owned businesses navigate complex tax and estate matters with a unique combination of technical expertise and empathy. Since joining the firm in 2015 as a Tax Intern, Mark has grown into a trusted advisor, providing clients with expert tax guidance and strategic planning while ensuring they feel supported and equipped to make informed decisions.

Early interest in numbers

Mark says he didn’t always envision becoming an accountant, but his knack for tracking transactions showed up early. Growing up, he would “lend” money to his parents as they taught him how to invest his savings. He made sure to charge a fair interest rate and kept meticulous records. During high school, Mark dual-enrolled in college-level accounting courses, laying a strong foundation for his future. He continued his focus on accounting while attending Virginia Tech, where he deepened his expertise by obtaining a dual degree in accounting and financial planning.

Finding his niche

When Mark joined Keiter full-time, he gained broad exposure across many industry groups within the Tax practice. After two years, an opportunity to step into estate and trust work came when a senior manager retired. Mark embraced the opportunity to broaden his professional expertise, learning from mentors and quickly building specialized knowledge. He began to focus on the work he found most rewarding: helping high-net-worth individuals and family-owned businesses. Today, he is a Senior Manager and focuses on estate taxation, trust filings, and helping families handle complex transitions.

“It’s really rewarding to educate executors and fiduciaries, especially since many of them are grieving the loss of a loved one while also trying to navigate the estate process,” Mark says. “Being able to guide them through that difficult time makes the work meaningful.”

Mark’s specialized knowledge is matched by his empathy. He takes the time to listen, and puts himself in his clients’ shoes, guiding families with care and clarity through estate transitions while making sure their needs are met throughout the entire process.

Mentorship and Client Service

Mark credits much of his growth at Keiter to mentors who took the time to invest in his development and encouraged him to prioritize client service. Now, he pays that forward by coaching interns and associates, helping them develop their own skills and discover rewarding career paths.

“I’ve had great mentors who took the time to teach me and encouraged me to prioritize client service,” he explains. “The complex situations we deal with keep me challenged, and I also enjoy helping coach and develop newer team members.”

The patience and guidance he shows to his colleagues mirrors the way he supports clients, ensuring they feel informed and confident every step of the way.

Life outside the office

The same spirit of guidance extends outside of Keiter where Mark uses his professional skills to serve his church and community. He recently played a key role on his church’s Finance Committee during a major building campaign, ensuring the process ran smoothly from a financial perspective.

Outside of the office, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, ages three and one. They love hiking together in local spots around Richmond. Mark is also an avid gardener, with fruit trees, berries, and a vegetable garden at home.

When asked for a fun fact, Mark joked: “I’m a tax accountant – I can’t think of anything fun!” But colleagues and clients alike would agree his impact at Keiter is anything but dull. What sets him apart is his ability to pair his in-depth knowledge with genuine empathy. Listening to his clients and understanding their needs is key to his success. Whether supporting clients through complex estate matters, mentoring newer team members, or serving his community, Mark proves that at Keiter, meaningful relationships matter just as much as numbers.

Keiter is your firm for career development and relationship building. To learn more about a career at Keiter, view our current entry-level and experienced positions.