Bookkeeping From Someone Who's Worked the Trades
I grew up in Southern Utah working in my father's concrete business while my mother handled the books. I saw both sides early — the work that builds something, and the books that keep it running.
I spent years in the field — concrete, irrigation, property management — before moving into bookkeeping full-time. Since then I've worked inside CPA firms, run payroll, and kept books for trades, restaurants, salons, and ecommerce.
Most bookkeepers learned about contractor businesses from a textbook. I learned about them on a job site.
From the Job Site to the Books
Why I Work With Contractors and Trades
Running a trade business isn't like running any other small business.
You pay for material before you get paid for the job. You can't always tell whether a job made money or just kept everybody busy. Cash flow swings with the season. Subs, change orders, and a tax bill that shows up as a surprise.
I've been in it. So when you tell me about a job that ran over, a client who won't pay, or a month where you were slammed and still came up short — I don't just understand it technically. I understand it.
My Life outside of Oakline
I live in Sherwood, Oregon with my wife and our dogs. We spend as much time outdoors as possible — gardening, bird watching, hiking, paddleboarding, and finding good food all across the PNW.
I enjoy building ponds, working out, and a well-organized spreadsheet.