Early Career in Software Engineering
I started my career at Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace) as a software engineer. The job involved reading technical documents and translating them into code for aircraft electronics — a role that required logic and a strong attention to detail.
An Unexpected Introduction to Bookkeeping
But each summer, I stepped into a different world. I’d use a week of vacation to volunteer as a counselor at a Bible camp in Des Moines. A few years in, I joined the board, and about six months later, the camp’s treasurer moved to Arizona. That’s when I found myself stepping into a new kind of role: bookkeeping.
We sat down for about an hour to transfer duties — bookkeeping, payroll, and taxes. I had never touched QuickBooks before, but I started copying what had been done. When something new came up, I made my best guess. The camp didn’t have much money, so we processed payroll by hand and mailed in tax payments quarterly. The annual 990-EZ form was filled out on paper and submitted by mail.
I leaned heavily on IRS publications and online forums to find answers, but I still felt confused at times. Bookkeeping was a new language — and one I didn’t fully speak yet. Eventually, I invested in a course to learn the fundamentals properly, and everything started to click.
A Pandemic Pivot: Launching a Bookkeeping Business
Then came 2020. Like it did for many people, it led me to reevaluate my priorities. I wanted to focus more on family, faith, and ministry, so I wanted to do something part time that would allow flexibility. And I’d always been drawn to the idea of owning a business. I knew I wanted to keep problem-solving, but I also wanted to work directly with people — to help real business owners.
Software projects are often over budget and behind schedule. Bookkeeping, by contrast, offers consistent deadlines and measurable results. So I launched a bookkeeping and tax company.
So I launched Erastus Bookkeeping, a company built to serve small businesses, especially those in the trades and service industries. My goal is to help owners make sense of their numbers, stay compliant, and reduce stress around money.
Still a Bit of a Coder
Today, I still get to write code now and then — automating tasks and building tools to streamline workflows. But instead of translating documents into code, I now translate documents into financial insight. It’s the same analytical mindset, just with a new purpose.
Why It Matters
If you’re a small business owner who’s struggling to keep up with bookkeeping, tax prep, or payroll, I understand what that feels like. I didn’t start with an accounting degree — I started by figuring it out one step at a time, and I bring that same down-to-earth approach to helping clients today.
Whether your books are a mess or you just want someone you can trust to handle the numbers, Erastus Bookkeeping is here to help.
Let’s Take the Stress Out of Your Finances
Curious if your books are on track? Need help catching up or getting tax-ready?
Get in touch today — I’d love to hear more about your business and how we can support your goals.