An Introduction - Jeff

 My journey began in 1993 when I hung up my U.S. Marine Corps uniform after an honorable discharge as a Sergeant. During my service, I was honored to earn several medals, including a Navy Achievement Medal and humanitarian service medals. Stepping out of the military and into civilian life was both exciting and challenging. I tried my hand at a variety of roles, searching for a new direction outside the structured world of the Marines. It wasn’t long before I found one that clicked: bookkeeping.

Armed with freshly minted bookkeeping skills from a training and certification program, I co-founded a small bookkeeping firm called Busy Fingers Accounting with my then-wife. We built our little business from the ground up, helping local clients keep their finances in order. Those early days taught me a lot about running a business and working closely with people. But as life would have it, things changed—personally and professionally. After a few years, life’s twists led me away from that venture and onto a different path.

For a while, I shifted gears into the tech world and beyond. I worked as an independent IT contractor and even did delivery and consulting gigs. It was a big change from balancing books, but no matter what my day job was, I found myself returning to bookkeeping in the evenings. I often helped friends sort out their finances or managed my own budgets and accounts. That early training in bookkeeping turned out to be a trusty tool I carried through all those career changes, and I kept my skills sharp even when it wasn’t my main profession.

In 2020, my journey took another turn. After my mother underwent multiple surgeries, I made the decision to leave my job and take care of her during recovery. During that time, I also embarked on something entirely new (and a little bit unexpected): starting a homestead-style farm in rural Utah. Soon I was raising Nubian goats for milk and learning to make things like cheese, yogurt, and soap to sell at local farmers’ markets. Truth be told, I quickly realized I knew more about numbers than I did about livestock! There were plenty of hiccups and lessons learned on the farm, but I loved every minute of it. I applied my bookkeeping know-how to manage the farm’s sales and expenses — tracking feed costs, vet bills, and product sales with spreadsheets and software. With patience (and a sense of humor), I built up a small but thriving farm and learned something new every single day (often thanks to those goats).

As the farm grew and life progressed, I kept coming back to the importance of bookkeeping. I recognized that keeping track of the numbers had been the backbone of every endeavor I’d undertaken, from business projects to the farm. So, I decided to double down on that strength. I refreshed my knowledge and earned new certifications to stay at the top of my game — becoming a QuickBooks Online Certified ProAdvisor, getting certified in BILL.com, and updating my credentials as a certified bookkeeper. It felt great to formally reconnect with my passion for helping others with their finances.

Looking back, my winding path—from the Marine Corps to IT gigs to goat farming—has given me a unique perspective and the ability to connect with people from all walks of life. I’ve worn many hats over the years, and I’ve learned to listen carefully, adapt quickly, and think outside the box when solving problems. (I like to think my Marine Corps training in staying calm under pressure has a lot to do with that!) These experiences taught me that whether you’re a fellow veteran, a tech entrepreneur, a farmer, or anything in between, understanding and trust are key. Now, as a bookkeeper and the founder of Tengingars, I bring that mix of discipline, creativity, and empathy to every client relationship. My goal is to make the financial side of your life or business easier, so you can focus on what you do best.

Finally, a word about the name Tengingars. It’s an Icelandic word that translates to “connections” - and it is not an attempt to count drunken fish! I chose it because it perfectly captures what bookkeeping is all about and what I value most. On the surface, bookkeeping is about connecting the numbers to the right categories — making sure every dollar of income or expense links to its proper place in the financial story. But connections go beyond just numbers. To me, it also represents the human side of this work: building strong relationships and understanding each client’s unique story. Whether in business, personal life, or tackling a tough problem, I’ve found that connections and relationships are everything. Through Tengingars, I’m here to connect with you and help make sense of your numbers, bridging the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Thank you for reading a bit about my journey. I’m excited to bring everything I’ve learned — from the Marines, the tech world, the farm, and beyond — to support you and your business. I believe that with the right connections, both in our books and with each other, we can turn any financial puzzle into a clear picture. I look forward to the opportunity to help you connect your numbers and achieve your goals!