Our Story
Founded in 1986 by Randy Jenkins in the Modesto, California area, RLJ Financial Services started with a mission to provide reliable tax preparation for local families and small businesses. From our early days serving farmers and local professionals, we’ve grown into a trusted partner for clients across the U.S., including agriculture, healthcare, and service-based businesses, as well as high-income individuals. Today, we continue to build on that legacy by combining decades of experience with forward-looking strategies, blending tax expertise, business planning, and technology advisory to help our clients thrive.
What We Do
We’re here to simplify your financial life and help you succeed. Our team provides:
Tax Strategy & Planning:
Proactive solutions to minimize tax burdens and avoid surprises.
Bookkeeping & Payroll:
Streamlined systems using QuickBooks Online and integrated apps.
Business Planning:
Cash-flow analysis and growth strategies tailored to your goals.
Education & Guidance:
Practical knowledge on business entities (e.g., S-Corps, C-Corps, LLCs, Sole-Proprietorships) and financial tools.
We serve a wide range of clients, from farmers and healthcare providers to service-based companies and high-net-worth individuals, both locally in California and nationwide.
Our Values
These guiding principles shape the way we serve our clients every day:
Keep More of What You Earn
Taxes don’t have to drain your resources. By planning ahead, we uncover strategies to reduce your tax liability and protect more of what you’ve worked so hard for. The result: greater freedom to reinvest in your business and future.
Bring Order to Complexity
Business finances can feel chaotic without the right systems. We simplify operations by pairing QuickBooks Online with the right integrated & automated app ecosystem, giving you clarity, efficiency, and confidence in your numbers.
Partner in Growth
Your bookkeeping is just the starting point. We provide payroll, cash-flow analysis, and business planning support so you can make smart decisions today and grow strategically for tomorrow.
Empower Through Knowledge
We believe confident decisions come from understanding. Through training, onboarding, and entity education (e.g. S-Corp’s, C-Corp’s, LLC’s, etc.), we equip you with practical knowledge that makes running your business easier and more effective.
Leadership
RLJ’s foundation is based on the vision of our founder, Randy Jenkins, whose dedication to serving clients with excellence sets the standard we continue to uphold today. Randy’s commitment to integrity and care remains the centerpiece of our firm.
Our Approach
At RLJ, we believe that wise stewardship is more than numbers on a page. True stewardship is about building trust, making wise decisions, and planning for a sustainable future. Our faith shapes the way we serve through honesty, integrity, and a commitment to putting people first. We help clients not only stay compliant but also uncover opportunities for growth and long-term impact.
Take the Next Step
Your business and personal finances deserve more than surface-level support. Partner with a team that brings experience, clarity, and strategy to every decision.
Our Team
Randy Jenkins, EA, CFS, CSA
Chief Visionary Officer
Caleb Jenkins, EA, CQP
Business & Accounting Leader
Debbie Eller
Business & QuickBooks Advisor
Julie Thomas
Payroll & Investment Leader
Mark Heatwole, EA
Business Tax Leader
Liza Rodriguez
Business & QuickBooks Advisor
Shila Miller
Business & QuickBooks Advisor
Nicole Alberto
Payroll & Investment Assistant
Melissa King
Administrative Assistant
Lexie Rumble
QuickBooks® & Administrative Assistant
Nickie Alvernaz
Front-Desk Administrative
Esther Jenkins
Sarah Jenkins
Wife of Chief Visionary Officer
*Investment and financial planning services are offered by Randall Jenkins through his affiliation with Avantax
Frequently Asked Questions:
About RLJ
When was RLJ Financial Services, Inc. founded?
RLJ was founded in 1986 by Randy Jenkins in Ceres (a part of the Modesto, California area).
What makes RLJ different from other tax firms?
We go beyond compliance by focusing on proactive tax strategy, business planning, and education to help clients make better decisions year-round.
Our Services
What services does RLJ provide?
We focus on four core areas: tax strategy & planning, QuickBooks & technology advisory, payroll & bookkeeping, and business & cash-flow planning.
Who are your typical clients?
We primarily serve agriculture businesses, healthcare practices, service-based companies, and high-income individuals.
Do you work with clients outside California?
Yes, while our roots are in the Modesto, CA area, we serve clients in many states across the U.S., including, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, and counting.
Do you only work with businesses?
No, we also serve high-income and high-net-worth individuals who need proactive tax planning and guidance.
Our Process
What does “advisory-first” mean?
It means we don’t just file tax returns, we work with you throughout the year to plan, educate, and provide strategies that minimize surprises and maximize opportunities.
How does RLJ use QuickBooks and apps to support clients?
We help clients set up and integrate QuickBooks Online with industry-specific apps, streamlining bookkeeping, payroll, and reporting.
What kind of apps does RLJ use and support clients with?
We specialize in QuickBooks Online and connect it with apps for:
- Payroll: QuickBooks Online Payroll, ADP, Gusto
- Bill Pay: Ramp, BILL, Corpay One, Relay, MakersHub
- Spend Management: Ramp, BILL: Spend & Expense (formerly Divvy)
- Time tracking: Connecteam, QuickBooks Time
- Sales tax: Avalara
- Payments: QuickBooks Payments
- Reporting & KPIs: Syft, Reach Reporting
- Backups & Security: Rewind
- Others: We use and recommend many other apps on an as-needed basis
Do you set up QuickBooks Online for clients?
Yes. We help new businesses get set up correctly and migrate existing businesses from QuickBooks Desktop (QBD) or other systems.
Can RLJ train my staff on QuickBooks and apps?
Yes. We provide onboarding, training, and education so your team can use QuickBooks Online and connected apps effectively.
Do you only do year-end tax returns?
No. We focus on year-round planning and strategy, so you know where you stand before April.
Trust & Standards
What professional standards does RLJ follow?
We follow IRS guidelines for Enrolled Agents, as well as best practices set by organizations like NAEA, NATP, etc.
What does an EA mean and how is that different from a CPA?
As Enrolled Agent’s (EA), we are federally licensed tax professionals, authorized by the IRS to represent taxpayers in all 50 states. EAs specialize in tax; including planning, preparation, and representation before the IRS. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is licensed at the state level and can provide additional services, such as auditing and assurance work.
How does RLJ protect client data?
We use secure platforms like Liscio for messaging and file sharing, avoiding risky email exchanges. We take seriously the need to safeguard taxpayer information otherwise known as personally identifiable information (PII) as required by the IRS. Confidentiality is the cornerstone of our client experience.
How does RLJ’s faith shape its work?
Our leadership’s faith informs our values of honesty, integrity, and stewardship, which guide the way we serve clients.
Has RLJ received any recognition?
Yes. We serve as the RamseyTrusted tax pro! Also, Caleb L. Jenkins, EA, has been recognized as ProAdvisor of the Year, a Top 100 QuickBooks ProAdvisor and Top 40 Under 40 in Accounting (both ten years running).
Getting Started
How can I become a client of RLJ?
You can start by filling out our new client questionnaire and then you’ll be provided with a link to schedule a FREE Meet & Greet meeting with our team where we’ll discuss if we’d be a great fit to work with you.
Do you offer virtual services?
Yes, all of our services are available remotely via Zoom & Liscio, making it easy to work with us wherever you are located.