We are a dedicated team of professionals who care about bettering your life through our commitment to your financial well-being. We do this by providing advice with the highest level of certainty, responding promptly, and treating our clients with mutual respect and care.

OUR TEAM

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT AND Spiritual leader

THOR J. EAKES

Thor specializes in taxation consulting, financial reporting, and financial coaching for all types of private companies and their owners, putting his 30 years of accounting experience to work on a daily basis. He also provides high net worth individuals with personal taxation services, including strategic tax planning. Thor’s leadership responsibilities include providing overall direction and supervision of the Eakes team’s financial reporting, tax compliance, and business planning services.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in accounting from San Diego State University, Thor worked for local CPA firms in San Diego including Nation, Smith, Hermes & Diamond (CBIZ), where he served as manager of a small business consulting group. He was responsible for providing privately held companies with taxation advice and direction. He helped form Murrill, Eakes & Company as a shareholder in 1994, maintaining that position until he left to form Eakes & Company in 2013. Thor is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is also a member of Vistage International and the FBI Citizens Academy.

When not working, Thor enjoys running, cycling and is an avid reader. He also enjoys driving his 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe and collects vintage watches.

Certified Public Accountant

JEFF T. HOLMES, CPA

Jeff has more than 15 years of experience providing all types of tax and accounting services for clients in varied industries—including real estate and construction, manufacturing, high-tech and professional services. His tax expertise includes compliance; consulting; and tax planning and transactional analysis for corporations and other business entities. Jeff provides accounting services that include preparing compiled and review financial statements, and performing a variety of other accounting services to meet client needs.   

Jeff completed an internship in corporate tax compliance at Ernst & Young, LLP while working toward his B.S. in business administration, Cum Laude, with a concentration in accounting from California State University San Marcos. He served as a staff accountant at Peterson & Co., CPAs for three years before joining Murrill Eakes & Company as a CPA in 2004, a position he maintained until he joined the Eakes & Company team in 2013. Jeff is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Jeff is a native San Diegan, enjoys time with his family, and an active lifestyle.

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT

ETHAN HARKLEROAD, CPA

Ethan graduated from USD with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He specializes in accounting and analytics for high-net-worth clients. He focusses on process improvement, guidance with financing and acquisition analysis. Ethan also holds a certification in Wine Business Management.   

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

STEPHANIE ELIA

Stephanie joined Eakes & Company in September 2021.  She provides tax and accounting services, as well as preparation of financial statements.  Stephanie gained her tax knowledge and experience working at previous CPA firms over the past few years.  She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from San Diego State University, as well as an associate degree in business administration with honors from Grossmont College.  Stephanie is currently in the process of obtaining her CPA license.  Prior to public accounting, she served as a Teacher Assistant. 

Besides English, Stephanie is fluent in Arabic and Chaldean.

In her spare time Stephanie enjoys visiting historical and natural landmarks across the country, and spending time with her family.

ENROLLED AGENT

JESSICA SWANN

Jessica graduated from the University of Phoenix with a degree in accounting. She provides accounting and tax preparation services. Initially, Jessica worked mainly with Real Estate Investors and Contractors and became a Licensed Real Estate Agent to broaden her skillset to better help her clients. Jessica loves her work and is always eager to learn new things.   

DIRECTOR OF CLIENT RELATIONS

LINA O’NEILL

Lina earned her Business Bachelor’s Degree in Colombia. She is an experienced banker and relationship leader. Passionate about helping organizations and individuals, she has held roles in credit analysis, portfolio management, sales, marketing, international affairs, and strategic goal mapping and execution for customer retention and client experience.

Lina is fluent in Spanish. She is an avid athlete, having competed in the Boston Marathon, completing a 70.3 Ironman, as well as many marathons and triathlons in between.

Office MANAGER and executive assistant TO THOR J. EAKES

JANICE BATCHELOR

Janice has more than 30 years of experience in office and departmental management for small and large scale organizations. She’s responsible for managing office operations and resources to facilitate effectiveness and efficiency.  She also provides marketing services by developing and implementing marketing, social media, advertising campaigns and promotional materials, as well as maintaining the company website.  Prior to joining Eakes & Company Janice managed a team of instructional designers in the training department at a clinical research company and served as a clinical research associate.