Washington · WA
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Service providers in Seattle
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Match the right kind of help to the work — CPA firms, tax preparers, bookkeepers, payroll providers, fractional CFOs, and industry specialists serving Seattle.
CPA firms in Seattle
Licensed CPAs for tax, audit, advisory, and assurance.
BrowseTax preparers in Seattle
Individual and business tax filing for the upcoming season.
BrowseBookkeepers in Seattle
Monthly close, AP/AR, and reconciliation specialists.
BrowsePayroll providers in Seattle
Payroll, tax filings, and benefits administration.
BrowseFractional CFOs in Seattle
Senior finance leadership for growing companies.
BrowseIndustry specialists in Seattle
Restaurants, real estate, medical, construction, and more.
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Find a CPA in Seattle
Filter by service, industry, language, and free consultation.
Local hiring guide
Common CPA services in Seattle
The work Seattle residents and small businesses most often hire a CPA to handle.
- Annual business and individual tax preparation
- Tax planning and quarterly estimates
- Bookkeeping and monthly close
- Entity selection and formation (LLC, S-corp, C-corp)
- Payroll setup and filings
- IRS notice response and audit representation
- Financial statement preparation (compilation / review)
Industries
Small-business industries shaping Seattle
The local economy your Seattle CPA should already know how to serve.
Tech & cloud / SaaS
Aerospace & advanced manufacturing
E-commerce & Amazon sellers
Real estate & construction
Maritime & fishing
Decision guide
When to hire a CPA vs. a bookkeeper
A bookkeeper records the past. A CPA shapes the future — taxes, structure, strategy.
Hire a bookkeeper when…
- •You need day-to-day transaction categorization and bank reconciliations
- •You want monthly financials but no tax filings or planning
- •Revenue is under ~$500K and your structure is simple (sole prop / single-member LLC)
- •You already have a CPA for taxes and just need clean books
Hire a CPA when…
- •You're filing business taxes (S-corp, C-corp, partnership)
- •You need tax planning, entity restructuring, or multi-state filings
- •You received an IRS or state tax notice or are facing an audit
- •You're raising capital, selling a business, or doing equity comp planning
- •Your books are a mess and you need cleanup plus a long-term advisor
Before you sign
Questions to ask any Seattle CPA before hiring
Use this checklist on your first call. Strong CPAs welcome these questions.
- Are you a licensed CPA in this state? What's your license number?
- What industries do you specialize in, and how many clients like me do you serve?
- Who actually does the work — you, a staff accountant, or an offshore team?
- How do you bill — hourly, fixed-fee, or monthly retainer? What's typical for my size?
- What software do you use (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite), and do I get access to my files?
- How do you handle IRS notices or audits if they come up later?
- What's your response-time expectation during and outside of tax season?
- Can you provide references from clients in my industry?
Stay compliant
Tax deadlines and Washington notes
Federal deadlines plus the state and local filings that catch most filers off guard.
WA Business & Occupation (B&O) tax filings to the Department of Revenue (frequency depends on revenue).
Seattle business license tax annual return; Seattle Payroll Expense Tax (JumpStart) for large employers.
Federal individual (1040) and C-corp (1120) returns; WA 7% capital gains tax return for long-term gains above $262K.
W-2s and 1099-NEC due to recipients and the IRS.
S-corp (1120-S) and partnership (1065) returns or 6-month extension.
Individual (1040) and C-corp (1120) returns; Q1 estimated taxes due.
Q2 estimated taxes due.
Q3 estimates; extended S-corp and partnership returns due.
Extended individual and C-corp returns due.
Informational only — not tax advice. Confirm current deadlines with your CPA or the relevant authority.
Browse by specialty
Top specialties in Seattle
Certified Public Accountants
Licensed Certified Public Accountants for tax, audit, advisory, and assurance services across the United States.
ExploreAmazon Seller Accountants
Accountants specialized in Amazon FBA sellers. Multi-state sales tax, inventory and COGS at SKU level, FBA fee reconciliation, and international marketplace expansion.
ExploreFractional CFO Services
Part-time CFOs for growing companies. Strategic finance, board reporting, fundraising support, cash forecasting, and KPI dashboards — without a full-time executive hire.
ExploreBookkeepers
Professional bookkeepers for startups, small businesses, and growing companies. Day-to-day books, reconciliations, and clean financial records.
ExploreNearby
Nearby cities to Seattle
Major metros our directory also serves.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about CPAs in Seattle
How much does a CPA cost in Seattle?
Seattle CPAs typically charge $250–$550/hour, $500–$1,800 for individual returns, and $1,800–$7,000+ for business returns. Tech and Amazon-seller specialists charge more for multi-state sales tax (Wayfair) and equity comp work.
What is the WA Business & Occupation (B&O) tax?
Washington has no income tax — instead, the B&O tax applies to gross receipts at rates that vary by activity (e.g., 0.471% retailing, 1.5% services). It is owed even when the business is unprofitable. Most Seattle CPAs handle B&O alongside the federal return.
Do Seattle residents owe state capital gains tax?
Washington's 7% capital gains tax applies to long-term gains above roughly $262K (2024, indexed) for individuals — mainly from stock sales. Real estate, retirement accounts, and primary residence gains are excluded. RSU vesting taxed as ordinary income is not subject to it, but post-vest stock sales can be.
What is the Seattle Payroll Expense Tax (JumpStart)?
Seattle taxes large employers (~$8.5M+ in Seattle payroll) on compensation paid to employees earning over $189K, at rates from 0.7% to 2.4%. Most small businesses are exempt, but employers approaching the threshold should plan with a Seattle CPA.
Compare your options
Hiring a verified Seattle CPA vs. DIY
| Factor | Verified Seattle CPA | DIY / generalist |
|---|---|---|
| Local tax knowledge | Seattle state + local filings | Federal only |
| Audit defense | Represents you to the IRS | You handle correspondence |
| Year-round planning | ||
| Typical fee | $200–$3,500 / engagement | $0 software + your hours |
| Specialty match | Industry-experienced | General-purpose |
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2026 CPA Pricing Guide
Real fee benchmarks for tax prep, bookkeeping, payroll, and advisory — by service and business type.
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