District of Columbia · DC
Find CPAs & accounting professionals in Washington DC
Washington DC accountants serve federal contractors, nonprofits, associations, and the law firms that anchor the capital's economy.
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Local hiring guide
Common CPA services in Washington DC
The work Washington DC 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 Washington DC
The local economy your Washington DC CPA should already know how to serve.
Federal contracting & GovCon (DCAA / FAR compliance)
Nonprofits, foundations & associations
Law firms, lobbying & professional services
Hospitality & restaurants
Real estate & development
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 Washington DC 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 District of Columbia notes
Federal deadlines plus the state and local filings that catch most filers off guard.
DC individual (D-40) and corporate franchise (D-20) returns; DC Unincorporated Business Franchise Tax (D-30) for partnerships and most LLCs with $12K+ in DC gross receipts.
DC personal property tax (FP-31) due to the Office of Tax and Revenue for businesses with tangible property in DC.
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.
Form 990 (and DC analog) due for calendar-year nonprofits — a recurring DC engagement given the city's nonprofit density.
Informational only — not tax advice. Confirm current deadlines with your CPA or the relevant authority.
Browse by specialty
Top specialties in Washington DC
Certified Public Accountants
Licensed Certified Public Accountants for tax, audit, advisory, and assurance services across the United States.
ExploreNonprofit Accountants
CPAs and accountants for 501(c)(3) organizations, foundations, and nonprofits. Form 990 preparation, fund accounting, grant compliance, and audit-ready financials.
ExploreSmall Business CPAs
Licensed CPAs specialized in small business taxes, S-Corp and LLC structuring, quarterly estimates, and year-round advisory for owner-operated companies.
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 Washington DC
Major metros our directory also serves.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about CPAs in Washington DC
How much does a CPA cost in Washington DC?
DC CPAs typically charge $275–$575/hour, $450–$1,800 for individual returns, and $1,800–$7,500+ for business returns. GovCon and nonprofit specialists charge a premium for DCAA-compliant indirect rate audits, A-133 / Uniform Guidance single audits, and Form 990 preparation.
What is the DC Unincorporated Business Franchise Tax (UBT)?
Most LLCs, partnerships, and sole proprietors with more than $12,000 in DC gross receipts owe the 8.25% UBT on net income — filed on Form D-30 with an $800 minimum. There's a 30% salary allowance for owner-operators that DC CPAs use to plan around the tax.
Do I need a DC-licensed CPA for nonprofit Form 990 work?
For federal Form 990 the CPA doesn't need a DC license, but DC charitable solicitation registration and the DC nonprofit corporate filings require local knowledge. Nonprofits over $750K in federal awards also need a Uniform Guidance single audit — performed by a CPA registered with the DC Board of Accountancy.
What's DCAA compliance and does my GovCon firm need it?
If you hold cost-reimbursable federal contracts, the Defense Contract Audit Agency reviews your accounting system, timekeeping, and indirect rates. DC GovCon CPAs implement DCAA-compliant systems (commonly Unanet, Deltek, or QuickBooks with overlays), develop provisional billing rates, and prepare the annual incurred-cost submission (ICE).