Bookkeeping Services Seattle WA

CentsIQ provides bookkeeping services for small businesses in Seattle, WA — monthly bookkeeping, QuickBooks Online management, payroll support, catch-up bookkeeping, and fractional CFO services. Flat monthly pricing from $300–$800/month. Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors serving Seattle and King County. Call (425) 465-8239 or request a free quote online.

Professional bookkeeping for Seattle small businesses — monthly books, QuickBooks cleanup, payroll support, and fractional CFO services. Flat pricing from $300–$800/month. No hourly billing. No surprise invoices.

Seattle bookkeeping changed in 2026. The City raised its B&O tax threshold to $2 million and added a $2 million standard deduction, but businesses under that threshold still need to file a Seattle return. Washington also continues to apply state B&O tax to gross receipts, not net profit. That is why local bookkeeping matters here more than it does in many other states.

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Key Takeaways

Washington B&O tax applies to gross receipts, not net profit
Seattle’s 2026 B&O threshold is now $2 million, but under-threshold businesses still file
Most businesses doing business in Seattle need a Seattle business license tax certificate and must renew by Dec. 31
King County has 70,376 employer establishments and 193,904 nonemployer establishments
CentsIQ handles monthly bookkeeping, QuickBooks cleanup, catch-up work, payroll support, and fractional CFO services
Flat monthly pricing for most Seattle clients starts at $300–$800/month

Seattle Bookkeeping in 2026: What Small Businesses Need to Know

2026 fact	Why it matters
Washington state B&O tax is a gross receipts tax	Your tax can apply even when profit is low or negative
Seattle’s B&O threshold rose to $2 million on January 1, 2026	Many businesses will owe no Seattle B&O tax, but they still need to file
Seattle also added a $2 million standard deduction	The threshold and deduction are separate. That affects how tax is calculated
Seattle businesses usually need a business license tax certificate	Licenses must be renewed yearly, usually by Dec. 31
Out-of-city businesses with no Seattle location may be exempt if Seattle revenue is $4,000 or less in 2026	This exemption is narrow. Many businesses still need a Seattle license
Seattle 2026 quarterly B&O returns start with a due date of April 30, 2026	Good monthly books help you file clean returns on time

Seattle Small Business by the Numbers

Seattle and King County are not small markets. They have a large base of employers, solo operators, and growing firms. That is one reason clean monthly books matter here.

36.2M

U.S. small businesses

The SBA says the U.S. had 36.2 million small businesses in 2025.

70,376

King County employer establishments

The Census Bureau lists 70,376 employer establishments in King County for 2023.

193,904

King County nonemployer establishments

The same Census page lists 193,904 nonemployer establishments.

21,686

Seattle employer firms

Seattle itself had 21,686 employer firms in the latest Census reference year.

Why Local Bookkeeping Matters in Seattle

Seattle bookkeeping is not just data entry. Washington uses a gross-receipts B&O system, which means many businesses need to track tax exposure even in low-margin months. Seattle then layers on its own business license tax system, filing rules, and annual license renewals.

For 2026, Seattle’s rules changed in a way that many owners have not noticed yet. The city now uses a $2 million B&O threshold and a separate $2 million standard deduction. Businesses below the threshold can owe zero Seattle B&O tax, but they still must file a return. That is exactly the kind of detail that gets missed when bookkeeping is handled by someone outside Washington.

CentsIQ builds books around Seattle’s real filing environment. That includes monthly reconciliations, clean financial statements, and books that are ready for state and city tax reporting.

✓

Washington B&O Familiarity

Books are kept with gross-receipts tax rules in mind, not generic state assumptions.

✓

Seattle Filing Readiness

Books stay organized for city license renewals, Seattle filings, and state excise tax work.

✓

Flat Monthly Pricing

Most Seattle clients fall in the $300–$800/month range. No hourly surprises.

Our Bookkeeping Services in Seattle

Monthly Bookkeeping

Transaction categorization, bank reconciliation, and clean monthly financial statements. You get accurate profit and loss and balance sheet reports without chasing your books at month-end.

QuickBooks Setup & Cleanup

As QuickBooks ProAdvisors, we handle new setups, cleanup projects, and chart-of-accounts design that matches how your business actually runs.

Catch-Up Bookkeeping

Behind on your books? We handle backlog projects with a clear scope and fixed price before work starts.

Fractional CFO Services

Cash flow planning, budget versus actual reporting, KPI tracking, and decision support for owners who need more than bookkeeping.

Seattle Neighborhoods & King County Areas We Serve

CentsIQ works with small businesses across Seattle and King County. We also serve businesses nationwide through QuickBooks Online and secure document sharing.

Seattle

Bellevue

Kirkland

Redmond

Renton

Kent

Burien

Federal Way

Nationwide (Virtual)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do bookkeeping services cost in Seattle?

CentsIQ pricing starts at $300–$800/month for most Seattle clients. For market context, NerdWallet says bookkeeping typically costs around $300 per month, and flat-fee packages often run from around $200 to $700 and up.

Does CentsIQ handle Washington State B&O tax tracking?

Yes. Washington’s B&O tax is based on gross receipts, not net income. We keep your books organized with that rule in mind so reports stay filing-ready.

Do Seattle businesses still file if revenue is under $2 million?

Yes. Seattle says businesses under the $2 million threshold may owe no B&O tax, but they still must file a return and report revenue.

Do I need a Seattle business license tax certificate?

Usually, yes. The City says most businesses doing business in Seattle need one. Licenses renew yearly by Dec. 31.

How quickly can CentsIQ get my Seattle business set up?

Most new clients are onboarded within 5–7 business days. That includes the kickoff call, QuickBooks access review, chart of accounts setup, and the first reconciliation cycle.

Do I need to come into an office?

No. Everything can run through QuickBooks Online and secure file sharing. Local Seattle clients can meet in person when helpful, but remote service works just as well.