Getting started
Consultation checklist
Gather the facts that make the first accounting conversation useful: your system, records, questions, and the date that matters.
Read guideAccounting resources
Accounting guides, without the guesswork.
Find a checklist, understand a financial report, or follow an official Washington business resource. Start with the question you have today.
Browse the guidesHow can we help?
Accounting resources
Find a guide for the work ahead.
Practical checklists, plain-language explanations, and official resources. Choose the question you are working through.
Checklists
Monthly bookkeeping checklist
Use a monthly bookkeeping checklist to gather statements, reconcile accounts, review open items, and prepare a useful owner review.
Read guideChecklists
Tax-preparation checklist
Prepare for a tax conversation with a clear record of the taxpayer, tax year, income documents, business records, notices, and missing information.
Read guideChecklists
Year-end checklist
Organize the year-end accounting handoff: completed books, supporting schedules, major changes, open questions, and clear filing responsibilities.
Read guideUnderstanding your numbers
Cash-flow review basics
Prepare a practical cash-flow review by separating available cash, expected collections, upcoming payments, assumptions, and the decision to be made.
Read guideUnderstanding your numbers
Understanding financial statements
Understand the different questions answered by a balance sheet, profit-and-loss report, and cash-flow statement before your next accounting review.
Read guideGetting organized
Changing accountants
Plan an accounting handoff with clear responsibilities, a record inventory, access arrangements, completed periods, and a list of unfinished work.
Read guideGetting organized
Starting a business
Prepare the accounting questions for a new business: structure, records, payment systems, registrations, responsibilities, and your first review.
Read guideGetting organized
Recordkeeping guide
Build a practical business recordkeeping system with clear folders, useful filenames, supporting documents, access controls, and a review routine.
Read guideChoosing the right help
Bookkeeping vs. tax preparation
Compare bookkeeping, tax preparation, and business advisory so you can identify the work needed and clarify responsibilities before an engagement.
Read guideUnderstanding your numbers
Accounting glossary
A plain-language accounting glossary for business owners, covering everyday bookkeeping terms, financial reports, cash, and engagement responsibilities.
Read guideOfficial resources
Washington business resources
Find official starting points for Washington business licensing, tax registration, state tax questions, Federal Way licensing, and federal tax records.
Read guide
Washington B&O tax
Washington's Business & Occupation tax is generally measured on gross business income. Classification, rate, deductions, credits, filing frequency, and exemptions depend on the activity and current law.
Washington DOR: B&O tax
Federal Way business licensing
The City of Federal Way states that businesses located in or conducting business within city limits need a city endorsement. Licensing and renewal are administered through Washington DOR.
City of Federal Way: business license
Registration and tax accounts
Washington DOR provides the current criteria for state tax registration, business licensing, endorsements, and account setup. Requirements depend on the business activity and filing obligations.
Washington DOR: tax registrationHow to use these sources
Turn a broad question into a verifiable checklist.
Begin by identifying the agency responsible for the requirement, the business activity involved, the filing period, and the effective date of the guidance. Save the source page or notice used, because rates, thresholds, forms, and instructions can change.
Then connect the requirement to the accounting records. Determine which revenue, expense, payroll, asset, customer, or location data supports the filing. Note who is responsible for gathering the information, reviewing it, submitting the filing, and retaining the supporting records.
When a requirement affects your books, send the question with the notice or statement attached, and we will map it to the records involved.
- SourceUse the responsible government agency rather than an undated summary.
- Effective dateConfirm that the rule, threshold, rate, and form apply to the period in question.
- Business factsMatch the requirement to the activity, location, entity, employees, and transactions involved.
- Supporting recordsIdentify the books, reports, statements, invoices, payroll records, or registrations that support the filing.
Recordkeeping
Keep the books useful, not merely complete.
Current books make it easier to see revenue, expenses, account balances, missing transactions, customer receipts, vendor payments, payroll activity, and the records needed when a filing or business decision comes due.
A monthly close should identify reconciled accounts, unresolved transactions, unusual balances, required corrections, and the date the reports were reviewed. That process creates a cleaner connection between day-to-day activity, tax filings, and owner decisions.
Open the checklist
Before you reach out
Prepare for an accounting consultation.
Use a concise checklist to organize the business, systems, records, deadline, and questions you want answered.
A short question is enough to start. Ask us how to share sensitive records before sending them.
- Office
- 29853 30th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003Office visits by appointment