Introduction

People search for an Accountant / CA in Seattle for one clear reason: the city’s financial life is complex. From tech and venture-backed startups to real estate investors, remote workers, and cross-state households, Seattle clients often need more than basic tax filing—they need planning, compliance, and clean books that stand up to scrutiny.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to compare Seattle accounting firms, what services you should expect, what hiring typically costs, and which providers are most likely to be a fit based on your situation (individual, small business, or enterprise).

To build this list, I prioritized reputable Seattle-area firms and offices with established public footprints, clear service offerings, and recognizable local presence. Review signals are referenced only when they are publicly verifiable; where they are not, I’ve marked them as “Not publicly stated.”


About Accountant / CA

An Accountant / CA helps individuals and businesses manage finances, stay compliant, and make better decisions with accurate reporting. In Seattle, that often includes tax preparation, multi-state tax concerns, entity structuring for startups, sales tax registration, and ongoing bookkeeping for growing companies.

You typically need an Accountant / CA when your tax situation becomes more complex (equity compensation, rental properties, K-1s, business ownership), when you’re trying to scale a business responsibly, or when you need help preparing for fundraising, lending, or an audit.

Average cost in Seattle varies depending on complexity and the provider’s seniority. Typical market pricing often falls into ranges like:

  • Basic individual return: Varies / depends (commonly a few hundred dollars and up)
  • Small business tax + bookkeeping support: Varies / depends (often monthly retainers)
  • Advisory, audit, or enterprise work: Varies / depends (often higher hourly or project-based)

Licensing/certifications: In Washington State, “CPA” (Certified Public Accountant) is the common regulated credential. “CA” (Chartered Accountant) is more common internationally; in Seattle it may appear in cross-border contexts, but U.S. licensure is typically CPA-based. If you need attest services (audit/review), verify the firm and signing professional are properly licensed.

Key takeaways

  • An Accountant / CA can cover taxes, bookkeeping, payroll support, and advisory.
  • The right fit depends on complexity (individual vs. small business vs. enterprise).
  • Pricing in Seattle varies widely; clarity and scope matter more than the lowest quote.
  • For regulated CPA services, confirm Washington State licensure and good standing.

How We Selected the Best Accountant / CA in Seattle

To keep this list useful for real hiring decisions, I used criteria that map to what clients typically care about:

  • Years of experience
  • Firm history and tenure signals (where publicly known)
  • Verified customer review signals (publicly available only)
  • Only included when confidently known; otherwise noted as not publicly stated
  • Service range
  • Individual tax, business tax, bookkeeping, advisory, audit/assurance, specialty support
  • Pricing transparency
  • Whether the firm provides scope-based engagement or clear intake/consultation process (when publicly known)
  • Local reputation
  • Recognizable presence in Seattle and ability to serve Washington-based clients

This guide relies on publicly available information where known (such as official websites and well-established firm identities). If a detail like a phone number, email address, or review summary isn’t clearly published, it’s marked accordingly rather than guessed.


About Seattle

Seattle is Washington’s largest city and a major economic hub for technology, healthcare, shipping, and professional services. The metro’s business density and high-income households create steady demand for accounting support—especially around multi-state income, stock compensation, real estate activity, and small business growth.

Accounting service demand is particularly strong among startups, remote/hybrid workers, independent professionals, and established companies managing compliance and reporting requirements.

Key neighborhoods served often include Downtown, Belltown, South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Ballard, Fremont, University District, West Seattle, Beacon Hill, and Rainier Valley. Coverage outside city limits (Eastside and beyond) varies by firm and is not publicly stated for all providers.


Top 5 Best Accountant / CA in Seattle

#1 — Moss Adams

  • Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”)
    Not publicly stated

  • Years of Experience
    Founded 1913 (firm history; Seattle office tenure not publicly stated)

  • Services Offered
    Tax services, assurance/audit, consulting/advisory, industry-focused accounting support (varies by engagement)

  • Price Range
    Varies / depends (typically mid-to-premium, scope-based)

  • Contact Phone
    Not publicly stated

  • Contact Email (if available)
    Not publicly stated

  • Website (if available)
    https://www.mossadams.com/

  • Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)

  • Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”)
    Not publicly stated

  • Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.)
    Premium, complex tax and advisory needs, established businesses scaling up


#2 — Deloitte

  • Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”)
    Not publicly stated

  • Years of Experience
    Founded 1845 (firm history; Seattle office tenure not publicly stated)

  • Services Offered
    Tax, audit & assurance, consulting, risk advisory, enterprise finance support (service availability varies by office and engagement)

  • Price Range
    Varies / depends (typically premium/enterprise)

  • Contact Phone
    Not publicly stated

  • Contact Email (if available)
    Not publicly stated

  • Website (if available)
    https://www2.deloitte.com/

  • Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)

  • Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”)
    Not publicly stated

  • Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.)
    Enterprise, complex compliance, and large-scale advisory projects


#3 — KPMG

  • Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”)
    Not publicly stated

  • Years of Experience
    Founded 1987 (global firm history; Seattle office tenure not publicly stated)

  • Services Offered
    Audit, tax, and advisory services for businesses and organizations (scope varies by engagement)

  • Price Range
    Varies / depends (typically premium/enterprise)

  • Contact Phone
    Not publicly stated

  • Contact Email (if available)
    Not publicly stated

  • Website (if available)
    https://kpmg.com/us/

  • Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)

  • Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”)
    Not publicly stated

  • Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.)
    Premium, audit and enterprise-level accounting needs


#4 — Peterson Sullivan, LLP

  • Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”)
    Not publicly stated

  • Years of Experience
    Not publicly stated

  • Services Offered
    Tax planning and preparation, accounting support, advisory/consulting for businesses and individuals (service scope varies)

  • Price Range
    Varies / depends (often scope-based; mid-to-premium)

  • Contact Phone
    Not publicly stated

  • Contact Email (if available)
    Not publicly stated

  • Website (if available)
    https://www.petersonsullivan.com/

  • Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)

  • Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”)
    Not publicly stated

  • Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.)
    Owner-managed businesses, ongoing tax planning, and advisory-style relationships


#5 — Bader Martin

  • Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”)
    Not publicly stated

  • Years of Experience
    Not publicly stated

  • Services Offered
    Tax services, accounting, advisory/consulting for businesses and individuals (service scope varies)

  • Price Range
    Varies / depends (mid-to-premium, engagement-based)

  • Contact Phone
    Not publicly stated

  • Contact Email (if available)
    Not publicly stated

  • Website (if available)
    Not publicly stated

  • Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)

  • Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”)
    Not publicly stated

  • Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.)
    Growth-minded businesses that want proactive tax and accounting support


Comparison Table

Professional Rating Experience Price Range Best For
Moss Adams Not publicly stated Founded 1913 Varies / depends Premium, complex tax and advisory
Deloitte Not publicly stated Founded 1845 Varies / depends Enterprise, large-scale compliance/advisory
KPMG Not publicly stated Founded 1987 Varies / depends Premium, audit and enterprise needs
Peterson Sullivan, LLP Not publicly stated Not publicly stated Varies / depends Owner-managed businesses, planning-focused work
Bader Martin Not publicly stated Not publicly stated Varies / depends Growing businesses seeking proactive support

Cost of Hiring a Accountant / CA in Seattle

Seattle pricing depends heavily on the type of work and how clean your records are before engagement. A simple W-2-only tax filing may be on the lower end of the market, while startups with payroll, contractors, sales tax, and multi-state activity typically require ongoing monthly support plus year-end filings.

In general, you’ll encounter pricing models such as hourly billing, fixed-fee tax returns, monthly retainers for bookkeeping/accounting, and project pricing for advisory work. If you need urgent help (for example, imminent filing deadlines, notices, or last-minute cleanup), some firms may charge rush fees or prioritize existing clients; availability varies.

What affects the cost

  • Complexity of returns (K-1s, rentals, multi-state income, foreign reporting)
  • Business entity type (sole prop vs. S-corp vs. partnership vs. C-corp)
  • Bookkeeping quality (clean books vs. months of backlog and reconciliations)
  • Frequency of service (annual tax-only vs. monthly close and advisory)
  • Required deliverables (financial statements, lender packages, audit support)
  • Seniority of the professional assigned (staff vs. manager vs. partner)

The most cost-effective approach in Seattle is usually: confirm scope early, provide organized documents, and choose a firm aligned with your complexity level rather than paying enterprise rates for basic needs.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does a Accountant / CA cost in Seattle?

Varies / depends. Seattle rates typically reflect complexity, the firm’s size, and whether you need one-time tax filing or ongoing support. Ask for a written scope and whether fees are fixed, hourly, or retainer-based.

How to choose the best Accountant / CA in Seattle?

Start with your use case (individual taxes, small business bookkeeping, advisory, audit). Then confirm credentials, experience with your industry, responsiveness, and how they handle planning—not just filing.

Are licenses required in Seattle?

For CPA services, yes—CPAs are licensed at the state level (Washington State). Not all accounting work requires a CPA license, but attest services (like audits) generally require appropriately licensed professionals.

What’s the difference between Accountant / CA and CPA in Seattle?

In the U.S., CPA is the primary regulated credential. “CA” is typically an international designation; some professionals may hold it, but Washington State CPA licensure is the local standard for regulated CPA services.

Do Seattle accountants handle multi-state taxes for remote workers?

Many do, but not all. If you worked in multiple states, confirm the provider’s experience with multi-state filings and how they handle apportionment, residency questions, and documentation.

Can an Accountant / CA help with IRS or state tax notices?

Often, yes. Ask whether they provide representation support, notice response, and what documentation they’ll need. Pricing is usually separate from standard tax prep.

Do I need monthly bookkeeping or just year-end tax filing?

If you run a business with frequent transactions, payroll, or sales tax, monthly bookkeeping is usually worth it for accurate reporting and fewer surprises at tax time. Tax-only can work for very simple operations with clean records.

Who offers 24/7 service in Seattle?

24/7 accounting service is not common. Some firms may respond after hours during deadlines or emergencies, but availability varies. If urgency matters, ask about response-time expectations and rush options.

What documents should I bring to a first meeting?

Typically: prior-year returns, income statements, payroll reports (if applicable), bank/credit card statements, investment forms, and any notices. Your accountant will confirm a final checklist based on your situation.

How far in advance should I book an Accountant / CA in Seattle?

For tax season, earlier is better—many firms fill calendars weeks or months ahead. For business bookkeeping or advisory, onboarding timelines vary; expect setup and cleanup time if records are behind.


Final Recommendation

If you want enterprise-grade support (audit, large-scale compliance, and complex advisory), start with Deloitte or KPMG—they’re typically best suited to larger organizations with bigger scopes and budgets.

If you want a strong mid-market option with a deep bench across tax, assurance, and advisory, Moss Adams is a practical first call—especially for established businesses and complex tax planning needs.

For owner-managed businesses and individuals who want ongoing planning and a relationship-driven approach, Peterson Sullivan, LLP and Bader Martin are worth shortlisting—then confirm fit based on your industry, timeline, and the specific partner/team you’ll work with.


Get Your Business Listed

If you’re a Accountant / CA in Seattle and want your business details added or updated, email contact@professnow.com. You can also registe & Update yourself at https://professnow.com/