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Washington · WA

Business Banking for Accountants in Washington

Free business checking with 1.75% APY, built-in accounting, and unlimited sub-accounts for accountants in Washington.

Starting an Accounting Business in Washington

State Tax Rate

0% (no state income tax, but 7% capital gains tax)

LLC Filing Fee

$200 (LLC)

Major Markets

Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver

Key Requirements in Washington

CPA license required through Washington Board of Accountancy
Must meet 150-credit-hour education requirement for CPA
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) required annually
Professional liability (E&O) insurance strongly recommended
Must comply with AICPA Code of Professional Conduct

Best Banks for Accountants in Washington

Compare Washington's top business banking options for accountants.

1

Holdings

$0/mo · 1.75% APY

Free business checking with built-in AI accounting, unlimited sub-accounts, and FDIC insurance up to $3M. Available nationwide including Washington.

Key Features

  • Free business checking
  • Built-in AI bookkeeping
  • Unlimited sub-accounts
  • 1.75% APY on all balances

Pros

  • No fees, no minimums
  • Accounting included free
  • FDIC insured up to $3M

Cons

  • No physical branches
  • No cash deposit
2

Washington Federal

Regional bank

Best for: accountants wanting a PNW-rooted bank

Pros

Pacific Northwest-focused, strong business banking

Cons

Monthly fees on some accounts

3

Banner Bank

Regional bank

Best for: accountants in eastern Washington

Pros

Washington-headquartered, extensive PNW branch network

Cons

Moderate digital features

4

HomeStreet Bank

Regional bank

Best for: accountants in the Seattle metro

Pros

Seattle-based, strong business and commercial lending

Cons

Primarily western Washington

Why Accountants in Washington Choose Holdings

Trust Account Separation

Client trust funds in dedicated sub-accounts. Clean separation for compliance and audits.

Billable Hour Revenue

Match incoming payments to clients automatically. Know your collection rate in real time.

Multi-Entity Management

Manage LLC, S-Corp, or partnership finances in one dashboard with full separation.

Audit-Ready Books

AI-categorized transactions + real-time P&L = always audit-ready. No year-end scramble.

Accountants Banking in Washington — FAQ

Do accountants in Washington need a CPA license?

Not all accountants need a CPA license, but to sign audit reports, offer attestation services, or call yourself a CPA in Washington, you must be licensed through the Washington Board of Accountancy. Bookkeepers and staff accountants can work without a CPA.

What business structure should accountants use in Washington?

Most accounting firms in Washington operate as a PLLC or PC (filing fee: $200). These structures provide liability protection while meeting Washington's professional licensing requirements. Solo practitioners often start as sole proprietors and upgrade to LLC as they grow.

What banking features matter for accountants in Washington?

Look for robust transaction tracking, easy invoicing for retainer and hourly billing, integration with accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero), and separate sub-accounts for tax season vs. advisory revenue. AI bookkeeping is a nice irony — even accountants benefit from automated categorization.

Do Washington accountants need a separate business bank account?

If you're operating as an LLC or PLLC in Washington, absolutely — commingling funds can pierce your liability protection. Even sole proprietors should separate business and personal finances for cleaner tax prep and a more professional client experience.

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Ready to open your account?

Holdings offers free banking with 1.75% APY for accountants in Washington. Open your account in minutes.

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