Accounting and Business Consulting Program
The Accounting and Business Consulting Program helps Seattle-based businesses and non-profits by offering up to 10 hours of personalized, one-on-one counseling in each of the various categories at no cost to the participant. This program gives small businesses expert advice to improve their finances, operations, and long-term growth. These services include, but are not limited to:
- Accounting system setup or migration
- Bookkeeping support
- Cash flow management
- Loan readiness
- Marketing plan assistance
- Tax preparation and compliance
- Website and search engine optimization
Accounting and Business Consulting Program Application
This form is required to participate in the ABC Program. We will review and approve the application before ABC services begin. The review and approval process takes up to five business days.
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Our consultants
Accounting and bookkeeping
After years of running small businesses in Seattle, Ellen Brown started Accounting for Taste to help business grow and thrive. They provide tools and strategies to help your business grow. Through the ABC Program, they provide services like improving accounting systems, setting up or migrating systems, connecting accounting systems with POS, and training on QuickBooks and other software.
Black Gallina Consulting believe small businesses are essential to strong communities and a healthy economy. They support business owners with accounting, operations, and strategic planning at every stage. They track revenue and expenses, ensure licenses and filings are done on time, and streamline operations so owners can focus on what they love about their business.
Languages spoken: English and conversational Spanish
J&A Consulting Ventures is a bilingual firm (Mandarin and English). For over 20 years, Joe Chang, CPA, has helped entrepreneurs, small businesses, and public companies set up and manage their accounting, as well as provide audit support. Through the ABC Program, J&A works with participants to improve their accounting and bookkeeping, align processes with industry standards, and offer support for budgeting, financial forecasting, and projections.
Languages spoken: English and Mandarin
Medzam Consulting is a bilingual firm (Spanish and English) that helps individuals and businesses, with a focus on supporting the Hispanic and Latino community. Medzam Consulting is committed to helping clients grow and succeed. They use their experience to provide services like startup development, business advice, tax preparation for individuals and businesses, accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, and financial reporting.
Languages spoken: English and Spanish
Salinas Tax and Accounting is a bilingual firm (Spanish and English) supporting small businesses, first-generation entrepreneurs, and immigrant-owned companies. This firm offers personalized services in bookkeeping, taxes, and business setup. Through the ABC Program, they help clients manage financial systems, IRS notices, and complex tax filings with a hands-on, accessible approach.
Languages spoken: English and Spanish
Alicia Radford, CPA, from Waywise Accounting, partners with nonprofit leaders to help them better use, understand, and share financial information. Through the ABC Program, she helps organizations with projects like setting up or improving accounting systems, creating policy and procedure manuals, building budgets, designing reports and dashboards, and training teams to use QuickBooks Online.
Business development
Donald Gregory Bye Hospitality Consulting helps food and beverage businesses improve operations, set clear goals, and provide better customer service. For over 20 years, Greg Bye has worked directly with small food and beverage businesses on the West Coast, offering hands-on support and practical solutions to boost productivity and streamline business practices.
Growing Contigo is a bilingual consulting firm (Spanish and English) that helps entrepreneurs and small business owners grow their business. They provide tools, resources, and support tailored to their clients’ needs, with a focus on BIPOC communities, especially Spanish-speaking and immigrant-owned businesses. Their team draws on shared experiences to offer personalized guidance and understands the challenges of language, location, and culture.
Languages spoken: English and Spanish
Launch Industries is a consulting firm helping purpose-driven leaders create successful, inclusive, and sustainable workplaces. Through the ABC Program, they support small businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations with services like capacity-building, business software tools, HR, organizational development, and help with RFPs, grants, and certifications.
Motley Brown Consulting helps business leaders with flexible, tailored advice. They work with entrepreneurs and executives to launch, grow, and improve their businesses. Through the ABC Program, they help small business owners build skills and reach their potential. Their goal is simple: to help you create a successful, sustainable business that can thrive in any market.
Loan support
EMBR Solutions is a consulting business run by a wife-and-husband team with over 35 years of experience in community development and lending. They specialize in partnerships, financial setup, contract negotiation, project management, and organizational planning, with a focus on underserved communities and climate initiatives. Through the ABC Program, they help small business owners with funding, debt management, credit education, and future planning.
Languages spoken: English and Spanish
Marketing and branding
CROWN Social is an award-winning digital marketing agency that helps businesses grow. They create custom marketing plans for all kinds of businesses, including solo entrepreneurs, non-profits, and small businesses that qualify for the ABC Program. They focus on supporting historically disadvantaged business owners and aim to help them grow in a sustainable and profitable way.
Languages spoken: English and Japanese
Kirsti Rochon is a graphic designer and marketing expert with over 20 years of experience. She works with entrepreneurs, small businesses, and well-known companies on print, branding, and web design. Through the ABC Program, KRD helps participants create a simple, unique logo or a brand guide with tips and styles to keep their logo consistent.
Languages spoken: English and conversational Spanish
Stew Hang from Surf Rider Media helps small businesses with digital marketing. He focuses on SEO, Google Ads, and AI automation. Surf Rider Media creates simple strategies that drive real results and help businesses grow. They work with local businesses and startups to boost online visibility and attract more customers. Through the ABC Program, they set up or improve Google Business Profiles, apply basic SEO, and provide tools to improve search rankings, online presence, and lead generation.
Timu Marketing Agency is a Seattle-based firm specializing in marketing strategy, branding, and digital solutions for startups, community organizations, and underrepresented founders. Focused on equity, they deliver culturally responsive marketing to help Black and Brown founders amplify their impact and achieve sustainable growth.
Vision 7 Advertising is a bilingual agency (Spanish and English) with over 30 years of experience in marketing, branding, and social media. They focus on helping underserved communities, including BIPOC-owned, women-owned, LGBTQIA+ businesses, and those in high-risk areas. Through the ABC Program, they provide services like brand strategy, digital marketing, social media analysis, eCommerce strategy, and market research.
Languages spoken: English and Spanish
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Accounting and Business Consulting Program?
The goal of the ABC Program is to empower small businesses and nonprofits to strengthen their operations, expand, pivot, and plan for sustainable growth. The ABC Program connects Seattle small businesses and nonprofits with trusted specialists who provide up to 40 hours of free, one-on-one advising across four core categories:
- Accounting and bookkeeping
- Business development and operations
- Loan readiness and financial planning
- Marketing and branding
Each business can receive up to 10 hours of consulting per category, funded by the our office.
2. Who can apply for the ABC Program?
- Seattle-based businesses and nonprofits must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be physically located within Seattle city limits
- Hold an active City of Seattle business license
- Have no more than two (2) locations
- Employ 50 or fewer full-time staff
- Generate annual gross revenue under $5 million
3. How long has the ABC Program been around?
The program launched in April 2022 to support Seattle’s pandemic recovery efforts and has evolved into an ongoing resource for small business resiliency, sustainability, and long-term growth.
4. Why is the ABC Program limited to Seattle-based businesses and nonprofits?
The program is funded by the City of Seattle to directly serve businesses and nonprofits within city limits. This ensures that City resources benefit the local economy and communities that contribute to Seattle’s tax base.
5. My business is located outside Seattle, and my city doesn’t offer a similar program. What can I do?
While the ABC Program serves only Seattle-based businesses and nonprofits, we encourage you to reach out to your local Chamber of Commerce, Business Improvement Area, or Small Business Development Center for available support in your area. We will also do our best to connect you with other resources available to support your business as well.
6. I have questions about my Seattle Business License or need support with my City B&O tax account. Who should I reach out to?
You’ll need an active City of Seattle business license to utilize ABC services. If you need support with registering for a Seattle business license, please contact the City of Seattle’s License and Tax Administration at:
- Schedule an in-person appointment at the Seattle Municipal Tower on Tuesdays or Wednesdays between 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM using the link: City of Seattle - License and Tax Administration
- Email: tax@seattle.gov
- Phone: (206) 684-8484
7. How are our community partners and BIAs connected to the ABC Program?
Our community partners, Business Improvement Areas, and ABC consultants often work together to coordinate resources, support, and reduce the duplication of services and deliverables. We provides oversight and guidance but allows partners to collaborate directly for faster, more effective support.
1. Why do I need to complete the online application form?
The application confirms eligibility and helps our team understand your business goals. This information allows us to match you with the best consultant who can support you in achieving these goals and provide the most relevant services for your business needs.
2. Can I save my progress on the application form?
You can save your application progress and finish it later. At the bottom of the second page, you'll find an option to save and receive a link by email to continue where you left off.
3. I am currently working with a community-based organization. Could they help me complete the application form?
You can share the application form link with someone who can help you complete it. Once you choose to save your progress, you’ll receive an email with a link that you can share. Important: Only one person can work on the application at a time. If the form is open in multiple windows, progress won’t be saved. Make sure to coordinate with your helper to avoid this issue.
4. I would like to receive ABC services with a specific consultant(s). Am I able to select that ABC consultant on the application form?
There is an option on the application form to select the ABC consultant(s) you wish to work with. Due to capacity and other programmatic considerations, we cannot guarantee placement with a specific ABC consultant; however, we will do our best to accommodate your preferences.
5. Why does the intake ask detailed or personal questions?
We ask for details about your business to provide a clearer picture of the support required and to match you with the best ABC consultant(s) for your needs. Demographic questions are optional (e.g., you may select “Decline to State” as your answer), but they help ensure our programs remain equitable, inclusive, and representative of Seattle’s diverse business community. Your submitted application will be shared with the ABC consultant(s) assigned to support you; all information and data collected is kept confidential.
6. What is the Washington Public Records Act, and how does it apply to the application form?
Personal information submitted on the application form is subject to the Washington Public Records Act. This means that anyone can request access to this information. If requested, this can include business names, contact information, address, and more. The City of Seattle commits to protecting your privacy and will ensure that any disclosures are made according to law. To learn more about how the City manages information, please see our Privacy Statement.
7. What happens after I submit my application form?
Once submitted, you will immediately receive an email confirmation from our office and an NDA signature request from AdobeSign.com. The NDA must be signed before our team can review your application for the program. Once the NDA has been signed, our team will review your submission within five (5) business days.
Once a decision has been made on your application, you will receive an email from us with your application status. If your application has been approved, we will send you an email connecting you to the ABC consultant(s) you will be working with. If your application has not been approved, we will follow up with additional resources and referrals to help support your business needs.
8. Why do I need to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)?
The NDA ensures that the business and financial information shared between you and the ABC consultant(s) remains confidential and protected. All ABC consultant(s) providing services under this program are required to hold additional liability coverages and follow strict confidentiality guidelines.
1. How much time should I expect to spend in the ABC Program?
Each business can receive up to 40 total consulting hours (10 hours per subject area). You’ll typically complete your sessions over two to three months, depending on your availability, deliverables, and business goals. ABC participants are encouraged to apply learning between sessions to get the most value from the program.
2. What if I’m not ready to participate right now?
No problem. We encourage you to connect with one of our community partners or BIAs for ongoing business assistance and apply for the ABC Program when you’re ready. If interested, please email ABCProgram@seattle.gov for our list of community partners and BIAs.
3. Can I receive more than 10 hours in one subject area?
Each business is eligible for up to 10 hours per subject area. If additional time is needed, your consultant can discuss options for direct paid services outside of the City-funded program.
4. What happens if I cannot make a consulting session?
We require you to provide at least 24-hours notice to the ABC consultant(s) if you are unable to attend a consulting session; otherwise, it will count as a no-show. If you receive more than two no-shows from any of the ABC consultant(s), you will be dropped from the program.
5. Is there a time limit on how long I have to use the ABC consulting hours?
You will have up to six months to use your allotted ABC hours. This six-month timeframe starts once your application has been approved. You will receive email notification reminders throughout the six-month timeframe during your participation in the ABC Program, or until ABC services are completed, whichever comes first.
1. When will I be sent the follow-up survey?
You will be sent a mandatory, follow-up survey for each consultant you work with at the eight-hour mark or when ABC services are completed, whichever comes first. If you are at the eight-hour mark, you will need to complete the follow-up survey before ABC services can resume.
You will also be sent an additional demographic survey asking about veteran status, disability status, etc., to better inform us of the types of businesses we are serving and how we can better support them. This is a randomized survey, and your responses will not be tied to your business profile or your submitted application form. While your participation is optional (e.g., you may select “Decline to State” as your answer), your responses will impact future programming to help ensure our programs remain accessible and representative of Seattle’s diverse business community.
2. Why do I have to complete the follow-up survey?
Your feedback helps us measure the program’s impact and make improvements. Survey results inform future technical assistance strategies and ensure that City investments meet community needs.
3. How does the new Airtable Customer Relationship Management system improve the program?
The Airtable CRM helps our office, ABC consultants, and community partners track referrals, monitor progress, and measure outcomes in real time. It also creates a shared space for collaboration – ensuring ABC participants receive coordinated, high-quality consulting services.
4. I want to collaborate with the ABC Program on a workshop or project. Who do I contact?
Please email ABCProgram@seattle.gov with your proposal or partnership idea. Our team welcomes collaborations that expand access to culturally relevant and inclusive business support.
5. I am interested in becoming an ABC Consultant. Who do I contact?
The Request for Proposal for the ABC Program will be released at the end of 2026. Please email ABCProgram@seattle.gov relaying your interest so we can add you to the notification list.
Our office is dedicated to creating an accessible and inclusive economy that works for everyone in Seattle by ensuring all communities have access to economic opportunities.
The City of Seattle encourages everyone to participate in its programs and activities. If you need help, translation, disability accommodations, or materials in a different format, contact our office at (206) 684-8090 or at ABCProgram@seattle.gov.