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Essential Accounting Support

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Category Archives: Bookkeeping

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Woman using a calculator and reviewing financial documents at her desk, representing bookkeeping and accounting support services

What’s the Difference Between Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Accounting Support?

Essential Accounting Support Posted on July 6, 2026 by Christie HammondJuly 6, 2026

If you have ever searched for help with your business finances, you have probably seen the words bookkeeping, accounting, and accounting support used almost interchangeably. They are related, but they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference can help … Continue reading →

Posted in Accounting, Bookkeeping, Business Basics
monthly bookkeeping checklist with red checkmarks and a pen on top of the paper.

Monthly Bookkeeping Checklist for Small Business Owners

Essential Accounting Support Posted on June 26, 2026 by Christie HammondJune 28, 2026

“I’ll deal with this later,” is a pretty common way small business owners approach bookkeeping. It’s daunting. So I made you a checklist you can use to help you get started and cover the basics without burning yourself out. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Bookkeeping, Business Basics | Tagged Bookkeeping Basics, Small Business Operations
Woman wearing white sitting at desk in front of a computer holding her head looking stressed from being behind on bookkeeping.

Behind on Bookkeeping? Here’s What to Do Next

Essential Accounting Support Posted on June 17, 2026 by Christie HammondJune 17, 2026

If you’ve opened QuickBooks recently and immediately closed it because it felt like too much, I get it. Most business owners I work with in Bellevue didn’t start their business because they love bookkeeping. But this is the part that … Continue reading →

Posted in Bookkeeping | Tagged Bookkeeping Basics
Small business owner working on bookkeeping using QuickBooks AI features.

QuickBooks AI Features: What to Know Before You Turn Them On

Essential Accounting Support Posted on April 1, 2026 by Christie HammondApril 1, 2026

QuickBooks AI features are built into QuickBooks Online to help automate tasks like categorizing transactions, sending invoices, and answering questions about your business finances. These tools, powered by Intuit Intelligence and Intuit Assist, can save time and improve visibility, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Accounting, Administration, Bookkeeping | Tagged AI in Bookkeeping, Bookkeeping Basics, Small Business Operations
Small business owners reviewing documents for Washington PFML

Washington PFML Compliance Changes: What Small Businesses Should Do Now

Essential Accounting Support Posted on March 10, 2026 by Christie HammondMarch 12, 2026

What is Washington PFML compliance? In a recent post, I explained the upcoming changes to Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) job protection rules that take effect in 2026. Those changes expand job protection to more employers, including many … Continue reading →

Posted in Administration, Bookkeeping, Hot Tips | Tagged Bellevue small business bookkeeping, Paid Family and Medical Leave Washington, PFML for employers, Washington PFML, Washington PFML compliance
Parents holding their newborn baby at home, representing how Washington PFML changes in 2026 may impact small business owners and families.

Washington Family Leave (PFML) & Job Protection Changes: What You Need to Know

Essential Accounting Support Posted on February 2, 2026 by Christie HammondMarch 13, 2026

If you run a small business in Bellevue or anywhere on the Eastside, get ready for a significant change coming in 2026. Starting January 1st, Washington State is expanding the job protection rules under Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML), and for the first time, these rules are going to hit a lot of smaller employers.

Continue reading →
Posted in Accounting, Administration, Bookkeeping, Business Basics
Small business owner working in Quickbooks Online to reconcile payments from third-party payment processors.

Using Third-Party Payment Systems with QuickBooks Online: What Small Business Owners Need to Know

Essential Accounting Support Posted on January 6, 2026 by Christie HammondJanuary 6, 2026

If you run a small business in the Bellevue area, there’s a good chance you’re using one or more third-party payment systems like Square, Stripe, or PayPal—and that they connect to QuickBooks Online. Those integrations are helpful, but they don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Bookkeeping, Tax | Tagged Bookkeeping Basics, Small Business Operations, Tax Preparation
Volunteers holding a red heart together, symbolizing charitable giving for Bellevue small businesses donating goods vs cash.

Donating Goods vs. Cash: How Bellevue Small Businesses Can Make a Bigger Impact in 2025

Essential Accounting Support Posted on December 4, 2025 by Christie HammondDecember 4, 2025

If you’re running a small business in Bellevue, chances are you give back in one way or another—maybe it’s food drives, clothing donations, or a percentage of your profits during the holidays. And over the past year, with food prices … Continue reading →

Posted in Accounting, Bookkeeping | Tagged Holidays, Small Business Operations
light blue background with blue piggy bank next to a calculator and stethoscope

Solo Business? Here’s How You Can Still Benefit from 2025 HSA and FSA Updates

Essential Accounting Support Posted on November 3, 2025 by Christie HammondNovember 3, 2025

HSA and FSA 2025 updates have been announced. If you’re self-employed or running a small business in Bellevue, you know how important it is to make every dollar count. Between rising healthcare costs and unpredictable expenses, anything that helps you … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Basics, Hot Tips | Tagged FSA, HSA, Small Business Operations
Two small business owners reviewing documents

Washington’s New Service Tax: What Small Businesses Should Know

Essential Accounting Support Posted on October 8, 2025 by Christie HammondNovember 3, 2025

Washington’s service tax applies to all companies doing business in the state. What’s new is that starting October 1, 2025, the state will tax some advertising services as retail sales. The new law, ESSB 5814, means that if you sell … Continue reading →

Posted in Bookkeeping, Tax, Uncategorized | Tagged Bookkeeping Basics, Small Business Operations, Taxes

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