Frequently Asked Questions

The Steadfast Operating Package is typically $800–$1,200/month for one operating entity with payroll. That is books closed by the 15th, payroll run, and Washington filings handled (DOR, L&I, PFML, WA Cares).

Tax returns are quoted separately. Cleanup is folded into the first 60 days of the monthly fee. The 30-minute consult includes a written quote before any work starts. No hidden fees, no surprise invoices.

If you need a $200 bookkeeper, we are not the fit. If you want a CPA who runs payroll and picks up the phone, this is the package.

Tri-Cities service businesses that already have people on payroll: med spas, gyms, shops, recruiting and staffing firms. If you have W-2 employees (or should), and Washington filings are part of the job, this is built for you.

It is not a fit for tax-only side hustles, personal 1040s, or someone shopping for the cheapest bookkeeper in town.

We're based in the Tri-Cities (Pasco/Kennewick/Richland) and that's where most of our clients are. We do work with businesses across WA State since the tax landscape is the same. For out-of-state clients, we'll talk, but we may refer you to someone local to you if it's a better fit.

Yes, and you're not the first one in this situation. We do catch-up bookkeeping as a specialty. Whether you're 3 months or 3 years behind, we'll get your books cleaned up, filed, and current. Then we make sure they stay that way.

This is actually one of our most common engagements. Bring us whatever you have: a shoebox, a broken QuickBooks file, or a half-finished spreadsheet. We've seen worse.

QuickBooks Online is our primary platform, and we're ProAdvisor certified. For payroll, we use QuickBooks Payroll or Gusto depending on your needs. For tax prep, we use professional-grade software (Drake/Lacerte).

If you're already on different software, we can usually work with it or help you migrate. We do not force you onto a platform that doesn't fit your business.

Yes. Same-day callback guarantee for all clients. Leave a message or send a text, and you'll hear back the same business day. No call centers, no being passed off to an assistant who doesn't know your situation.

If your current accountant takes 3+ days to respond (or doesn't respond at all), that's exactly the problem we built Steadfast to solve.

Maybe. It depends on your profit level, salary needs, and long-term plans. The general rule of thumb: once your business profit exceeds $50,000-60,000/year, S-Corp election often saves enough in self-employment tax to justify the added payroll cost.

Don't guess, though. use our calculator to see the exact numbers, then bring the results to a consultation and we'll validate them with your real situation.

Work with us for 90 days. If your books aren't clean, your payroll isn't flawless, and you don't feel genuinely more in control of your finances, we'll work for free until they are. No contracts to escape. No fine print.

We can offer this because in years of doing this, we've never had to. But you shouldn't have to be the one taking the risk.

It's easier than you think. Here's the process:

1. Free consultation: we review where you are and what's needed.
2. You give notice to your current accountant (we'll help you with the language).
3. They send us your prior-year returns and records.
4. We take it from there: books, payroll, filings, everything.

Most transitions take 1-2 weeks. We've done it many times and know how to make it smooth.

Absolutely. We handle back taxes, unfiled returns, and IRS/State correspondence. The sooner you address it, the less it costs in penalties and interest. Ignoring a tax problem has never made it smaller.

Everything you tell us is confidential. We're not here to judge. We're here to fix it.