Hospitality
Restaurant bookkeeping in Seattle, from someone who's run one
Before Cold Coast, our founder ran a Ballard restaurant, A Caprice Kitchen. She's a CPA now, but a Friday rush, a blown food-cost month, and a surprise L&I bill aren't abstract to us. We keep the books for restaurants, bars, and cafés across Washington so owners can get back on the floor.
The numbers that make or break a month
Hospitality margins are thin, and the accounting is different from a typical small business.
- Food and beverage cost (COGS): compared against sales, so slipping margin shows up early
- Multiple revenue streams: dine-in, takeout, delivery apps, catering, events
- POS reconciliation: daily sales tied out to what actually hits the bank
Tips and payroll, handled
Tip pooling, tip reporting, and hourly payroll are where restaurants get into trouble. We handle tip allocation and run compliant payroll, including Washington PFML and L&I and Seattle's paid-sick-leave and minimum-wage rules. More on payroll services.
Opening a new spot?
We'll get you registered and set up to file Washington state and local excise taxes, and keep your books clean for a seamless handoff at tax time.
Tell us how your restaurant runs today. Get in touch.