Guest Blog: Hackney Accounting

I’m Amber Hackney (she/they), owner of Hackney Accounting PLLC and proud member of the GSBA. I am also a proudly queer, gender non-conforming woman, a native Seattleite, and an experienced CPA.

I opened my own small business, offering tax, accounting and bookkeeping services, after a grueling year of battling with a new chronic illness diagnosis. With over eight years of experience in tax and bookkeeping services, but facing the fact that I now needed more flexibility than most CPA firms could offer, the decision to strike out on my own felt daunting, but I knew the timing was right.

And something else happened: as I entered my first tax season as a queer business owner, the federal government began to attack and threaten the LGBTQ+ community, its allies, and anyone who chose to be open in their efforts to promote equity. In this climate, like many business owners, I faced a choice: should I continue to be out and proud about my identity and the community I serve, or begin to hide?

There is a safety in being in community that cannot be found in hiding.

For me, the choice was clear. I was raised by a massage therapist who owned her own practice, and who was constantly making connections with clients in underserved communities. I watched her build community by making herself accessible and making her services affordable for people who would not be served elsewhere. And I watched the outpouring of support, friendship, and safety that built around her small business as a result. I learned something important: there is a safety in being in community that cannot be found in hiding.

When I started my accounting practice, I knew that I wanted it to be different from other firms.

I founded my business on my values: accessibility, transparency, and community.

I made the decision to be out and proud, and to focus on serving those who are underserved in the world of tax and bookkeeping. I made the choice to trust in my community during a time of uncertainty.

For so many, accounting and bookkeeping services are inscrutable and out of reach. I knew that to serve my community, I needed to operate differently from other firms. I chose to focus on providing services that are often not provided by larger firms: tax preparation, planning, and bookkeeping for individuals, middle-income households, and small businesses.

Finances can be deeply personal, especially for those who feel threatened by parts of the federal government. When I work with clients from LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities, I want them to feel that their financial data is safe with me. I use the highest security software available, but more than that, I form a personal connection. I meet with my clients and tailor my approach to their needs, and I make myself accessible to answer questions, big and small. Some clients want a hands-off approach, and for others, the greatest service I can provide is explaining, in detail, how and why I do each step of the process.

These days, a question I get often from my tax clients is: how do I know that I’m doing it right? How do I ensure that my family or business is not in danger due to errors and mistakes? And despite the reputation that accounting is boring, I love having the chance to answer these questions. I am passionate and excited to explain what clients need to know to ensure that their financial systems and decisions are orderly, safe, and well-informed.

Throughout history, the LGBTQ+ community has thrived by relying on each other. We each have a role to play, and I am proud to bring my experience and strengths to the table. I am honored by the trust that each and every client has placed in me.

At Hackney Accounting, I offer up-front pricing and easy virtual services for those who need them, and I am still open for bookkeeping and tax accounting services in 2025. I have special expertise in working with:

• ✅ Service businesses, including law firms, bookkeepers, landscapers, graphic designers
• ✅ Self-employed healthcare professionals, such as therapists, massage practitioners, acupuncturists, and chiropractors
• ✅ Real estate rentals, including short-term AirBnb rentals
• ✅ Tattoo artists and other artists, including those who sell through an e-commerce service such as Etsy
• ✅ Individual and family taxpayers with investment or retirement income

You can find out more about my business and how we can work together at
hackneyaccounting.com.