What is Upper Left Accounting?
Upper Left Accounting is a Pacific Northwest regional accounting firm specializing in construction accounting for companies and builders operating in Washington state. Their positioning as "Trusted Construction Accounting Experts in Washington" signals a localized, niche focus rather than a broad finance office serving multiple industries and geographies.
Who It's For
Upper Left Accounting serves construction companies, builders, and contractors in the Washington state area. Their ideal client is a regional construction business that needs bookkeeping and accounting support tailored to the specific financial reporting requirements of the construction industry—job costing, work-in-progress (WIP) reporting, and contractor-specific financial statements.
The firm is not designed for companies outside the Pacific Northwest or for businesses seeking broader CFO-level strategic finance. Their specialization in construction accounting limits their relevance to companies in that specific vertical and geography.
Services Offered
Upper Left Accounting offers construction accounting and bookkeeping services, with a focus on job costing and work-in-progress (WIP) reporting—two areas critical to construction company financial management but unfamiliar to general accountants. These services are core to how construction companies track project profitability and manage cash flow across multiple concurrent projects.
Beyond basic bookkeeping, their service catalog includes contractor-specific financial reporting, which reflects the unique reporting requirements construction companies face (percentage-of-completion accounting, for example). However, CFO-level strategic services and FP&A are not indicated in their positioning.
Pricing & Plans
Upper Left Accounting does not publish pricing on their website. As a regional boutique firm, their rates are likely competitive with other Pacific Northwest construction accountants but not publicly available for comparison shopping.
Prospective clients outside the construction industry or those needing strategic finance beyond bookkeeping and basic financial statements should look elsewhere. For Washington state construction companies specifically, a consultation would be needed to assess scope and pricing.
Key Strengths
Construction industry specialization is Upper Left Accounting's primary differentiator. Job costing, WIP reporting, and percentage-of-completion accounting are domain-specific skills that general accountants do not have by default. For construction companies, this specialization matters.
Their Pacific Northwest focus means they understand Washington state licensing requirements, local tax considerations, and regional market conditions that might affect a contractor's financial performance.
As a boutique regional firm, clients may receive more direct and personalized attention than they would from a larger national firm where they might be a small account.
Common Criticisms
Geographic limitation is the most obvious constraint: Upper Left Accounting serves Washington state. Companies with multi-state operations or headquarters outside the Pacific Northwest will find a regional construction accountant impractical for their needs.
The breadth of services appears limited to accounting and bookkeeping. No CFO-level strategic services, FP&A, or treasury management are indicated—which means companies needing a complete finance function must supplement with additional providers.
Small regional firms often lack the technology stack and integrations that growing businesses require. If a construction company is scaling quickly and needs automated financial reporting, a boutique regional firm may not have the infrastructure to support that.
How It Compares to Eagle Rock CFO
Upper Left Accounting is a specialized bookkeeping and accounting firm for a specific vertical and geography. Eagle Rock CFO is a complete outsourced finance office serving established businesses across industries. The comparison only makes sense for Washington state construction companies—and even then, Eagle Rock CFO's broader finance office model offers a more complete set of services through our outsourced accounting services, controller services, and treasury management."
For construction companies seeking accounting support, UpDowning's niche expertise serves that specific need. But for companies that need CFO-level strategic finance, board reporting, capital strategy, and a complete finance function alongside their accounting, Eagle Rock CFO's integrated team is more comprehensive through our outsourced accounting services, controller services, and treasury management."
Eagle Rock CFO's experience across multiple industries and business models means clients get a finance partner with breadth, not just depth in one vertical. For construction companies with growth ambitions beyond Washington state, that breadth matters.
Key Takeaways
- •Upper Left Accounting is a Pacific Northwest construction accounting firm serving Washington state contractors
- •Specializes in job costing and work-in-progress (WIP) reporting—critical for construction company financial management
- •Does not appear to offer CFO-level strategic services, FP&A, or treasury management
- •Geographic limitation: focused exclusively on Washington state construction companies
- •Pricing not publicly disclosed; requires consultation for scope and rates
- •Best suited for regional construction businesses that need specialized bookkeeping, not a complete finance function
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Upper Left Accounting located?
Upper Left Accounting serves construction companies in Washington state. Their specific office location was not disclosed on their website, but the firm is regional to the Pacific Northwest.
What types of construction companies does Upper Left Accounting work with?
Upper Left Accounting works with construction companies and builders operating in the Washington state area. They specialize in the financial reporting and accounting requirements specific to contractors and construction firms.
What is WIP reporting and why does it matter for construction companies?
WIP (Work-in-Progress) reporting tracks the financial status of ongoing construction projects—the costs incurred versus revenue recognized. Construction companies use WIP to manage project profitability and cash flow across multiple concurrent jobs.
Does Upper Left Accounting offer CFO services?
Upper Left Accounting appears to focus on bookkeeping and construction accounting. CFO-level strategic services, FP&A, and broader financial advisory are not indicated in their service catalog.
Can Upper Left Accounting support multi-state construction operations?
Their geographic focus on Washington state makes them poorly suited for companies with multi-state operations. A national or regional firm with broader geographic coverage would be more appropriate for construction companies operating across state lines.
How does Upper Left Accounting's pricing compare?
Upper Left Accounting does not publish pricing. As a regional boutique firm, their rates are not publicly comparable—prospective clients need to request a consultation for a custom quote.
What construction accounting expertise do they offer?
Their specialization in construction accounting includes job costing, WIP reporting, and contractor-specific financial reporting. These are domain-specific skills that general accountants typically lack.
Is Upper Left Accounting suitable for non-construction businesses?
No. Upper Left Accounting is explicitly positioned for construction companies in Washington state. Non-construction businesses and companies outside the Pacific Northwest would not be a good fit.
See our outsourced controller services and accounting services for what that includes.
Ready to find your finance partner?
Eagle Rock CFO offers a complete outsourced finance office for growing businesses—accounting, controller, treasury, and CFO/FP&A under one roof. If you want a dedicated team that treats your finance function as a strategic asset, let's talk.