Ontario · the Inland Empire
Bookkeeping for Small Businesses in Ontario, CA
Ontario businesses and their books
Ontario is home to Ontario International Airport, a busy cargo airport with large operations from companies such as UPS, Amazon and FedEx. Shipping, trucking and warehousing are a big part of the local economy. Many Ontario owners also run shops, offices, contractors and service businesses.
Whatever you run, your books need the same thing: every dollar recorded, every account matched to the bank, and every month closed on time. Our address is 8939 Foothill Blvd, Ste 130, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, a short drive from Ontario. We work remotely by phone and email. You can reach us at (909) 324-8880 or info@909bookkeeping.com, 9am-6pm PST Mon-Fri.
How Ontario business licenses affect your books
The City of Ontario says you cannot do business in the city without a business license. That includes home based businesses. A license is tied to both an address and an activity, so each location and each type of activity needs its own license. If your business is based in another city but you work in Ontario, the city asks for an out of city license.
The city says to apply within 30 days of starting business, and late applications can bring penalties. The application is online, but some business types cannot finish everything online. A business in a shop or a home may also need a review by the city's Planning and Engineering teams. Stores that sell goods need a state seller's permit. If you use a business name that is not your legal name, you file a fictitious business name statement with the county.
You can find the city's fees, permits and licenses on the City of Ontario small business site. Renewal dates can differ by license, so check the city's site for your current due date.
We are not the city and we are not lawyers. Rules, costs and forms change, so always check with the city before you apply or renew.
A simple license tracker for Ontario owners
Because Ontario ties licenses to each location and activity, keep one line for each. Here is a tracker you can copy.
| What to keep | What to record | When |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario business license, one per location and activity | License number, the address, the activity, what you paid, and the renewal date | At the start and at every renewal |
| Out of city license, if you are based in another city | License number, the city, and what you paid | Every year you work in Ontario |
| State seller's permit, if you sell goods | Permit number and a copy | When you get it, and keep it current |
| Fictitious business name statement, if you use a different name | A copy and the filing date | When you file it |
| Planning or Engineering approvals, if the city asked for them | A copy of each approval | When the city approves |
Record each license cost on its own line, and note which location it covers. That way you can see what each location costs to run. Keep all copies in one folder, and put every renewal date on your calendar the day you get the license.
Free help for Ontario owners
There is free help close by.
- City of Ontario small business site: the city's fee, permit and license information. Visit the City of Ontario small business site.
- OC and Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC): free one on one business advising and workshops across San Bernardino County. Ask the SBDC about its Ontario office.
How we work with Ontario businesses
We do monthly bookkeeping and payroll. We work in QuickBooks Online and Xero, and we are QuickBooks Online Accountants (QBOA). You get one dedicated bookkeeper.
Each month, we categorize and reconcile in the first week. We send you one list of questions on day 8. We close your books by day 10 and send a profit and loss statement, a balance sheet and a cash summary. We use read only access and never ask for your bank password. There is no long contract. It is month to month, with 30 days notice to stop.
Questions people ask
- I am based in another city. Do I need an Ontario license to work there?
- The city says businesses based elsewhere that work in Ontario need an out of city license. Check the city's business license information to confirm what applies to you.
- How soon do I need to apply?
- The city says to apply within 30 days of starting business, and late applications can bring penalties. Check the city's website for the latest rules.
- Do I need a license for a home based business in Ontario?
- The city says the license rule covers home based businesses too. Some home based businesses also need a review by the city before approval.
- Will you file my license or name statement for me?
- No. We record what you paid in your books. You apply and renew with the city and the county.
Details checked in October 2026 from the City of Ontario's business license pages. Rules and dates change, so confirm with the city.