EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 9, 1996 appearing on page 22 of Barrett Business Services, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995. PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP Portland, Oregon July 8, 1996