CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT 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 4, 1997,  appearing  on page 29 of Barrett  Business  Services,  Inc.'s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.


/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
Price Waterhouse LLP



Portland, Oregon
April 2, 1997