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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 gNNEG1WGeNNq/bDkhFzXPw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-047094.txt : 20041004
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-047094.hdr.sgml : 20041004
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041004172715
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-047094
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041001
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041004
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041004

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			O BYRNE ROBERT
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001251102

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25890
		FILM NUMBER:		041063540

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 PARK AVE 10TH FL
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10166
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-922-6161

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2600 GRAND BLVD STE 650
		CITY:			KANAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64108-4600

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CENTURY BUSINESS SERVICES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000944148
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC [7389]
		IRS NUMBER:				222769024
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6050 OAK TREE BOULEVARD, SOUTH
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44131
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2164479000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6050 OAK TREE BOULEVARD, SOUTH
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44131

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE SERVICES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19961031
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bcl09797_bcl1rao.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000944148</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CENTURY BUSINESS SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CBIZ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001251102</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>O BYRNE ROBERT</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6050 OAK TREE BLVD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CLEVELAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44131</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>22.27</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.49</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>314302.59</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Purchased under CBIZ Stock Investment Plan by regular payroll deduction.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael W. Gleespen, Attorney-in-Fact for Robert A. O'Byrne</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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