Frequently Asked Questions

What makes working with you different from other accounting firms?

Two things: direct access and challenge-based advisory. All client work goes through me directly - no hand-offs to junior accountants. When you call, I answer. When you email, I respond.

And we don't offer one-size-fits-all solutions. When you bring us a specific financial issue, we assess it in context of your complete picture, diagnose the root cause, and help you implement best practices that prevent future problems. Strategic advisory, not transactional service.

How does the challenge-based advisory approach work in practice?

Instead of generic advice, we diagnose the specific issue. If you're concerned about cash flow, we determine whether it's timing, profitability, growth, or structure—then recommend solutions tailored to your situation. We handle all the standard accounting work efficiently, but where we really focus is helping you make decisions that drive your business towards the goals you've set.

Do you work with clients outside of Vancouver?

Absolutely. We serve clients across BC and throughout Canada through virtual accounting services. You get the same level of service whether you're across the street or across the province. The direct access and responsive service doesn't change based on geography.

What types of businesses do you work with?

We specialize in two core areas: small businesses needing comprehensive accounting and strategic tax planning, and not-for-profit organizations requiring specialized expertise in grant accounting, assurance engagements, and regulatory compliance. No two businesses are alike, so we tailor our approach to your unique needs.

How does your fee pricing work?

After an initial consultation, we provide a clear fee quote. You know exactly what you'll pay - no surprise bills, no anxiety about calling us with questions. Our transparent pricing covers ongoing access to me throughout the year, which matters because the best financial decisions happen in real-time, not just at year-end.

What's included in ongoing advisory services?

Year-round access to me for questions and strategic guidance, proactive tax planning, CRA correspondence support, financial statement preparation, and guidance on business decisions. But more importantly, you have someone who understands your complete financial picture and can help you make informed decisions when opportunities or challenges arise, not just someone who files your taxes once a year.

How quickly do you respond to questions?

Most emails are answered by phone within one business day, often much sooner. Because all work goes through me directly, you're not waiting for messages to be passed through layers of staff - you get direct access to someone who understands your complete financial picture.

Do you work with startups or only established businesses?

We work with businesses at various stages, though we're best suited for established small businesses and growing organizations that need strategic advisory support, not just basic bookkeeping. If you're making important decisions about business structure, tax optimization, or growth planning, we can help.

My books are a mess. Where do we start?

We start by understanding how you got here - often there's a root cause like growing too fast, wrong bookkeeper, or systems not set up properly. We'll get you current and compliant first, then focus on understanding why it happened and implementing systems that prevent it from happening again. That's the difference between fixing a problem and solving it.

What accounting software do you work with?

We work with most major cloud-based platforms, including QuickBooks Online and Xero. We can help you select the right software for your needs and provide training. Our goal is to set up systems that work for you, not force you into a specific platform.

Do you prepare personal tax returns as well as corporate returns?

Yes, and for small business owners this is strategically important. Personal and corporate tax planning are deeply connected - how you pay yourself, what structure you use, how you optimize for tax efficiency all requires looking at the complete picture, not treating your taxes as separate silos.

For Not-For-Profit Organizations

How do you work differently with not-for-profit organizations?

We focus on helping you improve processes, track expenses against initiatives, present information effectively to your board, and use financial information strategically to gain more funding. Yes, we handle compliance, but we're more interested in helping you use your financials as a tool for securing funding and demonstrating impact. We help small organizations navigate the unique regulatory landscape—different forms for charities versus not-for-profits, assurance requirements for grants, restricted fund tracking—so you can focus on mission impact, not administrative confusion.

What's the difference between an audit, review, and compilation—and which do we need?

Compilation is basic financial statement preparation with no assurance - sufficient for small organizations without grant funding. Review provides limited assurance and is what many grant applications require. Audit provides the highest level of assurance, often required for larger grants or government funding.

What matters more than definitions is helping you understand which level you actually need versus which level funders think they need. Sometimes we help organizations advocate for review-level when funders initially request audits, saving significant cost without compromising accountability.

How do you help with grant applications and reporting?

Beyond preparing the required financial statements, we set up systems to track restricted funds properly by grant or initiative, create reports demonstrating how funds were used, and present financial information in ways that strengthen your applications. Our goal is helping you use financial information strategically to secure more funding, not just meet minimum compliance. That means understanding what funders are actually looking for and presenting your financials to demonstrate both accountability and impact.

What reports should we provide to our board?

This varies by organization, but typically includes financial statements, budget versus actual comparisons, cash flow forecasts, restricted fund tracking, and key metrics. More important than what you provide is how you present it. We translate complex financial information into accessible presentations and can attend board meetings to present and answer questions. The goal is board members who understand the financial position and feel confident in their governance role.

For Small Business Owners

When should I incorporate my business?

The answer depends on your complete financial picture: current and projected revenue, how much you're paying yourself versus retaining, personal tax situation, liability concerns, and growth plans. I've seen business owners incorporate too early (creating unnecessary complexity and cost) and too late (missing tax optimization opportunities). We analyze your specific situation and help you understand when incorporation makes strategic sense for you, not just what the general rules say.

How can you help me improve my cash flow?

We start by understanding why your cash flow is constrained - the root causes vary widely even when symptoms look similar. Is it timing, profitability, growth, or structure issues? Once we diagnose the root cause, we recommend specific solutions tailored to your situation and help you implement practices that prevent future problems. This is strategic guidance based on your complete picture, not generic advice about "collecting receivables faster."

Can you help with CRA audits or inquiries?

Yes. We provide support during CRA audits and respond to correspondence on your behalf. Because we understand your complete financial picture and have direct relationships with our clients, we can respond quickly and effectively. We also help you understand what the CRA is asking for, why they're asking, and what your options are, reducing anxiety and helping you navigate the process confidently.

What's the best way to pay myself from my business?

The answer depends entirely on your situation: business structure, revenue and profitability, personal financial needs, tax situation, and business plans. There's no universal "best way." What we do is help you understand the tax implications of different approaches (salary versus dividends versus shareholder loan) and optimize as your situation evolves. This is ongoing strategic planning, not a one-time decision, because what makes sense at $100K doesn't necessarily make sense at $500K.

Getting Started

How do I get started working with you?

Start with a conversation. Reach out through our contact form, email, or phone, and we'll schedule an initial consultation. We'll discuss your situation, your challenges, and whether our challenge-based advisory approach is a good fit. There's no obligation - just an opportunity to explore whether we can help you move from confusion to clarity.

What should I prepare for the initial consultation?

Just come ready to talk about your situation: What challenges are you facing? What are your goals? What's working well, and what isn't? We'll ask clarifying questions to understand your complete picture. If you have recent financial statements or tax returns, those can be helpful context, but they're not required. We're more interested in understanding your challenges and goals than reviewing historical documents.