Question 1

Which clients do you serve?

Accepted Answer

I serve owner-operated small businesses across Canada.

Question 2

How do you define “small business”?

Accepted Answer

I define a “small business” as one with revenue between $500,000 and $10 million per year, or those with a headcount of between five and 50. These are approximate; they are not hard-and-fast rules.

Question 3

There are a number of accountants and bookkeepers offering their services in Canada. Why should I work with you?

Accepted Answer

Not only do I have an extensive background in accounting and finance as a Chartered Professional Accountant, but having worked in senior accounting roles in small and medium-sized businesses, I’ve touched HR, IT, organizational behaviour, strategy, business law, taxation, and financial operations. This experience gives me a more holistic understanding of how businesses work, and this informs how I approach my practice. I build accounting infrastructure that serves the needs of the whole business.

Question 4

There are a number of business advisors offering their services, as well. Why should I work with you?

Accepted Answer

If you were to hire me to provide ongoing accounting and finance services, I would be intimately familiar with the ins and outs of your business while still having an outside perspective. As such, I would be in the best position to provide advice and coaching.

Question 5

When should a business outsource accounting and finance work, and when should it bring that work in-house?

Accepted Answer

There are several factors to consider here:• Workload: Is there enough work to justify a full-time salary? Can you find someone willing to work part-time for this?• Management capacity: What is your comfort level with managing accounting and finance staff?• Maturity of the business: A young, growing company should focus on building its core competencies and outsource work that falls outside of them. Most small businesses will fall into the category of outsourcing, but with the right guidance in place,  yours could grow to the point where hiring in-house makes sense!

Question 6

What level of service can I expect from you?

Accepted Answer

You can expect me to treat our relationship like the the important one that it is. No ghosting, no waiting a week for a reply to your email. Because this is a one-person practice, you will always know who to talk to when you have a question.

Question 7

Do you charge hourly rates?

Accepted Answer

No. Instead, I charge fixed monthly fees for ongoing work, or a one-time fixed fee for one-time work. There are a couple of reasons why I don’t charge hourly rates. Firstly, charging a fixed fee gives you a predictable monthly cost that makes budgeting much easier. Second, I firmly believe that you are not paying me for my time, but rather for what I deliver, which is what you truly value.

Question 8

How do you prepare your proposals?

Accepted Answer

I start by having a discovery meeting with you to determine your needs. I will take that information and prepare a proposal that is customized to your particular situation. The proposal will contain several service level options that range from a more basic scope of work all the way to a full, “white glove service” scope.

Question 9

Do you replace my bookkeeper?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. More often, I design and supervise the system and either support your bookkeeper or handle the controller-level work directly.

Question 10

Do you work with my tax accountant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Clean books and clean closes make tax time easier for everybody involved and reduce surprises.

Question 11

What software do you support?

Accepted Answer

I primarily support Quickbooks Online and tools that streamline capture/approval/close. I have worked with clients who use Quickbooks Desktop, but if you use this software, I would strongly suggest converting to Quickbooks Online.

Question 12

Do you prepare income tax returns or provide income tax planning?

Accepted Answer

No, I do not provide these services myself, but I do have a network of income tax professionals to whom I regularly refer work. My role in the preparation of your business income tax return would be to provide your tax accountant with the documents and information they need to do their work.