Small Business Accounting FAQs
Nothing is more important than the relationship between yourself and your accountant. You want to feel like you are being listened to and that they have your interests at heart. In the interview these questions might act as a guide for the conversation, but also trust your gut instinct to feel out whether there is a good match of personalities.
- What are your qualifications?
- What types of clients do you work with?
- What are your fees?
- What Technology Do You Use?
- How do you keep up with changes in your profession?
- What is your response time if I email, or call you?
- Why should I use your firm?
As your company grows, and there is more demand for your time during your working day, you may find you need the support of an accountant. For sure, you can do your own accounting for your small business, many owners do just that. But maybe business owners often say that they wish they made the decision earlier instead of leaving it to the last minute.
You should hire an accountant for your small business when you need help with the collection, analysis and reporting of financial information. Accountants can interpret your financial data in order to help you make better business decisions when it comes to your company’s money.
To find and hire the right small business accountant, consider these 5 steps;
- Identify your needs. The first step in hiring an accountant is identifying what level of financial help you need
- Do you need full-time or part-time accounting?
- Post a job, ask a friend, post in FB groups, and ask around your network circles
- Prepare interview questions for the first meeting
- Interview, sign, and onboard
Learn more choosing the right accountant
Many small businesses prefer to have an accountant or other certified tax preparer complete their Canadian income tax returns. Using an Accountant to prepare your income tax returns in Canada can help alleviate a lot of stress and time on the part of the business owner.
Part of running a successful business is knowing how Canadian income taxes are filed and prepared, which can help you get the best return. This includes understanding which business expenses qualify as legitimate Canadian income tax deductions
First step… don’t panic! If you have a diligent small business accountant on your side, you should have most things covered.
If you’ve been selected for an audit, the auditor will contact you to arrange for a convenient time for a meeting with you or your accountant.
Navigate to payments to CRA and follow the instructions by choosing whether you are a business, or filing as an individual.
How to pay your business taxes online
- Sign in to your financial institution’s online banking service for businesses.
- Under “Add a payee” look for an option such as:
- Federal – Corporation Tax Payments – TXINS
- Federal – GST/HST Payment – GST-P (GST-P)
- Federal Payroll Deductions – Regular/Quarterly – EMPTX – (PD7A)
- Federal Payroll Deductions – Threshold 1 – EMPTX – (PD7A)
- Federal Payroll Deductions – Threshold 2 – EMPTX – (PD7A)
- Federal – Canada emergency wage subsidy repayment
- Enter your 15-digit business number as your CRA account number.
Make sure the number is accurate so that the CRA can apply your payment correctly.
Generally, corporations have to pay their taxes in instalments. The balance of tax is paid two or three months after the end of the tax year depending on your balance-due day. Learn more about corporation payments.
We direct you to the Canada Revenue website which is a great resource for information on how to file your own taxes.
File your taxes online or by paper, or find other options to have someone else complete them for you:
- Certified tax software (electronic filing)
- Authorize a representative.
- Community volunteer tax clinic.
- Discounter (tax preparer)
- Paper tax return.
- Automated phone line (File my Return)