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    We want to give you as much value as possible. Our blogs and newsletters cover everything from T slips and tax deadlines, to tips on staying organized, and recommendations on great resources for small business owners.


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    4 ways estate planning protects your business and family

    As a small business owner, managing your finances can get complex. But one thing is clear — you want your loved ones to be taken care of if something were to happen to you. Working with a CPA, lawyer...

    Dec 01, 2024

    Smart giving: how to make your donations count

    ‘Tis the season for giving back! Alberta leads the way in generosity, and with Dec. 31 marking the last day of the tax year, it’s the perfect time to make sure your charitable donations go further...

    Dec 01, 2024

    Dividends vs. salary: What’s the best way to pay yourself?

    Deciding how to pay yourself as a small business owner is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. It’s not just about getting money into your hands — it’s about maximizing your tax...

    Dec 01, 2024

    Prepare now, save later: Year-end tax tips for your business

    December is a whirlwind — holidays, deadlines and a to-do list that never ends. But it’s also the perfect time to tackle year-end tax planning and set yourself up for savings this tax season. A...

    Dec 01, 2024

    Home office: How to get organized and claim small business expenses

    If you’re like many of us, you’ve been spending a lot of time in your home office lately. Whether your workspace is a cozy nook at your dining table or a dedicated area with a fancy standing desk,...

    Nov 14, 2024

    Cybersecurity: Protect your small business now

    Cybersecurity can feel like a huge, complex topic, but here’s something that might surprise you: your biggest security risk isn’t just the software you use — it’s your own team. Today’s hackers have...

    Oct 19, 2024

    Canadian payroll taxes made easy: A practical handbook for entrepreneurs

    Managing payroll as a small business owner can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this blog, we’ll break down the process so you can confidently approach it. Payroll ensures your team...

    Oct 07, 2024

    Legal checklist: What small business owners need to know

    As a business owner in Canada, there are a few key legal things to take care of to protect your small business (and yourself). We get it — sometimes it’s tempting to handle things yourself instead of...

    Oct 07, 2024

    How to prepare for divorce as a business owner

    No one walks into marriage thinking about divorce, and it's certainly not something you want to plan for when you're in love. But the reality is that roughly half of all marriages end in divorce....

    Sep 12, 2024

    Receipts and record keeping: What to keep and how to organize

    As a small business owner, you’re juggling a lot — building your business, keeping clients happy and staying on top of the numbers. Bookkeeping might not always be at the top of your list, but...

    Sep 12, 2024

    The ultimate write-off checklist for small business owners

    As a small business owner, you know that every dollar counts, and understanding what you can write off can make a real difference. The good news? Keeping track of your expenses not only saves you...

    Sep 12, 2024

    Small business, big benefits: Providing healthcare for your team

    As a small business owner, healthcare may be a big question mark for you. A traditional health insurance plan is too expensive. But your kid needs braces, and you have a couple of prescriptions. You...

    Sep 12, 2024

    CPP 2024: What you need to know about the Canada Pension Plan

    Big changes are coming to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) in 2024, and it's important for small business owners and entrepreneurs to stay informed. 

    Jul 30, 2024

    How to simplify your small business banking with True North Accounting

    Running a business is a full-time job, and managing monthly bank documents can often feel overwhelming. At True North Accounting, we understand the challenges of keeping your finances in order....

    Jul 30, 2024

    The brown envelope: How to handle CRA process letters

    Seeing a brown envelope with the little black Canadian flag can be nerve-wracking. Sometimes, it’s good news, like a cheque! Other times, you open it to find a letter full of confusing text.

    Jul 28, 2024

    15 courses for small business owners who want to grow

    Summer’s here, but maybe you’re thinking of going back to school. There are many opportunities for small business owners to level up their leadership, grow their businesses or learn new skills. Here...

    Jul 12, 2024

    Independent contractor or employee: Which should you hire?

    This is a guest post from Goodlawyer, a trusted partner of True North Accounting. Goodlawyer’s North Star is to get more people the legal help they need. Goodlawyer empowers clients and lawyers to...

    Jul 07, 2024

    Personal finance 101: How to create a budget for your lifestyle

    “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” 

    Jul 07, 2024

    Mid-year small business financial check-in

    We often hear from small business owners that they wish they heard from their accountants throughout the year. This year, we invite you to make a meeting with us for a mid-year small business...

    Jul 02, 2024

    How to minimize taxes when selling rental properties

    Listing a home in the spring or summer has several advantages: maximized curb appeal and ideal temperatures for moving. While this may be the peak market for selling rental properties, have you...

    Jun 11, 2024

    8 steps to financial planning for small business owners

    Small business owners often pour everything they have into their ventures — can you relate? From sweat on your brow to dipping into your bank account, you’re willing to do almost anything to make...

    Jun 11, 2024

    What’s the best way to organize receipts for small businesses?

    Step one: lose the shoebox. Kidding aside, there is a better way to organize expenses and receipts for your small business. We’ll show you how to simplify this task so you can take advantage of any...

    May 21, 2024

    Ask your accountant how to make next tax season better

    Tax season can feel like facing a mountain, but with some prep and strategies, you can make it much smoother and stress-free. Here are some key tips to help you prepare for a better tax season next...

    May 15, 2024

    How to maintain your corporate minute book

    What is a minute book?

    PARTNER: Use Ownr.co to track your minute books

    May 15, 2024

    11 smart ways to invest your tax refund

    If you’re a small business owner who’s just received a tax refund, you might see it as an unexpected bonus — a bit of extra cash that can be put to good use. Here are some ways you can invest that...

    May 15, 2024

    Why would a sole proprietor want to incorporate?

    When you start on your own as a freelance consultant, self-employed tradesperson or professional, sole proprietor is the default category. You may be wondering if it’s time to incorporate. You don’t...

    May 09, 2024

    What small businesses need to know about Budget 2024

    This new budget is a shocker. Business owners need to be informed about what’s changing with the 2024 federal budget and how it will impact their financial position.  

    Apr 21, 2024

    Get the most out of your corporate tax accountant

    We know that working with an accountant is an investment. We want our small business clients to get the most value possible from us. That means doing the obvious things: getting everyone’s taxes done...

    Apr 12, 2024

    How to pay business taxes in Canada

    Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to pay your federal and provincial corporate taxes, GST, payroll remittances and even your personal taxes — just skip to the part that is applicable to...

    Apr 11, 2024

    Do I really need to pay tax instalments?

    When you start your own business, you realize how great it was to have taxes magically lifted away from your paycheque. Now, rather than doing your taxes once a year, you’ll have to make tax...

    Apr 11, 2024

    Tax-savvy business owners: How to save big on taxes in 2024

    As small business owners, you know that every dollar counts. We want to help you minimize your taxes for the year by staying on top of the tax laws and using tax-saving strategies that will put more...

    Apr 07, 2024

    What's new in 2023 taxes?

    As you prepare your 2023 taxes and consider the tax year ahead, here are the significant changes to personal taxes. You’ll want to stay up to date as many of these will keep more money in your...

    Mar 16, 2024

    Bare trusts: what you need to know

    Canada’s trust reporting rules changed in 2023, meaning there’s more paperwork if you have a trust, including bare trusts. In this blog, we’ll cover: 

    Mar 16, 2024

    GST for dummies (GST 101)

    Good and services tax: consumers know they pay it, and business owners know they charge it, but do you know why? As the GST deadline approaches for many businesses, we wanted to share some GST 101:...

    Mar 12, 2024

    Don't procrastinate: why filing your taxes on time matters

    When it comes to doing taxes, does the early bird get the worm? The deadline to file your personal taxes in Canada for 2023 is April 30, 2024. For self-employed individuals, the filing deadline is...

    Feb 12, 2024

    How to manage small business debt and cash flow

    When you’re facing an insurmountable mountain of debt, it’s an awful and crippling feeling. As our economy struggles, many Albertans and small businesses helplessly watch their monthly debt levels...

    Jan 23, 2024

    CRA scams and how to spot them

    Is your phone ringing off the hook with fake calls from the “CRA”? Are you receiving Canadian Revenue Agency emails insisting you click on a link? Text messages promising a benefit payment or refund?...

    Jan 21, 2024

    How your accountant can help your Canadian healthcare business

    A healthy business starts with True North Accounting. And if you’re a self-employed health professional or run a healthcare company, you have a demanding career with many important decisions and...

    Nov 21, 2023

    How accountants can help maintain financial stability in mature companies

    As your small business evolves into a mature company, you’ll want to have your accountant by your side to ensure your financial ship sails smoothly. As a mature company, your priority will be...

    Oct 09, 2023

    Use automatic bank feeds with Xero to gain insights about your small business

    Xero is making it easier for Canada's small business owners and accounting and bookkeeping advisors to simplify their financial administration tasks. With Xero, Canadian small business clients can...

    Oct 06, 2023