Setting up your business and individual Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) accounts is not only important, it makes your tax life a lot easier. If you run a business, you’ll need both business and personal...

As a small business or entrepreneur, having the right tools to run your day-to-day business is so important. That’s why we love using Xero at True North — it’s accounting software specifically for...

Cybersecurity is a big topic, and many small business owners might be surprised to know that your own people are your biggest security threat. Today’s hackers try to lure people into giving secure...

Mel McKay is a freelance ad writer, instructor at AUArts and the founder of Camp Hoo-Ha, a social and skill building club that now spans 12 cities in 3 provinces. The Hoo-Ha journey started in 2017...

Have grand plans for a start-up? Before you quit your job and throw all your energy into starting a business, you should establish a vision of where you want your business to go and how you’re going...

Tyler Chisholm is the CEO of clearmotive marketing, and is obsessed with helping businesses connect with their customers in more meaningful ways. I love picking his brain on how we can gain a better...

If you've received money from any of the government relief programs, expect to be asked to prove your eligibility. We outline what the government will ask you for, how to be prepared and what to do...

Since the COVID-19 outbreak hit in Alberta, we have had to quickly adjust, like so many businesses. We temporarily closed our offices and pivoted to phone calls and online meetings, webinars and...

As your small business guide, we’re here to help you navigate through this tough time. We have all been hugely affected by COVID-19 and for small business owners, there are many questions around the...

We work with a lot of small businesses run by couples who are familiar with the terrain of working and living together 24/7. As we settle into the new reality of self-isolation, most of us are now...

As we dive into tax season, we want to give you an update on what’s new and different this year. 

The biggest change this year is a new tax credit called the Climate Action Incentive. We've got the...

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

Just as a personal trainer helps you reach your fitness goals, a business coach can help you reach your business goals. A business coach will help you clarify your vision, set the right goals and...

As a small business owner, you may wonder if you should pay yourself a salary or dividends? When should you pay it? Is income splitting allowed? This is one of the most important financial and tax...

With the new year on the horizon, you’re probably thinking about setting your goals for the year ahead. Establishing a few key performance indicators (aka KPIs) will give you clarity into your...

For the holidays, we’ve got a roundup of our favourite business books for the business owner in your life. These are 22 books that I have relied during my journey in business. I highly recommend each...

Being an effective leader requires self-awareness. It also helps to recognize the behavioural tendancies and personalities of those you work with.

As the owner of a growing small business in Canada, there are just a few things you need to take care of on the legal side to ensure you keep yourself protected. Too often, small business owners...

Small business owners have especially complicated financial situations; you want to be sure your loved ones are taken care of if something were to happen to you. A bit of work with your CPA, lawyer,...

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...

We’ve all got back to school on our mind. Getting back to brainy endeavours isn’t just for the little ones - there are tons of opportunities for small business owners to level up their leadership,...

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...

Nobody wants to go into bankruptcy, but it happens. The good news is that bankruptcy may not be as bad as you think, and it can be an opportunity to reset and learn. Here’s a clear-eyed look at how...

If you’re a small business owner, you may have heard of ATBX, an accelerator program for businesses that want to grow. The free (!) program offers weekly workshops, mentorship, co-working space and a...

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...

This post comes from our Marketing Director, Erica O’Donnell, who has worked in the digital marketing world for nearly 15 years.

A friend was recently offered a contract position with an oil and gas company, but there was a catch: he needed to form a corporation and get a GST number before he could start working. If you work...

Money. Like it or not, we all need it to live and thrive in this world. Understanding the investments available to you, how markets work and the ins and outs of taxes is super important so that you...

Here are five apps that will make your business sturdier and more organized. There’s so much to track as a small business owner. Stacks of unorganized papers, making up numbers for your accountant,...

Remember when you first set up your home office? New desk, shelves, and filing system. Stationery and pens were all organized. Wasn’t it a nice place to be? Weren’t you excited to do some work?

Landlords, need a breakdown what to do come tax season? Find out exactly what you can write off and why you should expect to owe taxes. What happens when you sell a rental property or do major...

Accountants, lawyers, financial planners and insurance advisors all throw this term around: tax planning. But what exactly is Tax Planning? And how is it done?

With the RRSP deadline coming up this Friday, March 1, we wanted to bring in the perspective of an investment advisor to shed some light on the topic of investing and taxes. Megan Sutherland is an...

 As you get ready to prepare your 2018 taxes and think about the tax year ahead, here are the big changes to personal taxes. Many of them will keep more money in your pocket, so make sure you’re...

What does a financially fit business owner look like? They confidently take advantage of every write-off and have a tight paper trail. They've automated their instalment payments and save enough from...

At True North Accounting, we’re proud to provide accounting, bookkeeping and small business advisory services for small businesses in Calgary and Okotoks, Alberta. 

Last week I sent an email out to all our clients telling them January 15 is their last chance to make their 2018 CPP remittance. The maximum amount for 2018 is $5,187.60. I hope you got in while it...

The year is winding down. Although it’s a good time to look ahead, make resolutions and plot goals for the new year, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect on and celebrate the year you’re...

Did you know that beer is becoming one of the most appreciated holiday gifts? Beer is really an all-season beverage, but in my house it’s become one of my favourite Christmas traditions; this...