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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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    Posts by Matt Peterson

    The federal home retrofit program and Alberta small business

    Have you heard about the new federal home retrofit program for Canadians? If you’re a home business owner planning to do some renovations in the foreseeable future, read on. Even if you’re just an...

    Jun 21, 2021

    How to apply for a small business loan in Canada

    If you own a small business, you know that it can be challenging to get everything you’ll need to start, or continue, through an unsteady economy. For that reason, learning the ins and outs of small...

    Jun 06, 2021

    Small business ideas: Q&A with Covet Sips & Sweets

    Meagan Layton and Whitney Smith are the co-owners of Covet Sips & Sweets — a cookie and specialty drink drive-thru (coming soon!) that has evolved from their original Covet Cookies concept. The pair...

    May 25, 2021

    8 steps to financial planning for small business owners

    Small business owners are often guilty of pouring everything they have into their ventures — can you relate? From the sweat of your brow to dipping into your personal bank account, you’re willing to...

    May 10, 2021

    6 common bookkeeping mistakes made by small business owners

    As a small business owner, mistakes happen – that’s life. We’re here to help you understand why they happen and how you can avoid the common ones, at least when it comes to bookkeeping.

    Apr 20, 2021

    Small business bookkeeper vs accountant: what do I need?

    A bookkeeper, an accountant and a CPA walk into a bar — wait, what’s the difference? The terms “CPA,” “accountant” and “bookkeeper” are often used interchangeably and often all three are just...

    Apr 06, 2021

    2020 personal tax changes in Canada

    Wondering what's new with your 2020 personal taxes? From T slips to working from home, we’ll walk you through some changes you should know about this year. We’ll also cover various deductions: how to...

    Mar 24, 2021

    CRA scams and how to avoid them

    Ah, tax season. The most wonderful season of all — at least for us accountants, anyway. For the average person, it’s a frustrating time of sifting through expenses, forms, and to make things worse,...

    Mar 02, 2021

    Your home office: how to get organized and claim small business expenses

    If you’re like most of us, you’ve been spending a lot of time in your home office lately. Whether you have a makeshift setup at your dining table or dedicated space with a fancy standing desk, there...

    Jan 17, 2021

    Does your company need an advisory board?

    Here’s what I learned from creating one for my business. 

    Jan 08, 2021

    Real-time bookkeeping made easy: Xero’s new starter plan

    We’ve always been fans of Xero’s accounting software. On November 9, they’re launching a new starter plan that’s tailor-made for consultants, freelancers and small businesses. At just $15 CAD/month,...

    Nov 05, 2020

    COVID-19 info for small business owners

    We have outlined the different programs offered by the government to help you understand what initiatives apply to you. Our goal is to explain everything in plain language, so you can find the...
    Oct 20, 2020

    Getting through a CRA audit

    Nobody likes the idea of an audit — we’re here to demystify the process for you. This post will shed light on why you might get audited, what will happen if you’re audited and, if the CRA decides you...

    Oct 20, 2020

    B-Corps & building a purpose-driven business: On Tap with Jay Baydala

    This is an excerpt of our On Tap interview with Jay Baydala on September 24, 2020. Questions and responses have been edited for length and clarity. Thank you to Village Brewery for being this month’s...

    Oct 04, 2020

    How to register for CRA My Business Account and My Account

    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...

    Sep 13, 2020

    Cybersecurity tips to protect your small business

    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...

    Jul 27, 2020

    10 questions with Mel McKay: how to build community

    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...

    Jul 10, 2020

    Why you need a business plan and how to write one

    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...

    Jun 08, 2020

    On Tap with Tyler Chisholm: Calgary's new business landscape

    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...

    May 31, 2020

    Received your COVID-19 relief money? What now?

    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...

    May 11, 2020

    Tools to take your business remote (like we did)

    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...

    Apr 19, 2020

    FAQ about COVID-19 government support for small businesses

    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...

    Apr 14, 2020

    5 tips for working at home with your partner

    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...

    Mar 19, 2020

    How to file your taxes online with True North

    We are in uncharted waters with the Covid-19 outbreak. Nothing is more unnerving to small business owners than uncertainty, and there's a lot of it right now. We have big news and lots of important...

    Mar 16, 2020

    2019 personal tax year update

    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...

    Mar 03, 2020

    Healthcare benefits for small businesses

    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...

    Feb 07, 2020

    Do I need a business coach?

    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...

    Jan 28, 2020

    Six KPIs for 2020

    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...

    Dec 23, 2019

    22 books for the business owner in your life

    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...

    Dec 03, 2019

    6 self-awareness tests for small business owners

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

    Nov 14, 2019

    The legal needs of every small business

    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...

    Nov 07, 2019

    Estate planning: 4 reasons every small business owner needs to do it

    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,...

    Oct 14, 2019

    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...

    Sep 26, 2019

    12 entrepreneur courses / schools

    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,...

    Sep 06, 2019

    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...

    Aug 29, 2019

    Bankruptcy: how to get in and how to get out

    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...

    Aug 11, 2019

    An inside look at ATBX with Empowerment Inc’s Shelley Hayes

    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...

    Jul 08, 2019

    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...

    Jun 20, 2019

    Big marketing tips for small businesses

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

    Jun 05, 2019

    What is a personal services business?

    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...

    May 26, 2019
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