Do I Need a Bookkeeper?
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you find the right bookkeeper
Question 1 of 3
What type of business do you have?
Types of Bookkeeping Services
🏪Small Business BookkeepingDay-to-day books, invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking💰Payroll ServicesEmployee payroll, T4s, ROE, CRA remittances, direct deposit📋Tax PreparationT1 personal, T2 corporate, HST/GST filing, year-end prep💻QuickBooks & Xero SpecialistsQBO setup, Xero migration, cloud accounting, training📊Accounts Payable/ReceivableAP/AR management, collections, vendor payments, aging reports🚀Startup & New BusinessBusiness setup, chart of accounts, CRA registration, first-year books🛒E-Commerce BookkeepingShopify, Amazon, multi-currency, inventory accounting🤝Nonprofit & CharityFund accounting, donation tracking, T3010 filings, grant reporting🏗️Construction & TradesJob costing, progress billing, holdbacks, COR compliance📚General BookkeepingFull-service bookkeeping and financial record management
Find a Bookkeeper Near You
Ontario
Manitoba
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Prince Edward Island
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bookkeeper cost in Canada?▾
Freelance bookkeepers: $25–$50/hour. Professional bookkeeping firms: $40–$80/hour. Monthly packages for small businesses: $300–$800/month depending on transaction volume. Payroll add-on: $50–$150/month. Year-end prep: $500–$1,500 one-time. Always ask what's included.
What's the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?▾
Bookkeepers handle daily financial records: data entry, reconciliation, invoicing, payroll. Accountants provide higher-level services: tax strategy, financial statements, CRA audits, business advice. Most small businesses need a bookkeeper year-round and an accountant for tax season.
When should I hire a bookkeeper?▾
Hire a bookkeeper when: you're spending 5+ hours/month on books, you've missed a tax deadline, your records are behind, you're hiring employees (payroll), or your business revenue exceeds $50K. The cost of a bookkeeper is almost always less than the cost of mistakes.
Do bookkeepers need certification in Canada?▾
No certification is legally required, but look for CPB (Certified Professional Bookkeeper) from the Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping, or QuickBooks ProAdvisor / Xero Certified. These demonstrate training and competency. Always ask about their experience with businesses like yours.
Can a bookkeeper do my taxes?▾
Bookkeepers can prepare and file simple tax returns (T1, T2, HST/GST). For complex tax situations — corporate restructuring, tax planning, CRA audits, international tax — you need a CPA. Many bookkeepers partner with accountants and can coordinate your year-end seamlessly.