Not generic bookkeeping — specifically built around how contractors, trades, and construction businesses actually operate.
Every bank and credit card transaction categorized, every account reconciled, every month. You get a clear, accurate picture of your finances without lifting a finger.
What this means for you: Clean books ready for your accountant, real-time view of your cash position, and no panic when CRA asks questions.
We prepare and file your HST returns quarterly or annually, depending on your reporting period. We also assess whether the HST Quick Method could save you money — many trades businesses qualify and it's worth checking every year.
Ontario-specific: We know the 13% Ontario HST rules, quick method rates, and how to handle mixed-use inputs correctly.
We process payroll for your employees, calculate CPP, EI, and income tax deductions, and handle your remittances to CRA on time. We also prepare T4 slips at year end.
Trades note: Not sure if your helper is an employee or a subcontractor? We can walk you through CRA's rules — getting this wrong is one of the most common (and expensive) mistakes in construction.
We track what you owe and what you're owed — invoicing, payment tracking, and follow-ups so you're not leaving money on the table or going past-due with suppliers.
We work directly in QBO or Xero, so you can see your AR/AP position any time from your phone.
This is where specializing in trades businesses actually makes a difference for you.
Track materials, labour, and expenses per project so you know exactly what each job cost you and what margin you actually made.
Why it matters: You might be billing $20,000/month but making less than you think. Job costing tells you which work is worth taking and which you should be pricing higher.
If you're a month behind or three years behind, we'll get you caught up. This is one of the most common situations for trades owners — and we're experienced at untangling the mess without judgement.
Once you're current, we move you onto a regular monthly plan so it doesn't happen again.
If you pay subcontractors $500 or more in a calendar year, you're required to file T5018 slips with CRA. We track your sub payments throughout the year and handle the filing.
Common mistake: Many general contractors don't know T5018s are required, or confuse them with T4s. Missing them is a CRA audit flag.
Construction contracts often require a 10% holdback under Ontario's Construction Act. We track holdbacks properly so they show up correctly in your AR and you know exactly when and how much to collect.
We set up QuickBooks Online or Xero for your business from scratch, or migrate you from whatever you're using now (spreadsheets, another software, or nothing at all).
We build a chart of accounts that works for a trades business — not a generic template that makes no sense for how you actually invoice and track costs.
Monthly profit & loss reports, balance sheet, and cash flow summaries — delivered in plain English, not accounting jargon. Know where you stand every month without having to wait for your accountant.
We also build custom dashboards for things like job profitability and revenue by trade type, if that's useful for your business.
Every month, after we close your books, you get a Profit & Loss report, a balance sheet, and a simple summary written for a business owner — not an accountant.
Everything runs in QuickBooks Online or Xero. You can log in from your truck and see exactly where you stand, any time.
| Category | This Month |
|---|---|
| Income | |
| Service & Emergency Calls | $9,800 |
| New Construction Contracts | $12,400 |
| Maintenance Agreements | $2,100 |
| Total Income | $24,300 |
| Expenses | |
| Materials (pipe, fittings, fixtures) | $5,640 |
| Labour / Subcontractors | $3,200 |
| Vehicle, Fuel & Tools | $1,120 |
| Insurance, WSIB & Permits | $830 |
| Total Expenses | $10,790 |
| Net Profit | $13,510 |
Working with a bookkeeper who doesn't know Ontario-specific regulations can cost you. Here's what we handle that generalist bookkeepers often miss:
Many service-based contractors save money on the quick method vs. regular reporting. We run the numbers for you.
Required for subcontractors paid $500+/year. We track payments and file on time.
Tracking WSIB premiums and ensuring your coverage and reporting are in order.
CRA's rules on this are strict. Misclassification is a major audit risk we help you avoid.
10% statutory holdback rules, proper accounting treatment, and release timing.
CCA classes for your truck, tools, and equipment — tracked properly for maximum deductions.
Book a free 30-minute call. We'll figure it out together and recommend only what actually makes sense for your business.