Bookkeeping questions, answered
Straight answers about bookkeeping costs, Canadian sales tax and payroll deadlines, and how working with a remote bookkeeper works.
Pricing and getting started
How much does a bookkeeper cost per month in Canada?
Most Canadian small businesses pay $400 to $800 a month for outsourced bookkeeping; Polani Accounting plans start at $99 CAD a month. The wider market range is about $300 to $2,000 a month depending on transaction volume and what is included, and freelance bookkeepers typically charge $30 to $90 an hour. See our pricing page for details.
What is included in the $99 Starter plan?
The $99 Starter plan covers up to 40 transactions a month on one bank or credit card account. It includes monthly categorization and reconciliation, a quarterly or annual GST/HST return prepared for filing, a monthly profit and loss statement and balance sheet, and email support during Canadian and US business hours.
How do I get started?
Book a free call, get a clear monthly price, then invite us into your QuickBooks Online or Xero file. Use our contact page or WhatsApp. We ask about your business, your software and where your books stand, then recommend the right plan.
Is catch-up bookkeeping included in the monthly price?
No, catch-up work is quoted separately as a one-time fixed price. We review your file first, bring your books up to date, and then your monthly plan keeps them current. Learn about QuickBooks catch-up and clean-up.
Bookkeeping services
What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
A bookkeeper keeps your books accurate all year; an accountant, such as a CPA, uses them to prepare year-end statements and tax returns. A bookkeeper records and reconciles day-to-day transactions, prepares sales tax returns and runs payroll. An accountant typically prepares year-end financial statements, files your corporate (T2) or personal tax return and gives tax planning advice. Most small businesses need both, and we hand your accountant clean books at year end.
Do I need a bookkeeper if I already have QuickBooks?
Yes, because QuickBooks is a tool, not a bookkeeper. It imports transactions, but someone still needs to categorize them correctly, reconcile every account, handle sales tax and payroll, and close each month. Without regular professional attention, most QuickBooks files slowly drift out of date.
What is a QuickBooks catch-up or clean-up, and how long does it take?
A catch-up brings books that are behind up to date; a clean-up fixes books that are current but wrong. Clean-ups fix problems such as miscoded transactions, unreconciled accounts or wrong opening balances. Timing depends on how many months are involved and your transaction volume, and we give you a fixed price and timeline after reviewing your file. More on QuickBooks catch-up and clean-up.
Do you file my GST/HST or QST return?
We prepare and review your GST/HST and QST returns; you or your accountant file them. Returns go to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or Revenu Québec, with working papers that tie each return to your books. This keeps you in control of every submission. More on sales tax return preparation.
Do you prepare QST returns for Quebec businesses?
Yes, we prepare Quebec Sales Tax (QST) returns for Revenu Québec. We also prepare GST/HST returns for the CRA, so businesses selling in Quebec and other provinces are covered in one place.
Do you do bookkeeping for Shopify, Stripe and PayPal sellers?
Yes, we specialize in e-commerce bookkeeping for Shopify, Stripe and PayPal sellers. We record gross sales, fees, refunds and chargebacks separately, reconcile every payout to your bank, and code sales tax by the customer's province. More on e-commerce bookkeeping.
Do you handle payroll and T4 slips?
Yes, we run payroll, CRA source deduction remittances and year-end T4 and T4A slips. That includes CPP, EI and income tax deductions, vacation pay and union dues where they apply.
Do you prepare corporate tax returns?
No, we are bookkeepers and do not prepare tax returns. We prepare clean, reconciled books and a year-end package for your accountant, who prepares and files your T2 corporate return or personal tax return.
Canadian deadlines and rules
When are GST/HST returns due?
Monthly and quarterly GST/HST returns are due one month after the end of the reporting period. The CRA assigns your reporting period based on your revenue.
- Annual filers: generally due three months after the end of the fiscal year.
- Individuals with business income and a December 31 year end: the return is due June 15, but any balance owing must be paid by April 30.
Always confirm your own dates in your CRA My Business Account.
Do I need to register for GST/HST?
You generally must register once your taxable sales exceed $30,000 in one calendar quarter or over four consecutive quarters. Below that threshold you are usually a small supplier, although you can choose to register voluntarily to claim input tax credits.
When are CRA payroll remittances due?
For most small employers, payroll source deductions are due by the 15th of the month after payday. These employers are called regular remitters. Some small employers qualify as quarterly remitters, and larger employers remit more often as accelerated remitters. The CRA tells you which group you are in.
When are T4 slips due?
T4 and T4A slips are due by the last day of February following the calendar year. Slips and summaries must be filed with the CRA and given to employees and recipients by that date.
Working together
Can a remote bookkeeper work securely on my QuickBooks file?
Yes, you invite us as an accountant user, so we never need your password. In QuickBooks Online you add us as your accountant, and in Xero as an advisor. We never ask for your online banking login, and you can remove our access at any time.
Where are you based, and what hours do you work?
We are based in Karachi, Pakistan, and work Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern Time. That covers business hours from Atlantic Canada (9 am) to the Pacific coast (5 pm), so you can reach us during your working day, just like a local bookkeeper.
Which accounting software do you use?
We specialize in QuickBooks Online and Xero, and also work with QuickBooks Desktop. Our founder is a certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor (Level 2) and a Xero Certified Associate. We reconcile payment processors such as Stripe, Square, PayPal, Moneris, Wise and Shopify, and work with Clio for law firms.
Do you use AI in your bookkeeping?
Yes, AI speeds up our work, and a senior bookkeeper reviews every entry before it is posted. We use AI tools for data extraction and first-pass categorization, which keeps our prices low without giving up human accuracy.
Do you work with US and international clients?
Yes, we serve US and international clients on QuickBooks Online and Xero. Canada is our main focus, and we also provide US sales tax support for US clients.
Do you work with accounting and CPA firms?
Yes, we provide white-label bookkeeping support for accounting firms. We handle monthly bookkeeping, reconciliations and catch-up projects for your clients, completed to your standards and ready for your review. Learn more.
Do you offer audit and internal audit services?
Yes, our Big Four trained team provides internal audit and audit support for businesses in Pakistan and the UAE. The team is led by Hammad Sohail Younus (ACA) and Sannan Sohail Younus (ACCA), each with more than 7 years of Big Four audit experience. Services include internal audit, internal control reviews, audit preparation, IFRS financial statements and fixed asset management. Internal audit and financial reporting support is also available remotely in Canada and the US. We do not issue statutory audit opinions. Learn more about Audit & Advisory.
How can I contact you?
Email polani77@gmail.com or message us on WhatsApp at +92 321 9240924. You can also book a free call through our contact page.
Still have a question?
Send us a message or book a free call. We are happy to help.