A bookkeeper handles your day-to-day records, bank reconciliations, and payroll tracking. An accountant usually focuses on tax strategy and year-end reporting. We build the clean, accurate records your accountant can rely on.

You should hire a bookkeeper the moment you start feeling overwhelmed by your finances. If you're spending evenings and weekends "doing the books" instead of growing your business, it's time. We help businesses in Calgary, Lethbridge, and across Southern Alberta get their time back.

Absolutely. "Cleanup" projects are one of our specialties. We've helped many business owners untangle months or even years of messy records. The team at Balancing the Books Taxes & Accounting Services will organize your past transactions, reconcile old accounts, and get you to a clean, stress-free starting point.

We work with major platforms like QuickBooks Online and Xero. If you already use one, we can work with it. If you want to switch, we can help you move to the best fit for your business.

You save time and get clearer numbers. With 15+ years of experience, Brenda and Nadia give you accurate books, plain-English support, and proactive help so you can stay focused on your business.

Yes! We look after both personal and corporate filings!

A GST/HST return is a report you must file with the CRA to declare the sales tax you've collected and paid. Filing deadlines can be monthly, quarterly, or annually. The team at Balancing the Books Taxes & Accounting Services manages this entire process for you, ensuring your GST remittances are calculated accurately and filed on time.

Your corporate tax (T2) return is due six months after your fiscal year-end. However, your payment is typically due two months after your fiscal year-end. Balancing the Books Taxes & Accounting Services helps clients across Alberta and BC manage these separate deadlines so they never miss a payment or filing.

First, don't panic. Second, call us. As your official representative, Balancing the Books Taxes & Accounting Services can communicate with the CRA on your behalf. We understand their language and will work to resolve the inquiry, audit, or request for information efficiently.

This is one of the most common questions! For businesses in Southern Alberta, common deductions include vehicle expenses (mileage logs are key!), home office expenses, tools, materials, subcontractor fees, and professional fees—like your services from Balancing the Books Taxes & Accounting Services. We ensure you claim every eligible deduction.

Our payroll service is a comprehensive solution. Balancing the Books Taxes & Accounting Services handles calculating gross pay, statutory deductions (CPP & EI), vacation pay, and taxable benefits. We also manage the CRA remittances and issue all T4 slips at year-end.

After you pay your employees, you must remit the payroll deductions (employee's CPP/EI plus the employer's portion) to the CRA. Balancing the Books Taxes & Accounting Services handles these "source deductions" accurately, protecting you from the steep penalties and interest the CRA charges for late remittances.

WCB (Workers' Compensation Board) provides wage-loss benefits and medical coverage for employees injured on the job. In Alberta, most businesses with employees are required to have WCB coverage. Balancing the Books Taxes & Accounting Services can manage your WCB account, ensuring you report your payroll accurately and pay the correct premiums.

This is a critical distinction, especially in trades. An employee is on your payroll (you deduct CPP, EI, and tax), while a subcontractor is an independent business you pay via invoice (with no deductions). Misclassifying an employee can lead to severe CRA penalties. We can help you determine the correct classification.

Yes. At the end of the year, we prepare all necessary slips for your business. We issue T4s for your employees and T5s for any dividends paid out to shareholders.

Balancing the Books Taxes & Accounting Services has extensive experience with the trades and construction industry. We understand your specific challenges, such as job costing, managing subcontractor payments (and T5018s), and handling GST on large projects. We ensure your project financials are clear so you know which jobs are actually profitable.

Yes. We love working with sole proprietors. We help electricians, plumbers, and carpenters in Southern Alberta move from a "shoebox of receipts" to a clean digital system. We'll track your vehicle mileage, separate business from personal expenses, and handle your GST and income tax filings.

Yes. Our team at Balancing the Books Taxes & Accounting Services understands the unique financial needs of the agricultural sector in Southern Alberta. We can help you manage inventory (like feed, seed, and livestock), track equipment depreciation, and navigate farm-specific programs and tax filings.

A T5018 slip is a form that businesses in the construction industry must file to report payments made to subcontractors for construction services. If you've paid a subcontractor $500 or more in a year, you must issue them one. Balancing the Books Taxes & Accounting Services manages this compliance requirement for all our construction clients.

It starts with a free consultation. You can call us or send a message through the contact form, and we will talk through your business, your goals, and the help you need. Then we give you a clear quote.

Yes. We work with clients across Southern Alberta, BC, and throughout Canada. ALL of our services can be handled remotely, so you can get expert support wherever your business is based.

Yes. We provide compassionate estate tax support for executors and families. We prepare final returns, help with estate filings, and guide you through the CRA clearance certificate process.

Yes. Monthly bookkeeping is one of our core services. We keep your records up to date, reconcile your accounts, track expenses, and give you clear reports so you always know where your business stands.

We help you move from paper piles to a simple digital system. You send receipts by email, app, or upload, and we organize and record them so your books stay clean, searchable, and CRA-ready.

Yes. We file GST and PST returns for BC businesses and make sure the numbers are accurate, on time, and CRA-compliant. We also help you track input tax credits so you do not leave money on the table.

Yes. We do multi-year catch-up work all the time. If your books are behind, we will organize the records, reconcile the accounts, and get everything current so you can move forward with confidence.

Bring your latest tax returns, bookkeeping records, bank statements, payroll details if you have employees, and any CRA letters you have received. If you do not have everything, that is okay. We can still talk through your situation and tell you what comes next.

We start with a free consultation and learn about your business, your records, and the support you need. Then we give you a clear quote based on the work involved. No guesswork.

Yes. We handle personal returns with rental income, capital gains, and other complex items. We make the filing process clear and help you claim everything you can.