Small Business Accountant Calgary

Q: What does a small business accountant in Calgary cost?

Small business accounting fees in Calgary vary by the scope of services. Monthly bookkeeping for a small business typically runs $300–$1,200/month depending on transaction volume. Corporate tax (T2) preparation commonly ranges from $1,500–$3,500 annually. Swift Accounting offers flat-rate packages — contact us for a free, no-obligation quote based on your specific business.

Q: Do I need an accountant or just a bookkeeper?

Most incorporated small businesses need both. A bookkeeper maintains your day-to-day records, reconciles your accounts, and handles GST/HST. An accountant prepares your corporate tax return (T2), provides tax planning, and advises on business structure. At Swift Accounting, we provide both services under one roof — so your bookkeeping and tax work are always aligned, with no gaps or miscommunication between teams.

Q: How do I switch from my current accountant?

Switching to Swift Accounting is straightforward. We request your prior-year tax returns and financial statements from your previous accountant (you simply authorize the transfer), review your books, and onboard you within a few days. There is no fee to switch, and we handle all communication with your previous accountant on your behalf.

Q: What accounting software do you use?

We work with all major platforms including QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Xero, Wave, and Sage. We're certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors and Xero advisors. We'll work within your existing software or recommend the best platform for your business — and handle the full setup and migration.

Q: Can you help with CRA audits and back taxes?

Yes. We represent Calgary small businesses through CRA correspondence, audits, and objections. If you have back taxes owing or unfiled returns, we'll reconstruct your records, prepare the outstanding filings, negotiate with CRA on your behalf, and develop a payment plan if needed. Our clients have never paid a late-filing penalty for returns we prepared and filed.

Q: How quickly can you get my books caught up?

It depends on how far behind you are and how many transactions need to be processed. Most catch-up bookkeeping projects — including businesses that are 1–2 years behind — are completed within 2–4 weeks. We prioritize getting you current quickly so CRA deadlines are not missed and your tax return can be filed without delay.

Small business owner frustrated with accounting and bookkeeping in Calgary

Does This Sound Familiar?

Sound Familiar?

Most Calgary small business owners didn't start their company to spend evenings sorting receipts or worrying about CRA deadlines. If any of these hit close to home, you're not alone — and you're in the right place.

You're spending weekends catching up on receipts instead of running your business

CRA deadlines sneak up and you're never sure if you're compliant

Your bookkeeper doesn't talk to your accountant — and it's costing you

You got a surprise tax bill because nobody flagged it ahead of time

You're paying hourly rates but have no idea what you're actually paying for

You've outgrown DIY accounting but don't know who to trust

What We Do

Full-Service Accounting for Calgary Small Businesses

One team. One flat-rate fee. Every accounting service your Calgary small business needs — handled with precision, filed on time, and built to grow with you.

Bookkeeping & Reconciliation

Monthly books, bank reconciliation, and GST/HST filing — handled every month without fail. Always current, always accurate, always CRA-ready.

Corporate Tax (T2)

We prepare and e-file your T2 corporate return, plan your owner-manager remuneration, and handle all CRA correspondence. No missed deadlines, no penalties.

Personal Tax (T1)

T1 returns for business owners, employees, and self-employed individuals. Every deduction captured — RRSP, home office, vehicle, business expenses, and more.

Year-End Financials

Clean, professional financial statements — balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow — ready for your bank, investors, or tax filing. Prepared to Canadian accounting standards.

Tax Planning & Strategy

Proactive, year-round advice on salary vs. dividends, business structure optimization, RRSP and TFSA strategy, and timing of income and expenses. Pay less — legally.

CRA Correspondence

We handle audits, reviews, objections, and CRA letters on your behalf — so you never have to deal with the CRA alone. We respond, negotiate, and resolve.

Swift Accounting Calgary team — trusted small business accountants

Why Calgary Small Businesses Choose Swift

We've built our entire practice around one type of client: the Calgary small business owner who needs real accounting expertise without the Big Four price tag or the runaround. Here's what that looks like in practice.

Flat-rate quotes — you know the cost before we start, every time

No hourly billing, no surprise invoices at year-end

One dedicated team for bookkeeping AND tax — no gaps, no miscommunication

Calgary-based since 2011 — 4.9★ on Google from real local clients

1-business-day response guarantee on all client inquiries

CRA-compliant filings — our clients have never paid a late-filing penalty

Book a Consultation

How It Works

Getting started with a Calgary small business accountant shouldn't be complicated. Here's exactly what to expect from day one.

1

Free Consultation

We learn about your business — your structure, transaction volume, current software, filing history, and pain points. No cost, no pressure, no sales pitch. Just a straight conversation about your needs.

2

Flat-Rate Proposal

Within 24 hours, you receive a written flat-rate proposal covering exactly what's included. No hidden fees, no hourly overages. You approve it — or ask questions — before anything begins.

3

Onboarding & Setup

We access your accounts, review your existing records, migrate or set up your accounting software, and establish a smooth document workflow. Most clients are fully onboarded within one week.

4

Ongoing Monthly Service

Your books are reconciled, your filings submitted on time, and your tax planning kept current — month after month, without you having to chase anyone. We proactively flag issues before they become expensive surprises.

Common Questions

Small Business Accounting Questions — Answered

Straight answers to the questions Calgary small business owners ask most when looking for an accountant.

What does a small business accountant in Calgary cost?

Small business accounting fees in Calgary depend on the scope of services. Monthly bookkeeping for a typical small business runs $300–$1,200/month based on transaction volume. Corporate tax preparation (T2) commonly ranges from $1,500–$3,500 annually. Swift Accounting offers flat-rate packages — book a free consultation and receive a written quote within 24 hours. No obligation, no surprise fees.

Do I need an accountant or just a bookkeeper?

Most incorporated Calgary small businesses need both. A bookkeeper maintains your day-to-day records, reconciles accounts, and files GST/HST. An accountant prepares your corporate T2 return, provides tax planning, and advises on business structure. At Swift, both services are handled by one integrated team — so your bookkeeping and your tax work are always aligned with no gaps in between.

How do I switch from my current accountant?

Switching is simple and costs you nothing. You authorize us to request your prior-year returns and records from your current accountant — we handle all communication. We review what we receive, identify any gaps, and onboard you within a few days. Many clients are surprised to find missed deductions or unfiled obligations from prior years that we catch during this review.

What accounting software do you use?

We are certified on QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Xero, Wave, and Sage. We'll work within your current platform or recommend the right tool for your business and handle the complete setup or migration. QuickBooks Online is our standard recommendation for most Calgary small businesses — it's cloud-based, integrates with your bank feeds, and gives you real-time financial visibility.

Can you help with CRA audits and back taxes?

Yes — and this is one of our specialties. We represent Calgary businesses through CRA correspondence, desk audits, field audits, and formal objections. If you have unfiled returns or back taxes, we'll reconstruct your records, prepare the outstanding filings, and negotiate directly with CRA on your behalf. Our clients have never paid a late-filing penalty for returns we prepared and submitted.

How quickly can you get my books caught up?

Most catch-up bookkeeping projects — including businesses that are 1–2 years behind — are completed in 2–4 weeks, depending on the volume of transactions and the availability of source documents. We prioritize getting you current quickly so CRA deadlines aren't missed and your corporate tax return can be filed without delay. Many clients discover significant missed deductions during the catch-up process.

Calgary's Small Business Accountants