Financial Advisory
Beyond compliance, our financial advisory service helps you make smarter business decisions. We provide strategic tax planning, cash flow forecasting, business structuring advice, and proactive recommendations to grow your profitability. Think of us as your part-time CFO — expert guidance without the full-time cost.
Key Benefits
Tax Optimization Strategy
Proactive year-round planning to legally minimize your personal and corporate tax burden.
Cash Flow Forecasting
Understand your future financial position and plan for growth or challenges ahead.
Business Structuring
Advice on optimal business structures — sole proprietor, partnership, or incorporation.
Growth Planning
Financial analysis and KPI tracking to support data-driven business decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I incorporate my business?
It depends on your income, liability exposure, and how you plan to use the profits. A corporation can allow tax deferral when profits stay inside the company, but it adds T2 filings, record-keeping and legal-maintenance costs. Below a certain income level the extra cost and complexity usually outweigh the tax benefit — we model your actual numbers before recommending a structure.
Should I pay myself a salary or dividends from my corporation?
Both have a place, and the right mix depends on your facts. Salary is deductible to the corporation and builds CPP contributions and RRSP room; dividends are not deductible to the corporation but receive a dividend tax credit personally. Salary also creates payroll obligations. We model salary, dividends and shareholder-loan repayment together for your specific income level.
What is the small business deduction?
Canadian-controlled private corporations can claim the small business deduction, which applies a lower federal tax rate to the first $500,000 of active business income. The limit is reduced when corporations are associated — the business limit is shared within an associated group — and certain investment income doesn't qualify. We track your group's position so the deduction is claimed correctly.
What is tax on split income (TOSI) and does it affect my business?
TOSI can apply a top personal marginal rate to dividends or other amounts paid to related individuals — such as family shareholders — unless an exclusion applies, such as being actively engaged in the business for the required hours. It directly affects income-splitting plans for owner-managed businesses, so compensation to family members must be designed around the rules first.
What are shareholder loans, and why do they matter?
A shareholder loan is money borrowed from your own corporation. The CRA can include the amount in your personal income if it isn't repaid within the required repayment window after the fiscal year end, unless it was used to earn income from the corporation or is otherwise excluded. Unplanned draws can create surprise tax bills — we plan draws and repayments in advance instead.
How often should we review our tax plan?
We recommend quarterly reviews to stay ahead of instalments, deadlines and compensation decisions, plus a planning session before your fiscal year end — most tax decisions must be made within the tax year to count on that year's return. Rule changes and major events (a big new contract, property purchase, or hiring) also warrant an immediate review.
What is this service?
Financial advisory for Canadian businesses covers tax planning, cash-flow forecasting, business structuring decisions such as incorporation, and year-round financial guidance. Accountants Online works with entrepreneurs and incorporated professionals as an ongoing financial partner — combining compliance work with proactive planning to reduce tax and support growth.
Who needs this service?
Business owners weighing incorporation, growing companies planning cash flow, self-employed professionals deciding how to draw income (salary vs. dividends), and corporations that want year-round tax planning rather than a once-a-year filing relationship.
What documents are required?
- Recent financial statements and prior tax returns
- Corporate structure and shareholder details
- Income projections and major planned expenses
- Existing compensation and shareholder loan arrangements
Key deadlines
Tax planning is most effective before your fiscal year ends — RRSP, salary/dividend, and capital cost allowance decisions generally must be made within the tax year to count on that year's return.
Common mistakes to avoid
Making structuring decisions after the fiscal year has closed, drawing shareholder loans without repayment planning, and treating tax planning as a one-time event instead of reviewing it as income and rules change.
How to get started
Book a free 15-minute consultation. We'll review your situation, tell you exactly what we need, and give you a flat-rate quote before any work begins. Everything is handled online through your secure client portal.
Get started — request a consultation