Bookkeeping resources, in plain English
Practical guides for small business owners who do some (or all) of their own books. Every rule and date comes from an official source (the CRA, Service Canada, the Government of Alberta and similar), and the sources are linked at the end of each guide.
Guides
ChecklistMonth-end bookkeeping checklist for small business ownersThe ten things to check at the end of every month, in order. Do your own books? Work through this list and they’ll stay level.- How to catch up on bookkeeping, step by stepMonths behind and not sure where to start? Here’s the order I work in when I catch up a small business’s books, written so you can follow it yourself.
- GST in Alberta: a plain-English guide for small businessesAlberta has one sales tax, and it’s simpler than most. Here’s what small business owners need to know about registering, charging, claiming and filing GST.
- Hiring your first employee in Alberta: a payroll guideYour first hire is exciting, and it comes with paperwork. Here’s what changes on the payroll side, in the order you’ll need it, with 2026 numbers.
- Year-end bookkeeping checklist: what your tax preparer needsHand over a box and hope, or hand over a package that answers the questions before they’re asked. Here’s what goes into a clean year-end.
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