Know exactly where your business stands, and what it needs next.
Before we recommend bookkeeping, tax work or CFO support, we look under the hood. Our financial assessment reviews your accounting software, your CRA account and your cashflow to find the gaps, the risks and the quick wins. You walk away with a clear, prioritized picture of what your business needs, and what it doesn't.
What we look at in a financial assessment
A financial assessment is a structured review of your business’s financial health. We go through your books, your tax position, your cashflow and your reporting. For each one we look at what’s working, what’s missing, and what’s quietly costing you money.
We start with your QuickBooks Online or Xero file, because every other number depends on it. We look at whether accounts are reconciled and transactions categorized correctly, whether the chart of accounts makes sense for your business, and how far behind things have slipped. Messy books are the most common gap we find. They’re also the most fixable.
Next, we log into your CRA account to see what’s really on file: outstanding balances, missed or late filings, GST/HST, payroll remittances and any notices waiting for a response. We also check whether your tax setup makes sense for how you’re paid and how much the business earns. Surprises are much cheaper to deal with now than after the CRA brings them up.
Revenue doesn’t tell you whether a business is healthy. Cash does. We look at how money moves through the business: when it comes in, when it leaves, where margins are thin and where cash gets stuck in receivables. The goal is to answer the question most owners can’t answer confidently: “Am I actually making money, and where is it going?”
Last, we look at what information you have for making decisions. Do you get reports each month? Do you understand them? Could you show a lender or partner numbers they’d trust? This tells us whether you mainly need a cleaner foundation or you’re ready for forecasting and CFO-level planning.
Signs your business needs a financial assessment
Most owners book an assessment because something feels off but they can’t pin down what. If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to look closer:
None of this means you did something wrong. Businesses outgrow their financial setup all the time. The assessment shows exactly where the gaps are and which ones to fix first, so you can stop guessing.
From financial assessment to a clear plan
The assessment isn’t a report that sits in a drawer. It’s the first step in a plan. We find the gaps, rank them by risk and impact, and turn them into a scope of work built around your priorities. Foundation first, then everything else.
We see what’s really there. You give us read access to your accounting software and CRA account. No 40-page questionnaire, no weeks of back-and-forth.
We find the gaps. We go through your books, tax position, cashflow and reporting, and note what’s accurate, what’s missing and what’s at risk.
We rank what matters. Each gap is sorted by urgency and impact: what has to be fixed now (like CRA exposure), what should be cleaned up next, and what can wait.
You get a clear path forward. We walk you through the findings in plain language and recommend the right support, whether that’s bookkeeping, tax, fractional CFO or a mix. You decide what happens next.
Answers before you even ask
What's included in a financial assessment?
We review your QuickBooks Online or Xero file, your CRA account, your cashflow and your current reporting. You get a plain-language summary of what’s in good shape, what gaps we found and what we recommend fixing first.
What do I need to provide?
Mostly access. We’ll need read access to your accounting software and your CRA business account, plus any recent notices or statements you have. If your books are behind or incomplete, that’s fine. That’s part of what we’re assessing.
How long does it take?
For most businesses, the review and findings take about a week or two from when we get access. More complex files, or years of catch-up, can take a little longer, and we’ll tell you upfront.
What if you find serious problems, like back taxes or messy books?
That’s exactly what the assessment is for. We’d much rather find a CRA balance or a reconciliation gap now than have it surprise you later. We’ll explain the risk plainly and put the fix at the top of your plan.
Am I obligated to work with you after the assessment?
No. You’ll get clear findings and recommendations either way. Many clients continue with bookkeeping, tax or CFO support, but the assessment is meant to give you clarity first, not lock you into a package.