Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to the things business owners ask us most. If your question is not here, book a call and ask us directly.

Getting started

How quickly can you start on my books?

Most clients are fully onboarded within 3-5 business days. If your books need cleanup first, we will complete that before starting monthly service — typically 1-3 weeks depending on the backlog.

Do I need to use QuickBooks Online?

We recommend QBO because it integrates well with Canadian banks and CRA filing. However, we also work with Xero and Zoho Books. If you are on a different platform, we will discuss options during your discovery call.

What if my books are a mess right now?

No judgement. We offer bookkeeping cleanup as a separate service. We will sort through the backlog, reconcile everything, and get you current before monthly service begins. Many of our best clients started with a cleanup.

Pricing and billing

How much does bookkeeping cost?

Monthly bookkeeping pricing is based on transaction volume, number of accounts, and complexity. Visit our pricing page for package details, or book a free call for your exact quote.

Are there any hidden fees?

No. Your proposal includes everything. If your needs change (for example, you add employees and need payroll), we will discuss the adjustment before billing you. No surprises.

Do I need to sign a long-term contract?

No. Fluent Books operates on a month-to-month basis. We believe you should stay because the service is good, not because a contract forces you to. You can cancel with 30 days notice.

Services

Do you handle payroll?

Yes. We process paycheques, calculate and remit source deductions to CRA, file T4s at year-end, and handle ROEs when needed. We also manage WorkSafeBC reporting for BC businesses.

Can you file my corporate taxes?

Yes. We prepare and file T2 corporate tax returns, GST/HST returns, and PST returns. For complex tax planning, we may recommend working alongside your accountant — but the filing is handled.

What is fractional CFO advisory?

It is like having a Chief Financial Officer without the full-time salary. You get monthly strategy calls, cash flow forecasting, financial dashboards, KPI tracking, and budgeting support. Ideal for businesses doing $500K+ in revenue who need strategic financial guidance.

Security and access

How do you access my bank accounts?

We connect through your accounting software's bank feed feature (for example, QBO bank feeds). This gives us read-only access to transaction data. We never have the ability to move money from your accounts.

Is my financial data secure?

Absolutely. We use 256-bit encryption, two-factor authentication on all accounts, and SOC 2-compliant cloud accounting platforms. Your data is backed up automatically and stored in Canadian data centres.

Who sees my financial information?

Only your assigned bookkeeper and our quality review team. We maintain strict confidentiality and are bound by professional standards. We never share your data with third parties.

Still have questions?

Book a free 15-minute call. We will answer anything — no obligation.