Online Accountant for Vancouver Small Businesses
An online accounting firm for Vancouver and Metro Vancouver
LeComptable.ca is an online accounting firm based in Montréal that works with small businesses, self-employed professionals, creative studios and landlords in Vancouver and across Metro Vancouver. Bookkeeping, GST and PST returns, payroll and corporate tax (T2) — all done remotely, at a fixed monthly price.
- Packages from $150/month — no hourly billing
- 25 years of experience with Canadian and provincial tax
- 100% online: no need to cross the bridges for a meeting
- Service in English and French
What Vancouver businesses need to know
GST and PST — 5% GST filed with the CRA, plus 7% PST on most goods, software and some services, filed separately with the BC Ministry of Finance. Many businesses must register for both, and the two taxes follow different rules.
City of Vancouver business licence — almost every business operating in Vancouver needs a City business licence, including home-based businesses. Mobile trades working in several Lower Mainland municipalities can use an Inter-Municipal Business Licence.
Short-term rentals — hosts renting out their home on a short-term basis in Vancouver need a short-term rental business licence, and the rental income must be reported on their tax return.
Employers — payroll deductions are remitted to the CRA, the BC Employer Health Tax applies only above $1 million of payroll, and most employers must register with WorkSafeBC.
Property owners — the City of Vancouver’s Empty Homes Tax requires an annual property status declaration, the province applies the Speculation and Vacancy Tax in many areas, and the BC Property Transfer Tax applies when you buy. See all BC rules on our British Columbia page.
Why Vancouver businesses choose LeComptable.ca
Everything online
Share your documents securely and meet us by phone or video, from downtown, Kitsilano, Burnaby or anywhere in Metro Vancouver.
Fixed monthly price
Packages from $150/month, the same price everywhere in Canada. No surprise hourly bills.
Expertise in every province
We know the tax rules of British Columbia, Québec and the other provinces — ideal if your business sells across Canada.
One team for everything
Bookkeeping, GST and PST, payroll, corporate and personal tax: one firm follows your whole file, all year long.
25 years of experience
Founded in 2000, LeComptable.ca has been helping small businesses and self-employed professionals with their accounting and taxes for 25 years.
Our accounting services for Vancouver businesses
From monthly bookkeeping to year-end returns, we take care of all the accounting and tax obligations of your Vancouver business, entirely online.
Bookkeeping
Accurate monthly bookkeeping and bank reconciliations, so you always know where your business stands.
Corporate and personal tax
Your T2 corporate return with the BC calculation, and your personal return (T1 and BC428).
GST and PST returns
GST returns with the CRA and PST returns with the BC Ministry of Finance, with the right tax on every invoice.
Payroll and EHT
Payroll, CRA source deduction remittances, T4 slips and the BC Employer Health Tax return when it applies.
Tax planning
Salary or dividends, incorporation, expenses: we help you pay less tax legally, year after year.
Industries we work with in Vancouver
| Film, TV and creative studios | Production companies, freelancers and agencies: project accounting, GST/PST, tax credit documentation support. |
| Tech and digital services | Software and web businesses: PST on software, salary or dividends, cross-border sales. |
| Construction and renovation | Contractors: PST on materials, holdbacks, T5018, WorkSafeBC. |
| Real estate investors | Condo and rental owners: rental income, Empty Homes Tax, Speculation and Vacancy Tax. |
| Restaurants and cafés | Food service: POS reconciliation, tips, liquor and food tax rules. |
| Online stores | E-commerce sellers: GST, PST and sales to other provinces. |
Example: an interior design studio in Vancouver
An incorporated interior design studio in Vancouver bills $200,000 a year: $150,000 of design services and $50,000 of furniture resold to clients.
- GST at 5% applies to everything: $10,000 of GST.
- PST at 7% applies to the furniture sold, but generally not to the design services: $3,500 of PST. Getting this split right on each invoice avoids PST assessments.
- The studio also holds a City of Vancouver business licence and files its T2 with the CRA.
What we do for this client: monthly bookkeeping, GST and PST returns, payroll and T4 slips, the T2 corporate return and the owner’s personal return.
Areas we serve in Vancouver and Metro Vancouver
We work with businesses in downtown Vancouver, Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, East Vancouver and Kerrisdale, and across Metro Vancouver: Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Langley and Delta — entirely online. See also our page for all of British Columbia.
Frequently asked questions: accountant in Vancouver
Can an online accounting firm based in Montréal handle my Vancouver business?
Yes. Your corporate and personal income tax, GST and payroll deductions are filed with the CRA, and we also prepare your BC PST returns. We work with Vancouver clients entirely online.
Do I need a business licence in Vancouver?
In most cases, yes. Almost every business operating in the City of Vancouver needs a City business licence, including home-based businesses. Mobile trades working across several Lower Mainland municipalities can use an Inter-Municipal Business Licence.
What sales taxes apply in Vancouver?
5% GST plus 7% BC PST on most goods, software and some services. They are filed on two separate returns: GST with the CRA and PST with the BC Ministry of Finance.
Do I charge PST on my services?
It depends on the service. Many services are not subject to PST, while goods, software and some specific services are. We review your sales and set up the right tax on each invoice.
What taxes apply to Vancouver property owners?
Owners must file the City’s annual Empty Homes Tax declaration, the provincial Speculation and Vacancy Tax may apply, and buyers pay the BC Property Transfer Tax. Rental income is reported on form T776 with your tax return.
I rent my place on a short-term basis. What do I need?
In Vancouver, short-term rental hosts need a short-term rental business licence, and the income must be reported on your tax return. We help you track your income and deductible expenses.
Do you serve all of Metro Vancouver?
Yes: Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, North and West Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Langley, Delta and the rest of British Columbia.
How much does an accountant cost for a small business in Vancouver?
At LeComptable.ca, packages start at $150 per month, the same price everywhere in Canada. The T2 corporate return is $500 + tax for package clients. See our pricing.
