Small Business

“Empowering” employees sounds like a phony recruitment tactic. How is a business supposed to make employees feel inspired? It doesn’t seem very realistic. But at its core, employee empowerment is simply the practice of giving employees the autonomy to make decisions on matters related to their work. The concept stems from the notion that when authority and […]

As a small business owner, you likely wear many hats. In an average day, you may serve as a clerk, a customer service liaison, a marketer, an analyst, and even an accountant. With so much to do and so little time, it’s often hard to devote enough energy to any one task — and that […]

Your employees are stressed. And it has nothing to do with the work you’re giving them or the office politics or whose cubicle is 2 inches bigger than anyone else’s. Well, okay, that last one may be causing some additional stress… But the truth is financial stress is on the rise, and there’s no way […]

Ever heard the song with the lyrics, “Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto”? While many people think accountants and bookkeepers are almost the same, the truth is accountants and bookkeepers are each different types of financial professionals. Learn more about these differences, the roles they play and how they can help your small business. 1. Accountants and […]

For many small business owners, bookkeeping is considered a necessary evil that is often ignored until the end of the fiscal year. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to simplify your day-to-day bookkeeping processes — giving you more time to focus on growing your business. 1. Open Dedicated Bank and Credit […]

Updated October 2019  While every small business owner is acutely aware of the impact they’re making or attempting to make in their specific areas, few recognize the significant influence they have on the economy as a whole. The Key Small Business Statistics from December 2017 prove it — small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are the backbone […]

Any kind of change can feel overwhelming and switching payroll providers is no exception. Getting it wrong can also result in an administrative nightmare or worse — which is why you should follow these steps to cover all your bases as you make the switch. Step 1: Notify Your Current Provider Most companies require a […]

For small business owners, surviving tax season can mean a lot of sweat, worry, and undue stress as your cash flow gets squeezed by the added pressure of a pending tax bill. Whether you only recently launched your venture or are actively growing your business, the upcoming income tax bill can throw a serious wrench […]

This is the US version of our small business tax guide for sole proprietors. For the Canadian version, click here. February 2019 Update: The tax brackets for individuals have changed. Be sure that you’re filing and paying accordingly. The standard deduction has also nearly doubled, meaning that in many cases you can skip itemizing and […]

While not every organization has a dedicated, in-house human resources (HR) team, you can bet that every company has problems that need to be addressed from an HR standpoint. Even the smallest startups can have problems that, if not corrected, can have a significant impact on operations, productivity, and the bottom line. Whether you outsource […]

In the business world, time is a valuable resource – and a scarce one at that. Are you spending it wisely? Are you completing tasks day in and day out that eat up time, which could be better spent planning and using your vision to further the company’s goals? Businesses of all sizes – with […]

The difference between a small business or startup and a successful and profitable company typically boils down to time and experience. But, there are certain factors that play a big part in how those companies grew to be successful — things like timing, having the right people, focus, and intensely hard work. Remember that every […]

If you’re in a leadership position in your corporation or small business, you know that employee management can make or break the success of your organization. Happy, hardworking employees will catapult you to success, while disgruntled, lazy ones will bring you down from the inside. Navigating the social and performance aspects of managing your employees […]

Canadian tax laws for tips and gratuities impact businesses the service, hospitality or restaurant industries. As an employer, you’re affected when it comes to reporting tips and gratuities as income through the process of running payroll. 

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a 9-digit form of identification that every individual residing and/or working in Canada must have in order to access government benefits, file income taxes and, most importantly, get paid. (Through the fate of acronyms, SIN also sounds a bit biblical.) A short timeline of the SIN. 1964 — SINs were […]