General Advisory for CPA Firms
I work directly with CPA firms as a virtual tax partner. When questions arise, you get timely, practical guidance you can use with confidence, backed by over a decade of Canadian tax experience. There’s no template here: if you need a quick, concise answer, I keep it tight; if you need a technical memo or opinion, I build what the file requires.
How I Work
My goal is to ensure you can confidently address your clients’ tax concerns with accurate and timely advice, allowing you to focus on delivering value to your clients.
Scope and response level: you set the depth—concise answer or full technical memo/opinion—so the file gets exactly what it needs, when it needs it.
Tax questions and research: from “What class is that?” to “Can my client deduct this?”, I provide clear, defensible guidance to support your advice.
CRA letter assistance: decode the notice, frame the issues, outline practical next steps and options.
Reviews for compliance posture: high-level or deep reviews of positions and filings where you want a second set of eyes.
Partnering to Enhance Your Practice
My General Advisory work is designed to slot into your practice. I work through your firm, stay in the background if preferred, and keep your team informed, so client conversations move forward with clear, defensible answers.
General Advisory – FAQ
Who do you engage with?
I engage through the CPA firm. When it helps the file, I will meet or speak with the client. Your firm remains informed and in control.
When do you respond and deliver?
I acknowledge new requests within one business day of receipt. Simple questions are often answered within one business day while more complex matters are typically completed within 2–5 business days. If scope or complexity requires more time, I will say so up front.
Do you review documents before engagement?
No. Advice and document review begin after the engagement is in place.
How detailed are deliverables?
You choose. I can provide a concise written answer or a full technical memo or opinion. I will flag when a deeper write-up is prudent. Many simple questions are handled by email or a phone call.
Do you advise on non-Canadian income tax matters?
My scope is Canadian income tax. I do not provide advice on non-Canadian income tax, complex excise tax, or other specialized areas outside that scope. For those matters, I can refer you to trusted specialists. If helpful, I will help frame the questions, share background materials, and coordinate with the specialist so your client receives a consistent answer.
How do you bill for General Advisory?
Hourly, invoiced monthly. Time is tracked by matter with short descriptions so you can allocate costs internally. Payment options include credit card, Interac e-Transfer, electronic funds transfer (EFT), or cheque. Applicable GST/HST is added.
Confidentiality and privacy
Engagements are confidential under the applicable CPA Codes of Professional Conduct. Personal information is handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws (for example, Alberta’s PIPA and the federal PIPEDA). A secure client portal is available for document exchange on request.
Do you work behind our brand?
I work through your firm and can stay in the background if preferred. I do not issue written material on your firm’s letterhead or in a way that suggests I am an employee or partner of your firm. On request, I can provide client-ready language that your firm can send under its own cover.
