Bookkeeping, pricing, software, and getting started.

Getting Started

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How do I get started?

You can contact Timmins Bookkeeping with a short summary of what you need help with, whether that is monthly bookkeeping, cleanup work, GST/HST filing, payroll support, QuickBooks Online setup, or a review of your current records.

From there, we can determine the right starting point and whether your file needs setup, diagnostic review, cleanup, or ongoing bookkeeping.

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What if I do not know what I need?

That is normal. Many business owners are not sure whether they need monthly bookkeeping, cleanup work, GST/HST support, payroll support, or just a review of their records.

We can review the situation, ask the right questions, and recommend the best starting point before work begins.

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What happens before monthly bookkeeping begins?

Before ongoing bookkeeping begins, your file may need an initial setup or diagnostic review.

This helps confirm access, review the condition of the records, check QuickBooks setup, look at bank feeds, identify sales tax or payroll issues, and determine whether cleanup work is needed first.

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Can you help if my books are already behind?

Yes. Behind, incomplete, or messy books are common.

Depending on the condition of the records, cleanup or catch-up work may be needed before regular bookkeeping can begin. The goal is to bring the file into a usable condition so future bookkeeping, GST/HST filing, payroll support, reporting, and year-end work can be handled properly.

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Services

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What bookkeeping services do you offer?

Timmins Bookkeeping may assist with monthly bookkeeping, bank and credit card reconciliations, GST/HST return support, payroll support, QuickBooks Online setup, financial reports, cleanup and catch-up work, CRA-related bookkeeping support, and year-end tax-ready records.

The exact scope depends on the service selected and what is agreed to before work begins.

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Do you offer monthly bookkeeping?

Yes. Monthly bookkeeping is available for small businesses that want their records maintained throughout the year.

This may include transaction categorization, reconciliations, reports, GST/HST support, payroll-related bookkeeping, communication about missing items, and keeping the file organized on an ongoing basis.

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Do you offer GST/HST-only filing?

Yes. GST/HST return support can be provided as a limited service if you only need your return reviewed and filed.

For GST/HST-only work, Timmins Bookkeeping relies on the records, totals, and explanations provided by the client unless broader bookkeeping or cleanup work is separately agreed to.

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Do you offer payroll support?

Yes. Payroll support may include payroll entries, source deduction tracking, remittance support, T4 support, ROEs, payroll account questions, and payroll-related bookkeeping.

Payroll support depends on the agreed scope and does not automatically include every payroll issue, correction, or prior-period problem unless separately agreed to.

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Will I receive financial reports?

Yes. Financial reports can be provided depending on the service.

These may include reports such as profit and loss, balance sheet, sales tax summaries, and basic monthly business snapshots. The goal is to make your records easier to understand, not just entered into software.​​

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Pricing

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How does pricing work?

Pricing depends on the service, the condition of the records, and the amount of work required.

Many services use a base fee plus hourly time. Cleanup, corrections, CRA support, and extra work are usually billed hourly. Before work begins, the service type, expected scope, and pricing structure are confirmed.

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Why is there a setup or diagnostic fee?​​

The setup and diagnostic step helps review the file before ongoing work begins.

This may include checking access, reviewing QuickBooks setup, bank feeds, chart of accounts, sales tax settings, payroll or GST/HST risks, and whether cleanup is needed. This helps determine what the file actually needs before regular bookkeeping begins.

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Why can bookkeeping prices vary?

Bookkeeping prices can vary because every file is different.

Pricing may be affected by transaction volume, number of bank or credit card accounts, payroll activity, GST/HST complexity, missing records, unreconciled accounts, prior-period errors, software issues, or how much cleanup is needed.

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Are estimates fixed quotes?

Not unless clearly stated in writing.

Bookkeeping fees are usually based on the actual work required. If the file is more complicated than expected, records are missing, or additional work is needed, pricing may change based on the time and scope involved.

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Are software or third-party costs included?

Software, apps, filing fees, payment processor fees, payroll software, QuickBooks Online subscriptions, and other third-party costs are separate unless clearly included in writing.

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Records & Deadlines

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What records do I need to provide?

This depends on the service, but common records may include bank statements, credit card statements, receipts, invoices, loan statements, payroll information, GST/HST records, CRA notices, and explanations for unusual transactions.

The more complete and organized the records are, the smoother the process usually is.

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What happens if I provide records late?

Late or missing records can delay bookkeeping, GST/HST filing, payroll support, reports, or year-end work.

If information is missing, Timmins Bookkeeping may ask for clarification. If the file cannot be completed properly without the missing information, work may be paused until the required records are provided.

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Can you fix mistakes from prior periods?

Yes, in many cases. Prior-period corrections, cleanup, reconstruction, and catch-up work can be handled when needed.

The amount of work depends on the condition of the records, whether accounts were reconciled, whether documents are missing, and how far back the issues go.

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What is the difference between organized books and cleanup work?

Organized books generally means the records are complete, accounts are reconciled, transactions are supported, and the file can be reviewed or maintained without major reconstruction.

Cleanup work is required when records are missing, accounts are unreconciled, transactions are unsupported, opening balances are wrong, prior periods need correction, or the file cannot be relied on without additional work.

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Software & Remote Support

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Do I need QuickBooks Online?

Not always, but QuickBooks Online is usually the preferred option for ongoing bookkeeping.

It helps keep bank feeds, transactions, sales tax, reports, and records organized in one place. If you are not already using QuickBooks, Timmins Bookkeeping can review your situation and let you know whether it makes sense for your business.

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Can you help set up QuickBooks Online?

Yes. QuickBooks Online setup and support may include company settings, sales tax settings, chart of accounts review, bank feeds, and basic workflow setup.

If the file already exists, it can be reviewed to determine whether it is ready for ongoing bookkeeping or whether cleanup is needed first.

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Do you work with businesses outside of Timmins?

Yes. Timmins Bookkeeping can work with clients outside of Timmins, especially when records, communication, and software access can be handled digitally.

Local clients may also have the option of in-person drop-off or direct local support when needed.

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Do you prepare tax returns?

Timmins Bookkeeping focuses on bookkeeping, GST/HST support, payroll support, QuickBooks, reporting, and tax-ready records.

Tax preparation is handled separately through NorthStar Tax & Advisory when applicable.

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