Running on Empty

I was running late that morning. Bolted down my breakfast. Loaded up my lunch bag. Grabbed my briefcase and I was out the door and into my car. Zipped over to the 407 and started my 45-minute trip to wilds of Caledon for my bi-weekly appointment with my client.

Continue ReadingRunning on Empty
Comments Off on Running on Empty

Hey! I won an Award!

I found out earlier this week that your favourite friendly neighbourhood accountant (that's me) was voted a Platinum Winner in this year's Toronto Star Readers Choice Awards. Doesn't come with a fancy statue or a chunk of money (I wish) but it is the second time I've won (last time was in 2020; I sat out the 2021 awards). I think it's cool. Thank you to everyone who voted for me!

Continue ReadingHey! I won an Award!
Comments Off on Hey! I won an Award!

Did you know that a lightbulb (& Google) made me a (Super) Hero?

“Oh damn! The lightbulb on my sewing machine’s burnt out!” she said. “Uh, OK”, I said, “So what’s the problem?” “No light, no sewing. We need a new one.” “New bulb or new machine?” That’s when I got hit with the full force of the famous SpousalOverunit StinkEye™.

Continue ReadingDid you know that a lightbulb (& Google) made me a (Super) Hero?
Comments Off on Did you know that a lightbulb (& Google) made me a (Super) Hero?

Can you really hire a 14-year-old to do your bookkeeping?

I was a bit taken aback when Thomas Wu asked me that question on his Koyoti Small Business Podcast (KSBP) a couple of weeks ago. Thomas and I talked about THAT, along with our shared passion for fountain pens (and why I love using them), his love-hate relationship with my website, and why I don’t prepare taxes (not even my own). (Oh and yes, I did answer his question, but you’ll have to tune into the podcast to hear it!)

Continue ReadingCan you really hire a 14-year-old to do your bookkeeping?
Comments Off on Can you really hire a 14-year-old to do your bookkeeping?

How to stop the HST “OMG” Moment

“I owe HOW much in HST? You’ve got to be kidding – I don’t have that in the bank”. My client stared at the report in shock. We had finally straightened out his past-due federal Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) return. Now that he knew what he owed – he needed to figure out how he was going to pay it–since he’d already spent the money he’d collected. Oops.

Continue ReadingHow to stop the HST “OMG” Moment
Comments Off on How to stop the HST “OMG” Moment