Lucas CloutierYears ago, when I first ventured into managing my own business, I was convinced I could handle the bookkeeping on my own. At first, everything seemed to be going smoothly, or so I thought.
Weeks turned into months, and one day, I just realised my books were a mess. Some expenses were miscategorized as asset, some transactions were missing, and there was an alarming discrepancy in my account balances.
That experience helped me realise the gravity of accurate bookkeeping and the value of expertise. Since then, I’ve made the switch to using a professional bookkeeper.
I had some help from the rest of the team at Waterview Vancouver to identify the top bookkeepers in Vancouver. After reaching out to numerous bookkeepers and their clients, here’s who made it onto our list of the best bookkeepers in Vancouver.
| How much does it cost to hire a bookkeeper in Vancouver? Hiring a bookkeeper in Vancouver costs at least 500 CAD per month. The final price will vary depending on the bookkeeper you use. |
1. Your Modern Accountant Ltd.
Address: Vancouver and nearby areas
Contact Details:
Ontario: 416-934-7744
British Columbia: 778-725-5779
Alberta: 587-205-5779
Saskatchewan: 306-994-9555
Email: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Your Modern Accountant Ltd. (YMA) sets itself apart as a modern, fully digital bookkeeping and accounting firm catering to clients across Canada, from Ontario to British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. With a focus on offering affordable, flexible, and secure online services, YMA aims to provide reliable bookkeeping solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients. Below is an in-depth look at the advantages and disadvantages of choosing YMA for bookkeeping services.
YMA stands out for its personalized approach, with a team of dedicated Tax and Accounting Mentors available to answer client queries and provide detailed guidance. This level of support helps demystify bookkeeping processes, making it easier for clients to understand their financial data and make informed business decisions. For many small business owners who may lack deep financial expertise, this kind of mentorship adds significant value and boosts client satisfaction.
YMA’s exclusive focus on online services makes their bookkeeping offerings accessible to clients nationwide. By using cloud-based accounting software such as Wave, Xero, and QuickBooks Online, they enable clients to handle financial management seamlessly from anywhere. This digital-first approach is ideal for businesses that prefer remote access and appreciate the flexibility of managing their bookkeeping on the go, which aligns well with the evolving trend toward remote work.
The firm’s use of multiple software tools, including HubDoc for document management and My Tax Express for tax filings, ensures a streamlined, efficient bookkeeping process. By integrating these industry-leading platforms, YMA can accommodate a wide range of bookkeeping needs, from simple data entry to complex financial reporting. Clients benefit from this integration, as it minimizes errors and enhances the accuracy of their financial records.
YMA offers a range of pricing options tailored to the client’s needs, providing both hourly rates and fixed monthly fees. This flexibility allows businesses to choose a plan that best suits their financial situation, making it a cost-effective alternative to hiring full-time, in-house bookkeeping staff. By outsourcing to YMA, businesses can save on payroll costs, office space, and equipment, translating to significant financial savings in the long term.
Data privacy is a core priority at YMA. The firm uses encryption and performs regular backups to ensure the safety of client information, reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access. This commitment to data security is especially important given the sensitive nature of financial records, providing peace of mind to clients who trust YMA with their bookkeeping needs.
Pros
- Convenience and Accessibility
- Diverse Software Solutions for Comprehensive Bookkeeping
- Cost-Effective and Flexible Pricing
- Strong Emphasis on Data Security
- Proactive Client Support
Cons
- Can Be Busy During Peak Seasons
Customer Reviews
They are fast, efficient and reasonably priced
“Love the team at Your Modern Accountant! They are fast, efficient and reasonably priced. Through their online portal, it’s easy to dump all of your info onto them, and they come back with your taxes ready to file. They have great customer service and I would highly recommend them!”
The whole process was seamless, communication was constant, and the price was right
“Google should have a 10 star rating for the Superstars! It was mid-April, and I found myself without my regular tax preparer. I had called a number of companies, most said they would not be taking new clients. I found Your Modern Accountant, and started perusing reviews. I called Patrick and was instantly set at ease, that yes, they could do my taxes. I went from “peel me off the ceiling” to “I can breathe again.” I was lined up with Andrew from YMA, uploaded all of my tax info, and within hours, I had the rough numbers. All of my questions were answered so quickly, I was confident that Andrew knew the tax code, and would do best by me. I thought I’d be in tax debtors prison for the rest of the year, but Andrew got me a refund! The whole process was seamless, communication was constant, and the price was right! So tickled was I with YMA, I told a friend who needs help with her taxes…and now I’m telling you…..10/5 stars. YMA has a client for life.”
2. Always Bookkeeping Ltd.
Address: 1055 W Georgia St #2400, Vancouver, BC V6E 3P3, Canada
Contact Details: +1 (780) 554-8356
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 7 PM
- Saturday – 8 AM to 5 PM
Always Bookkeeping Ltd. makes it clear from the get-go that they have no catch-up fees.
With them, you can expect scheduled phone calls biweekly with their bookkeepers. And come tax time, they provide annual T4s, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
The team supports QuickBooks Online and even guides users through it. Additionally, their clients found their quarterly group business strategy sessions helpful in not only keeping their books in order but also strategising and planning for the future.
Something we found really handy was their use of Hubdoc, a digital tool for storing receipts and automatically downloading statements. This tool saves clients the hassle of dealing with piles of receipts and statements.
Many also praised their interim financial reports. People like how these reports are easy to understand and relevant to their business’s needs.
A few clients, though, mentioned that they would appreciate more personalised strategies rather than broader group advice during their coaching sessions.
Pros
- No catch-up fees
- Biweekly check-ins
- Provides annual T4s
- Helps with QuickBooks Online
- Offers quarterly business strategy sessions
- Uses Hubdoc
- Provides easy-to-understand financial reports
Cons
- Limited personalised advice
Customer Reviews
Has helped us grow from the beginning stages
Extremely professional and responsive. Roberto has been a huge help with our company and I couldn’t recommend him enough! He has helped us grow from the beginning stages of our company and especially during the pandemic. You can tell he truly cares about his clients!
– WC Jungle, Google Reviews
Efficiently manage your books
Always bookkeeping is a great company. They have highly qualified staff that know how to efficiently manage your books. I would highly recommend them.
– Gavin Walters, Google Reviews
3. Notanobo
Address: 319 W Hastings St #400, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H6, Canada
Contact Details: +1 (604) 900-8832
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
For those who can’t stand managing books for their business, Notanobo seems to be a great choice.
People genuinely love Notanobo’s approach because many like the custom-tailored service.
Several Shopify business owners we spoke with shared how, with Notanobo, all their bank and credit card transactions are imported automatically. Everything is categorised and reconciled without the usual headaches.
Other startup business owners we interviewed told us Notanobo takes the time upfront to review your current bookkeeping processes. This initial review helped them catch mistakes they didn’t even know they were making.
And guess what? From what we’ve heard, the Notanobo team even provides suggestions to boost efficiency and streamline business operations.
People felt more in control and less like they were putting out fires. Many said it’s all thanks to Notanobo’s unique software stack and their exceptional customer service.
However, a few people mentioned they wished there were more personalised touchpoints after the initial setup. They felt like the human element became less noticeable once everything was running smoothly.
Pros
- Handles bookwork automatically
- Catches bookkeeping mistakes
- Gives tips to improve business
- Great customer service
- Makes you feel in control
Cons
- Less personal after setup
Month to month it’s a very smooth process
I’ve been using Notanobo as my book keeper for almost 2 years. The initial consultation and setup was very easy. Month to month it’s a very smooth process, with almost no time investment on my part. It’s a great feeling to know that my book keeping is being taken care of consistently and reliably. I highly recommend Notanobo.
– Suzanne Kyra, Google Reviews
Efficient, friendly, and cost effective
Drew and his team at Notanobo have been supporting our businesses bookkeeping needs for the past 3 years and we couldn’t recommend them more! They are efficient, friendly, and cost effective. Helping us stay organized as a brand new business was super important and I’m so glad we found Notanobo!
– OYF Westshore Studio, Google Reviews
4. Homeroom Small Business Solutions Inc.
Address: 525 W 8th Ave Floor #8, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1C6, Canada
Contact Details: +1 (604) 739-9536
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
At Homeroom Small Business Solutions Inc., clients appreciate the consistent fees, no matter how complicated their books get. It’s a huge relief for many of the smaller businesses we spoke with.
We also noted that Homeroom seems to hit the sweet spot when it comes to tech. Many clients love the convenience of automatic reminders and the ability to manage everything from their couch. There’s no need to chase down documents or worry about missing deadlines.
Other clients we talked to also praise their response time. More than one person told us that Homeroom consistently delivers next-business-day replies. It’ss that quick turnaround that makes their clients feel valued and heard.
Homeroom’s systems-oriented approach also received praise because it means they’re not reliant on just one bookkeeper. Clients liked knowing that event if their primary bookkeeper is out, their file wouldn’t be left unattended.
On the flip side, some felt the communication occasionally wasn’t personal enough, as if they were dealing more with an efficient machine than a human.
Pros
- Same price no matter what
- Easy-to-use system
- Automatic reminders
- Fast response times
- Multiple people working on your account
Cons
- Communication feels impersonal at times
They answer all my questions promptly and thoroughly
I chose homeroom bookkeeping because I felt like the finances in my small business were starting to get away from me. I was afraid to grow in case I was taking unforeseen issues along with me. Teya and her team have given me so much peace of mind! I love that they specialize in ecom businesses, and all the quirks that come along with it. They answer all my questions promptly and thoroughly – I finally have confidence in my business finances.
– Arielle Moore, Google Reviews
Amazing quarterly reminders, easy to use software access
The HomeRoom team provides exceptional bookkeeping and accounting services! I highly recommend to any Canadian business owner looking to grow your consultant team and bring on a finance expert. It will be soooooo worth it y’all on so many fronts. HomeRoom provides amazing quarterly reminders, easy to use software access, and makes bookkeeping and accounting easy and fun (I do recommend pairing it with a lovely coffee or chai)! I especially recommend for all the CEOs out there who would like to focus on your own realm of genius, and let the brilliance of Teya’s leadership and training shine as your financial consultant. With love, Taq
– TKB, Google Reviews
5. Stellar Accounts Corp.
Address: 997 Seymour St #250B, Vancouver, BC V6B 3M1, Canada
Contact Details: +1 (778) 384-0781
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
When it comes to bookkeeping and payroll services, Stellar Accounts Corp. has been making waves in the industry.
People raved about how Stellar Accounts Corp. made their financial lives easier. Several small business owners said that, for the first time ever, they felt on top of their finances.
Many like that the team provides timely reminders about tax obligations and even identifies potential deductions they hadn’t considered before. Not having to worry about missing filing deadlines is a huge relief to many.
Businesses we spoke with values the expert advice on cash flow management, budgeting, and financial forecasting. Several people reported feeling more confident in their financial decisions due to the accurate and easily understandable reports provided by the team.
However, a few people mentioned that their forensic bookkeeping services were somewhat time-consuming. But most agreed that once everything was up and running, the benefits far outweighed the initial hassle.
Pros
- Makes finances easier to understand
- Helps with taxes and finding deductions
- Gives reminders about tax deadlines
- Offers advice on money management
- Provides helpful financial reports
Cons
- Forensic bookkeeping can take time
She pulled together a year of messy bookkeeping
Magdalena is professional and knowledgeable. Within a few weeks she pulled together a year of messy bookkeeping and produced expert reporting for my business. She managed my GST return calculations and provided my accountant with a well laid out year end report that has simplified how I had been reporting. I look forward to working with her on an ongoing basis.
– Janette Fricker, Google Reviews
Expertise in bookkeeping has been invaluable
I want to express my sincere appreciation for all of your hard work and dedication over the past year. Your expertise in bookkeeping has been invaluable to our business, and we couldn’t have achieved the level of success we have without you.
- Elsa Zaragoza, Google Reviews
6. Transcounts Services Inc.
Address: 3665 Kingsway #300, Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2, Canada
Contact Details: +1 (604) 332-1030
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Transcounts Services Inc. helps businesses ranging from startups to nonprofits and even private schools.They leverage the best cloud bookkeeping tools, from QuickBooks and Xero to Wave and FreshBooks. Their clients no longer have to deal with clunky spreadsheets anymore.
Their clients we spoke to raved about the timely delivery of their monthly financial statements. Several business owners mentioned how this freed up their time to focus on growing their business rather than getting bogged down by numbers.
Another favourite among users is how Transcounts manages everything, from bank reconciliations to GST/HST filings.
A few people highlighted how accurate their inventory and cost of goods sold (COGS) calculations were, which helped them better manage their stock levels and costs.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that the initial setup phase with Transcounts is a bit lengthy. It can take up to 6 weeks to get fully operational.
Pros
- Uses various accounting software
- Timely delivery of financial statements
- Comprehensive services
Cons
- Set up takes up to six weeks
A perfect choice for small-midsized businesses
Aman and his team have provided us with excellent bookkeeping services over the past year. Their attention to detail, regular communication, and collaborative demeanor make them a perfect choice for small-midsized businesses like our own. Thank you to Aman for his stellar service and support!
– Barton Moxness, Google Reviews
Excellent service and accountability
Working with Transcounts to handle my bookkeeping for multiple businesses has truly made my life easier. Excellent service and accountability. They know what they are doing!
– Faraj Edher, Google Reviews
