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Time Business News
21 hours ago
- Business
- Time Business News
How to Find a Bookkeeping Company in Toronto: A Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you're a small business owner, a freelancer, or running a growing startup, having reliable bookkeeping services is crucial to managing your finances effectively. In a vibrant and competitive city like Toronto, the options for bookkeeping companies are vast—ranging from large firms to boutique providers and even virtual bookkeepers. But how do you choose the right one for your needs? Here's a practical guide to help you navigate the process of finding a trustworthy Toronto bookkeeper. Before reaching out to any firms, it's important to know what kind of services you require. Bookkeeping isn't just about recording expenses and revenues—it can also include payroll processing, GST/HST filings, bank reconciliations, invoicing, and preparing financial statements. Are you looking for full-service bookkeeping or just help with monthly reconciliations? Do you need industry-specific knowledge, such as for retail, hospitality, or real estate? Knowing your specific needs will help you narrow down your options. Toronto offers both in-person and virtual bookkeeping services. Some businesses prefer face-to-face meetings with a local bookkeeper, especially when dealing with sensitive financial information. Others are comfortable with cloud-based platforms like QuickBooks Online or Xero, and prefer virtual services that offer flexibility and often lower costs. Decide what works best for your comfort level and workflow. Ensure the company or individual you choose has the proper certifications. Look for credentials such as Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB) or affiliation with recognized organizations like the Canadian Bookkeepers Association (CBA) or the Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (IPBC). Certified professionals adhere to ethical standards and continuing education requirements, which means your books are in experienced hands. Word-of-mouth remains one of the most powerful tools when searching for reliable service providers. Ask fellow business owners, accountants, or your local chamber of commerce if they can recommend a reputable bookkeeper in Toronto. Additionally, online reviews on Google, Yelp, or Clutch can provide insights into customer satisfaction, responsiveness, and professionalism. Modern bookkeeping relies heavily on cloud software, automation tools, and integration with apps like Shopify, Stripe, or payroll systems like Wagepoint or ADP. A forward-thinking bookkeeping company will be proficient in these tools and help you streamline your financial processes. Ask potential providers about the software they use and whether they can work with your existing systems. Treat this like hiring a team member. Reach out to at least three bookkeeping companies and conduct brief interviews. Ask about their experience, the size and scope of clients they typically work with, their pricing models, and how they handle data security. This will help you compare and find the best fit for your business culture and budget. Bookkeeping companies in Toronto may charge hourly rates, flat monthly fees, or packages based on your transaction volume. Make sure you understand their pricing structure and what's included. Be wary of providers with unusually low rates—quality bookkeeping requires time and expertise, and cutting corners may cost you more in the long run. Once you've chosen a bookkeeping company, ask for a service agreement that outlines their responsibilities, timelines, confidentiality terms, and how communication will be handled. Some firms may offer a trial period or discounted introductory rate, which gives you a chance to evaluate their service before making a long-term commitment. Finding the right bookkeeping company in Toronto may take a little time, but it's a decision that can significantly impact your financial health and business success. By understanding your needs, doing due diligence, and communicating clearly with potential providers, you'll be well on your way to forming a professional relationship that supports your growth and peace of mind. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time Magazine
a day ago
- Politics
- Time Magazine
What Building Black Power Could Mean for Workplaces
By Ahead of Juneteenth, we spoke with Andre M. Perry, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of the recent book, Black Power Scorecard: Measuring the Racial Gap and What We Can Do to Close it. He told us that the goal of Black Power Scorecard was to 'find out the factors that we must address in order to create vibrant, thriving communities.' In it, he argues that Black power movements seek to 'remove privileges based on race,' a process that would 'advance democracy, benefiting all racial groups.' We asked him about employers' role in working towards that vision, given the attacks on corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs on the federal level. Here are excerpts from our conversation, edited for length and clarity: In Black Power Scorecard, you write that 'the concepts, strategies, and objectives of Black power have never been fully encapsulated by [corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)] programs.' Where has DEI fallen short? I wrote the book before Trump was elected, but I still feel that my position holds up in that the goal of DEI and affirmative action have never been the goals of the Civil Rights Movement. It's always been to have mainstream access to capital markets, mainstream access to higher educational institutions. And in many ways, DEI programs—not the values—are consolation prizes that have been offered in the face of not providing access. In one of my favorite studies, we scraped all the Yelp data from businesses across the country and found that Black-, Brown-, and Asian-owned firms actually score higher on Yelp than their white counterparts. That research shows empirically what elders used to say all the time, that our ice is just as cold, meaning that our businesses and entrepreneurs are just as worthy of investment. No one wants to be a consolation prize. No one wants to be a set aside. We don't want workarounds. Communities need investment like everyone else, and so to me, the goal is to create policy both in the public and private sectors that recognize the strength of people and that Black, Brown, and Asian folks are not a set aside. We don't want special programs. We just want mainstream access. One of my favorite quotes comes from Thich Nhat Han, a Vietnamese philosopher, who used to say, 'When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce.' You look to see if the soil's enriched. You look to see if it's getting proper rain water or sunlight. But when things aren't growing in black communities, we constantly blame the lettuce. I want for us to recognize that when there's a lack of growth it's because of a lack of investment, but also that we have strength in black communities, but that strength is devalued. And I don't necessarily promote the furtherance of devaluation through policies that aren't truly providing the investments that they deserve. So it's incumbent upon corporate America, upon government, upon American citizens to say, 'Hey, we want policies that work for all of us.' What should employers be doing instead to realize the goals of Black power, or as you write, 'create environments that maximize human potential?' When it comes to employers in particular, I do emphasize the role of income. Income is one of the top predictors [of life expectancy in Black communities]. What employers should be mindful of is that pay is a major factor in the quality of life for individuals. No surprises there. When people have adequate pay, they invest in their lives and their communities' lives. We always need to check our pay against cost of living increases because what has happened over the decades is that the cost of living in many markets has outpaced the increase in pay. And if we're not mindful, we can really make it hard on families overall to have a good quality of life. Another avenue could be workforce housing, which may be difficult in tight housing markets but can be a viable goal to create thriving communities. Because of those tight markets, we have not seen widespread employer-housing benefits, but if firefighters and teachers and other municipal employees can get access to home ownership, it helps stabilize their lives as well as the lives of others in the community. In the book, I talk a lot about how we must look for collective means to solve these problems. Unionization is one critical institution or practice for employees if their employers are not providing the incomes that encourage longevity. I'm also interested in employee-owned firms and other ways that employees can have a stake in the growth of a business. Employers shouldn't interfere with employees' efforts to organize and mobilize. That may be hard to hear, but for an employer, it does come with certain tensions that are ultimately healthy in a democracy. You want employees to have some say in how resources are distributed because their work matters and in many cases, they are a primary reason why the business is seeing profits. It only makes sense that there is some kind of mechanism for employers to recognize the contributions of workers. What are you seeing that gives you hope and keeps you engaged in this kind of work? When I did the research, it was clear that there are lots of places that are thriving and that we see growth in a lot of areas. What happens at the national level often masks the real growth at the local level. Things are changing at a local level in spite of what's happening at the federal level. I point to the growth in Black-owned employer firms, for instance, or firms with more than one employee. Black people represent about 14% of the population. In 2017, Black-owned firms were about 2.3% of employer firms. That number has actually increased by 50% since 2017. And that was through the first Trump administration, a pandemic, and then the Biden administration. In spite of everything, we're seeing growth on a local level, and so I'm encouraged by that. Certainly, there are threats that can thwart those advancements, but I know there's strength that has been created during these periods, and we can't lose sight of that growth because it really will mask the innovation, the dignity, the strength of the people who are doing the good work and winning.
Time Business News
a day ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Local SEO Services That Help Small Biz Grow
In today's competitive digital landscape, visibility matters—especially for small, local companies trying to compete with larger players. That's why local SEO services for small businesses have become essential. These services are designed to boost your visibility in local search results so potential customers in your area can easily find you when they need your product or service. Whether you're a neighborhood bakery, a boutique salon, or a family-owned repair shop, local SEO is the key to building trust and attracting more foot traffic and online inquiries. And when you partner with a results-driven marketing agency, your chances of success multiply. Local SEO focuses on optimizing your online presence to attract more business from relevant local searches. These include queries like 'best pizza near me' or 'plumber in [city name].' Unlike general SEO, which targets broader, sometimes global audiences, local SEO hones in on your immediate community—people who are most likely to visit your store or use your services. With the majority of users turning to search engines to find local businesses, if your company isn't optimized for local SEO, you're missing out on a massive opportunity. Here's what local SEO typically includes: Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) needs to be fully filled out, regularly updated, and optimized for keywords. Accurate and consistent business listings on platforms like Yelp, Facebook, Bing, and local directories help search engines verify your credibility. Positive customer reviews boost trust and search rankings. A good agency helps you collect, manage, and respond to reviews. This includes optimizing your website content for city-specific keywords, local landing pages, and schema markup. Links from local blogs, news outlets, and community websites improve domain authority and build trust. Partnering with a results-driven marketing agency means you're working with people who care about measurable success—not just vanity metrics. These agencies tailor strategies to your unique business goals and regularly adjust tactics based on data and results. They don't just set and forget. They test, optimize, and evolve their approach to make sure you're getting real value for your investment. Let's say you run a small home cleaning service. With local SEO, your business starts showing up in the local map pack, and your reviews begin climbing. Calls and bookings increase week by week. This is the power of focused local marketing done right. Local SEO services for small businesses are no longer optional—they're vital. They help level the playing field and put you in front of the people who matter most: your local customers. When powered by a results-driven marketing agency, your business won't just survive—it'll thrive. So, if you're ready to show up where it counts, it's time to invest in local SEO that truly delivers. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
How late is too late to arrive at your restaurant booking? (Asking for a friend)
You're deep in traffic, sweating in the back seat. The GPS app says 'five minutes away', but the driver's eyes – and peak-hour congestion – say otherwise. You know they will still seat you at the restaurant, but you also know a lot of your experience will be lost to the memory of this panic. Is 16 minutes too long to keep the staff waiting without calling? What about 20 minutes? Half an hour? This bus blocking the road doesn't seem to be moving... A 10- to 15-minute grace period is common for most restaurants, but there has never been a universal answer to the question, 'How late is too late?' For its 2024 Dining Etiquette Report, crowd-sourced review website Yelp asked 2000 users the question, and 76 per cent considered being more than 10 minutes late to be unacceptable. Google's AI Overviews pegs the limit at 15 minutes, while other global food publications are even more lenient – but that doesn't mean your restaurant will be. Of course, the theatre of dining will play on, even if you're not there. Buses break down, trains go on strike, and some people still can't read 24-hour time. But if you're late, it can inconvenience the restaurant staff, kitchen and other customers. Sob story or not, it can also cost you.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
How late is too late to arrive at your restaurant booking? (Asking for a friend)
You're deep in traffic, sweating in the back seat. The GPS app says 'five minutes away', but the driver's eyes – and peak-hour congestion – say otherwise. You know they will still seat you at the restaurant, but you also know a lot of your experience will be lost to the memory of this panic. Is 16 minutes too long to keep the staff waiting without calling? What about 20 minutes? Half an hour? This bus blocking the road doesn't seem to be moving... A 10- to 15-minute grace period is common for most restaurants, but there has never been a universal answer to the question, 'How late is too late?' For its 2024 Dining Etiquette Report, crowd-sourced review website Yelp asked 2000 users the question, and 76 per cent considered being more than 10 minutes late to be unacceptable. Google's AI Overviews pegs the limit at 15 minutes, while other global food publications are even more lenient – but that doesn't mean your restaurant will be. Of course, the theatre of dining will play on, even if you're not there. Buses break down, trains go on strike, and some people still can't read 24-hour time. But if you're late, it can inconvenience the restaurant staff, kitchen and other customers. Sob story or not, it can also cost you.
