Creatives
Trade Side
01 / 02
Studio

For Creatives

Studio
Side

by The Backbone

Bookkeeping and admin support for artists, influencers, and first-time Canadian entrepreneurs. Vancouver & Vancouver Island.

Explore Studio Side → Vancouver · Vancouver Island · Remote
Build

For the Doers

Trade
Side

by The Backbone

Bookkeeping and per-project P&L analysis for small Canadian trades companies. Builders, carpenters, crews. Up to 20 employees.

Bookkeeping P&L per Project
Explore Trade Side → Canadian Companies Only · BC Focus
Studio Side Bookkeeping for Creatives From $320 / Week GST & PST Filing Physical Receipt Pickup Powered by QuickBooks CPA Tax Network Vancouver & VI Schedule Assistant Studio Side Bookkeeping for Creatives From $320 / Week GST & PST Filing Physical Receipt Pickup Powered by QuickBooks CPA Tax Network Vancouver & VI Schedule Assistant

What We Handle

Whether you have a corporation,
are self-employed, or both — we've got you.

A lot of artists and creatives wear multiple hats at once. Most bookkeepers make you figure that out yourself. We don't.

You have a corporation
We keep your business books clean all year so your accountant can file your corporate taxes without the chaos.
You're self-employed
Freelance, commissions, brand deals. We track all your income and expenses so nothing gets missed at tax time.
Personal taxes, handled too
We prep your books and year-end package. Your CPA files your return. We coordinate with them, or connect you with ours. One process, nothing falls through.
Note: Been mixing your personal and business money together? It happens — especially at the start. We untangle it for you, no judgment.

Why Studio Side

We get how
creatives actually work.

Receipts in bags. Invoices in email threads. Personal and business accounts mixed together. Income that comes in waves — feast one month, nothing the next. That's not disorganization. That's just how creative work flows.

Studio Side was built for exactly this. We don't need your books to be perfect before we start. We start where you are.

Messy books are our starting point
Receipts in a bag, mixed accounts, months behind — we've seen it all and we never judge. We just get to work.
We understand irregular income
Commission one month, nothing the next, three brand deals at once. We know how creative income works and we track it properly.
Works around your schedule
Busy season, slow season, one-time catch-up or ongoing — we fit into your life, not the other way around. No contracts, no lock-in.
Built for Canadian self-employment
GST, PST, CRA deadlines, sole proprietor filings. We know the rules for self-employed Canadians inside out.
Coming soon
How Studio Side works
2-minute explainer
Video coming soon

Who We Help

If your books are a mess,
you're in the right place.

Artists & Makers

Commissions, prints, handmade goods. You're busy creating. None of it gets tracked until tax season hits.

"I have two years of receipts in a bag and I'm scared to open it."

Influencers & Creators

Brand deals, sponsored posts, affiliate income. Messy, fast, and all in different places. We track it all.

"I don't even know what I made last quarter or what I owe CRA."

First-Time Entrepreneurs

Just registered in Canada. You know your craft, not bookkeeping. We build good habits from day one.

"I don't know what I can deduct or how GST even works."
For Artists & Makers

What we take off your plate

Bookkeeping
Commissions, print sales, market income. All tracked. GST & PST prep included. CRA-ready year-round. See plans →
Document Digitization
Receipts in a bag? Mail or drop them off. We scan at 300 DPI, extract the data, return the originals or shred them. See packages →
Year-End Package
Everything packaged cleanly for your CPA to file without back-and-forth.
For Influencers & Creators

What we take off your plate

Bookkeeping
Brand deals, affiliate income, sponsorships, merch. All tracked per stream. GST & PST included. No income source missed. See plans →
Most Requested
Content Calendar & Admin
We manage your posting schedule, track brand deal deliverables, follow up on unpaid invoices, and handle the admin that eats your time.
Document Digitization
Contracts, receipts, brand deal paperwork. Physical or digital. Available standalone or as part of your plan. See packages →
For First-Time Entrepreneurs

What we take off your plate

Bookkeeping from Day One
We set up your books properly from the start. Right categories, GST & PST tracking, no bad habits to undo later. See plans →
Most Requested
GST & PST Guidance
We explain what you need to register for, when to remit, and what you can claim, in plain language, no jargon.
CPA Tax Network
We prep your year-end package. Our CPA partners file your return, or we hand it off cleanly to your own CPA. Nothing falls through at tax time.
Now serving Vancouver Island clients

All Studio Side bookkeeping, admin, and tax services are available remotely for clients on Vancouver Island. Available remotely Document digitization works via Canada Post — mail us your receipts and we handle the rest. In-person not available Physical drop-off isn't possible for VI clients, but everything else is identical.

Bookkeeping Pricing

Simple, honest pricing.

All monthly plans are ongoing retainers. We show up every week, keep your books current, and you always know what it costs. CPA tax filing is quoted separately through our partner network.

Monthly Retainers All prices exclude GST (5%)
Basic
$320/week
8 hrs · $40/hr · CAD · QuickBooks

For creatives who need their books in order and nothing else. Clean, simple monthly bookkeeping in QuickBooks. Suited for up to 10–20 receipts or invoices per day.

Commitment
Month-to-month
Cancellation
Anytime, no penalty
Hours
8 hrs/week · $40/hr
  • Monthly income & expense tracking
  • Bank & credit card reconciliation
  • GST & PST tracking
  • Clean records ready for your CPA
  • Receipt digitization
  • Tax prep package
  • CPA tax filing (quoted separately)
  • Audit support
Get Started
Full Service
From $640/week
16+ hrs · $40/hr · CAD · scoped per client

For clients with multiple business structures. We manage all your books in QuickBooks, properly separated and organized across your business structures.

  • Corporation bookkeeping
  • Sole proprietorship bookkeeping
  • Personal finances tracked & separated
  • Receipt digitization across all structures
  • Year-end package prepared for your CPA
  • Audit support: records aligned for review
  • Priority receipt turnaround available
  • CPA tax filing (quoted separately)
  • Final price scoped after consultation. Setup may affect total
Minimum commitment
6-month contract
Required access
All bank statements & accounts
Pricing
Subject to setup requirements
Book a Free Consultation
Behind on your books?

That's a project,
not a retainer.

If you haven't filed in a year or three, the monthly plans above aren't the right fit. A catch-up is a different scope entirely. We assess how far behind you are, how many years need to be untangled, and quote the full project as a flat engagement.

As a general guide, expect roughly a couple of months of work per year that's unfiled. Two years behind? Around 4 months. Three years, like some of our most significant cases, can mean close to a year of dedicated work. Missing documentation, mixed personal and business finances, and incomplete records can all affect the timeline. We'll tell you exactly what you're looking at in the free consultation, no surprises.

Once your books are caught up, you move to a monthly retainer to stay current going forward.

How a catch-up works
01
Free consultation
We assess how many years are behind, what records exist, and what needs to be reconstructed.
02
Flat project quote
You get a clear price for the full catch-up — no surprises mid-project.
03
We do the work
Every year gets untangled, organized, and handed to your CPA ready to file.
04
Move to a retainer
Once you're current, stay current. Never fall behind again.
Get a Catch-Up Quote
GST (5%) is not included in the prices listed above and will be added to all invoices.
Not sure which applies to you? Book a free 30-minute consultation — we'll figure it out together and quote exactly what you need. No commitment.

Add-On · Receipt Digitization

Up to 100
$250
CAD · one-time
101–250
$450
CAD · one-time
251–450
$600
CAD · one-time
451–750
$850
CAD · one-time

Already on a retainer? Digitization is included in Standard and Full Service plans. See full packages and conditions →

Add-On · Receipt Digitization

One delivery.
Flat fee.

Standalone or bundled into any retainer. Works for artists, influencers, entrepreneurs, and trades companies. One unit = one physical receipt. All deliveries in a single batch — no split shipments.

Artists & Makers Influencers Entrepreneurs Trade Companies One-time or bundled
Tier 1
Up to 100 units
1 physical receipt = 1 unit
$250
One-time · CAD · per batch
⏱ 10 business days
  • Vendor name, date & amount extracted
  • Shared Google Drive delivery
  • Digital hosting included for 1 year
  • Originals returned or stored in binder
Get Started
Tier 3
251 to 450 units
1 physical receipt = 1 unit
$600
One-time · CAD · per batch
⏱ 10 business days
  • Everything in Tier 1
  • Vendor name, date & amount extracted
  • Shared Google Drive delivery
  • Digital hosting included for 1 year
  • Originals returned or stored in binder
Get Started
Tier 4 · 451 to 750 units
$850 CAD · per batch
10 business days · same inclusions as above

Need more than 750 units? Give us a call and we'll put together a custom quote.

Get a Custom Quote
Add-On · Binder Organization

Receipts organized and stored in physical binders as they are digitized. Bring your own or we supply them for an additional fee.

Up to 100 units$100
101 to 250 units$150
251 to 450 units$250
451 to 750 units$300
What's extracted
Vendor name, transaction date, and amount. Delivered as a shared Google Drive file. Additional digital hosting beyond 1 year: $15 CAD/year.
Delivery conditions
All receipts must arrive in a single delivery. Surcharge of $10 CAD per 30 units for damaged or wrinkled receipts. Illegible receipts are not processed.
Disorganized? No problem.
If your receipts are disorganized, we temporarily store and sort the physical copies. Binder costs are separate — bring your own or we supply them.
All digitization prices exclude GST (5%), added to all invoices.
We keep everything simple so you can focus on running your business, not sorting receipts.

Tax Professional Network

We do the books.
Your CPA files your taxes.

Most bookkeepers leave you on your own at tax time. We don't. We work with a network of trusted Canadian CPAs — including Liberty Tax — who handle your annual filing using the clean books we built.

We match you with the right professional for your situation. You never hunt for a tax person in April.

💡
Corporation, sole proprietor, or both?

Whether you have one business structure or several, we keep your books clean and organized across all of them. Your CPA gets a tidy package. One handoff, nothing missed.

Studio Side
We clean and separate your books
Personal vs. business expenses sorted out — even if they've been mixed. No judgment, just clean records.
Studio Side
We prepare your full year-end package
Business income, expenses, deductions. Everything packaged cleanly for your CPA.
CPA Partner
They file all your returns
Personal, business, and any other filings — all handled together by licensed professionals.
Studio Side
If there's an audit, we align everything
We work directly with your CPA to organize your records exactly the way they need them for review. You don't have to figure out what to pull together — we do that with them.
CPA Partner
They represent you with CRA
Your CPA handles all communication with the CRA. You just stay informed — no stress, no surprises.
🤝
Our Tax Network
Vetted CPAs · Canada · incl. Liberty Tax
Personal income tax return
Business income tax filing
Sales tax (GST & PST) filing
Personal + business filed together if you're self-employed
Audit support: we organize your records to match exactly what the CPA needs for review
CRA representation: your CPA handles all communication on your behalf
If CRA ever comes knocking: we don't leave you to figure it out alone. We align your records with your CPA so everything is ready, clean, and in order — before they even ask for it.

What Clients Say

Real people, real relief.

★★★★★

"I had 18 months of receipts in a grocery bag. They had everything sorted in less than a week. I cried when I saw my books clean for the first time."

M
Mara T.
Illustrator · Vancouver, BC
★★★★★

"Managing 6 brand deals at once was chaos. Now I have one place for every contract, deadline, and payment. My manager uses it too."

J
Jordan K.
Content Creator · Victoria, BC
★★★★★

"I was about to hire a part-time bookkeeper. Way more flexible, no onboarding headache, and I'm saving thousands on payroll extras."

P
Priya S.
Small Biz Owner · Nanaimo, BC

Common Questions

Answers upfront.

No surprises. We'd rather you know exactly what working with Studio Side looks like before you reach out.

I'm years behind. Can you still help? +
Yes — and it's more common than you think. Significant catch-ups aren't handled on a monthly retainer, they're scoped as a flat project. We assess everything in the free consultation — how many years, what records exist, what needs to be reconstructed — and give you a clear quote for the full project. Some take weeks, some take longer. Once you're caught up, you move to a monthly plan to stay current.
How does the weekly retainer work? +
$256 CAD per week covers 8 hours of dedicated work at $32/hr. Before we start, we tell you exactly what those hours will be used for. No surprise invoices.
Do I need to sign a long-term contract? +
It depends on the plan. Basic is month-to-month — cancel anytime. Standard requires a 3-month minimum so we can actually build a reliable routine with your books. Full Service is a 6-month commitment given the complexity of managing multiple business structures. Catch-up projects are flat-quoted separately.
I'm on Vancouver Island. Can I still use Studio Side? +
Yes — all bookkeeping, admin, and tax services are available remotely. For document digitization, you mail your physical receipts via Canada Post and we handle everything from there. The only thing not available for VI clients is in-person drop-off.
Why does Full Service require a 3-month contract? +
Full Service involves managing books across multiple business structures. The setup phase alone takes time: getting full access to all bank statements, building the right categorization structure, and making sure nothing is mixed. The 3-month term ensures we can actually deliver clean, reliable results. We'll walk you through exactly what's needed in your free consultation.
What happens if I get audited? +
We've got you. If CRA reviews your file, we work directly with your CPA (or ours) to organize your records exactly the way they need them for the audit. You don't have to figure out what to pull together or how to present it. That's our job.
Do I still need to find a tax person? +
No. We have a network of trusted Canadian CPAs — including Liberty Tax — who handle annual tax filing for our clients. We prepare your year-end package and connect you with the right professional.
How long does receipt digitization take? +
Standard turnaround is 1 week for up to 200 receipts. If you need it faster, we offer a 48-hour fast-track option at a premium rate — just ask when you reach out and we'll quote you.
How far back can you catch up my books? +
As far back as you need. We've helped clients catch up from 3 months to 3 years behind. There's no judgment — it's more common than you think.

Add-On · Physical Product

The Backbone
Annual Planner.

A physical desk calendar built around your business. CRA deadlines, GST & PST filing dates, T4 season, payroll remittances, and every recurring date that matters to your year. No more scrambling. It's all on your wall.

Preview all 12 months →
CRA Deadlines GST & PST Filing T4 Season Payroll Dates Remittances Physical & Branded
Standard
$35 CAD
You provide your key dates
  • Custom-built annual planner
  • CRA & BC tax deadlines pre-filled
  • You supply payroll & remittance dates
  • Physical copy mailed to you
  • PDF version included
Order Now
Studio

Studio Side

Ready to get your books
off your plate?

Free 30-minute consultation. We figure out exactly what you need and quote clearly. No pressure, no commitment.

Trade Side Job-by-Job Bookkeeping P&L Per Project Canadian Companies Only Safety Workshops Trade Side Job-by-Job Bookkeeping P&L Per Project Canadian Companies Only Safety Workshops

For Trades

Field Side

Running a small construction crew means receipts everywhere, subcontractors to pay, and payroll to track with no time to do any of it. We handle the books — then show you exactly which jobs are making you money.

Available to Canadian construction companies with up to 20 employees. BC focus.

Get a Trade Side Quote →
P&L
Per-project profit & loss analysis. Know exactly which jobs made money
Safety
On-site safety workshops for small trades crews

Bookkeeping Services

Everything the job site generates,
we organize.

From lumber receipts to subcontractor invoices to payroll records. All of it properly categorized by project.

📋
Job-by-Job Bookkeeping

Every transaction tagged to the right project: materials, labour, subs, equipment. The foundation for P&L analysis.

👷
Payroll Records (Up to 20)

Hours, rates, deductions organized and documented. Ready for T4s and ROEs at year-end.

🧾
Subcontractor & Supplier Tracking

Know what you owe and what's overdue before it becomes a dispute. T5018 slips filed for all sub payments — most trades companies miss this CRA requirement.

🏗️
Equipment & Materials

Tool purchases, deliveries, fuel — categorized correctly including CCA items for tax time.

🇨🇦
Canadian Trades Compliance

GST & PST filing, EHT, WorkSafeBC, payroll remittances — filed directly as your authorized representative. We know the rules.

📁
Receipt Digitization

Lumber yard, hardware, fuel receipts — drop them off or mail them in. Available as a standalone package or bundled with your bookkeeping. See packages →

Add-On Service

Profit & Loss analysis, per project.

Know exactly which jobs made money and which ones didn't. Only available when we manage your books.

Sample project reports
🏠 Residential Reno · Burnaby 32% margin ↑
Revenue
$48,200
Costs
$32,700
Profit
$15,500
🏢 Commercial Framing · Surrey 18% margin ↓
Revenue
$91,500
Costs
$75,000
Profit
$16,500
🏘️ Spec Home Framing · Langley 28% margin ↑
Revenue
$134,000
Costs
$96,500
Profit
$37,500
Residential Reno · Burnaby
P&L Report · Per Project · Managed by The Backbone
Period: Jan–Mar 2024
Prepared by: The Backbone Ops & Design Inc.
Category Budgeted Actual Variance
Revenue
Contract Value$45,000$48,200+$3,200
Change Orders$0
Direct Costs
Labour$18,000$19,400–$1,400
Materials$10,000$9,800+$200
Subcontractors$3,500$3,500$0
Overhead Allocated
Equipment & Fuel$1,200–$1,200
Permits & Fees$800–$800
Net Profit$13,500$15,500+$2,000
← swipe to see all columns →
Delivered as a formatted PDF report and an Excel workbook with all transactions — one file per project, every month.
🔒

This analysis requires us to manage your books first.

Per-project P&L only works when every transaction has been categorized correctly by job from the start. If the books aren't clean and organized — or if we didn't manage them — the data isn't reliable enough to analyze, and we won't put our name on results we can't stand behind.

We do your bookkeeping
Every transaction tagged to the right project from day one.
Books are clean & project-tagged
All income and costs tied to the correct job. No gaps, no guesses.
🔓
P&L per project — unlocked
Full profit & loss report per job. See exactly what each site made.
If you bring us books that aren't categorized, or that we didn't manage, we can't offer this analysis. The numbers won't be reliable, and we won't put our name on results we can't stand behind.

Compliance & Tax Filing

Some filings we do.
The rest goes to your CPA.

We are not a CPA firm. But as your authorized representative, we handle several filings directly — GST, EHT, and WorkSafeBC. Corporate income tax goes to our vetted CPA network, or we coordinate with your existing CPA. Either way, the books we hand off are clean and ready to file.

One team. Clear responsibilities. Nothing falls through.

Backbone
We keep your books clean all year
Job-by-job categorization, payroll records, subcontractor tracking — organized and up to date for CRA requirements.
Backbone Direct
GST & PST filing — we file this
As your authorized representative, we prepare and file your GST returns directly with CRA. PST returns are filed with the BC Ministry of Finance. No CPA required for these filings.
Backbone Direct
EHT filing — we file this when due
BC Employer Health Tax is not filed every month — it depends on your payroll amount and filing frequency. When an EHT remittance or return falls within your contracted period, we handle it as your authorized representative.
Backbone Direct
WorkSafeBC filing — we file this
We are an authorized representative for WorkSafeBC. Payroll reporting and annual reconciliation filed directly — no scrambling at year-end.
Backbone Direct
Payroll remittances — we send these
When you have employees, we handle the payroll remittances to CRA — CPP, EI, and income tax deductions — submitted on schedule as your authorized representative.
Backbone Direct
T4s — we prepare and file these
Year-end T4 slips prepared and filed for all your employees directly with CRA. ROEs also prepared when needed.
Backbone Direct
T5018 slips — we file these
If you pay subcontractors for construction services, CRA requires T5018 Statement of Contract Payments slips. We prepare and file them on your behalf — most trades companies miss this one.
Backbone
Quarterly P&L review with you
Every quarter we sit down with you and your stakeholders — owners, partners, foremen — and walk through where the business stands. Revenue, costs, margins per project. No surprises at year-end.
Backbone
We prepare your corporate year-end package
Income, expenses, payroll summaries. Packaged cleanly for your CPA to file the T2 without back-and-forth. We work with your CPA or ours.
CPA Partner
They file your T2 corporate return
Corporate income tax is filed by a licensed CPA. We hand off everything they need — clean, organized, ready to go.
📋
What we handle directly
As your authorized representative · No CPA required
GST & PST quarterly & annual filing
BC Employer Health Tax (EHT) — filed when due within your contract period
WorkSafeBC payroll reporting & annual reconciliation
Payroll remittances to CRA — CPP, EI & income tax deductions (when you have employees)
Payroll records — T4s and ROEs prepared
Quarterly P&L review with owners & stakeholders
Year-end package handed to CPA — zero back-and-forth
T2 corporate income tax is filed by a CPA, not by us. We are not a CPA firm and we're upfront about that. We work with our vetted CPA partners, or with yours if you already have one. Either way, we make sure your books are so clean that the CPA files fast and bills you less.

Pricing

Clear rates.
No surprises.

Bookkeeping billed at $38 CAD/hr with a 10-hour/week minimum ($380/week min.). All Trade Side engagements start with a 3-month initial term, then renew annually. P&L analysis available as an add-on.

Bookkeeping
Books Only
$380/week min.
CAD · billed weekly
Rate
$38/hr · 10 hr minimum
Initial term
3-month minimum
Renewal
Annual
Scope
Up to 20 employees
  • Job-by-job income & expense tracking
  • Subcontractor & supplier records
  • Payroll records: T4s filed directly
  • T5018 slips for subcontractors
  • GST & PST filing (authorized representative)
  • EHT & WorkSafeBC filing
  • Payroll remittances to CRA
  • Equipment & materials categorized
  • Year-end package for your CPA
  • Field receipt digitization included
Book a Call
All prices exclude GST (5%), added to all invoices.  ·  All Trade Side engagements start with a 3-month initial term, then renew annually. This gives us enough time to properly set up your books, establish filing rhythms, and deliver reliable results. Hours scale with your operation — 10 hrs/week is the floor. We scope accurately in the free consultation so there are no surprises.
🇨🇦
Canadian companies only · Maximum 20 employees
Trade Side is designed specifically for small Canadian operations. We keep our focus tight so we can serve you well.

Add-On · Physical Product

The Backbone
Annual Planner.

A physical desk calendar built around your trade business. CRA deadlines, GST & PST filing dates, payroll remittances, WorkSafeBC, EHT, and every recurring date that keeps your crew running clean.

Preview all 12 months →
CRA Deadlines GST & PST Filing Payroll Dates Remittances WorkSafeBC EHT
Standard
$35 CAD
You provide your key dates
  • Custom-built annual planner
  • CRA & BC tax deadlines pre-filled
  • You supply payroll & remittance dates
  • Physical copy mailed to you
  • PDF version included
Order Now
Build

Trade Side

Let's talk about your books.

Free consultation for construction clients. We'll scope your bookkeeping needs, show you what per-project P&L analysis looks like, and connect you with the right CPA for your year-end filing.

Book a Call