Client satisfaction
Client Perspectives

What Our Clients Have Found

Real perspectives from small business owners across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland who've worked with Caribou Counts.

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12+

Years in Practice

340+

Businesses Supported

4.9

Average Client Rating

98%

On-time Filing Rate

Client Reviews

Perspectives from Our Clients

These are honest accounts from business owners at different stages — shared with their permission.

"I'd been keeping my own books in a spreadsheet for three years and falling further behind each quarter. After handing things off to Caribou Counts, I stopped dreading month-end entirely. The monthly summaries are readable and actually tell me something useful about my business."

TR

Tanya R.

Event Planner · Kitsilano, Vancouver

February 2026

"The T2 filing was handled thoroughly — I could actually follow along in the pre-submission meeting, which I didn't expect. No feeling of just signing something I didn't understand. They walked through each part with patience. Worth the fee without question."

MK

Marcus K.

IT Consulting · Burnaby, BC

March 2026

"Switched from a larger firm after feeling like a small file that kept getting shuffled around. At Caribou Counts I deal with the same person every time. Communication is prompt and the advice is clearly tailored to my situation, not a template. Four stars only because I wish I'd found them sooner."

PL

Priya L.

Retail Owner · North Vancouver, BC

January 2026

"The year-round advisory service changed how I think about our business structure. Before, everything was reactive — we'd figure out tax at year-end and scramble. Now there's a plan in place and I understand the reasoning behind how I'm paying myself. That clarity has real value."

JC

James C.

Construction Business · Surrey, BC

February 2026

"I run a small café with fluctuating cash flow. Getting a monthly summary that highlights what's shifted — rather than just raw numbers — has helped me spot patterns I would have missed. The bookkeeping is thorough and the team responds quickly when I have a question."

ST

Sofia T.

Café Owner · Commercial Drive, Vancouver

March 2026

"We've used the corporate filing service for two years now. The HST reconciliation caught a discrepancy from a previous year that we hadn't noticed — that alone covered the cost of the engagement. Solid, detail-oriented work. Communication could be slightly faster during busy season but overall a strong experience."

RB

Robert B.

Property Management · Richmond, BC

January 2026

"As a newer business owner, I appreciated that they didn't make me feel behind or ignorant for not knowing accounting basics. Everything was explained clearly. Knowing my books are being handled correctly gives me room to focus on actually growing the business."

AN

Aiko N.

Graphic Design Studio · Gastown, Vancouver

February 2026

"The quarterly check-ins are something I genuinely look forward to. It's a chance to step back from the day-to-day and look at the business with someone who understands the numbers. The succession discussion we had last fall changed how I'm planning the next five years."

DM

David M.

Manufacturing Business · Langley, BC

March 2026

Client Stories

How We've Helped

A closer look at three working relationships and what they involved.

Challenge

Disorganized records, looming corporate filing

A two-year-old retail business in East Vancouver had accumulated 18 months of uncategorized transactions and missed one CRA instalment deadline. The owners were managing bookkeeping themselves alongside running the store — something had to shift.

What We Did

Catch-up bookkeeping, then ongoing monthly service

Over six weeks, we worked through the backlog — categorizing, reconciling, and producing a clear set of financial statements for both years. We then transitioned to ongoing monthly bookkeeping and prepared the first T2 corporate return once the books were current.

Outcome

Current books, filed return, no further CRA flags

The corporate return was filed within deadline. The ongoing bookkeeping gives the owners a monthly view of where their business stands. The missed instalment was addressed and no additional penalties followed. The owners now manage the store without worrying about the books.

"I didn't think it was possible to feel this caught up. It's been a relief." — Retailer, East Vancouver

Challenge

Salary-dividend split unclear, growing retained earnings

An incorporated consultant in Burnaby was drawing a full salary from their corporation without understanding the tax implications of that choice. With annual revenues above CAD 280,000, retained earnings were accumulating in the corporation without a plan for how to use them.

What We Did

Full structure review, compensation strategy document

Through the Year-Round Tax Strategy engagement, we reviewed the owner's business structure, personal financial goals, and RRSP contribution room. A strategy document was prepared outlining a more considered salary-dividend mix and a plan for deploying retained earnings over a five-year window.

Outcome

Adjusted compensation, clearer long-range picture

The consultant shifted to a salary-dividend blend aligned with their personal tax situation. Quarterly check-ins keep the strategy current as the business evolves. A succession outline was begun in the second year of the engagement to address long-range ownership considerations.

"I finally understand how I'm paying myself and why." — Consultant, Burnaby

Challenge

First corporate year-end, unfamiliar with T2 requirements

A newly incorporated trades business in Surrey was approaching its first corporate year-end. The owner had incorporated on the advice of a colleague but had no experience with T2 returns, GIFI schedules, or how HST remittances factored into the overall filing.

What We Did

Corporate filing with educational pre-submission session

We prepared the full T2 return, including all supporting schedules and GIFI, along with the HST return. The pre-submission consultation was used to walk through the return in plain terms — explaining what each figure represented and what the owner's obligations were going forward.

Outcome

Filed on time, owner understands their obligations

The return was filed ahead of the deadline. The owner came away from the consultation with a clear sense of what to expect in future years and what records to maintain. They have since moved to the monthly bookkeeping service to keep their records orderly year-round.

"I actually understood what I signed. That made a big difference." — Trades Business, Surrey

Credentials

Professional Standing

CPA Canada Member

Regulated by CPA British Columbia under the Chartered Professional Accountants Act

CFIB Member

Member of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business since 2016

SBBC Partner

Recognized partner of Small Business BC for accountancy services

QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor since 2015

Reach Us

We're Based in Vancouver

Our office is on Robson Street in Vancouver's West End. We work with clients across the Lower Mainland and remotely throughout British Columbia.

  • Office

    1175 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 1B5

  • Office Hours

    Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM PST

    Closed Saturday, Sunday & statutory holidays

Considering Working with Us?

Reaching out doesn't commit you to anything. Share a bit about where your business stands and we'll respond with a clear, honest perspective on whether and how we might help.

Start a Conversation

We respond within one business day.

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Ready to bring your books into order?

Whether you need monthly bookkeeping, a thorough tax filing, or an advisory relationship that lasts all year, we're here to talk through what makes sense for your situation.