Accountant for NGOs and associations

Managing a non-profit organization in Quebec means juggling accounting that few firms truly master: earmarked and unearmarked funds according to the NCOSBL (National Code of Non-Profit Organizations), delayed grant payments, and separate reporting for each funder, from the PSOC (Quebec's public service organization) to private foundations. While the mission progresses in the field, the volunteer treasurer and the small administrative team must produce compliant financial statements, prepare the review engagement required by the funders, and answer questions from the board of directors.

That's precisely why we offer you a free, audited accountant with expertise in the community and non-profit sectors: fund accounting, T3010 forms and donation receipts for registered charities, partial VAT refunds, payroll, and withholding tax. We'll find the right fit for your organization, provide as many options as you need, and stay by your side. No obligation.

• Maintain fund accounting in accordance with NCOSBL: earmarked funds, unearmarked funds and endowments, using the carry-forward method or the earmarked funds method to account for contributions.
• Surviving the grant schedule: payments that sometimes arrive months late while payroll, rent and service providers don't wait.
• Reporting to multiple donors at once (PSOC, federal agreements, foundations), each with its own reporting format and due date.
• Dealing with a volunteer treasurer and a small administrative team, where each departure weakens the organization's financial memory.
• Distinguishing between a non-profit organization and a registered charity: official donation receipts, T3010 forms and payment quotas only apply to the latter.
• To regulate self-generated income (membership fees, events, commercial activities) which may trigger GST/QST registration beyond the $50,000 threshold specific to non-profit organizations.
• Justify every euro: administrative costs are scrutinized by funders and donors, hence the importance of rigorous allocation by project.

• Federal T2 return and CO-17.SP in Quebec for the incorporated NPO, even without tax payable, plus the T1044 if investment income exceeds $10,000 or assets $200,000.
• CRA T3010 within six months of the end of the fiscal year for the registered charity, with TP-985.22 to Revenu Québec; a delay may result in the revocation of registration.
• Official donation receipts: reserved for registered charities, with records and entries that comply with CRA requirements.
• VAT: Small supplier threshold of $50,000 for NGOs and partial refund of 50% for the eligible organization funded at least 40% by public funds (forms GST66 and FP-2066).
• Payroll deductions: remittances to the CRA and Revenu Québec (RRQ, RQAP, FSS, CNESST), then T4 and Relevé 1 to be produced in February.
• Financial statements in accordance with NCOSBL, with a review or audit engagement according to the thresholds of your donors and your general regulations, presented at the annual general meeting.
• Accountability by fund and by project: reports on the use of grants, supporting documents and allocation of administrative costs.

Are a non-profit organization (NPO) and a registered charity the same thing? No. Every registered charity is a non-profit organization, but the reverse is not true. Only organizations registered with the CRA can issue official donation receipts; in return, they must file Form T3010 within six months of their fiscal year-end and Form TP-985.22 with Revenu Québec. A chartered professional accountant can clarify your status and obligations.

Do we need an audit or a review engagement? It all depends on your funders, your bylaws, and your funding level: several programs, including the PSOC, require a review engagement, followed by an audit beyond certain grant thresholds. A review engagement is significantly less expensive than an audit. We can introduce you to an accountant familiar with these requirements, who will recommend the appropriate level of assurance for your organization.

How much does an accountant cost in this sector? According to the Bankeo Barometer , based on 1,248 real-world cases (2024-2026), the median annual salary for an accountant in Quebec is around $2,000, ranging from $500 to $6,000 depending on the sector and complexity. The Bankeo matching service is free: you pay your accountant directly at standard market rates.

How can we change accountants for our NGO without stress? The best time is after you've filed your tax returns and presented your financial statements to the general assembly, never during the reporting process itself. Your new accountant will take over the files from the previous one (general ledgers by fund, previous T3010 forms, grant agreements): you don't have to negotiate anything yourself. We'll introduce you to an accountant who understands the sector, free of charge, and we'll support you throughout the entire transition.

Local or remote accountant for a non-profit organization? Both work: fund accounting, T3010 reporting, and VAT are all handled very well in the cloud, regardless of the firm's location. A local accountant remains an advantage if your regional funders or board of directors prefer face-to-face meetings, such as the annual general meeting. We take this preference into account when matching you with a local accountant: please tell us what reassures your board.

Can our non-profit organization reclaim some of the VAT paid? Yes, in many cases: eligible organizations funded at least 40% by public funds can claim a partial refund of 50% of the taxes paid, using forms GST66 and FP-2066, even if they are not registered for VAT. Many organizations leave this money unclaimed simply because they are unaware of this. A professional accountant can verify your eligibility and claim what is rightfully yours.