Accountant for healthcare professionals

Find the ideal accountant for your sector, one who understands the realities of healthcare professionals in Quebec: doctors, dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and other clinicians. Between billing the national health insurance system (CPAM), private practice fees, consulting, teaching, and expert opinions, your income comes from multiple sources, while your schedule is already full with patients. An accountant who is skilled in professional corporations, salary-dividend arbitration, and retirement planning truly makes a difference.

Free of charge, we'll introduce you to the right accountant for your sector, as many times as needed, and we'll stay by your side. They'll be familiar with your professional association's regulations regarding operating as a company, VAT exemption for healthcare services, and the specific challenges of clinics: practice fees reimbursed as a percentage of fees, staff payroll, and taxable non-insured procedures. No obligation: you choose, we support you, always.

• Deciding when to incorporate as a professional company: tax deferral becomes particularly attractive if you leave surpluses in the company instead of withdrawing everything.
• In Quebec, the small business deduction requires more than 5,500 paid hours per year: many professional firms without employees lose the reduced provincial rate, a calculation to be made before incorporating.
• Arbitrate salary and dividend each year: salary creates RRSP rights (18% of earned income) and CNSS contributions, dividends reduce social charges.
• Monitor the company's passive investment income: beyond $50,000 per year, it erodes the $500,000 federal small business deduction cap.
• Track mixed income (RAMQ, private, troubleshooting, teaching, expert opinions) and office fees often billed as a percentage of fees.
• Planning for retirement without an employer pension fund: RRSP, TFSA, individual retirement plan (IRA) and company payouts are prepared years in advance.
• Distinguishing between VAT-exempt and taxable acts: aesthetic treatments, expert reports, products sold in clinics.

• Filing of T2 (federal) and CO-17 (Quebec) returns for the professional corporation, with accounts, within six months of the end of the fiscal year.
• Annual slips according to the chosen remuneration: T4 and Relevé 1 for salary, T5 and Relevé 3 for dividends, summaries produced no later than the last day of February.
• Federal and provincial source deductions (tax, RRQ, RQAP, FSS, CNESST) for clinic staff: assistants, hygienists, technicians.
• VAT registration if your taxable supplies exceed €30,000 over four calendar quarters (uninsured acts, expert opinions, aesthetic treatments); most healthcare services remain exempt.
• Declaration of practice in a company with your professional order and compliance with the shareholding rules specific to each order.
• Individual provisional tax payments are required as soon as your net tax payable exceeds $1,800, both to Revenu Québec and to the CRA (threshold applicable to Quebec residents).
• Records and supporting documents (minutes, agreements, invoices) must be kept for six years after the tax year in question.

Is a professional corporation beneficial for me? It depends on your income and cash flow needs. Incorporation becomes advantageous, especially when you leave surpluses in the corporation instead of withdrawing everything. In Quebec, also check the 5,500-hour paid employment requirement for the reduced provincial tax rate. A professional accountant will do the calculations with you, using actual figures, before you incur any expenses.

Salary or dividends? The trade-off varies each year depending on tax rates and your situation. Salary creates RRSP contribution room and QPP contributions; dividends avoid some social security contributions, but don't build these protections. The best answer is often a mix of both, recalibrated annually. This is a decision where a chartered accountant can truly save you money.

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 cost for this sector is around $750 per year. The cost varies depending on whether you are an incorporated company or a self-employed individual, as well as the volume and complexity of your work. Bankeo matching is free: you pay your accountant directly.

How can you switch accountants in the healthcare sector without the stress? It's simpler than you think: your new accountant takes over your files directly from your old one (T2 and CO-17 returns, financial statements, professional corporation records), without you having to manage the transfer. The best time is after the end of the fiscal year or tax season. We'll introduce you to accountants who understand your clinical environment, free of charge. You choose, and we'll be there to support you throughout the transition.

Local or remote accountant for a healthcare professional? Both work very well: the key is that they are familiar with the professional corporation, your professional regulations, and clinic taxation. With a schedule full of patients, remote collaboration via a secure portal often saves valuable time; an on-site accountant remains ideal if you prefer face-to-face meetings. Tell us your preference: we'll connect you accordingly, free of charge.

Are my CPAM (French National Health Insurance Fund) fees subject to VAT? No: insured health services and most treatments are exempt from GST/QST. However, be aware that uninsured services may be taxable, such as cosmetic treatments, expert reports, or products sold in clinics: if these taxable supplies exceed €30,000 over four calendar quarters, registration becomes mandatory. A professional accountant can help you navigate this and avoid any unpleasant surprises.