Accountant for startups and technology

Between sprints, funding rounds, and a doubling of its team, the accounting for a Quebec startup is nothing like that of an established business. R&D must be documented from the very first prototype for SR&ED purposes, monthly accrual accounting statements must be prepared for investors, burn rate and cash flow tracking must be monitored, prepaid subscriptions must be recorded, and payroll must be managed, with changes occurring every quarter. A general accountant who discovers SAFEs or convertible notes during due diligence is costly in terms of credibility, and sometimes even leads to dilution.

That's precisely why we exist. We'll introduce you to the ideal accountant for your startup, free of charge: an audited accountant from our network who understands SR&ED, investor reporting, and rapid growth. We'll introduce you to as many as you need, with no obligation, and we'll stay by your side as you grow.

• Claiming SR&ED without missing anything: 35% refundable federal credit for CCSPs, provided that work is documented during sprints, not six months later.
• Keep the burn rate and cash flow track up to date: your investors want 18- to 24-month runway and reliable monthly statements, not a rough file.
• Absorbing a payroll that triples in a year: source deductions, CNESST, health insurance and stock options whose taxable benefit must be managed at the right time.
• Properly recognizing SaaS revenue: annual subscriptions collected in advance are deferred revenue, a point that any due diligence scrutinizes.
• Selling internationally without getting caught out: sales are exempt from VAT, but US VAT thresholds (often USD 100,000 per state) must be monitored.
• Quickly exceeding the small supplier threshold of €30,000: VAT registration comes sooner than you think and allows you to recover the taxes paid on your expenses.
• Structure early for exit: Eligible small business corporation shares (ESBs) may qualify for cumulative capital gains exemption (over $1.25M) on sale.

• T2 (federal) and CO-17 (Quebec) returns every year, even if you have a loss: your carryforward losses have a tax value for profitable years.
• Form T661 for SR&ED, to be filed no later than 18 months after the end of the fiscal year, with the contemporary technical documentation that the CRA requires for verification.
• Registration for GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) files as soon as taxable sales exceed $30,000 over four calendar quarters; tax-free sales outside; Canada to be documented.
• Source deductions on each paycheck (tax, QPP, QPIP, employment insurance, FSS) and T4 and Relevé 1 summaries to be produced in February.
• Taxable benefit of stock purchase options to be calculated and reported on the T4 of employees who exercise them.
• Accounting for SAFEs, convertible notes and share rounds according to ASPE, or IFRS if your investors require it.
• Registers of salaries and R&D subcontracting to support Quebec's credit for research, innovation and commercialization (CRIC).

Can you help me with SR&ED? Yes. Several accountants in the network are preparing SR&ED claims. Canada The federal refundable tax credit reaches 35% on the first $6 million for a private corporation, and Ontario adds 8% (OITC). In Quebec, the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) is also available for eligible work.

Do you have accountants experienced in investor reporting? If so, please specify in your request: we will connect you with an accountant experienced with funded startups. They provide monthly accrual-based accounting statements, burn rate and cash flow tracking, and clear reports for your investors and board. Many also prepare the books for due diligence before your next funding round.

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 I switch accountants for my startup without the stress? We'll handle it with you. You tell us what's going wrong, we'll introduce you to a new accountant experienced with startups, and the transition will be seamless: transfer of access to your accounting tools, your SR&ED files, and any pending tax returns. The onboarding process is free, with no obligation, and we'll support you for as long as you need.

Local or remote accountant for a high-tech startup? Both work very well in your sector: cloud accounting allows for remote monthly monitoring, regardless of location. A local accountant remains useful for meetings with your investors or board. Let us know your preference in your request, and we'll present you with the ideal accountant, either near you or virtually.

How do you account for a SAFE or a convertible note? These instruments are accounted for according to ASPE (French Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises), or IFRS if your investors require it, and the treatment (debt, equity, or hybrid instrument) depends on the conversion clauses. If misclassified, they distort your balance sheet and will be flagged during due diligence. An accountant experienced with funded startups documents the treatment from the moment of signing, which reassures your investors in subsequent funding rounds.