How does Bankeo work?

What is Bankeo, in one sentence?

Bankeo is a free service that connects entrepreneurs with the right accountant, simply and always by your side. You describe your situation, and Bankeo presents you with audited accountants from its network who match your needs, usually within 48 hours. The service is free, with no obligation, and support continues after the match.

In practical terms, Bankeo is not an accounting firm and does not file any tax returns: it acts as a trusted intermediary between you and a network of over 1500 accountants. Bankeo's role is to understand your specific situation (self-employed individual, SME, NGO, private individual), and then connect you with the professional(s) best suited to assist you.

The initial idea is simple: finding a good accountant on your own is time-consuming, generates uncertainty, and is often done blindly. Bankeo eliminates this friction. Since 2023, the service has received more than 15,000 requests from entrepreneurs.

How does the coupling work, step by step?

The matching process takes place in three steps: you fill out a short, free application, Bankeo analyzes your situation and pre-selects accountants from its network, then you typically receive up to three verified accountants suited to your needs within 48 hours. You communicate with them, compare their services, and make your choice freely. There is no obligation to proceed.

1. You describe your needs. A request that takes just a few minutes: your type of business, your situation, what you're looking for (bookkeeping, taxes, payroll, catch-up, advice). The more precise you are, the better the match.
2. Bankeo analyzes and pre-selects candidates. The team cross-references your profile with the network: sector of experience, services offered, availability, and work style. The goal is not to give you a random number, but to find the right match.
3. You'll receive quotes from your accountants, usually within 48 hours. Up to 3 audited accountants, chosen for your specific situation. You contact them, ask your questions, and request a quote .
4. You choose freely. You keep the one you click with, or none if nothing suits you. The service remains free in all cases.

Good to know: the average matchmaking time is 48 hours, but speed never replaces a good match. Bankeo presents as many accountants as necessary so you can find the right one, not just the first one available.

Why is the service free for the entrepreneur?

Bankeo is completely free for entrepreneurs: you pay nothing to be matched with another account, and you never pay Bankeo itself. The network's accountants finance the service: they pay a fee per completed transaction, a predetermined amount, to access qualified leads. Only the accounting services you choose are charged.

It's a two-sided model, common and transparent: on one side, the entrepreneur, who seeks an accountant and accesses the service for free; on the other, the accountants, who pay to receive opportunities matching their expertise. This professional funding is what makes the service completely free for the entrepreneur.

An important distinction: the fees you pay go directly to your accountant. You never pay Bankeo; the network's accountants pay a fee per completed transaction, a predetermined amount separate from your fees, thus avoiding any conflict of interest regarding the price of your accounting services.

Good to know: "free" means free. No credit card required to apply, no hidden fees, and no subscription fees for the business owner. The cost of accounting services then depends on the direct agreement you have with the accountant you choose.

What does "audited accountants" mean?

An audited accountant at Bankeo is a professional whose identity, business activity, and reliability have been verified by the network before being added to the team. Many are CPAs, members of the CPA order in their province. "Verified" does not mean that all accountants hold the CPA designation; it means that Bankeo ensures the professional's reliability before recommending them to you.

This step saves you some of the validation work you would otherwise do yourself. The network has over 1,500 accountants, and the service has a 4.7/5 rating based on over 180 Google reviews, a sign of the quality perceived by entrepreneurs.

• Not all accountants are CPAs, and it's not mandatory for many tasks (bookkeeping, routine tax returns, consulting). The CPA designation is required, in particular, for structured engagements such as examinations or audits.
• "Verified" describes a check, not a certification. Bankeo verifies its network but does not award any professional certifications. You should still verify a CPA designation with the relevant professional body if it is important for your application.
• The verification process does not replace your judgment. Bankeo reduces risk upfront, but the final choice is yours, after speaking with the accountants presented.

Why present up to 3 accountants rather than just one?

Presenting up to three accountants allows you to compare several profiles, fees, and personalities before committing. The right accountant isn't just about competence; it's also about availability, accessibility, and communication style. By seeing a few options tailored to your situation, you can choose with confidence, without feeling pressured into a single approach.

Bankeo's goal is not to give you a number, but to find the right match. Presenting several profiles rather than just one reflects a simple reality: two equally competent accountants will not necessarily be a good fit for the same person.

• You compare the approaches: fixed price or hourly rate, single contact or team, more direct or more pedagogical style.
• You confirm the suitability. The one who already knows your sector often gains the advantage from the first exchange.
• You remain in control. A few options are enough to choose without feeling constrained, and not too many so as not to overwhelm you.

What happens if none of the accountants presented are suitable? Bankeo will present as many as necessary. The "up to 3" is a sign of support, not a strict limit: what matters is that you find the right accountant, not that you settle for the first one you come across.

What happens after the twinning?

After the matching process, we remain by your side. You communicate directly with the accountant you've chosen for your services and fees, and Bankeo remains available. If the relationship no longer works out, even months later, we'll help you find a suitable accountant, free of charge. Our support doesn't end when you receive your profiles.

This is the core of the Bankeo promise: we are always there for you. Matchmaking is not a one-off transaction; it's the beginning of a relationship that Bankeo continues to nurture.

• The accounting relationship is established directly. You agree on the services, schedule, and fees with the professional. Bankeo does not intervene and takes no commission.
• Bankeo remains available. If you have a question, a doubt about the pairing process, or a changing need, you can contact Bankeo again.
• If things aren't working out, we'll find you another one. Your needs change or you're no longer getting along: Bankeo helps you find a suitable accountant, free of charge and without having to justify yourself.

You are never locked in. The service is commitment-free from start to finish: you remain free to make your own choices, and Bankeo stays by your side for as long as necessary.

Is Bankeo an accounting firm?

No. Bankeo is not an accounting firm and does not provide any accounting services: it does not prepare your T1/TP1 tax returns, your T2/CO-17 tax returns, or your VAT returns, and it does not keep your books. Bankeo is a matching service that connects you with the right accountant. Accountants within its network then handle the accounting and tax work.

• Bankeo: connects you with the right professional for free, produces a pre-selection of verified accountants, costs you nothing, and stays by your side afterwards.
• The twin accountant: performs your accounting and tax services (bookkeeping, returns, taxes, payroll, advice), invoices the agreed fees directly, and becomes your daily partner.

In other words, for your tax obligations, it's your accountant, not Bankeo, who handles these matters. For tax or accounting advice, you should always consult your accountant.

How is Bankeo different from a directory or a Google search?

A directory or a Google search gives you a list of names; it's up to you to filter, contact, and verify each one. Bankeo does the opposite: it starts with your situation, pre-selects suitable audited accountants, and presents them to you, usually within 48 hours. You go from a long, blind search to a few relevant options, free of charge.

• Starting point: a generic list to sort (directory) against your actual situation, we pre-select for you (Bankeo).
• Audit: at your expense (directory) against accountants verified beforehand (Bankeo).
• Suitability: based on random results (directory) versus explicit aim of the right match (Bankeo).
• Effort: contacting and comparing alone, for a long time (directory) versus a few relevant profiles in 48 hours (Bankeo).
• Afterwards: you are on your own afterwards (directory) versus we stay by your side (Bankeo).

A directory answers the question "Who exists?". Bankeo answers the question "Who is right for me?". This is the difference between a list and a matchmaking service: one gives you contact information, the other directs you to the right professional and remains available afterward.

Who is Bankeo for?

Bankeo caters to any entrepreneur or individual seeking an accountant: freelancers, SMEs, incorporated companies, NGOs, and individuals with tax matters to entrust to their accountant. Whether you're starting out, catching up, or changing accountants, the service connects you, free of charge, with the right professional for your specific needs.

• The self-employed worker who reaches the $30,000 threshold and must manage GST/QST, deductible expenses and provisional payments.
• The growing SME that needs bookkeeping, T2/CO-17 returns and management advice.
• The entrepreneur who is starting out and wants to start on a good footing (structure, taxes, initial declarations).
• The non-profit organization is looking for an accountant comfortable with the responsibilities inherent in non-profit organizations.
• The individual who has a tax file to entrust and wants a trustworthy professional for their T1/TP1.
• Anyone who has fallen behind and needs to catch up on bookkeeping or past tax returns.

Since 2023, Bankeo has received 15,000+ requests: the diversity of profiles served shows that the need to find the right accountant, without spending weeks on it, is shared far beyond a single type of company.

How much does Bankeo cost for an entrepreneur?

Bankeo is completely free for entrepreneurs. You are matched with audited accountants at no cost and with no obligation. You never pay Bankeo: the network's accountants pay a fee per completed transaction, an amount known in advance. Only the accounting services you subsequently choose, directly with your accountant, are chargeable.

How does Bankeo make money if it's free for me?

The service is funded by accountants within the network, allowing them access to qualified leads that match their expertise. This dual-sided model ensures the service is completely free for entrepreneurs. Bankeo makes no mention of the relationship you subsequently develop with your accountant.

How long does it take to pair with Bankeo?

The matching process takes an average of 48 hours. You fill out a short, free application, Bankeo analyzes your situation and presents you with suitable verified accountants, usually up to 3. You communicate with them and choose freely, without obligation to proceed.

Are the accountants recommended by Bankeo vetted?

Yes. The network's accountants are audited before being listed, and many are CPAs, members of their provincial CPA order. The network has over 1,500 accountants, and the service has a 4.7/5 rating based on over 180 Google reviews.

Is Bankeo an accounting firm?

No. Bankeo does not prepare your tax returns or keep your books: it's a matching service that connects you with the right accountant. Accountants within the network then handle the accounting and tax work. For tax advice, consult your accountant.

What happens if the dual accounting system doesn't suit me?

You are under no obligation to continue. If things don't work out or your needs change, even months later, Bankeo will help you find a suitable accountant, free of charge. We'll support you for as long as necessary.