The ideal accountant to help you catch up on your accounting

Falling behind on accounting is something that happens to many business owners: day-to-day tasks take over, the months pile up, and the stack of invoices grows. The longer you wait, the more stress builds up, especially when Revenu Québec or the Canada Revenue Agency starts demanding tax returns. The good news is that you can catch up, and often faster than you think, as long as you take a systematic approach.

With Bankeo, you can find the ideal accountant for this catch-up accounting, for free: the right match, who’s used to dealing with backlogs and works without judgment, not just a number. We’ll introduce you to as many candidates as you need and support you every step of the way. You never pay Bankeo; the accountant’s fees are paid directly to them.

Key dates to remember in 2026: Individual tax returns are due no later than April 30; self-employed individuals must file by June 15 (but the balance due remains payable on April 30), and a T2 return for an incorporated company (along with Form CO-17 in Quebec) must be filed within six months of the end of the fiscal year. As for taxes, the 5% GST and 9.975% QST must be collected and remitted as soon as your taxable sales exceed the small supplier threshold of $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters: a delay in bookkeeping does not suspend any of these obligations.

• Overview of the backlog and prioritized catch-up plan, period by period
• Reconstruction of accounts based on your bank statements and supporting documents
• Bank and credit card reconciliation for each missing period
• Filing of Overdue Tax Returns (5% GST and 9.975% QST)
• Catching Up on Unfiled Tax Returns (T1, T2, and CO-17)
• Resolving issues with Revenu Québec and the CRA, including payment agreements
• Possible reduction of penalties, particularly through the Voluntary Disclosure Program if your case qualifies
• Implementing a simple monitoring routine so you never fall behind again

In Quebec, prolonged delays come at a real cost: the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec each impose a late-filing penalty of 5% of the outstanding balance, plus 1% for each full month of delay up to a maximum of 12 months, that is, up to 17% of the balance; in the event of a repeat offence, the federal penalty can rise to 50%. Added to this are interest charges compounded daily at the prescribed rate, which is revised quarterly, and the risk of an estimated assessment, which is rarely in your favour. Acting quickly directly reduces the bill.

There are two goals here: to get your books in order and to give you peace of mind. The accountant you find through Bankeo will tackle the backlog, prioritize the most urgent filings to stop penalties from accruing, bring your records into compliance with both authorities, and stay by your side to establish a sustainable system for ongoing compliance.

Yes, even five or ten years’ worth of back work can be caught up on. The accountant reconstructs your accounts period by period using bank statements, files any missing tax returns, and brings your records into compliance with Revenu Québec and the CRA, step by step.

No. This is a much more common situation than you might think, and the accountants in the Bankeo network who handle these cases have seen it all before. They’re there to take action, not to judge, and to help you get back on track with peace of mind.

It all depends on the number of reporting periods and the condition of your documents: a few weeks for a single year with complete supporting documents, a few months for multiple years that need to be reconstructed. The accountant establishes a clear timeline from the outset and prioritizes the most urgent filings to stop the accumulation of penalties as quickly as possible.

Waiting until you can pay everything before filing your tax returns. The late-filing penalty applies specifically to late filings: it’s better to file right away and then work out a payment plan with Revenu Québec or the CRA. Your accountant can handle this process for you.

The Bankeo matching service is free for you, with no hidden fees: you pay only your accountant’s fees, directly to them, and you compare proposals before making a decision, with no obligation. Bankeo is funded by the accountants in its network through a fee per file, an amount known in advance. Price Guidelines: The Bankeo Fee Barometer.