Bookkeeping Guidance & Support
Doing your own books is one thing.
Trusting them is another.
Tell Me More →Sound familiar?
You've been managing your own books, and honestly, you've done pretty well.
But there's a difference between getting it done and actually trusting it. The late nights Googling GST deadlines, the months you fell a little behind, the decisions you made without a clear picture of where things stood. It adds up. And underneath all of it is this one persistent question:
Am I actually doing this right?
You're putting in real time and effort, but you're still not totally sure it's right
You're not sure if you've made a mistake somewhere, or where you'd even start looking
You want to stay hands-on, but not if it means constantly carrying that doubt
What's possible
You don't have to trade control for clarity.
There's a version of this where your books get done, someone reviews them, and you get a straight answer on whether things look right and what to pay attention to. You stay hands-on. You just don't have to carry the uncertainty anymore.
Because keeping your own books shouldn't mean figuring it all out alone.
30%
of small business owners believe they're overpaying in taxes and could be claiming more deductions and credits. And bookkeeping errors are one of the leading triggers for CRA audits and penalties.
That's not just stressful. It's expensive.
Bookkeeping isn't hard because you're doing it wrong. It's hard because nobody ever taught you how to do it right, in a way that actually fits your business.
Source: Clutch survey, 2018, U.S.-based
The service
Stay in control of your books, with expert support you can actually count on.
Bookkeeping Guidance & Support gives you consistent monthly check-ins, honest feedback on what's going on in your books, and the kind of clarity that you need to move forward without second-guessing yourself.
You stay in the driver's seat. We bring the expert reviews, clear reports, and steady support that make it possible to actually trust your numbers and the decisions you make from them.
What you get
You'll walk away with:
01
Clean, accurate books
Reviewed monthly so you can trust your numbers and catch small mistakes before they become bigger ones.
02
Reports that make sense
Delivered with plain-language context, not just PDFs full of question marks.
03
Answers when you need them
Because you're not meant to do this alone, and "just Google it" isn't a strategy.
04
Steady, strategic support
From someone who actually understands your business and where you want to take it.
05
Confidence at year-end
A complete, CPA-ready package so tax season stops feeling like a scramble.
Everything included
What's included:
Monthly Bookkeeping Review
Each month we review your books, reconcile your accounts, and make sure everything is accurate, up to date, and categorized correctly. We'll flag anything that's off and tell you exactly what to do about it.
Monthly Management Reports
Your Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Cash Flows delivered every month, with plain-language notes on what we noticed. A/R and A/P reports included where applicable.
Best Practices Guide
A custom document built around your specific business, with practical guidance for staying organized, avoiding common errors, and catching issues early. Reviewed and updated annually.
Year-End Review & CPA Package Prep
When year-end rolls around, we'll do a full review of your books, post any adjusting entries, and put together a complete CPA-ready package so tax season doesn't catch you off guard.
Unlimited Email Support
When something weird shows up in QBO or you're just not sure where something goes, you're not on your own. No question is too small, and you'll always get a plain-language answer.
Hubdoc Subscription Included
Document capture handled, so receipts and statements stop living in your inbox.
The process
Here's how it works.
Start with a simple setup
You'll fill out a short intake form so we understand your systems, your business, and what you want to get out of this support. We'll get you set up with Hubdoc if you're not already using it, and get access to your books so we're ready to go from month one.
Settle into your monthly rhythm
Each month we'll reconcile your accounts, review your books for errors and categorization issues, and prep your full suite of financial reports along with plain-language notes on anything worth flagging.
Ask questions, build confidence, and stay in control
You're still doing the day-to-day posting, but you won't be doing it alone. With consistent feedback and clear guidance each month, you'll start catching things sooner, understanding your numbers better, and making decisions with a lot more confidence.
From a client
"Before working with Brighten, I was putting in a lot of time trying to track my finances, but I never felt confident I was doing everything I should. QuickBooks tutorials and my own research would leave me second-guessing my steps, and I worried about costly mistakes — especially around collecting and remitting taxes.
Working with Katie has completely changed that. I now feel confident that every aspect of my bookkeeping is accurate and will stand up to scrutiny. She's guided me through the quirks of QuickBooks, saving me hours of tedious data entry and research. If I have a question or want to improve a process, I can send an email and get a thorough explanation tailored to my needs.
Since coming on board, Brighten has helped me hire and manage payroll, clean up old expense issues, file quarterly GST and monthly payroll taxes, and stay ahead of upcoming financial obligations so they're never a scramble. The support has been invaluable — I've learned just how much happens behind the scenes of running a business, and I can stay focused on what I do best knowing the books are in good hands."
Cyr Becker — Owner, LMNO Contracting Corporation
The cost of doing nothing
You could keep figuring it out as you go.
You could rely on your best guess when it comes to categorizing transactions.
You could wait until tax time to find out what you missed.
You could tell yourself that if something were really wrong, you'd know.
But doing your own books doesn't mean doing them alone.
If what you want is to feel grounded in your numbers, confident in your process, and clear on what's working and what isn't, getting expert support isn't a luxury. It's just a smart decision.
Investment
Bookkeeping Guidance & Support starts at $225/month. Your actual rate is custom quoted based on the complexity of your file, your transaction volume, and your reporting needs. That's exactly what the Financial Health Check is for.
Ready to keep doing your own books, without doing it alone?
Start with a free Financial Health Check and we'll get a clear picture of where your books stand and what kind of support actually makes sense for your business.
Book Your Free Financial Health Check →From a client
"At Pitstar Trucking, we've always strived to keep our focus on the road. That's why we rely on Brighten Bookkeeping Co. to handle all our bookkeeping needs.
Since dealing with Brighten Bookkeeping, our financial management has become a breeze. Katie's expertise and attention to detail have saved us countless hours of hassle and ensured our books are always in top shape.
More importantly, Katie's proactive approach has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. She doesn't just keep track of the numbers, she understands my business and anticipates our needs. This has given me the peace of mind to focus on what I do best! Trucking!
If you're looking for a reliable and professional bookkeeping service, look no further than Brighten Bookkeeping Co. They're a fantastic team, and Katie is simply amazing!"
Derek Brain — Owner, Pitstar Trucking Ltd.
This is a month-to-month engagement, so you're never locked into something that isn't working for you.
Please note: refunds are not offered, but your support won't end abruptly. If you ever decide to step away, we just ask for 30 days' notice. That gives us time to close things out cleanly and return a tidy, reconciled set of books.
Meet Katie
Hi, I'm Katie.
I've been in bookkeeping since 2009, working with Canadian small business owners who want to feel clear and in control of their finances. I built Brighten around the idea that bookkeeping should actually tell you something useful, not just keep the records tidy.
Bookkeeping Guidance & Support exists because a lot of business owners genuinely want to stay hands-on with their books. They just don't want to do it completely alone. That's a reasonable thing to want, and it's exactly what this is for.
Book Your Free Financial Health Check →Right for you?
Is Bookkeeping Guidance & Support right for you?
Let's make sure this is the kind of backup that'll actually work for the way you operate.
You're a great fit if...
You've been keeping your own books but you're tired of wondering if you're doing it right
You want to make decisions with confidence, not just vague numbers and a gut feeling
You want to stay hands-on, but not at the expense of your peace of mind
You want clear, consistent feedback from someone who actually knows your file
You're collaborative, responsive, and committed to building a business that runs well
This probably isn't the right fit if...
You're looking for a one-time fix rather than consistent month-to-month support
You'd rather have someone handle everything for you (that's what Ongoing Monthly Bookkeeping is for)
You don't have time to check reports, respond to questions, or make small adjustments when needed
You're not set up on QuickBooks Online or not open to using Hubdoc, as these are essential to how this service works
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, and it's an easy transition. We'll already know your books, your systems, and how you work, so there's no starting over. Just let us know when you're ready and we'll walk through your options.
Yes. Every client gets a thorough year-end review, a complete CPA-ready reports package, and any adjusting entries needed to close things out cleanly.
Yes. We work exclusively in QBO, and your books will need to be current in that platform for us to complete monthly reviews and reports.
You'll use Hubdoc to upload receipts, bank statements, and bills. It's straightforward to use, including from your phone, and your subscription is included at no extra cost.
That's exactly what the monthly review is for. We'll check your categorizations, flag anything that needs attention, and explain what to do so you're not just fixing it, you're understanding it.
If you're more than a month behind, we'll likely recommend a small cleanup before we get started. We'll talk through everything on the intro call and put together a plan that makes sense for where you're at.
Where applicable, yes. GST is included in the scope of this service. We'll make sure filings are accurate, on time, and that you always know what's coming.
Most clients spend roughly 2 to 4 hours on their books each month. Part of what we do is help you streamline that so it stays manageable and accurate.
That's completely fine. This service is built for business owners who are figuring it out as they go. We'll meet you where you are and explain things in plain language.
Yes, with 30 days' notice. That gives us time to wrap up your books cleanly and return everything in good shape. Refunds aren't offered, but you won't be left hanging.
Most people who come to us are somewhere in the middle of the overwhelm. There's no judgment here, just a clear look at where things stand and a practical path forward.
Still have questions? Send us a note at hello@brightenbookkeeping.ca and we'll get back to you with a straight answer.
If you've been managing your books on good intentions and late-night Googling, and you're ready for steady, expert support from someone who actually understands what you're building, you're in the right place.
You've kept things going on your own. That's not nothing. But if you're ready to feel more confident every time you open QBO, and less like you're just hoping for the best, this is what that looks like.
Book Your Free Financial Health Check →