Books that keep up with a busy season.
Bookkeeping, payroll and tax for painting contractors, run by a chartered accountant who understands seasonal cash flow, materials costs and a crew that doubles in May.
Busy summer, quiet winter, one tax bill.
Painting revenue arrives in a rush and then thins out. The money that feels like profit in July is often paying for the slow months and the remittance that comes due regardless.
We keep the books current through the season so the corporate position, the remuneration and the GST/HST are decided while there is still cash to work with.
What these businesses actually need.
Books through the season
Receipts, materials and job revenue coded monthly, so the summer numbers are not reconstructed in February.
Seasonal crews
Payroll set up, run and remitted for a headcount that changes, with ROEs issued properly at layoff.
GST/HST returns
Filed on your frequency, with input tax credits on paint, equipment and vehicles supported.
Corporate return
T2 filed on time, with salary and dividends planned against a year that is not evenly earned.
The issues that come up most.
Seasonal cash flow
Revenue arrives in a compressed window while payroll, insurance and remittances run all year. Planning around that is most of the work.
Materials and equipment
Paint, sprayers and vehicles are treated differently for tax. What is expensed and what is depreciated changes the return.
Crew turnover
Hiring and laying off through a season creates payroll obligations, records of employment and remittance deadlines that are easy to miss.
Three steps, no surprises.
Set the season up
Payroll, GST/HST and bookkeeping in place before the first big job lands.
Keep the books current
Monthly reconciliation through the season, so you know what is profit and what is float.
Close and file
Corporate return, remittances and T4s filed, with next season planned from real numbers.
The ones we get asked most.
Can I expense my sprayer and van?
Equipment and vehicles are generally capital assets claimed through capital cost allowance rather than expensed outright. Smaller tools and consumables usually are expensed.
How do I handle laying crew off in the off season?
Records of employment need to be issued, final pay handled correctly and remittances filed for the periods worked. Getting this right avoids Service Canada follow-up.
Do I charge GST/HST on painting?
Once registered, generally yes on your services. Registration is mandatory once you pass the small supplier threshold.
Should I pay myself salary or dividends?
It depends on the year’s profit, your personal income and whether you want RRSP room and CPP contributions. It is a decision to make before the year closes, not after.
What records do you need from me?
Bank and credit card statements, supplier invoices, job invoices and payroll records. We work from your bookkeeping file rather than a shoebox.
Licensed, certified, and accountable for it.
The bodies that license this practice, and the certifications behind the day-to-day work.
CPA Ontario
The provincial body that regulates Chartered Professional Accountants in Ontario.
EFILE certified
Certified by the Canada Revenue Agency to file returns electronically on behalf of clients.
Intuit ProAdvisor
Intuit certification covering QuickBooks Online setup, reconciliation and reporting.
QuickBooks Payroll
Intuit certification for running payroll, deductions and remittances inside QuickBooks.
In their words.
Aaron has done my personal taxes for six years and he’s the best. My files are sometimes complicated and I was not always the most organized client, yet he handles all of it without ever making me feel bad about the mess. He’s fast, he explains everything in plain English, and he always finds credits I would have missed.Shmuel Neft
Working with Aaron and his team, especially Anna, has been fantastic for both our camp operations and Prime Coat Painters. From complex contractor billings to seasonal accounts and corporate taxes, they handle everything with real attention to detail. If you need a reliable, top-tier accounting team for your business, I can’t recommend Aaron Herman CPA highly enough!Tzadi Zlotnick, Prime Coat Painters Inc.
I use him for personal and business accounting. He is absolutely phenomenal with his work and expertise. Thorough, reliable, dependable, and punctual with due dates. I’ve worked with many accountants previously and Aaron surpassed them all in everything on my list.Elior Zipori, Zipori Landscapes & Design
We have been using Aaron Herman CPA for about four years now and we are very happy with their services. Anna is especially great to work with. She is on the ball, always up to date, and gets back to you right away with any questions or concerns.Reuven Durbach
Very happy with Aaron’s service. He is very knowledgeable and professional. Very patient with all my questions, ready to answer and be with the client within a short period of time. All the accounting service is done in a timely manner.Artem Artemov, Rimland
Aaron is excellent! He responds quickly, explains everything clearly, and makes the whole tax process easy and stress-free. He is very knowledgeable and always helps find the best way to get everything done properly.Mai Edry
Aaron is an amazing accountant! He is very supportive and great at explaining the ins and outs of what was needed when expanding my business. I highly recommend Aaron and his team!Leah Lomiansky, Speech Volumes Therapy
He is knowledgeable, thorough and effective. He is very responsive and takes great care of his clients. I highly recommend him and his services!Rachel Danzinger, Learning Pods
Absolutely love Aaron and Anna. They are fantastic to work with, go above and beyond, and their communication and dedication is unsurpassed.Fat Cat Cookie Co.
Two people. Trusted with your year.
Aaron Herman
CPA, CA · Founder and Managing Partner
Aaron planned and prepared tax in public practice, then led financial reporting inside large Canadian companies. He is the person who answers when you call.
My number one priority is a happy client.
Anna Herman
Director of Finance and Operations
Anna runs the machinery behind the work: cloud accounting, CRA compliance, payroll and client onboarding. If your year-end is uneventful, that is Anna.
Order creates opportunity.
Tell us where your year stands.
Send the form and Aaron will come back to you directly. If it is easier, call. Someone here answers.