Help Please.....

[Vanessa Valentine]

Help please...

I need to speak to a professional Accountant who is industry friendly.

If anyone on this board is, or knows of someone who can assist me- I'd appreciate the help.

Thank you!

~Vanessa

 

[racemedic]

where you located

I used to work in Strip clubs and i know of a CPA that looked after alot of dancers including some big named features. He is located in the Mississauga area. Let know if i can help.

 

[Arfur]

Just to clarify. A CPA is an American term. Up here, there are a few designations.

CA = Chartered accountant.
CMA = Certified Management accountant
CGA = Certified General Accountant.

Not that you really want to know, but traditionally, CAs are auditors, and handle public company's statements, although lots of CAs work for companies. CMAs used to be called RIAs, (which stood for Registered Industrial Accountant, which speaks to their origins as professional accountants within companies) CMAs tend to work for companies, and do not normally provide tax advice. And CGAs have traditionally been uh, really good bookkeepers.

Bottom line is that any one of the three can handle your needs, as long as they've had personal income tax training. A CA or CGA is probably your best bet.

To find a professional accountant, you may want to contact the professional bodies themselves:

The Ontario CA finder: http://www.icao.on.ca//index.cfm/ci_id/562.htm

The Society of Management Accountants of Ontario:
http://www.cma-canada.org/ontario/index.asp

The Certified Management Accountants of Canada site:
Couldn't find a "CGA finder" button, but they can be emailed at
public@cga-canada.org.

In finding a professional accountant, be up-front about your business, ask about how much personal tax they do, etc. You should go to a no-cost interview for about half an hour to explain what you need (tax services, financial planning, tax advice), and get an idea of the cost. Ask around within the industry (which I guess posting this thread accomplishes) about accountants that are industry-neutral. Most accountants are pretty discreet.

Good luck.

Arf

 

[holden]

Also, the only true difference in Canada between a CA & any
other designated accountant is, that only CA's can perform audits.......and that's the only limitation.

Actually, the CGA's can perform audits now.

 

[Salisbury_Steak]

Can’t CGA’s do audits or other types of engagements? With the reciprocity program, Canadian accounts can get a CPA designation as some states like Delaware do not require practical experience, just passing the CPA exams.

 

[Arfur]

It happened in the last year, I think. It was stiffly opposed by the CA's. CGAs and CMAs still have to do some extra coursework, but they don't have to go through the whole humiliating CA experience.

And the requirements for getting a CPA have increased in the last year too. It's no longer possible to just write the CPA exams.

Arf

 

[holden]

I don't know when it change(I think last year). I'm not a CGA, but one of my companies just received a bid from a CGA firm for audit services.

 

[train]

Angel Aurora....... thinking of going back to "bean counting " ?

Not exactly the same excitement level , but I guess you know that . While I was a CA in a major professional firm , I can't recall the firm ever having a client in the "industry " .

I always wondered what the norm was for tax planning ( or money laundering as the case may be ....lol ).

 

[Vanessa Valentine]

Re: Accountant

Thank you...

 

[Snake Pliskin]

Otherwise a CGA or a CMA can do an equally good job at F/S (financial statements, not full service) LOL!

I have to disagree with you, Aurora. I've been given "full service" (not the words I said at the time, but you get my meaning) at the hands of my accountant! I didn't even get kissed!