Business Consultation Services in Canada
Canada's stable economy, skilled workforce, and USMCA trade access make it an attractive market — but federal-provincial tax differences, bilingual requirements in Quebec, and cross-border US-Canada tax complexities require specialized advisory.
Canada's stable economy, skilled workforce, and USMCA trade access make it an attractive market — but federal-provincial tax differences, bilingual requirements in Quebec, and cross-border US-Canada tax complexities require specialized advisory. Fintax Support Limited advises on federal versus provincial incorporation, CRA tax planning including the small business deduction and lifetime capital gains exemption, and SR&ED strategy for technology companies. We support foreign businesses establishing Canadian subsidiaries and develop feasibility studies for expansion across provinces.
Regulatory Framework
Foreign corporations carrying on business in Canada may create a permanent establishment subject to Canadian corporate tax under the Income Tax Act. US-Canada tax treaty provisions reduce withholding on cross-border dividends, interest, and royalties. Quebec's Bill 96 requires French-language business communications for companies operating in the province with 25 or more employees.
Our Business Consultation Services in Canada
Entity Structuring & Incorporation Strategy
Choose and implement the Canadian entity structure that maximizes the small business deduction, limits liability, and supports inter-provincial expansion — from federal CBCA incorporation to provincial Ontario, BC, and Alberta setups. We model CCPC eligibility, associated corporation rules, and federal versus provincial registration requirements before you file Articles of Incorporation with Corporations Canada or a provincial registry.
Federal vs provincial incorporation
CBCA federal incorporation compared to provincial entities with extra-provincial registration and naming rules evaluated.
CCPC and SBD optimization
Canadian-controlled private corporation status modelled to access the SBD on the first CAD $500,000 of active business income.
Multi-entity group design
Operating company, holding company, and professional corporation structures planned for tax and liability separation.
Associated corporation analysis
CRA associated corporation rules assessed so SBD sharing and LCGE eligibility are preserved across related entities.
How It Works
Current structure and goals review
Assess ownership, revenue, payroll, expansion plans, and provincial footprint against Canadian entity options.
Tax and legal modelling
Model CCPC, sole proprietorship, and partnership scenarios including SBD, general rate, and provincial tax outcomes.
Incorporation roadmap
Deliver recommended jurisdiction with Articles of Incorporation, BN registration, and CRA program account setup sequence.
Implementation coordination
Coordinate Corporations Canada or provincial filings, shareholder agreements, banking, and CPA handoff for T2 compliance.
Current structure and goals review
Assess ownership, revenue, payroll, expansion plans, and provincial footprint against Canadian entity options.
Tax and legal modelling
Model CCPC, sole proprietorship, and partnership scenarios including SBD, general rate, and provincial tax outcomes.
Incorporation roadmap
Deliver recommended jurisdiction with Articles of Incorporation, BN registration, and CRA program account setup sequence.
Implementation coordination
Coordinate Corporations Canada or provincial filings, shareholder agreements, banking, and CPA handoff for T2 compliance.
Canadian entity structuring under the Canada Business Corporations Act or provincial corporate statutes affects CCPC status, SBD access, and lifetime capital gains exemption planning. A Canadian-controlled private corporation qualifying for the small business deduction pays combined federal-provincial rates as low as approximately 9% to 12.2% on the first CAD $500,000 of active business income — versus general corporate rates near 26.5% federally plus provincial tax. Federal incorporation provides name protection across Canada but requires extra-provincial registration in provinces where the corporation carries on business. Provincial incorporation in Ontario, British Columbia, or Alberta may suit single-jurisdiction operators with lower initial costs. Associated corporation rules under the Income Tax Act share the SBD limit across related CCPCs — improper group design can inadvertently cap the deduction. Professional corporations, holding companies, and operating subsidiaries each serve distinct purposes for liability isolation and dividend extraction. We coordinate with your lawyer and CPA so incorporation supports T2 filing, GST/HST registration, and payroll remittance without disrupting contracts or banking relationships.
Common Questions
SR&ED Credit Optimization
Maximize Scientific Research and Experimental Development investment tax credits through CRA-compliant project documentation, eligible expenditure identification, and claim defence strategy. We optimize SR&ED claims filed with Form T661 alongside your T2 return — coordinating with Innovation Canada programs and provincial R&D incentives for technology, manufacturing, and software development companies.
Eligible project identification
R&D activities assessed against CRA's scientific advancement and systematic investigation criteria for T661 qualification.
Expenditure optimization
Salary, subcontractor, materials, and overhead proxy methods modelled to maximize refundable and non-refundable ITC claims.
T661 documentation support
Technical narratives, financial schedules, and contemporaneous records prepared for CRA review readiness.
Innovation Canada alignment
SR&ED strategy coordinated with NRC IRAP, SIF, and provincial innovation grants through Innovation Canada portals.
How It Works
R&D activity assessment
Review projects, development workflows, and technical uncertainties against CRA SR&ED eligibility criteria.
Expenditure mapping and optimization
Identify qualifying wages, contractor costs, and materials with proxy vs traditional overhead method comparison.
T661 preparation and filing
Draft technical project descriptions and financial schedules integrated with T2 corporate return filing.
CRA review and audit support
Defend claims during CRA technical and financial reviews with supporting documentation and advisor representation.
R&D activity assessment
Review projects, development workflows, and technical uncertainties against CRA SR&ED eligibility criteria.
Expenditure mapping and optimization
Identify qualifying wages, contractor costs, and materials with proxy vs traditional overhead method comparison.
T661 preparation and filing
Draft technical project descriptions and financial schedules integrated with T2 corporate return filing.
CRA review and audit support
Defend claims during CRA technical and financial reviews with supporting documentation and advisor representation.
Canada's SR&ED program provides income tax credits for qualifying experimental development — CCPCs can receive refundable credits at enhanced rates on eligible expenditures, while other corporations claim non-refundable investment tax credits. Form T661 filed with the T2 return requires detailed project descriptions demonstrating scientific or technological advancement, systematic investigation, and technical uncertainty resolution. CRA applies both technical and financial review processes — inadequate contemporaneous documentation is the leading cause of claim reductions. Eligible expenditures include directly attributable salaries, subcontractor costs (at reduced rates unless approved), materials consumed, and overhead calculated via proxy or traditional methods. Provincial programs in Ontario, Quebec, and BC supplement federal SR&ED with additional credits requiring coordinated claim strategy. Innovation Canada connects businesses to NRC IRAP advisory funding, Strategic Innovation Fund grants, and regional development programs that complement SR&ED without double-dipping on the same costs. We align SR&ED claim preparation with your development team's actual workflows so credits reflect genuine R&D activity and withstand CRA scrutiny.
Common Questions
Business Plan & Financial Model Development
Build investor-ready business plans and ASPE-aligned financial models that Canadian lenders, BDC financing programs, and equity investors expect. We develop three-statement projections, unit economics, and scenario analysis tied to your CCPC tax position, provincial market assumptions, and realistic Canadian growth benchmarks.
Three-statement models
Integrated P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow projections with working capital and capex schedules under ASPE principles.
Scenario and sensitivity analysis
Base, upside, and downside cases with breakeven, runway, and covenant metrics for board and investor review.
Unit economics clarity
CAC, LTV, gross margin, and contribution margin modelled per product line or customer segment.
BDC and lender formats
Projections structured for BDC loan applications, chartered bank covenants, and investor due diligence data rooms.
How It Works
Assumption workshop
Define revenue drivers, pricing, headcount, capex, and Canadian tax assumptions with management input.
Model build and validation
Construct three-statement Excel or spreadsheet model with documented formulas, SBD logic, and error checks.
Narrative business plan drafting
Write executive summary, market analysis, competitive positioning, and operational plan aligned to projections.
Investor and lender package delivery
Deliver model, plan, and appendix schedules ready for BDC submission, bank review, or equity fundraising.
Assumption workshop
Define revenue drivers, pricing, headcount, capex, and Canadian tax assumptions with management input.
Model build and validation
Construct three-statement Excel or spreadsheet model with documented formulas, SBD logic, and error checks.
Narrative business plan drafting
Write executive summary, market analysis, competitive positioning, and operational plan aligned to projections.
Investor and lender package delivery
Deliver model, plan, and appendix schedules ready for BDC submission, bank review, or equity fundraising.
Canadian investors and lenders evaluate business plans against ASPE-compatible financial logic — not disconnected hockey-stick spreadsheets. We build three-statement models linking revenue forecasts to AR/AP cycles, inventory investment, debt service, and equity raises. CCPC tax modelling reflects SBD rates on the first CAD $500,000 of active business income and general corporate rates above that threshold, with provincial variations across Ontario, Alberta, BC, and Quebec. Models incorporate GST/HST cash timing, SR&ED credit assumptions, and capital cost allowance schedules. BDC — Business Development Bank of Canada — financing programs expect detailed projections demonstrating repayment capacity, management capability, and market viability. Chartered banks review debt service coverage, EBITDA trends, and working capital requirements against covenant thresholds. Unit economics sections break down CAC payback, gross margin after COGS, and cash runway — metrics Canadian growth investors and export lenders scrutinize. Deliverables include sensitivity tables on pricing, churn, and headcount so management can stress-test before approaching BDC, EDC, or private investors.
Common Questions
International Expansion Advisory
Guide Canadian companies expanding abroad and foreign businesses entering Canada with entity selection, permanent establishment analysis, and operational setup roadmaps. Cross-border expansion triggers CRA and foreign tax obligations, transfer pricing documentation, and EDC export financing considerations — we coordinate the full launch plan before you hire, invoice, or register overseas.
Canadian subsidiary vs branch analysis
CCPC subsidiary compared to Canadian branch under T2 Schedule 20 with treaty and liability implications.
CRA and BN registration setup
Business Number, GST/HST, payroll, and import/export program accounts sequenced with incorporation timeline.
EDC export financing guidance
Export Development Canada credit insurance, working capital, and foreign buyer financing options evaluated.
Treaty and PE risk review
Permanent establishment and withholding tax analysis under Canada's extensive double tax treaty network.
How It Works
Market entry objective definition
Clarify revenue targets, hiring plans, IP ownership, and parent company reporting requirements for Canada or abroad.
Structure and tax modelling
Model subsidiary, branch, and partnership structures with treaty benefits, transfer pricing, and SBD implications.
Launch roadmap delivery
Deliver entity formation, BN registration, banking, payroll, GST/HST, and extra-provincial registration timeline.
Ongoing compliance framework
Establish T1134 foreign affiliate reporting, transfer pricing documentation, and intercompany agreement maintenance.
Market entry objective definition
Clarify revenue targets, hiring plans, IP ownership, and parent company reporting requirements for Canada or abroad.
Structure and tax modelling
Model subsidiary, branch, and partnership structures with treaty benefits, transfer pricing, and SBD implications.
Launch roadmap delivery
Deliver entity formation, BN registration, banking, payroll, GST/HST, and extra-provincial registration timeline.
Ongoing compliance framework
Establish T1134 foreign affiliate reporting, transfer pricing documentation, and intercompany agreement maintenance.
Foreign businesses entering Canada typically incorporate a CCPC subsidiary under the CBCA or provincial law rather than operating through a branch that exposes the parent to Canadian tax on branch profits via T2 Schedule 20. Canadian companies expanding internationally face permanent establishment risk, foreign affiliate reporting on Form T1134, and transfer pricing obligations under CRA Section 233.1 documentation rules. Export Development Canada provides credit insurance, account receivable financing, and foreign buyer financing supporting Canadian exporters entering US, European, and emerging markets under USMCA and other trade agreements. The US-Canada tax treaty governs cross-border service delivery, withholding on dividends and royalties, and information sharing between CRA and IRS. Inter-provincial expansion within Canada requires extra-provincial registration, provincial tax account setup, and payroll source deduction compliance in each operating province. We deliver integrated entry roadmaps connecting legal formation, CRA registration, EDC financing applications, and first-year operational compliance for both inbound and outbound expansion.
Common Questions
Corporate Restructuring
Restructure Canadian corporate groups through Section 85 rollovers, amalgamations, wind-ups, and inter-company reorganizations while managing CRA tax consequences and Corporations Canada filing requirements. We optimize multi-entity CCPC groups for SBD preservation, LCGE planning, and operational efficiency across federal and provincial jurisdictions.
Section 85 rollover planning
Tax-deferred asset and share transfers under ITA Section 85 modelled with elected proceeds and boot considerations.
Amalgamation and wind-up execution
Horizontal and vertical amalgamations planned with T2057 filings and Corporations Canada or provincial approvals.
SBD and LCGE impact analysis
Restructuring assessed for associated corporation effects, SBD sharing, and capital gains exemption preservation.
Regulatory filing coordination
CRA T2057/T2058 elections, provincial transfers, and extra-provincial registrations sequenced with legal advisers.
How It Works
Group structure and objective review
Map current Canadian entities, intercompany flows, shareholder objectives, and restructuring drivers.
Tax and legal impact analysis
Assess Section 85, 86, and 88 rollover eligibility, capital gains triggers, and provincial transfer tax implications.
Restructuring mechanics design
Design rollover, amalgamation, or estate freeze sequence with timeline, elections, and approval dependencies.
Implementation and filing coordination
Execute restructuring with CRA election filings, Corporations Canada documents, and banking updates.
Group structure and objective review
Map current Canadian entities, intercompany flows, shareholder objectives, and restructuring drivers.
Tax and legal impact analysis
Assess Section 85, 86, and 88 rollover eligibility, capital gains triggers, and provincial transfer tax implications.
Restructuring mechanics design
Design rollover, amalgamation, or estate freeze sequence with timeline, elections, and approval dependencies.
Implementation and filing coordination
Execute restructuring with CRA election filings, Corporations Canada documents, and banking updates.
Canadian corporate restructuring leverages Income Tax Act rollover provisions to reorganize groups tax-efficiently. Section 85 permits tax-deferred transfers of capital property to a corporation in exchange for shares and elected proceeds — essential for estate freeze implementations and holding company reorganizations. Section 86 governs share-for-share exchanges within corporations, while Section 88 applies to wind-up distributions from wholly owned subsidiaries. Amalgamations under CBCA or provincial statutes can combine entities with continuity of tax attributes when properly structured. Restructuring must preserve CCPC status, manage associated corporation SBD sharing across the CAD $500,000 limit, and protect LCGE eligibility on qualified small business corporation shares — the 2024 exemption limit of CAD $971,190 per individual. Improper reorganizations can trigger capital gains, recapture of CCA, or loss of QSBC status. We coordinate with tax lawyers and CPAs so restructuring achieves shareholder objectives — whether simplification, asset protection, or succession preparation — without unexpected CRA assessments.
Common Questions
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Build rolling forecasts, management reporting packs, and driver-based models that connect ASPE statutory accounts to forward-looking decisions for Canadian CCPCs. We implement FP&A processes covering budget cycles, variance analysis, and cash flow visibility aligned to CRA remittance schedules and provincial tax obligations.
Management reporting packs
Board-ready P&L bridges, balance sheet analysis, and KPI dashboards with commentary templates.
Budget and variance analysis
Annual budget process with monthly actual-vs-budget variance reporting and corrective action tracking.
Scenario and sensitivity planning
Base, upside, and downside scenarios modelled for headcount, pricing, SBD thresholds, and rate changes.
Cash and tax provisioning
GST/HST remittance, payroll source deductions, and corporate tax instalment forecasts integrated into cash models.
How It Works
FP&A maturity assessment
Review current reporting, chart of accounts, data sources, and board information requirements.
Model and dashboard design
Build driver-based forecast model and management reporting templates aligned to ASPE categories.
Budget cycle implementation
Establish annual budget timeline, departmental input templates, and consolidation workflow.
Ongoing reporting cadence
Deliver monthly close support, variance commentary, and quarterly board pack preparation.
FP&A maturity assessment
Review current reporting, chart of accounts, data sources, and board information requirements.
Model and dashboard design
Build driver-based forecast model and management reporting templates aligned to ASPE categories.
Budget cycle implementation
Establish annual budget timeline, departmental input templates, and consolidation workflow.
Ongoing reporting cadence
Deliver monthly close support, variance commentary, and quarterly board pack preparation.
Effective FP&A in Canadian CCPCs bridges ASPE statutory accounts and forward-looking management decisions. Rolling 12-month forecasts updated monthly outperform static annual budgets for cash management and headcount planning — particularly when GST/HST remittance cycles and CRA payroll source deduction deadlines create predictable cash outflows. Management reporting packs should reconcile to trial balance categories, explain EBITDA movements with volume, price, and cost bridges, and track KPIs relevant to your sector. CCPC tax cash provisioning requires modelling SBD utilization on the first CAD $500,000 of active business income against general rate income, with provincial variations and associated corporation sharing rules. Budget variance analysis identifies operational drift early — separating timing differences from genuine performance gaps. We implement FP&A processes using Excel, cloud planning tools, or Odoo integration depending on your finance team capacity and ERP maturity, ensuring forecasts support BDC covenant reporting and SR&ED expenditure tracking.
Common Questions
Risk Management & Internal Controls
Design risk management frameworks and internal control systems aligned with Canadian governance expectations, CPA Canada guidance, and CRA audit readiness standards. We help boards and management teams identify, assess, and mitigate operational, financial, and compliance risks with documented controls that satisfy auditors, lenders, and investors.
Risk register development
Comprehensive risk identification and assessment mapped to likelihood, impact, and mitigation owners.
Internal control design
Financial, operational, and IT controls documented with segregation of duties and approval hierarchies.
CRA audit readiness
GST/HST, payroll, SR&ED, and T2 support documentation organized for CRA review and reassessment defence.
Control testing and monitoring
Key control testing programmes and ongoing monitoring procedures for audit and assurance readiness.
How It Works
Risk and control gap assessment
Review current policies, processes, and prior audit or CRA findings against governance expectations.
Risk register and control mapping
Document key risks with inherent and residual ratings linked to specific control activities.
Policy and procedure drafting
Write financial controls, authorization limits, and operational policies for board approval.
Implementation and assurance
Roll out controls, train staff, and establish monitoring cadence for board and audit committee reporting.
Risk and control gap assessment
Review current policies, processes, and prior audit or CRA findings against governance expectations.
Risk register and control mapping
Document key risks with inherent and residual ratings linked to specific control activities.
Policy and procedure drafting
Write financial controls, authorization limits, and operational policies for board approval.
Implementation and assurance
Roll out controls, train staff, and establish monitoring cadence for board and audit committee reporting.
Canadian companies of all sizes benefit from structured risk management — public companies follow CSA National Instrument 52-109 internal control requirements while private CCPCs increasingly face lender and investor due diligence on control environments. Internal controls over financial reporting prevent fraud, errors, and audit qualifications — covering purchase authorization, payroll verification, bank reconciliations, and IT access management. CRA audit activity on GST/HST, payroll remittances, SR&ED claims, and T2 filings requires contemporaneous documentation and clear approval trails. Risk registers should identify strategic, operational, financial, and compliance risks with assigned owners and mitigation timelines reviewed at each board meeting. PIPEDA and provincial privacy legislation add data protection obligations for companies handling personal information. We design proportionate frameworks matching your size and complexity rather than imposing public-company bureaucracy on growing CCPCs, while ensuring controls satisfy BDC lending requirements and CPA Canada audit expectations.
Common Questions
Cost Reduction & Efficiency Consulting
Identify and deliver sustainable cost savings across Canadian operations without compromising growth capacity, SR&ED eligibility, or CRA compliance. We analyse spend categories, process bottlenecks, and organizational design — incorporating lessons from CEBA and CEWS program recovery into post-pandemic efficiency planning with measurable EBITDA impact.
Spend category analysis
Procurement, payroll, property, and overhead costs benchmarked against Canadian sector norms and best practice.
Process efficiency review
End-to-end process mapping identifying duplication, manual work, and automation opportunities.
Organizational design assessment
Span of control, role clarity, and outsourcing vs in-house decisions evaluated for cost and capability.
Savings tracking and governance
Benefits realization framework with baseline metrics, targets, and monthly savings reporting.
How It Works
Cost baseline and diagnostic
Analyse P&L spend categories, headcount costs, and process cycle times against benchmarks.
Opportunity identification and prioritization
Rank savings initiatives by EBITDA impact, implementation effort, and risk to operations and compliance.
Implementation planning
Deliver detailed action plans with owners, timelines, and change management requirements.
Benefits tracking and review
Monitor savings delivery monthly with variance reporting and course correction as needed.
Cost baseline and diagnostic
Analyse P&L spend categories, headcount costs, and process cycle times against benchmarks.
Opportunity identification and prioritization
Rank savings initiatives by EBITDA impact, implementation effort, and risk to operations and compliance.
Implementation planning
Deliver detailed action plans with owners, timelines, and change management requirements.
Benefits tracking and review
Monitor savings delivery monthly with variance reporting and course correction as needed.
Sustainable cost reduction in Canadian businesses requires understanding fixed versus variable cost structures, provincial employment standards constraints on headcount changes, and commercial lease obligations. Companies that received Canada Emergency Business Account loans and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy payments face ongoing repayment and audit obligations that inform current cash management priorities. Procurement consolidation across suppliers often delivers 5% to 15% savings on addressable spend without quality compromise. Process automation through Odoo workflows, AP automation, and payroll integration reduces manual finance team hours. Shared service centres within Canadian corporate groups can centralize AP, AR, and payroll while maintaining T2 filing compliance across provincial entities. Cost reduction plans must preserve SR&ED eligible activities and CCPC status — cutting R&D headcount or restructuring development teams can inadvertently reduce investment tax credit claims. We build savings programmes with explicit EBITDA targets, implementation milestones, and governance reporting so boards track delivery against commitments.
Common Questions
Digital Transformation & Automation
Accelerate Canadian business performance through ERP implementation, finance automation, and digital workflow design that reduces manual effort and improves management visibility. We advise on Odoo deployment, cloud accounting migration, and process automation aligned to ASPE reporting, GST/HST compliance, and CRA digital filing requirements.
ERP and Odoo implementation
Odoo ERP scoping, configuration, and rollout covering finance, inventory, CRM, and project modules.
Finance process automation
AP automation, bank feeds, expense management, and month-end close workflows digitized end-to-end.
Cloud accounting migration
Sage 50, QuickBooks, or Xero migration with chart of accounts mapping and opening balance validation.
Management reporting integration
Real-time dashboards connecting operational data to FP&A models and board reporting packs.
How It Works
Digital maturity assessment
Review current systems, manual processes, pain points, and reporting gaps across finance and operations.
Technology roadmap and vendor selection
Define requirements, evaluate Odoo, cloud accounting, and automation tools against budget and timeline.
Implementation and data migration
Configure systems, migrate historical data, and integrate banking, payroll, and CRA connections.
Training and continuous improvement
Train finance and operations teams, establish support processes, and plan phased automation expansion.
Digital maturity assessment
Review current systems, manual processes, pain points, and reporting gaps across finance and operations.
Technology roadmap and vendor selection
Define requirements, evaluate Odoo, cloud accounting, and automation tools against budget and timeline.
Implementation and data migration
Configure systems, migrate historical data, and integrate banking, payroll, and CRA connections.
Training and continuous improvement
Train finance and operations teams, establish support processes, and plan phased automation expansion.
Digital transformation for Canadian businesses must align with GST/HST reporting requirements, ASPE financial reporting, and CRA electronic filing obligations. Odoo ERP provides integrated finance, inventory, CRM, and project management for growing Canadian SMEs replacing disconnected spreadsheets and legacy Sage 50 installations. Cloud accounting migration to Xero or QuickBooks Online improves bank reconciliation, adviser collaboration, and multi-provincial entity management. AP automation reduces invoice processing costs and strengthens audit trails for CRA GST/HST reviews. CRA's increasing digital services — including Represent a Client, My Business Account, and mandatory electronic filing for certain remittance types — reward businesses with integrated digital records. Freed finance capacity redirects to FP&A, SR&ED documentation, and commercial analysis rather than transactional processing. We manage implementation from requirements through go-live, ensuring chart of accounts design supports T2 filing, provincial tax accounts, and bilingual Quebec operations where required.
Common Questions
Succession Planning
Plan business succession for Canadian owner-managers through estate freezes, Section 85 rollovers, and LCGE optimization on qualified small business corporation shares. We coordinate tax-efficient ownership transitions that preserve CCPC benefits, maximize the CAD $971,190 lifetime capital gains exemption for 2024, and prepare the next generation or external buyers for leadership continuity.
Estate freeze implementation
Fixed-value preferred shares issued to founders with common growth shares transferred to successors.
LCGE optimization planning
QSBC share qualification monitored to maximize the CAD $971,190 lifetime capital gains exemption per individual.
Section 85 rollover coordination
Tax-deferred share transfers under ITA Section 85 structured with T2057 election filing support.
Buy-sell and continuity agreements
Shareholder agreements, key person insurance, and transition timelines documented for family or third-party sale.
How It Works
Succession objective and timeline review
Assess owner retirement goals, family involvement, buyer options, and current corporate share structure.
Tax and LCGE modelling
Model estate freeze, Section 85 rollover, and share sale scenarios with LCGE and SBD impact analysis.
Restructuring and agreement drafting
Implement estate freeze with legal advisers and draft buy-sell, voting trust, or management transition plans.
Transition execution and monitoring
Execute ownership transfer, maintain QSBC status, and establish ongoing governance for successor management.
Succession objective and timeline review
Assess owner retirement goals, family involvement, buyer options, and current corporate share structure.
Tax and LCGE modelling
Model estate freeze, Section 85 rollover, and share sale scenarios with LCGE and SBD impact analysis.
Restructuring and agreement drafting
Implement estate freeze with legal advisers and draft buy-sell, voting trust, or management transition plans.
Transition execution and monitoring
Execute ownership transfer, maintain QSBC status, and establish ongoing governance for successor management.
Canadian business succession for owner-managers centres on tax-efficient wealth extraction through the lifetime capital gains exemption and estate freeze mechanics. An estate freeze exchanges founder common shares for fixed-value preferred shares via Section 85 rollover, capping the founder's taxable gain while allowing future growth to accrue to successors holding new common shares. LCGE on QSBC shares provides up to CAD $971,190 tax-free capital gains per individual for 2024 — indexed annually — making QSBC status maintenance critical throughout the succession timeline. Shares must meet active asset percentage tests, holding period requirements, and cannot be held through certain trusts without careful planning. Family succession requires balancing equitable treatment among children with tax-efficient share allocation. Third-party sales demand clean financial records, normalized EBITDA, and SR&ED or SBD positions that withstand buyer due diligence. BDC and EDC may finance management buyouts for qualifying Canadian businesses. We coordinate with estate lawyers and CPAs so succession planning preserves CCPC status, maximizes LCGE utilization across family members, and delivers operational continuity through the ownership transition.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Explore More in Canada
Discover our other financial services available in this region.
Company Formation
Federal Incorporation (Corporations Canada)
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Accounting & Bookkeeping
CRA-Compliant Bookkeeping
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Tax Preparation
T2 Corporate Income Tax Returns
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Auditing
Statutory Audits (CAS-Compliant)
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Odoo ERP
Odoo Implementation for Canadian Businesses
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