Updated Checked by the Tax-Services.ca editorial team How we check
A certified bookkeeper is someone who has passed a certification from a professional body, but the word “certified” isn’t one single Canadian licence. We couldn’t confirm a national rule that says who may use the title, so the useful question is which body certified them and if you can check it. That answer matters more than the wording on a business card.
What does certified mean for a bookkeeper?
It means different things depending on who awarded it. One credential may come from an association with an exam and continuing education. Another may come from a course provider’s own certificate. Both are called certification in ads.
So ask three things. Who issues it? Can you look the holder up on a public register? Does it need renewing? If the person can’t answer, treat the title as decoration. If they can, you’ve learned something real.
What can a bookkeeper do, and what can’t they?
Think of it as a relay. The bookkeeper keeps the books current every month, and the accountant takes the baton once a year to turn those books into a filed return, which is why a tidy file on the bookkeeper’s side pays off later on.
| Job | Bookkeeper | Accountant |
|---|---|---|
| Record sales and expenses | Yes, the core work | Reviews it |
| Reconcile bank accounts | Yes | Checks it |
| Prepare payroll and remittances | Often | Sometimes |
| Prepare GST/HST returns | Often | Often |
| Advise on tax planning | Depends on training | Usually |
“Often” and “depends” are honest here. Roles overlap, and the split is set by the contract, not by the title. Read what each person will sign, and what they’ll take the blame for when a return comes back with questions. Then write the split into the agreement, in plain words, so nobody argues about it in April.
What should a certified bookkeeper record for you?
Everything the CRA could ask about. The CRA says to keep required records and supporting documents for six years from the end of the last tax year they relate to. That covers sales slips, bank statements and invoices, and it’s the reason to pick a person who files things where you can find them.
Sales tax comes up first. Take a $1,000 sale in Ontario. The GST/HST calculator shows $130 of HST, so $1,130 in total. In Alberta, only $50 of GST applies. A good bookkeeper sets the right rate for each province and can explain why.
How can a bookkeeper help your tax bill?
Mostly by making your numbers clean before an accountant sees them. Take net business income of $80,000 in Ontario. The self-employed tax calculator gives $13,233.57 of income tax and $8,892.90 of CPP for both halves. Put $2,400 of missed business costs back on the books (an example figure, not a fee) and the income tax drops to $12,533.53. The saving comes from good records and a person who reads receipts, not from the title. A newly certified person with careless habits can cost you more than an uncertified one who’s meticulous.
If you’re an owner-manager, the corporate tax calculator gives a feel for what a corporation pays before you talk numbers with anyone. For staff, use the payroll deductions calculator to spot-check the amounts on a pay stub.
Mistakes when you hire a bookkeeper
- Trusting the title without checking who granted it.
- Giving full access to your CRA account. Use the CRA’s authorization options and pick the smallest level that does the job.
- Skipping a written scope, so nobody knows who files the sales tax return.
- Treating a low price as a good sign. We couldn’t confirm what bookkeepers charge, so any number you’re quoted is unchecked here.
Where do the numbers come from?
The record keeping rule comes from the Canada Revenue Agency, read in September 2026. Rates and tax amounts come from the 2026 data in our calculators. The site is not linked to the CRA or to any certifying body.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one national licence for bookkeepers?
We couldn't confirm one. Certifications come from different bodies, so ask who issued it and look the holder up there.
What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
A bookkeeper records and reconciles transactions. An accountant reviews them and usually prepares your tax return.
Can a bookkeeper file my GST/HST return?
Often, once you authorize them with the CRA. Confirm it in the written scope before work starts.
How long should my bookkeeper keep records?
Six years from the end of the last tax year they relate to, in most cases.
Do I need a certified bookkeeper?
Not always. For a small business with few transactions, careful books of your own may be enough.
- How to choose a tax preparer in Canada
How to decide if you need a tax preparer, what a preparer does, the questions to ask before you hire one and where to find free help in Canada
Information only. This page is general information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Tax-Services.ca is an independent publisher: we don't prepare or file tax returns or offer tax services, and we have no connection with the CRA, Revenu Québec, any government or any company named on this page. Check the figures that matter with an official source or a qualified professional.