Rideau Sums
Atlantic lighthouse guiding ships

The Rideau Sums Difference

Accounting That Keeps You
Informed and Confident

Working with the right accountant should leave you with a clearer understanding of your finances — not a stack of forms and a bill. Here is what Rideau Sums does differently.

Back to Home

Core Advantages

What Sets Our Practice Apart

Pre-Filing Client Meetings

Every annual filing includes a structured review meeting before submission. You see the completed return, understand the key figures, and have the opportunity to ask questions before anything goes to the CRA.

Atlantic HST Depth

The 15% Atlantic HST has its own supply rules, rebate structures, and place-of-supply considerations. Our practice is centred on this framework — not treating it as a footnote to broader Canadian tax work.

Post-Filing Summary

After your return is accepted, you receive a written summary covering your effective tax rate, carry-forward balances, HST position, and anything worth noting for the year ahead.

Transparent Flat Fees

Our service fees are stated upfront and do not vary based on how many questions you ask. No hourly surprises. You know what you are paying before work begins.

Input Tax Credit Attention

Many small businesses under-claim their eligible input tax credits. We review what has been claimed against what was spent, and note any credits that may have been missed in prior periods.

Responsive Between Filings

Questions do not wait for tax season. Clients receive timely responses throughout the year, and advisory clients have ongoing email access for questions as their business evolves.

Expertise Benefit

Regional Knowledge That Matters

Atlantic Canadian tax practice has its own distinct characteristics — the HST rate structure, Nova Scotia's provincial small business deduction, NS-specific capital cost allowance considerations, and the provincial incentive programs that are only available to businesses operating in this region.

General-purpose accounting firms often handle Atlantic files as minor variations on Ontario or BC practice. We have built our firm around the specific knowledge that Nova Scotia small business owners need — it is not a secondary specialisation for us, it is our primary focus.

What that knowledge covers:

  • 15% Atlantic HST filing, including point-of-sale rebate rules
  • Nova Scotia corporate income tax rates and small business deduction
  • Atlantic Investment Tax Credit (where applicable)
  • NS Equity Tax Credit for eligible investors
  • CRA administrative positions specific to Atlantic province filing

Our digital working methods include:

  • Electronic filing directly with CRA for all return types
  • Encrypted document collection and storage
  • Accounting software compatibility (QuickBooks, Xero, Wave)
  • CRA My Business Account access management
  • Digital delivery of all completed returns and summaries

Technology Benefit

Modern Tools, Paperless Process

Our workflows are fully digital — document collection, review, filing, and delivery all happen without paper. This keeps things efficient, traceable, and accessible: you can always request copies of your filed returns and supporting schedules.

We work with the accounting software you already use, so you do not need to change your bookkeeping approach to work with us. If you are not yet using accounting software, we can advise on the options that suit your business size and complexity.

Service Benefit

An Accountant You Can Actually Reach

One of the most common frustrations small business owners have with accounting firms is accessibility. They submit documents, hear nothing for weeks, and receive a completed return with no explanation. At Rideau Sums, client communication is structured into the engagement — not left to chance.

We use a clear intake checklist so you know exactly what to provide. We confirm receipt of your documents. We hold a review meeting before filing. And we send a post-filing summary so nothing is left unexplained.

The Rideau Sums service commitment:

  • Acknowledgement of documents within one business day
  • Pre-filing meeting on every annual engagement
  • Questions answered within one business day
  • Written post-filing summary with every annual return
  • Year-round email access for advisory clients

HST Compliance & Filing

CAD 210

All-in. No hourly add-ons for questions.

Tax Preparation & Filing

CAD 505

T2, T1, review meeting and summary included.

Business Growth Advisory

CAD 895

Two sessions, strategy document, email access.

Value Benefit

Flat Fees. No Surprises.

Our pricing reflects the full scope of each service engagement. There are no hourly billing components that inflate when your files take longer than expected, and no extra charges for the review meeting or post-filing summary.

You receive a complete engagement — preparation, review, filing, and follow-up — for a single stated fee. This makes it straightforward to budget for your accounting costs and understand the value you are receiving.

How We Compare

Rideau Sums vs. Typical Accounting Services

A straightforward look at what our practice includes compared to what many small business owners encounter elsewhere.

Feature Typical Providers Rideau Sums
Pre-filing review meeting included
Written post-filing summary
Flat, transparent pricing
Atlantic HST-specific expertise
One-business-day response to questions Varies
Input tax credit review each filing Not standard
Nova Scotia provincial incentive guidance Rarely
CRA correspondence handling support Extra cost

Distinctive Features

Things We Do That Are Not Standard

Engagement Letters for Every File

Every new engagement begins with a written scope letter. You know what is included, what the fee covers, and what we will need from you — before anything begins.

Document Checklists Sent in Advance

Rather than waiting for you to figure out what to send, we provide a specific checklist for your situation shortly after your engagement begins — reducing back-and-forth.

Prior Year ITC Review on Onboarding

When a new client engages us for HST filing, we review the prior year's claimed input tax credits to identify any amounts that may have been missed or incorrectly applied.

Proactive Deadline Reminders

We track your filing and payment deadlines and contact you well in advance — typically six to eight weeks ahead — so you have time to gather documents without pressure.

Salary vs. Dividend Analysis

For incorporated business owners, we run an annual comparison of salary versus dividend compensation to help you understand the after-tax implications of different approaches.

Plain-Language CRA Notices Explanation

If you receive a notice from the CRA and are uncertain what it means, we will explain it in clear terms and advise on any action needed — without adding it to a billable ledger.

Track Record

Achievements & Milestones

130+

Small Business Clients Served

8+

Years in Atlantic Tax Practice

98%

Returns Filed Without CRA Follow-up

4.9

Average Client Satisfaction Score

CPA Canada Member Practice

Affiliated with CPA Canada professional standards and ongoing professional development requirements.

Halifax Chamber Member

Active participant in the Halifax Chamber of Commerce business community since the practice's founding year.

CRA Electronic Filing Authorization

Authorized to file T1, T2, and GST/HST returns electronically on behalf of clients directly with the Canada Revenue Agency.

See the difference attentive accounting makes

Reach out to discuss your current tax situation. We will take the time to understand your business and explain which of our services fits your needs.

Contact Rideau Sums