Toronto Tax Help

(home page of a real Toronto CA firm)

with B.C. Chastkofsky C.A.

 The guy to go to when you need the type of service

only a real  C.A. firm can offer

 without forking over a king's ransom

 call (416) 782-8956

or email: email form

" When we started looking for an accountant to help us file personal and small business taxes we didn't know how frustrating the search would be. We talked to at least 10 different individuals and firms but no one seemed to understand what we were trying to accomplish with our business. Enter BC Chastkofsky. Not only did you take the time to listen (a rare and dying skill it seems) to my husband during the initial phone call but you have treated us ever since with the same professionalism as if we were millionaires. Sounds too good to be true, we first thought. Well, when my husband finally met you in person he called me immediately at work and said, "I've found the perfect accountant" and BC, I couldn't agree more.

What sets you apart from the rest is the comfort level we feel knowing your experience and integrity are behind everything you do. You align yourself professionally with the best the accounting field has to offer and add your own personal delivery method--patience, perseverance, and, may I say, kindness. A rare combination to find in most people, let alone in your accountant! We have found a needle in a haystack and we look forward to many years of working with you.

                                                        C.J., Toronto

 Are you ...

Here are    16  reasons     you can't go wrong calling me, B.C. Chastkofsky C.A. , first. (416-782-8956)

 Note: New for 2008. Easy and flexible payment terms: You can pay by either cheque, or credit card (VISA or Mastercard). If you pay by cheque, you can pay with up to three post-dated monthly cheques with no interest charged. If your invoice is over $1,500, you can spread your payments over 6 months-- no interest charged!

Reason#1

 No hassle, no risk policy- 

 From the  moment of the very first call, you'll find me  easy going and very comfortable to deal with.  We can discuss  your accounting requirements but, I won't ever ask you to give me your business. 

That's a decision you must  make  on your own without any  pressure from me. 

Who you give your business to is your call, not mine.  If you decide not to be my client, I won't make you feel guilty. I won't harass you  with emails or phone calls. 

We'll part as friends with no hard feelings.

 I'll treat you the way I wish people would treat me:-

If you do decide to go with me, you are never stuck with me.   If you ever want out of our business relationship, there's  always an easy exit. (Not that I'm suggesting you'll ever want to. I'm just saying, just in case..). 

If you switch to another accounting firm, I'll make the transition absolutely painless. Any info they need will be sped their way. (I wish I would have it so easy when clients switch to me.)

And, if you're wondering what it's  really like to have me as your accountant, I'll  let you test the waters in a totally risk free way by giving you a...

Reason #2

 Free initial consultation --without any guilty or weird feelings

 Where and when you get to ask me anything you want.  That's right. Unlike other accountants who advertise free consultations so they ask the questions to get you to give them your business, with me it's totally the reverse.

Because what I do is, I let you come prepared with any questions you have. And, I  give you up to  a whole hour where I'll answer to the best of my ability anything you throw at me. And, I mean anything-- including questions about GST,  payroll, setting up a company, dealings with governments-- anything.

Now,  most Toronto area C.A. 's with even half my experience  will charge you at least $200 for such a consultation. Yet, I won't charge you one red cent  because I want you to be able to

test the waters-- totally risk free—

so you can decide if you and I are a good fit 

By the way, some people-- even before they meet me-- exchange emails with me to get a feel of what type of person I am to deal with. And, that's fine with me. After all why waste the time meeting an accountant-- even if the meeting is free-- if you don't feel comfortable dealing with him?  So, you're more than welcome to send me an email or two even before we meet.

So, you're able to decide without any pressure from me whatsoever  whether or not you want to continue with me.

[Just one warning here: I reserve the right to restrict this offer depending on time and availability. Also, because of the necessary general nature of the discussion you will have to sign an acknowledgement that you accept all responsibility for the consequences of any action you take as a result from information received from me.] 

To read my answers to tax  related questions-- or, if you'd like to ask me a tax question-- please  visit my other website: www.askthetaxman.ca

And, if you do decide to continue with me you'll find... 

Reason #3

Affordable (but not cheap) fees

Clients who switch from other accounting firms to me  typically enjoy a savings of between 30% and 50% off their previous accounting bill. And, usually,  they enjoy this type of  savings, not just the first year, but for several years running.

For example, a few years back a computer consultant who had been paying $1,300 as year in accounting fees for his company came to me. I figured it was a 7- or 8 hour job, because it was pretty simple,  and quoted him a fee of $750. And now, 3 years later, I'm still doing his work for the same fee.

Another time, a  company of management consultants  wanted to know if I could help them.  The had lost patience with their former accountant  who would take months to prepare a set of financial statements and corporate tax returns.

Their controller showed me her accounting file . It consisted of one humungous MS Excel schedule with about two thousand lines and 150 columns.

I asked her,  "what do you want me to do with it?"

She said, "Don't you know how to work with Pivot Tables?"

I said, "No . Is that some kind of adjustable ping-pong table?"

She said, "Well, why don't you just look at the file and let me know what you make of it?"

I looked at it a bit, but soon realized I wasn't getting very far. So, I asked the controller to fill  the numbers into five simple equations I gave her. 

Once she gave me the numbers, I only needed a few hours to prepare the financial statements and corporate returns. And my fee came in at $800;  less than half the $1,700 her former accountant charged.

And, since then, because she has her act together, my fee is even less than $800 per year.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm  affordable, not cheap.  I have to make a living, too. I've got to charge $115 per hour. But that's a far sight less than the normal $150 to $500 per hour  many other CA's charge- most of whom  have less than half my 31 years CA firm experience.

Also, unlike other accountants, who'll hem and haw and beat about the bush if you ask for even a ball park figure of  what your fees will be like,  I've posted my fee schedule right on this site for all to see . Right here. Click Fees.

And, I'm not trying to beat or undercut any other firm's fees.  It just turns out that, usually, in the normal course of events, at the end of the day, after everything's said and done, that:

Your fees are likely to be lower by 25% to 50% with me than with other CA firms

"I'll be honest, it's an incredible deal you're cutting, and I would of had no problem paying you twice the amount.

Either way, you're the first person I mention to everyone now whenever they need to do any accounting."

J.L., Toronto

And, again, it's not because I'm cheap and I'm not trying to lowball other firms' fees. And, I'm not saying I'll knock off  x dollars off any other CA's fees.

Rather, the reason my fees usually  turn out to be  a sight lower than most other CA firms' is:

a) my hourly rate is lower than most; mine-- $115 per hour (at least for now); theirs-- $150  per  and up as high as $500 per hour

 b) I help you streamline your accounting system (like I did with those consultants where I showed them how to take their monstrosity of an Excel file and boil it down to five simple equations that I gave them);

 c) my overhead is low (no fancy offices);

 d) I can whip out most of the work real fast. A less experienced accountant may struggle for hours with issues I consider standard. So, I spend fewer hours on a job than your average accountant.

e) I work solo. Which means I meet you. I do the work. I hand you the final paperwork.

 Which is quite unlike the typical scenario in a bigger form ( I know. I've worked in such firms.) Where the partner hands the work off to the junior-- who passes it to the manager for review-- who gives it to the partner for final approval-- who notices that the junior, who never met or spoke with the client, totally  blew the whole job. So he gives it back to the junior to start the cycle again.

So, if you've ever wondered why you waited months for your accountant to complete a simple job , it could be that shenanigans like this were taking place. And, at your expense.

And, now, maybe you' re  wondering, "How can I be sure what my fee will be?".  Well, this brings me to:

 Reason #4

Up front fee quote-

 If you've dealt with other Toronto accounting firms you'll find they very rarely quote a fee for services-- except, maybe in the first year, when they want to get you hooked. Otherwise, they want to bill for all their time, even the time spent by some junior flunkie who's bumbling and fumbling for hours  on some minor issue and billing you for his ineptitude.

With me though, in most cases, before I start the job you'll know how much it'll cost you. I'll estimate the time I think it'll take to do the job and will give you a written (or emailed)  quote.  

So you never have to worry about being hit by a large bill for a mysterious set of accounting services.

And, if it takes longer than I originally thought,-- even a lot longer,

 I'll eat the time.

The risk is all mine

And, that's only fair. It's your money and you deserve to get value for it.

And, to reduce your risk even further...

Reason #5

 You don't pay a dime until the job is complete and you're satisfied

That's right. You don't pay a retainer. You don't pay anything until the job is done and you're satisfied.  

[Exception: if the job exceeds $1,500. Then I have to ask for progress payments just like other businesses].

And, if you've dealt with any professional before-- C.A. , or otherwise-- you realize how unusual this is. Because, satisfied or not, if you don't send a cheque when you get a bill, they'll hound you to the ends of the earth to collect their fee.. first, with letters,  then with collection agencies.

Now, maybe you're a wee bit skeptical when I tell you not to pay until the job is done  and you're satisfied. Maybe you haven't seen or heard another C.A. say anything even remotely close to this before. Maybe you think there's a catch to this. 

Let me tell you-- there is no catch. I want all my clients to be thoroughly satisfied with the work I do for them.

If, you're not satisfied, then I don't want your money.

And, I'm serious about this. I almost never lose a client. They come back year-after-year-after- year. This is not the "head scratcher" it seems. I bend over backwards to make sure  you're getting the best possible service at any price.

And, in all the years I've been in business I've never once sued a client.  I've never used collection agencies.

 So, if you're not totally satisfied with the quality of the work-- for any reason whatsoever---you don't pay. 

So dealing with me means you don't risk one cent of your money

Now, so far we've talked mostly of the fee. What about the quality of service?

 Reason #6

 Real C.A. firm quality-

 When you deal with me, B.C. Chastkofsky C.A. (416-782-8956),  you can expect and get the same level of service (for the types of stuff I do) you would expect from any of the partners of any of the bigger Toronto accountant firms. Like:

Price Waterhouse Coopers; 

Deloitte; 

Mintz and Partners,

Zeifman & Co;

Kraft Rothman; 

Stern, Cohen etc.

and any of the hundreds others out there you may have thought of using. 

Or, maybe you are already using one of them-- and you want to switch.

Because  I have the exact same C.A. designation as any of the partners in any CA firm. (Did you know that?  All C.A. 's in Canada must pass the exact same examination to earn their designation. There is no such thing as a superior C.A. designation )

 Dear B.C.,

 I want to thank you for your assistance with preparing financial statements for my business as well as the T1 Generals for my family over the last two years.

 Your dignified, courteous manner alleviated the normal stress associated with tax filing, especially during a time of additional personal stress impacting my family. Your prompt, generous, and effective response to my urgent need is a commendation to not only your Chartered Accountant talents, but also to your personal character.  Your rates may be low, but you provide an elite, comforting service experience.

 I will recommend B.C. Chastkofsky C.A. to everyone I know looking for accounting services.

 Thank you so much B.C.

 Warm Regards,

 R.M., Toronto

 So what you get with me is Real McCoy C.A. quality-- exactly the level of professional quality you would expect from a partner in a much larger firm.

But, without the big  CA firm price tag

There is another big difference between them and me. And, if you're looking to save taxes, this next point is  very important, because my focus is a...

To read my answers to tax  related questions-- or, if you'd like to ask me a tax question-- please  visit my other website: www.askthetaxman.ca

 Reason #7

 My ideal client is the budget minded one

Imagine how you'd feel if you were ushered into a CA firm's office. All you need done are corporate returns for your small business which you hope won't run you more than $1,000. Then, you hear that most of their clients pay fees like $10,000 or higher.  How would you feel? How do you think you'd be treated?

 If you've been a client of a medium sized firm you're probably aware-- as I certainly am-- that they treat different clients differently. There is a pecking order than is more than likely going to deposit you at the bottom of their priority list.

And, the reason for this is simple. Let's say  you've got a small incorporated business and you can't afford more than $1,500 in accounting fees. That fee, in most cases, covers the time needed to prepare your financial statements and corporate tax returns.,

That leaves no time to discuss various tax planning options that could help reduce your taxes. And all the other odds and ends you might want to talk about with your accountant. 

And, often, in a bigger firm you don't even know who your accountant is. The first guy you meet who you thought was going to be your accountant turns out to be the salesman for the firm. Often, you can't determine who your accountant is, because of the frequent internal shuffling within the firm.

I know from my work with other accountants that small clients are discouraged from sending emails or asking simple questions by phone. I've seen accountants send hundred dollar plus invoices to answer a one minute question. And, they don't always return emails or calls from their smaller clients. 

With me, my entire clientele consists of  budget minded owner managed businesses whose major concern is how they can reduce their taxes   and their accounting fees. They are my bread and butter. I owe my living to these clients.

So, if you're on a budget, you won't get a weird or guilty feeling talking to me or meeting with me. 

I encourage my clients to dash off quickie emails to me, 

or to phone me anytime they want. (at 416-782-8956 )

 No question a client asks me is considered to be  a dumb question.

 It is wonderful to have an expert on board to answer all my questions instead of struggling to do this on our own.

B.D., Toronto

So I concentrate my energy in devising plans to structure the affairs of my clients in a way that  legally minimizes their taxes.

Reason #8

Experience

My 31 years of CA experience means I've made tons of dumb mistakes (some real laffers I'll maybe write about one day). But I've  learnt from those mistakes.

And now I still goof  occasionally. But the mistakes are not as frequent nor as serious as when I was younger.

Now, I'm not saying I'm smarter than those younger C.A. 's out there. I'll be the first to admit than most of them are smarter than me-- maybe 10 times smarter than me. 

But, until you've  spent years through the wringer like I have.  I don't care how much you've studied. I don't care how smart you are. You're gonna make mistakes-- lots of them.

But, there's another-- more important--  element to this experience thing. It's hard to explain. But what it does is, 

 it gives you a.... sort of.... spooky... sixth sense. 

Like, recently, I was downtown with a client for a government audit. The client had no idea why he was selected for audit. I had a hunch and told the client what I thought the auditor would ask him. I prepped the client on how to respond to what I thought would be  the most likely questions. 

And, strangely, I was pretty much.. bang on. Ten years ago, certainly 15 years ago-- no way I would have guessed. That's what experience does for you.

Now, during those 31 years, I've been around the block more times than I can count. Whatever your circumstances, whatever problems you encounter, it's a safe bet that  I've  been there, done that.

The fact that I have "seen it all" means I'll probably be able to do your job faster and cheaper than most other accountants.

Now, sure there are complex issues I leave to others (e.g., cross border issues, offshore stuff etc.) but if you're one of the vast majority of business owners 

you'll find me a one-stop resource for all your accounting  and tax problems

a virtual 

"one man accounting gang"

No need to go shopping all over the place for different types of accountants.

And, if you do need specialized expertise that I can't offer,  you should know, I... 

Reason#9

Network with top tax experts

Which means you won't be set adrift if I personally can't help you. I'll direct you to the best specialist for your particular needs. I interact with specialists in fields that are beyond my scope, such as  US taxes, GST, mergers and acquisitions, valuations,  and complex organizational structures.

And, I'll get him up to speed and formulate the question so  your fee is reasonable.

Reason #10

You get paper copies of all your tax filings

Actually, I've started putting the client copies of personal tax returns and corporate returns on CD ROMS in PDF files. This way, you can just copy it onto your computer and not have to worry about finding the return. ( But, I'm still happy to give you paper copies if that's what  you prefer.)  

Most accountants nowadays efile your tax returns and only give you a four  page summary. That means you'll never know how they arrived at those numbers. And if they made a mistake that costs you tax dollars, you'll never find out.

With me,  I prepare all  tax returns whether they're  personal, corporate or trust returns on paper. And you get a complete copy, not just a four page summary. 

So you can  to check, if you want,  every single number on the return. You'll see where every number comes from. And, if you missed something-- or if you think I made a mistake-- just tell me. And if it needs changing, we can change it,  because

I stand behind all my work

And, this goes not only for personal tax returns, but for corporate returns also. You get a paper copy of the return together with  the financial statements. If you want, I'll email you a copy of my working paper file so you can see where all the numbers come from.

And, if something doesn't look right-- just tell me. If I made a mistake, I'll be the first to admit it and will happily correct it. 

Reason 11

I typically deal with problem cases most other accountants wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole

In fact, that's how a lot of clients come to me in the first place. They have an unusual situation.

 They make the rounds of accounting firms who usually tell them: 'No. I don't deal with that' Or 'No. I don't think I can help you there.' Or "For that I'd have to charge you a king's ransom". Or, something like that.

Then they come to me with their problems. In the past year alone, I've met new clients who:

Now, I'm not saying I'm always successful with such problem cases. 

But,  whatever your problem, I'm willing to hear you out.

And, I'll let you know whether I can help you or not. So, you're always welcome to give me a shout.

Reason 12

You and I can exchange information any way that suits you best

Believe it or not, some of my clients have never even met me. They prefer to talk and send messages by email. And, that's OK by me. 

Other clients like to meet me several times over the course of a work engagement. And, that's OK ,too.

The point is however you're most comfortable in communicating, whether by email, whether by phone, whether  in person, or by snail mail-- I'm only too happy to accommodate.

So, you can give me-- and get back-- your information any way that suits you best- email, in person, by phone or by snail mail .

And, if you want to meet me, you should know my office is in a..

Reason 13

Great, easy to get to, location

I'm smack dab in the centre of Toronto, at Bathurst and Lawrence . There's tons of free parking all over the place. It's 2 minutes by car  from the 401. And, 10 minutes by TTC from either the Yonge or the Spadina subway.  

So, wherever you are in the GTA , it's a safe bet, you can get to my office by car ,or even TTC ,--  outside of rush hour-- in 45 minutes or even less. I've even had people coming in from as far as Brampton , Mississauga and Richmond Hill who've told me it took them less time than that. 

But, be sure to call before you head my way to make sure I'm here. Very often, I'm out of the office.

Reason 14

Your privacy is protected

Your privacy  is of paramount importance to me. I take every measure to keep your information confidential. No one but I has access to the information you give me. Unlike some other professionals who publish the names of their clients, I never divulge the names of my clients even to my closest friends.

Larger firms  can have up to  50 or more networked computers where hundreds of eyes can peek into every aspect of your private life. In contrast, when you deal with me, 

anything and everything  I know about you never ever goes beyond me

So, you can feel safe and  never have to worry  that something personal about you is circulating around somewhere.

Reason 15

I don't waste your time

Some other firms have reception areas that sometimes  look like Doctors' waiting rooms with clients packed in together like sardines. When I book an appointment with you, I make sure to space it out, so you won't bump in to either the client before you or the one after you.  Just come on time to your appointments and

 I'll see you the minute you arrive.

Also, as I mentioned above, some clients like sending me their info by fax or email. That's perfectly fine and it saves you the time spent in traveling back  and forth. Usually, I find that even the clients whom I meet personally at the initial meeting don't really have to drag themselves down to my place to give me their information. They can get it to me much more efficiently by email or fax.

Reason 16

Fast turn around time

Except for tax season, once you give me your info, I can usually give you a finished product within two weeks, as long as you respond to my emails promptly. During tax season because of the high volume of returns I do, though, it could take up to a month.

Reason 17

I'm (almost) always around

Unlike some other accountants who take   two- or three-month vacations each year and never seem to be around when you need them, I make sure none of my clients are left in the lurch when they need me. I may take off a weekend-- or even a week-- here and there. But, I'm usually around when you need me. If a client needs something urgently done, I'll be happy to put in extra--even late-- hours.

I usually work like a dog and I enjoy it.

                                    $  $  $

Bottom line is:

And, something new for 2008: flexible and easy payment arrangements. Pay by cheque and spread payments over 3 months-- or even 6 months if the invoice is over $1,500. Without interest. Or, pay by VISA or Mastercard.

So, If you're looking for an affordable experienced C.A.; if you want to get a feel of what type of accountant you're dealing with without signing anything-- without committing to anything-- without risking a cent of your money--without any pressure-- without the least hassle on your part,

Then, you have nothing at all to lose by calling me B. Chastkofsky C.A. (416-782-8956) or sending me an email at contact. All you need to do is leave  a short phone message or write a short email and I'll get back to you (usually) within 48 hours.

Contact Information

B.C. Chastkofsky C.A.

Address:   3089 Bathurst St, Ste 311  

                 Toronto ON M6A 2A4   

                (just N of Lawrence ; opposite the big Lawrence Plaza )

Telephone  416-782-8956

FAX (toll-free) 1-866-866-6730

email: click here email form

To read my answers to tax  related questions-- or, if you'd like to ask me a tax question-- please  visit my other website: www.askthetaxman.ca

Copyright © 2006 B.C. Chastkofsky C.A.

Last modified: January 11, 2008

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Copyright © 2006 B.C. Chastkofsky C.A.

Last modified: October 31, 2006