Services & Pricing
Clear Point CPA offers four focused services for Ontario small businesses and not-for-profits: corporate year-end T2 filings, NFP year-end compilations and T3010 filings, part-time controller retainers, and NFP fractional controller engagements.
No surprises, no scope creep, no hourly billing anxiety. You know exactly what you're getting and what you're paying before we start.
Service 01
Flat-fee corporate year-end accounting and T2 filing for Ontario corporations. Pricing is based on complexity — not on how many questions you ask. All filings handled by a designated CPA.
Simple
Flat fee · Single shareholder
Ideal for sole-director corporations with no employees, clean bookkeeping, and straightforward operations.
Standard
Flat fee · Complexity-based
For corporations with payroll, multiple shareholders, or more active business operations requiring deeper review.
Complex
Quoted after discovery call
For corporations with prior-year cleanup needs, multiple entities, complex shareholder structures, or disorganized books.
Service 02
Monthly retainers for ongoing financial oversight across Ontario. Each part-time controller tier is scoped to a defined set of deliverables — so you always know what you're getting. A fraction of the cost of a full-time controller hire.
Tier 01
Monthly retainer · Up to 6 hrs/mo
For small businesses that have a bookkeeper in place and need a senior CPA to review, catch issues, and provide a clear monthly picture.
Tier 02
Monthly retainer · Up to 15 hrs/mo
For growing businesses that need more than clean books — cash flow visibility, budget tracking, and a financial partner you can actually talk to.
Tier 03
Monthly retainer · Up to 30 hrs/mo
Full part-time controller coverage for businesses that need deep financial leadership — process ownership, team oversight, and strategic input.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Deliverable | Essentials | Growth | Strategic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly financial statements | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bookkeeper review & oversight | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Variance commentary | Basic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cash flow forecasting | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Budget build & tracking | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Monthly review call | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Month-end close ownership | — | — | ✓ |
| Internal controls & documentation | — | — | ✓ |
| Finance team oversight | — | — | ✓ |
| Board / lender reporting | — | — | ✓ |
| One-time onboarding & setup fee | $500–$1,000 | $750–$1,500 | $1,500–$2,500 |
One-Time · All New Controller Clients
Before the retainer begins, every new controller engagement starts with a one-time onboarding phase. This is where we do the foundational work that makes the ongoing retainer run smoothly — and protects both sides from scope surprises down the road.
$500–$2,500
Fixed fee · Scoped & quoted after discovery call
What Onboarding Covers
The onboarding fee reflects the actual time required to set the engagement up properly. Cleaner books mean lower onboarding fees. The scope and fixed price are confirmed in writing before any work begins — no hourly surprises.
Service 03
Fractional controller services built specifically for Ontario not-for-profits, registered charities, and social sector organizations. Sector-aware financial leadership that speaks the language of boards, funders, and the CRA — at pricing that reflects NFP realities.
The NFP Reality
Most Ontario NFPs operate without a dedicated financial controller. Executive Directors carry the finance burden alone — often without the background to do it well.
The Board Gap
Volunteer boards need financial packages they can actually read and act on — not raw reports that generate more questions than answers. Clear, accessible reporting is a governance issue.
Our Perspective
Having sat on NFP boards, we understand the sector from the inside. We know what good financial leadership looks like from a board member's seat — and how rarely it exists.
NFP Tier 01
Monthly retainer · Up to 6 hrs/mo
For small charities and NFPs with a bookkeeper in place that need senior CPA oversight and a clean board financial package each month.
NFP Tier 02
Monthly retainer · Up to 12 hrs/mo
For mid-size NFPs managing multiple funders, grant reporting obligations, and a board that needs clear, actionable financial oversight.
NFP Tier 03
Monthly retainer · Up to 25 hrs/mo
Full fractional controller coverage for larger or more complex Ontario NFPs — audit-ready financials, full board reporting, and hands-on ED support.
NFP Tax & Compliance Filings
Not-for-profits and charities in Ontario face a filing landscape that confuses even experienced board members. The obligations depend on your legal structure and registration status — and the consequences of getting it wrong range from penalties to loss of charitable status. Clear Point handles all three filing types.
Registered Charities Only
Registered Charity Information Return
Required annually by every CRA-registered charity in Canada. The T3010 is not an income tax return — it's a compliance and transparency filing that maintains your charitable status. Filing late or incorrectly puts your registration at risk.
Pricing
$500–$750
Standalone · Discounted for retainer clients
Non-Profit Organizations
Non-Profit Organization Information Return
Required for incorporated NPOs that are not registered charities, where the organization had assets over $200,000 or received over $10,000 in investment income. Many NPOs don't realize they have this obligation — it's one of the most commonly missed filings in the sector.
Pricing
$400–$650
Standalone · Discounted for retainer clients
Incorporated NFPs & Charities
Corporate Income Tax Return — Exempt Status
Incorporated NFPs and registered charities are exempt from corporate income tax — but many are still required to file a T2 return with an exemption code. This surprises most ED's and treasurers. Failing to file when required can trigger CRA penalties even when no tax is owed.
Pricing
$500–$800
Standalone · Discounted for retainer clients
Quick Reference
Most Ontario NFPs need at least one of these filings annually. Many need two or three. The combination depends on your legal structure, CRA registration status, asset size, and income. Not sure what applies to you? The discovery call is the right place to work through it — we'll map your obligations clearly before quoting anything.
Registered charity (CRA-registered)
T3010 required
Incorporated NPO, assets > $200K
T1044 likely required
Incorporated NFP or charity
T2 exempt may apply
Registered charity + incorporated
T3010 + T2 exempt
Unincorporated NFP
Usually T3010 only
NFP Tier Comparison
| Deliverable | Essentials · $800 | Growth · $1,800 | Strategic · $3,500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board-ready financial package | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bookkeeper review & oversight | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Restricted vs unrestricted fund tracking | Basic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Grant tracking & funder reporting | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cash flow monitoring | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Budget build & variance tracking | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Monthly ED or board call | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Month-end close ownership | — | — | ✓ |
| Audit preparation & auditor liaison | — | — | ✓ |
| Board finance committee support | — | — | ✓ |
| T3010 charity return | $500–$750 | Discounted | Discounted |
| T1044 NPO information return | $400–$650 | Discounted | Discounted |
| T2 exempt corporate return | $500–$800 | Discounted | Discounted |
| One-time onboarding & setup fee | $750–$1,500 | $1,000–$2,500 | $2,000–$3,500 |
One-Time · All New NFP Controller Clients
NFP onboarding often involves more foundational work than a corporate engagement — fund accounting structures, grant tracking systems, and board reporting templates frequently need to be built from scratch. The onboarding phase ensures the retainer starts on solid footing and delivers value from month one.
$750–$3,500
Fixed fee · Scoped & quoted after discovery call
What NFP Onboarding Covers
Many NFPs have never had a controller — which means the infrastructure often doesn't exist yet. The onboarding phase builds it. The fixed fee is scoped and confirmed in writing before work begins, so there are no open-ended billing surprises for your board or ED.
Service 04
Not-for-profits and registered charities have distinct year-end cycles and reporting requirements. Many Ontario NFPs operate on a March 31 fiscal year-end — meaning their crunch period falls outside the corporate filing rush, and finding available CPA support can be genuinely difficult. Clear Point specializes in exactly this gap.
Most Common · March 31
March 31 Year-End
The most common fiscal year-end for Ontario NFPs. Filing deadline is typically 6 months after year-end — September 30. A window most CPAs are available for, but few specialize in NFP requirements.
Also Common · December 31
December 31 Year-End
Some NFPs align with the calendar year. These files compete with corporate T2 season — making a CPA who can manage both without sacrificing quality especially valuable.
Less Common · June 30
June 30 Year-End
Often seen in arts, education-adjacent, or federally-aligned organizations. Clear Point handles June 30 year-ends — contact us to confirm availability for your filing window.
How It Works
Getting started is straightforward. Here's what the onboarding process looks like for every new client.
A 20–30 minute conversation to understand your business, your books, and what you actually need. No obligation, no sales pitch.
A clear written proposal confirming the scope, deliverables, timeline, and flat fee or retainer. You know exactly what you're signing up for.
Access to your accounting software, a short intake form, and a kickoff call. Onboarding is designed to be light — we don't want to add to your to-do list.
Deliverables land on time, every time. For controller clients, you'll have a consistent rhythm — same reports, same cadence, no chasing.
Common Questions
Do I need both services, or can I just get one?
Either works on its own. Many clients start with a year-end engagement and add controller support as they grow. There's no requirement to bundle.
What accounting software do you work with?
QuickBooks Online and Xero primarily. If you're using something else, reach out and we'll confirm compatibility before committing.
My books are a mess. Can you still help?
Yes — prior-year cleanup and catch-up work is something we handle often for Ontario small businesses. It will affect pricing for year-end work, but we'll quote it honestly upfront so there are no surprises.
Are you available for year-round questions?
Controller retainer clients have ongoing email access throughout the engagement. Year-end clients can reach out during the engagement and for a reasonable period after filing.
Do you work with clients outside your immediate area?
Yes. All services are delivered remotely and we work with clients across Ontario. Everything is handled digitally — no in-person meetings required.
What if my needs change and I want a different controller tier?
Tiers can be adjusted with 30 days notice. We understand businesses grow, and the retainer structure is designed to flex with you.
Do you work with registered charities specifically?
Yes — registered charities have distinct CRA reporting requirements including the annual T3010 return. We handle both the controller work and T3010 filing, so charity clients have one point of contact for their financial compliance.
What is a T1044 and does my NFP need to file one?
The T1044 is an annual information return required for incorporated non-profit organizations that are not registered charities, where assets exceed $200,000 or investment income exceeds $10,000. It's one of the most commonly missed NFP filings in Ontario — many organizations don't realize they're required to file it. We confirm your eligibility and handle the filing if required.
Do controller retainers include the year-end filing?
Year-end is quoted separately. The controller retainer covers ongoing monthly work. Many controller clients receive a discounted year-end rate given the existing relationship.
How do I know which controller tier is right for me?
The discovery call usually makes this clear. As a rough guide: Essentials suits businesses under $1M revenue with clean books, Growth suits $1M–$5M, and Strategic is typically $5M+ or operationally complex.
A 20-minute discovery call is free, low-pressure, and usually all it takes to find the right fit. Or reach us: [email protected]