Fit check · about 5 minutes

Before we rope up, check the route.

Crux takes on a small number of clients so each one gets our full attention. Answer 30 quick questions and you'll know straight away whether we're the right guide, and how to book your 20-minute fit call if we are.

What we ask: 30 multiple-choice questions about your business and where things stand
What we don't: No SIN, no account numbers, no exact amounts
Where it goes: Nowhere, unless you choose to send it to Crux at the end

Part 1 · BasecampAbout you and your business

01 / 30 How do you earn your business income?

Pick the one that fits best.

I'm self-employed, on my own or with a partner I have a side business as well as a job Through my own incorporated company I only earn a paycheque, with no business income

02 / 30 Where do you live?

We work with clients anywhere in Canada, all online.

03 / 30 How long has the business been running?

Less than a year 1 to 3 years 3 to 10 years More than 10 years

04 / 30 Who works in the business?

Just me Me, plus some contractors or freelancers I have employees on payroll

05 / 30 Roughly how much does the business bring in each year?

Total sales before expenses. A ballpark is fine.

Under $30,000 $30,000 to $100,000 $100,000 to $250,000 $250,000 to $500,000 Over $500,000

Part 2 · Rope teamHow we'd work together

06 / 30 Are you happy to keep your books in QuickBooks Online?

We'll set it up, or work in the file you already have, so you always see what we see.

Yes Maybe, I'd like to talk about it first No, I want to stay with other software

07 / 30 How do you feel about software and AI handling the routine bookkeeping, with Crux checking every number?

Think bank feeds, matching receipts and first drafts. Crux makes every judgement call.

Sounds great Fine, as long as a person checks the work Not sure, I'd want to talk it through I don't want AI used on my finances

08 / 30 How comfortable are you with online tools like secure file sharing, e-signatures and video calls?

Crux works fully online: documents and sign-offs happen that way, and calls are by phone or video.

Very comfortable Fine with a little help I'd need a lot of help I'd rather use paper and the phone

09 / 30 Can Crux deal with CRA on your behalf?

You'd add Crux as your representative through CRA's online service. We can then see your CRA accounts and talk to CRA for you, only for the years we work on.

Yes Yes, once I know what it covers I'd rather not

10 / 30 We'll send you one list of questions. Could you answer it and upload your records within two weeks?

Yes Probably, but I'd need more time Not right now

Part 3 · The terrainWhere things stand with CRA

11 / 30 Has CRA been in touch?

Letters, calls, or anything in your CRA online account.

No, and I'd like to keep it that way Yes, letters asking me to file, or a changed assessment Yes, they're reviewing or auditing my GST/HST or income tax Yes, collections: they've taken money from my pay or bank, or demanded payment Yes, a criminal investigation, or I already have a lawyer on it

12 / 30 How many years of tax returns or bookkeeping are you behind?

Count the years you haven't filed, or filed without proper records.

None, I'm up to date and want ongoing help One year Two or three years Four to six years Seven years or more

13 / 30 Are you registered for GST/HST?

If you are, you'll have a GST/HST account number: your 9-digit business number followed by RT0001.

Yes, and my returns are filed Yes, but I'm behind on some returns No, but my sales might go over $30,000 a year No, my sales are under $30,000 a year Not sure

14 / 30 Who looked after your bookkeeping and tax return last year?

That's your books, any financial statements, and filing the return.

I did it all myself An accountant or bookkeeper did it all I did part, and a professional did the rest A friend or family member None of it was done

15 / 30 What have you used to file your personal tax return?

TurboTax Online Other tax software, like Wealthsimple Tax or UFile An accountant or tax preparer filed it for me Paper forms in the mail I haven't filed in a while

16 / 30 Can you get a copy of your last tax return and any letters from CRA?

From your own files, a past preparer, or your CRA online account.

Yes, I have them or can download them Some of them No

Part 4 · Your gearBooks and accounts

17 / 30 Where are your books today?

Your books are your record of what came in and what went out.

In QuickBooks Online and mostly up to date In QuickBooks Online, but behind or messy In a spreadsheet or other software Bank statements and a box of receipts Honestly, not much is kept

18 / 30 Can you get bank and credit card statements for every year we'd work on?

Most banks keep seven years online, and a download is fine.

Yes, for every year Most of them, with a few gaps No, a lot are missing

19 / 30 Do you have a bank account just for the business?

Yes, and I only use it for business Yes, but I use it for some personal spending too No, everything goes through my personal account

20 / 30 Does any business money come in or go out through your personal bank account or credit cards?

For example, a client paying into your personal account, or supplies bought on a personal card.

No, never Sometimes Yes, most of it

21 / 30 How many bank and credit card accounts have business transactions?

Count chequing, savings and credit cards, including personal ones you use for the business.

1 or 2 3 or 4 5 to 7 8 or more Not sure

22 / 30 How many loans or lines of credit does the business have?

Include vehicle loans, equipment financing, CEBA, and cash advances from payment services like Stripe Capital.

None One 2 or 3 4 or more Not sure

23 / 30 Do customers pay you through a service like Stripe, Square or PayPal?

No Yes, one Yes, more than one

24 / 30 About how many transactions does the business have in a month?

Every sale, purchase, payment and transfer across your bank, card and payment accounts. A ballpark is fine.

Under 50 50 to 150 150 to 400 Over 400 Not sure

25 / 30 Do you use a vehicle or a home office for the business?

Neither A vehicle A home office Both

26 / 30 Do you have rental income, another business or a non-profit you run?

No, just this business Yes, rental income Yes, another business or a non-profit I run

Part 5 · Summit planYour approach, timing and budget

27 / 30 When it comes to deductions, which sounds most like you?

Claim everything I'm entitled to, backed by receipts Keep it simple and play it safe Claim what I can, even without receipts

28 / 30 How comfortable are you reading your own numbers, like a profit and loss report or a GST/HST return?

No wrong answer. It tells us how much to explain as we go.

Very comfortable I know the basics Not very, I'd like things explained I'd rather leave the numbers to you

29 / 30 When do you need this done?

Within two weeks: I have a CRA deadline In the next two months No fixed date

30 / 30 What budget do you have in mind for this work?

You'll get a fixed quote after the call, so this just helps us plan.

Under $1,000 $1,000 to $2,500 $2,500 to $5,000 Over $5,000 Not sure yet

Your name

Best way to meet

Phone (for a phone call)

Business, and what it does (optional)

What do you need?

Catch-up books GST/HST returns Personal tax A CRA letter or late filings Ongoing help

Anything else? (optional)

Crux receives your fit check answers and result, your name and contact details, and anything you add here. Please don't include your SIN or any account numbers. See our privacy notice.

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