Accountant for Truck Drivers in Alberta & BC

The Delivery Went to Plan

The Return Trip Didn't

The unload took longer than expected. Then the return load fell through. You drove home empty, fuel went on the card and the paperwork came back with you. The rate looked reasonable when you accepted. Now you're deciding whether to take that route again

Did the rate cover the empty kilometres too?
Did the approved waiting charge reach the invoice?
Do the carrier's fuel deductions match your receipts?
Which bills come due before the next payment?
What did the trip leave for you?

Truck drivers remember the delay. The bank feed only shows the deposit. We help put the trip and its costs together, so you can see what needs to change before accepting the same rate again.

The Odometer Counts Both Ways

What Happens When Only Half the Trip Pays?

Say a load pays $1,800 for 600 kilometres. That's $3 per loaded kilometre. If you travel the same 600 kilometres home empty, the $1,800 now covers 1,200 kilometres: $1.50 per kilometre across the whole trip. It's the same invoice spread over twice the distance. Fuel, maintenance, your time and fixed costs still have to fit inside it. The trip's revenue per kilometre has halved; what remains depends on the full cost of doing the work.

For an owner-operator driving the truck, waiting time and the empty return still count as working hours even if no extra payroll payment leaves the company. Include that time when checking what the next trip needs to earn.

Let's Follow the Trip Into the Books

Accounting Services for Trucking Companies

Our accounting services for the trucking industry follow how you earn and get paid. Whether your trucking business bills a carrier or a shipper, we connect the trip records with bookkeeping, taxes and the cash needed for the next run.

First, Follow the Settlement

Bookkeeping and Trip Costing

The deposit may already have fuel or other charges taken off. We reconcile carrier settlements, receipts and bank entries, then track truck and trip costs, accounts receivable and accounts payable. Your books show earnings, deductions and outstanding balances.

See Bookkeeping Support

Then Work Out the Taxes

Corporate Tax, GST/HST and Tax Planning

Those records feed your tax returns. We review freight GST/HST and carrier chargebacks, prepare corporate returns and financial statements, and check truck purchases and instalments. Our tax services keep the treatment tied to your contracts and receipts.

See Corporate Tax Support

The Driver's Pay Belongs Here Too

Payroll, Owner Pay and T-Slips

If your company employs truck drivers, we help with payroll, deductions and CRA remittances. We also review owner pay and T4/T5 slips. Where trucking companies pay other carriers or incorporated drivers, we check T4A reporting and the working relationship.

See Payroll and T-Slip Support

Then Look at What Comes Home

Personal Tax and Finances for Trucking Owners

What you take from the company affects your household finances and personal taxes. We connect salary, dividends and shareholder records with tax preparation. Personal tax services come through our Nosehill office or a trusted partner, with the work and fee agreed first.

See Personal Tax Support

Before the Next Fuel Bill Arrives

Cash Flow Forecasting and Financial Management

The next run needs fuel while this invoice is still unpaid. We forecast cash flow around collections, truck payments, repairs, payroll and taxes. Then we can test a slower payment week or time off the road before you hire another driver or commit to financing.

See Advisory Services

Now Use the Whole-Trip Numbers

Would You Take That Route at the Same Rate?

Your income statements show net income. Agreed trip reports help explain where it came from. We review business performance and cash flow together, so you can check the profitability of the next run and the cost of waiting for payment.

What you need to work out	How TNA helps with the decision
Could a lower-paying route leave us more?	Compare fuel, empty kilometres and waiting time to see whether a shorter route could reduce costs enough to leave more.
Is quick-pay or factoring worth the fee?	Compare the cost of getting paid sooner with the cash gap before fuel, payroll and other bills fall due.
Can I take more money home this month?	Check owner pay alongside accounts payable, upcoming taxes and the cash your trucking business needs for its next trips.
Can our company afford a second truck?	Forecast repayments, upkeep and another driver's wages against expected work, including a week when the truck earns nothing.

The Receipts Can Still Be in the Cab

You Can Ask Before the Books Are Caught Up

1. Tell Us What Isn't Adding Up

Maybe your carrier settlement looks short. Maybe filing taxes has crept up again, or you're about to buy another truck. Send a short message about your trucking business and the date you're working toward. You can start before sorting every receipt.

2. We Check How Your Records Fit Together

We'll ask which accounting software you use and how carrier statements reach the books. Then we review your accounting process and the required documents. If you have a bookkeeper, we agree who will manage each part and where our team fits.

3. You Know the Work and Fee Before We Start

We agree on the accounting services, reporting schedule and fixed fee, including what stays with your company. You know which records to send and who to ask. We can then start the agreed work, from catch-up bookkeeping to ongoing payroll and tax preparation.

TALK TO A TNA ACCOUNTANT

Helpful, patient and knowledgeable

It's always a pleasure dealing with our year end at our firm. True North is always so helpful, patient and knowledgeable. Matt and Curtis are always great to deal with, but the whole team is always helpful and great to deal with. I would absolutely recommend them for anyone looking for accounting services for their small business.

Javier

Makes the difficult conversation of taxes and running a small-business easy

True North Accounting makes the difficult conversation of taxes and running a small-business easy. I cannot thank the staff at True North, particularly their accountant Curtis, enough for their willingness to share their knowledge and expertise in a clear and concise way. As a young business owner with many questions to ask, I can say with confidence that True North genuinely cares about their clients, prospective or existing. Kudos to True North!

Ryan G.

Very professional, accommodating and prompt to address any questions

All the folks at True North have always been very professional, accommodating and prompt to address any questions or concerns we've have about our small business financials. I would recommend True North to anyone looking for financial services.

Darren

Before You Get in Touch

Questions About Accounting for Truck Drivers

What can truck drivers claim on taxes in Canada?

Eligible trucking expenses can include fuel, repairs, permits, commercial insurance and wages. A purchased truck is generally claimed through capital cost allowance; loan principal is not an expense. We check business use and receipts before claiming deductions on your company's tax returns.

Can long-haul truck drivers deduct 80% of meals?

Long-haul truck drivers may claim 80% of qualifying meal costs during eligible trips. The truck, route, time away and who pays all matter. Keep trip records and receipts. We check the employee or owner operator rules before deciding what belongs on your company's or personal tax returns.

What is the best accounting software for trucking companies?

The best accounting software fits how your trucking company invoices and tracks costs. TNA works with Xero and QuickBooks Online. We review fuel cards, carrier statements, trip records and bookkeeping processes before suggesting changes, so you can stay organized with less repeat entry.

Do transportation companies need IFTA returns as well as GST returns?

IFTA-licensed trucking companies file separate quarterly fuel tax returns. Keep distance and fuel records by jurisdiction, including empty travel. Tell us who handles your company's IFTA reporting so we can agree how it fits with your bookkeeping and whether a separate provider is needed.

Does driving for one carrier change my company's taxes?

Working for one carrier does not automatically make your company a personal services business. CRA reviews the working relationship and other conditions. We check control, truck ownership and financial risk because the outcome can change corporate taxes and which expenses your company can deduct.

How much does an accountant for truck drivers cost?

Fees depend on your records, truck count, payroll and reporting needs. TNA confirms a fixed fee before work starts. Ask which accounting services, tax preparation services and ongoing reviews are included, so you can compare the work covered and what could change the price as your company grows.

ACCOUNTANT FOR TRUCK DRIVERS

The Load Is Delivered. Did the Whole Trip Pay?

The load pays one way. You drive both. TNA helps truck drivers connect mileage, carrier settlements and bills with bookkeeping, payroll and taxes, so you can check what the next run needs to earn.

• CPA-led accounting for truck drivers • Trip and truck cost reporting • Payroll and owner pay support • Corporate CRA support within scope • Fixed fees agreed before work begins