Accounting for Plumbers in Alberta & BC

One Call Can Take Two Trips

Did the Quote Cover Everything the Job Needed?

A hot-water tank replacement was booked for the morning. The shut-off valve needed replacing too. Someone went back for a fitting, and the apprentice stayed another hour. By Friday, the invoice still showed the original quote. What did that leave for the business?

Are emergency call-out fees covering travel, overtime and parts used?
Did parts taken from van stock reach the job report?
Are drain calls, installations or commercial contracts leaving more after costs?
Have approved extras and supplier credits reached the books?
Can we cover wages while a property manager approves payment?
What would another plumber and a stocked van cost each month?

Bring the question you keep coming back to and the records you have. We will explain what needs attention first.

The Second Trip Had a Cost

The Extra Hour Had to Come From Somewhere

Say you quote a plumbing job at $2,000 and expect about $600 to be left after the usual labour and parts are covered. Then the job needs another fitting, another hour of labour and a second trip. Those extra costs can quickly bring that $600 down to about $420.

The customer still pays the same $2,000, so the extra cost comes out of what the job leaves your business. Tracking those return visits makes it easier to see which jobs are really paying off and to price the next one with the full cost in mind. Tracking expenses makes the extra visit visible, so your next quote can reflect the cost of the whole job.

Follow the Parts, Hours and Payments

Accounting Services for Your Plumbing Business

Emergency repairs, renovation rough-ins and commercial project work each leave different records. Our accounting services cover the plumbing industry’s day-to-day needs, from basic bookkeeping to strategic tax planning, financial strategies and financial analysis.

Van Stock Is Still a Job Cost

Bookkeeping, Job Costing and Expense Tracking

A fitting taken from the van still costs money. TNA connects supplier bills, stock records, labour and credits to the right jobs so your job costing reflects what the work actually used. We review bank reconciliations and your inventory setup so financial reports include the costs behind the work and support better decisions.

See Bookkeeping Support

Check the Tax Before Ordering Equipment

Corporate Tax, GST/HST and Tax Planning

A drain camera may need different tax treatment from fittings used on a job. TNA reviews equipment, eligible expenses and tax credits alongside your T2, GST/HST and instalments to identify tax savings and support long term stability. Progress billing, holdbacks and applicable BC PST are part of that tax compliance review in a dynamic world of changing tax laws.

See Corporate Tax Support

The Timesheet Has More Than Billable Hours

Payroll, Owner Pay and T-Slips

Travel, overtime and callbacks still belong in the pay records. TNA helps with payroll deductions, CRA remittances, salary or dividends and T4/T5 slips so owners can save plumbers time on admin. We also review T5018 requirements when your plumbing business brings in subcontractors for project work.

See Payroll and T-Slip Support

Your Household Has Payment Dates Too

Personal Tax and Finances for Plumbing Business Owners

Your mortgage payment and the company’s next supplier bill may land in the same week. We connect owner pay and shareholder records with your personal tax needs. This way managing finances at home and in the company supports long term success. Personal tax services are arranged through TNA’s Nosehill office or a trusted partner.

See Personal Tax Support

A Second Van Needs More Than a Deposit

Cash Flow Management and Business Planning

Another van needs stock, fuel and someone to drive it. TNA builds cash flow forecasts around collections, supplier bills, wages and tax. We test business growth and slow periods against those financial obligations before you commit to another monthly payment.

See Advisory Services

The Reports Should Help Before Friday

What Changes When the Books Keep Up With the Jobs?

Year-end accounts show how the plumbing business finished. Ongoing financial management helps you check what to collect, which work to quote again and whether the cash covers the next pay run.

When support stops at year-end	With agreed ongoing TNA support
Repair calls and installations share one annual total	Job reports compare labour, parts and margins across your plumbing services
Stock purchases have no link to individual jobs	Inventory management records show which parts each job used and what remains in stock
Completed work waits for someone to finish the invoice	Invoicing and payment processes are reviewed to catch unbilled work and overdue balances
Last month’s bank balance guides the next purchase	Cash flow reviews include supplier accounts, payroll, tax and expected customer payments

Start With a Job You Can Explain

Show Us What Happened Between the Quote and the Payment

1. Tell Us What Needs Attention

Bring an unfinished month, a supplier balance or a job that earned less than expected. Tell us who handles the paperwork and what is changing in your own business.

2. We Check the Records and Software

Before choosing accounting software or changing your setup, we review your work orders and financial data. A CPA or bookkeeper checks how business data reaches the books, who is generating financial reports and which financial processes need attention.

3. Agree on the Work and Fee

We confirm the scope, fixed fee, reporting schedule and responsibilities. You know who handles each task, what your office team can keep doing and how ongoing support fits around pay runs and filing dates.

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

A Few Details Worth Clearing Up

Questions About Accounting for Plumbers

What is the best accounting software for plumbers?

The best accounting software for plumbers depends on your specific needs for invoicing, payroll and inventory. TNA supports cloud-based accounting software such as Xero and QuickBooks Online. We review how job records reach the books before recommending any changes.

How do we account for parts taken from van stock?

Your accounting system should connect purchases, van stock, supplier returns and parts used on each job. TNA checks the setup so materials reach the right job report without counting the same cost twice. The level of inventory management depends on what you keep and how many vans carry it.

What expenses can my plumbing business claim?

A plumbing business can generally deduct eligible materials, wages, insurance, accounting fees and business vehicle expenses. Equipment may need capital cost allowance. Keep receipts and mileage records so we can check business use and your tax liability under the applicable tax laws.

Why can GST be due before a customer pays?

GST/HST generally becomes payable when a customer pays or payment becomes due, whichever happens first. Issuing an invoice can trigger tax before cash arrives. Qualifying holdbacks have separate rules. TNA checks the billing records so your cash flow plan includes the tax due for each reporting period.

Can you help us get invoices paid sooner?

Yes. TNA can review your invoicing and payment processes, from completed work orders to payment reminders. Accurate job details and clear terms support prompt payment. We also check overdue balances, so cash flow management reflects what customers owe and when you expect to collect it.

How much does an accountant for a plumbing business cost?

Fees depend on transaction volume, payroll, job reporting and the state of your books. TNA agrees on a scope and fixed fee before work begins. Ask what accounting and software solutions the price includes, how often you will speak with the team and what would change the cost as your plumbing business grows.

ACCOUNTING SERVICES FOR PLUMBERS

The Repair Is Finished. What Did the Job Leave You?

The customer has hot water again. Your plumbing business still has parts to account for, hours to check and a bill to send. TNA connects bookkeeping, payroll and tax so you can see what each job earned, your current financial status and how much cash the next week needs.

• CPA-led accounting solutions for plumbers • Bookkeeping and expense management • Payroll and subcontractor records • Corporate CRA support within scope • Fixed fees agreed before work begins