Small business finance consultant

Owners of small shops, trades businesses, restaurants, studios and start-ups who have no finance person on staff.

Hourly rate, fixed fee per project (such as a forecast or loan application package), or a monthly retainer for ongoing check-ins.

• Solid grasp of accounting and budgeting
• Clear, jargon-free explaining
• Building trust with owners
• Spreadsheet and accounting software skills

• Giving investment, securities or insurance advice usually needs registration or a licence, so check with your provincial securities regulator before offering it
• Titles such as financial planner are protected in some provinces, so check which job titles you can use
• Professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance, plus commercial general liability
• A home-based business licence may be needed, so check with your municipality
• Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold
• Keep a clear written scope so clients do not treat your work as accounting, tax or legal advice

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on your software, website, insurance and marketing. Working from home and over video calls keeps setup simple.

Check with your provincial securities regulator, since investment, securities or insurance advice usually needs registration or a licence. Also check which job titles you can use, professional liability insurance, any home-based business licence, GST/HST registration, and keep a clear written scope.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many clients you take on, your pricing and the hours you work. These are estimates, not guarantees.