Halifax Accountants Who Actually Understand Small Business
Finding the right CPA for your small business in Halifax. Here's who gets it—from bookkeeping to tax strategy.
Jennifer W.
6 min read
Big accounting firms aren’t built for small business. You end up talking to juniors who’ve never run a company and paying for overhead you don’t need. Here’s who in Halifax actually understands the small business reality.
Small Business Specialists
Swain Chartered Professional Accountants
John Swain built his practice specifically around owner-operated businesses—over 375 of them and counting. He recently graduated from MIT Sloan’s Regional Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program, which tells you where his head’s at: not just compliance, but growth.
The focus on small business isn’t marketing talk. Their systems, pricing, and communication are all designed for entrepreneurs who need real support without big-firm complexity.
Best for: Owner-operated businesses, growth-minded entrepreneurs.
Bage CPA
Virtual, cloud-based accounting for clients across Canada, but Halifax-rooted. Born specifically out of frustration with how traditional firms serve small businesses.
If you’re comfortable with cloud tools and don’t need face-to-face meetings, Bage’s model likely saves you money without sacrificing quality.
Best for: Tech-comfortable business owners, remote-first operations.
Kinden Accounting & Advisory Services
Ben Kinden brings experience from Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation and KPMG—the big-firm background applied to small business needs. Services cover bookkeeping, business taxes, financial reporting, and virtual CFO work.
The virtual CFO option is worth noting—part-time strategic finance support without hiring a full-time executive.
Best for: Businesses needing strategic finance support, experienced guidance.
Boutique Firms
Baker Johnston Dyson
Boutique advising and accounting focused on small to medium owner-managed businesses in Nova Scotia. The “boutique” label means you’re working with senior people, not getting passed down to trainees.
Best for: Personal attention, senior-level service.
Premier Accounting And Tax Inc.
President Stephanie Folahan gets consistent praise for expertise and client dedication. The commitment to professionalism shows in how they handle challenges beyond routine work.
Best for: Hands-on president involvement, problem-solving approach.
Full-Service Options
Accountor CPA
They handle small, mid-sized, and large businesses—so if you’re planning to grow, you won’t outgrow them. Chartered Professional Accountants in good standing with CPA Nova Scotia, meeting CSRE reporting standards.
Best for: Growing businesses, scalable relationship.
Levy Casey Carter MacLean
Part of the broader Halifax CPA scene with full service offerings across business sizes.
Best for: Full-service firm experience.
Tax-Focused
Jeff Purcell Chartered Professional Accountants
When tax is your primary concern, specialists matter. Jeff Purcell’s practice focuses on the compliance and strategy side of accounting.
Best for: Tax-focused needs, compliance priorities.
Liberty Tax Service
The franchise model means consistent service and wide availability. For straightforward tax preparation without complex advisory needs.
Best for: Straightforward tax filing, accessible locations.
What to Consider
Pricing Models
Some firms charge hourly, others fixed monthly fees. For ongoing bookkeeping, fixed pricing usually works better—you can budget predictably and won’t hesitate to ask questions.
Cloud vs. Traditional
Cloud accounting (QuickBooks Online, Xero, FreshBooks) requires accountants who actually use these tools. Ask specifically about their software proficiency before committing.
Industry Experience
Accountants who know your industry spot issues faster. A CPA with restaurant experience sees different things than one who mainly does tech startups. Ask about their client mix.
Responsiveness
Small business decisions happen fast. You need an accountant who answers emails, not one you chase for weeks. During the sales process, their response time tells you what service will look like.
CPA Nova Scotia regulates over 4,000 accountants in the province. Verify credentials and good standing before engaging any firm.
Written by
Jennifer W.
Jennifer W. is a local Halifax writer covering the best businesses and experiences in Nova Scotia's capital city.
