Chartered Professional Accountants · Richmond, BC

We are yourtax and assurance experts

We are your

The team, distinguished by awards, possesses more than 45 years of collective experience, establishing their expertise in the domain. Catering to a varied clientele across multiple sectors, they have consistently showcased their capacity for delivering outstanding outcomes. We understand the requisites, so feel free to depend on us!

Richmond, BC--:--:--Office hours
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What we believe in

At Ali & Associates, CPAs, we take pride in the peace of mind our extensive experience offers. We are committed to fostering long-term relationships, understanding that peace of mind enhances quality of life. Our aim is to utilize our wealth of experience to deliver the most thorough, prompt, and detailed advice. Feel free to entrust us with your concerns, and we will ensure your peace of mind.

0+years of collective, award-distinguished experience
0+years in accounting for founder Azmat Ali, CPA, CGA, CA, FCCA
0hours of advanced study in CPA Canada's In-Depth Tax Course
Tax Services

Tax is not a line item. It is our craft.

Six specialist services, led by a CPA who completed every level of CPA Canada's In-Depth Tax Course. From corporate structures to CRA disputes, you get one team that sees the whole picture.

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Our promise

Success statement

We are a premier accounting firm, delivering innovative, effective, and superior quality accounting, tax, and business advisory services. This begins with establishing a brand synonymous with the tranquility that accompanies the assurance of having your accounting and tax planning managed by proficient hands.

Accounting

Assurance you can rely on.

Ali & Associates, CPAs stands out as one of the preeminent accounting firms in the Lower Mainland. Advisory, review and audit, including the specialist audits other firms turn away.

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Industries

Experience across the sectors our clients work in.

Tax strategies implemented by A&A, particularly in the context of loss-consolidations, saved us thousands of dollars. We are extremely happy with their service and would recommend them any day.
CEO, Group of Wholesale Food Companies
We usually do not leave reviews, but this is one of those exceptions. We moved our books for one of our companies from a national accounting firm and since then, all our companies are solely in the capable hands of A&A.
AT and RK, Partners of a prominent real estate group of BC
Azmat has proven to be an invaluable ally to our company. The challenges of operating as a US-owned entity have been significant, but A&A has consistently provided support and guidance throughout my 14 years of being a CAN-US operated business.
AC
The A&A team is outstandingly attentive, highly skilled, and a delight to collaborate with. Their expertise gives me the peace of mind that our finances are being expertly managed. They're simply the best!
President, Commercial Construction Group of Companies
Been with Azmat and his team right out of med school and never looked back! Their expertise has enabled us to operate clinics in BC and Ontario. Looking forward to expanding the practice further with their help and guidance.
MA
Careers · Join the firm

Build a career that compounds.

Real files, real responsibility, and a mentor who has completed every level of CPA Canada's In-Depth Tax Course.

See open roles
Contact

Let's talk tax.

Tax Experts. Assurance Specialists. Trusted Business Advisors.

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IThe craft

Tax Services

Utilize innovative tax planning techniques to optimize finances within legal boundaries. Explore deductions, credits, and tactics to boost flexibility and move towards success. These strategies can cut costs and enhance financial health.

Corporate Tax Planning & Reorganizations

Our firm caters to all significant sectors of the economy, including healthcare, mining, real estate development, and transportation, with a diverse and seasoned team of tax advisors.

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  • Corporate reorganizations
  • Mergers & acquisitions
  • Divestitures
  • Structured finance
  • Executive compensation
  • Shareholder taxation
  • International tax planning

Charities & NPOs

Guidance for charities and non-profit organizations, from registration through ongoing tax compliance.

Explore
  • NPO registration
  • Charitable status
  • Real estate acquisition
  • Financing
  • Donation receipting
  • Tax compliance

Transactions Planning

Expert advice on the tax side of buying, selling and restructuring a business.

Explore
  • Share purchases & sales
  • Debt structuring
  • Acquisitions
  • Mergers
  • Real estate deals
  • Due diligence
  • Corporate distributions

Estate Planning

Plans that look after your family and keep your business in good hands for the next generation.

Explore
  • Wills
  • Powers of attorney
  • Trusts
  • Probate planning
  • RRSP/TFSA transfers
  • Charitable giving
  • Family business succession

Tax Representations

Representation when you are dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency.

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  • Dispute resolution with CRA
  • Audit assistance
  • Appeals support
  • Voluntary disclosure program

International Tax

Guidance for businesses and individuals whose plans cross the border.

Explore
  • Cross-border planning
  • Mergers & acquisitions
  • Expansion guidance
  • Transfer pricing
  • Income tax treaties

Talk to our tax team about your situation.

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HomeTax ServicesCorporate Tax Planning

Corporate Tax Planning

Structure first, tax second. We design the corporate structure, then the transactions that move through it, so growth, succession and sale are planned rather than discovered.

ReorganizationsM&AExecutive payShareholder tax
Tax Services

What we handle.

Our firm caters to all significant sectors of the economy, including healthcare, mining, real estate development and transportation, with a diverse and seasoned team of tax advisors.

01

Corporate reorganizations

Share exchanges, amalgamations, wind-ups and holding company structures, planned so the tax cost is understood before anything is signed.

02

Mergers & acquisitions

Tax-efficient structuring for buying, merging and combining businesses, from the first term sheet to closing.

03

Divestitures

Preparing a business or a division for sale and structuring how the proceeds reach its owners.

04

Structured finance

The tax treatment of debt, equity and hybrid instruments used to fund growth.

05

Executive compensation

The mix of salary, dividends, bonuses and share-based pay that balances personal and corporate tax.

06

Shareholder taxation

Dividends, shareholder loans and capital dividends: getting value out of a corporation in the right order.

07

International tax planning

Cross-border structures for Canadian companies that sell, hire or invest abroad.

How we work

Four steps, no surprises.

1

Understand

Your goals, your owners, your entities and the year-end picture.

2

Model

Competing structures compared with real numbers, not rules of thumb.

3

Implement

Documents, elections and filings, coordinated with your lawyer.

4

Maintain

An annual review as the law and your business change.

Good moments to call

When to call us.

Before a sale

Value is made or lost in the structure, usually years before a buyer appears.

When a partner or investor arrives

New owners change the tax picture. Plan the entry and the exit together.

When profits outgrow the business

Surplus cash inside a corporation can be put to work. The way it is held matters.

General information, not tax or accounting advice. Every situation is different, so please speak with us before you act.

Talk to our team about your situation.

Contact Us
HomeTax ServicesCharities & NPOs

Charities & NPOs

Guidance for charities and non-profit organizations, from registration through ongoing tax compliance, so your energy goes to the mission rather than the paperwork.

RegistrationCharitable statusReceiptingCompliance
Tax Services

What we handle.

Charities, societies and non-profits follow tax rules that are quite different from those for a business. Getting the foundations right at the start avoids expensive corrections later.

01

NPO registration

Setting up a non-profit organization correctly, and keeping the tax-exempt position it relies on.

02

Charitable status

Preparing the application to become a registered charity, and understanding what the status requires of you afterwards.

03

Real estate acquisition

Tax and structuring advice when your organization buys, holds or develops property.

04

Financing

Borrowing, grants and restricted funds, with attention to how each is treated for tax.

05

Donation receipting

Official donation receipts that meet the rules, including gifts of property.

06

Tax compliance

Annual filings such as the T3010 for registered charities and the T1044 for qualifying non-profits.

How we work

Four steps, no surprises.

1

Review

Your purpose, your governing documents and how money moves.

2

Register

The right status and the right application, prepared once.

3

Comply

Receipts, annual returns and records that stand up to review.

4

Advise

Support for new projects, property and funding as you grow.

Good moments to call

When to call us.

Starting a society

Choose the structure and status that fit your mission before the first donation arrives.

Receiving a large gift

Gifts of property and restricted funding carry specific tax and receipting rules.

Facing a CRA review

Clean records and a prepared response turn a review into a routine matter.

General information, not tax or accounting advice. Every situation is different, so please speak with us before you act.

Talk to our team about your situation.

Contact Us
HomeTax ServicesTransactions Planning

Transactions Planning

Expert advice on the tax side of buying, selling and restructuring a business. We are in the room early, so the structure is settled before the price is.

Share dealsDue diligenceReal estateDistributions
Tax Services

What we handle.

The same transaction can carry very different tax outcomes depending on how it is structured. We model the alternatives and recommend the route that serves you best.

01

Share purchases & sales

Selling or buying shares of a corporation, including how the purchase price is allocated and paid.

02

Debt structuring

Financing a purchase so that interest and repayment terms work for both sides.

03

Acquisitions

Tax structuring for the buyer: asset purchase or share purchase, and what each means afterwards.

04

Mergers

Combining companies with the tax attributes preserved, wherever the rules allow.

05

Real estate deals

Acquisition, development and disposition of property held personally or through a corporation.

06

Due diligence

A tax review of the target business to find exposures before they become yours.

07

Corporate distributions

Moving cash and assets out of a corporation, with the tax cost known in advance.

How we work

Four steps, no surprises.

1

Scope

The deal, the parties and what each side wants from it.

2

Compare

Asset or share, rollover or taxable: the numbers side by side.

3

Negotiate

Tax terms that protect you in the agreement.

4

Close

Elections, filings and a clean opening position afterwards.

Good moments to call

When to call us.

You are buying

Know what you inherit. A tax review of the target is cheaper than a reassessment.

You are selling

The price on the table is not the cash in your pocket. Structure decides the difference.

You are restructuring

Moving assets between entities can be tax-neutral if it is done in the right order.

General information, not tax or accounting advice. Every situation is different, so please speak with us before you act.

Talk to our team about your situation.

Contact Us
HomeTax ServicesEstate Planning

Estate Planning

Plans that look after your family and keep your business in good hands for the next generation. We design the tax side and work alongside your lawyer on the legal documents.

WillsTrustsProbateSuccession
Tax Services

What we handle.

A good estate plan is quiet. It reduces tax, avoids delay and lets the people you care about know what to expect. It is also something that is far easier to build while everything is calm.

01

Wills

The tax thinking behind a will, coordinated with the lawyer who prepares the document.

02

Powers of attorney

Making sure financial decisions can be made if you are unable to make them.

03

Trusts

Family, discretionary and testamentary trusts: when they help, and what they cost to run.

04

Probate planning

Reducing probate fees and delay through ownership and beneficiary choices.

05

RRSP / TFSA transfers

What happens to registered plans at death, and how to avoid a surprise tax bill.

06

Charitable giving

Gifts during life or through the estate, structured for the largest tax benefit.

07

Family business succession

Handing the business to the next generation, or to a buyer, on terms that are fair and tax-aware.

How we work

Four steps, no surprises.

1

Listen

Your family, your wishes and the assets involved.

2

Design

A plan that balances tax, control and fairness.

3

Coordinate

Your lawyer, your financial planner and us, on one page.

4

Review

Revisited after life events and law changes.

Good moments to call

When to call us.

A business owner approaching retirement

Succession takes years to do well. Start while you still have choices.

A blended or complex family

Clear instructions prevent disputes at the worst possible time.

After a death in the family

Terminal returns and estate filings have strict deadlines. We can guide the executor.

General information, not tax or accounting advice. Every situation is different, so please speak with us before you act.

Talk to our team about your situation.

Contact Us
HomeTax ServicesTax Representation

Tax Representation

When the Canada Revenue Agency writes, you do not have to face it alone. We represent you, communicate on your behalf and keep the matter moving toward a fair outcome.

CRA disputesAuditsAppealsVDP
Tax Services

What we handle.

A letter from the CRA is usually manageable when it is answered correctly and on time. Representation means a calm, experienced professional handles the conversation for you.

01

Dispute resolution with CRA

Reviewing a notice of assessment or reassessment, and building the response that fits the facts.

02

Audit assistance

Preparing records, answering requests and attending interviews so the audit stays focused.

03

Appeals support

Notices of objection and the appeal process, with supporting documents organized.

04

Voluntary disclosure program

Correcting past filings before the CRA finds them, where the program's conditions allow.

How we work

Four steps, no surprises.

1

Review

What the CRA sent, what it is asking for and the deadline attached.

2

Strategy

Respond, negotiate or object, with the reason for each choice.

3

Represent

With your authorization, we speak with the CRA for you.

4

Resolve

Agreement, adjustment or appeal, and a plan to prevent a repeat.

Good moments to call

When to call us.

You received a CRA letter

Deadlines are short and replies are on the record. Call us first.

You know a past filing was wrong

Correcting it voluntarily can be far better than being found out.

You disagree with an assessment

You have the right to object. We help you do it properly.

General information, not tax or accounting advice. Every situation is different, so please speak with us before you act.

Talk to our team about your situation.

Contact Us
HomeTax ServicesInternational Tax

International Tax

Guidance for businesses and individuals whose plans cross the border. We help you expand, invest and relocate without tripping over the rules of two countries at once.

Cross-borderTransfer pricingTreatiesExpansion
Tax Services

What we handle.

International activity brings more forms, more deadlines and more ways to pay tax twice. The right plan uses treaties and credits to your advantage.

01

Cross-border planning

Structuring ownership and income flows for people and companies with ties to more than one country.

02

Mergers & acquisitions

Tax advice on foreign buyers, foreign targets and the structures that join them.

03

Expansion guidance

Entering a new market: branch or subsidiary, and what each means for tax and reporting.

04

Transfer pricing

Pricing between related companies in different countries, supported by the documentation tax authorities expect.

05

Income tax treaties

Using treaty relief to reduce withholding and avoid double taxation.

How we work

Four steps, no surprises.

1

Map

Where your people, assets and income sit today.

2

Plan

The structure that fits your goals in both countries.

3

Report

Foreign property, withholding and information returns filed accurately.

4

Monitor

Reviewed whenever you move, hire or invest abroad.

Good moments to call

When to call us.

Selling into a new country

Know what creates a taxable presence before it creates a bill.

Moving to or from Canada

Residency changes trigger rules that deserve planning in advance.

Owning property or accounts abroad

Foreign holdings come with annual reporting, even when no tax is owing.

General information, not tax or accounting advice. Every situation is different, so please speak with us before you act.

Talk to our team about your situation.

Contact Us
In-Depth Tax
IIThe credential

Beyond the CPA designation: the In-Depth Tax credential

CPA Canada's In-Depth Tax Course is a multi-year, advanced program for accounting professionals who want to specialize in Canadian income tax. Azmat Ali has completed all levels.

0hours of study

Three years of advanced, tax-only coursework on top of the CPA qualification.

Year one · 198 hours

Foundations

The core of Canadian income tax, applied to real files.

  • Personal tax
  • Corporate tax
  • Employment & business income
  • GST/HST
Year two · 155 hours

Structures

Tax planning for owner-managed businesses and families.

  • Corporate groups
  • Partnerships
  • Trusts & estates
  • Reorganizations
Year three · 115 hours

Advanced

Complex planning, cross-border issues and dispute resolution.

  • International tax
  • Tax planning
  • Audits & objections
  • Case studies
Year 1Year 2Year 3

What it takes to get there

First, the CPA
Participants are already qualified accountants with the CPA designation (or a recognized predecessor).
Real tax work
Candidates must work substantially in Canadian income tax: at least 70% of their time.
468 hours
198 + 155 + 115 hours of professional development across the three years.
Specialist by training
The program is built for the practitioners whom other accountants call when the tax question gets hard.

Source: CPA Canada In-Depth Tax Course program information. Program structure and hours reflect the current brochure and may differ from the version earlier cohorts completed. Topic lists are a summary, not the official syllabus. See cpacanada.ca for current details.

Talk to our team about your situation.

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IIIIn your corner

When the question gets hard.

A general accountant files your return. A tax specialist designs the decision before it is made. Choose your situation.

Pay yourself the smart way.

Why a specialistThe salary-versus-dividend mix, the small business deduction and shareholder loans interact in ways that change every year.
  • Salary, dividends or a blend?
  • Should I incorporate, and when?
  • How do I handle GST/HST correctly?
  • What can the company deduct?
Plan with us

One transaction. Many tax outcomes.

Why a specialistHow a sale or reorganization is structured can matter as much as the price. It has to be planned before signing.
  • Share sale or asset sale?
  • Can the gain be deferred or reduced?
  • How do I bring in a partner?
  • Is a holding company right for me?
Talk before you sign

Protect what you built.

Why a specialistMoving wealth between generations triggers tax rules that are easy to miss and costly to fix.
  • Trusts and income splitting
  • Tax on death and final returns
  • Gifting to children or a family company
  • Succession of the family business
Start the conversation

A letter from the CRA is not the end.

Why a specialistAudits, reassessments and notices have strict deadlines. A calm, well-documented response often changes the result.
  • Audit or information request
  • Notice of reassessment
  • Penalties and interest
  • Unfiled returns
See how disputes work

If the CRA disagrees with you.

There is a defined path. Knowing the steps, and the deadlines, is half the battle.

Notice

The CRA issues an assessment or reassessment that you disagree with.

Objection

File a notice of objection, generally within 90 days of the notice of assessment. Individuals may have longer.

CRA review

An independent appeals officer at the CRA reviews the file and your submissions.

Tax Court

If still unresolved, you can appeal to the Tax Court of Canada, within its own deadline.

Fix it before they find it.

The CRA's Voluntary Disclosures Program lets taxpayers correct past errors or omissions. If accepted, it can reduce penalties and interest. It has conditions, and it only works if you come forward first.

Ask us if it applies
  • Voluntary: before the CRA starts enforcement
  • Complete: all relevant information disclosed
  • Involves a potential penalty
  • Includes payment of the tax owing

Sources: Canada Revenue Agency pages on objections and the Voluntary Disclosures Program. Deadlines and eligibility change; confirm for your situation. General information, not tax advice.

Who does what?

Not every accountant does the same work. Here is where a tax specialist fits.

Bookkeeper

Records day-to-day transactions and keeps the books current.

Your books are accurate.

Accountant

Prepares financial statements and personal and corporate returns.

Your returns are filed on time.

Tax specialist
CPA with In-Depth Tax training

Plans transactions, structures ownership, resolves disputes and handles complex files.

Your tax is designed, not just reported.

Ali & Associates offers all three levels of service under one roof, led by a tax specialist.

Talk to our team about your situation.

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The Canadian tax year

Dates that matter.

The most common federal deadlines, and the next one coming up.

0days
Next common deadline
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Individuals

Filing due April 30. Self-employed individuals and their spouses generally have until June 15 to file, but any balance owing is still due April 30.

Corporations

The T2 return is due six months after the fiscal year-end. Tax balances are generally due earlier, so planning begins before year-end.

Penalties

Late filing and late payment penalties and interest add up quickly. If you are behind, contact us early.

Common federal dates shown; GST/HST filing frequency, instalment requirements and fiscal year-ends vary. Check canada.ca or ask us. General information, not tax advice.

Talk to our team about your situation.

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 Accounting

Assurance & Advisory

Ali & Associates, CPAs stands out as one of the preeminent accounting firms in the Lower Mainland.

0Specialist audit types
0Levels of assurance
CPAledTax and audit under one roof

Business Advisory

Capital for business owners, plus the routine and less complex matters, handled by a team of specialists.

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  • Business capital: bank and lender introductions, financing packages, and government grants and funding
  • Compilation Engagements
  • Corporate Income Tax Returns T2
  • Individual Income Tax Returns T1
  • Trust Income Tax Returns T3
  • Partnership Information Returns T5013
  • GST/HST, Payroll, PST, WorkSafe BC and Employer Health Tax compliance
  • Annual income slips T4, T4A, T5, T3, T5018, T5013

Audit Engagements

An audit engagement involves a thorough and systematic review of a company's financial records, systems, and controls.

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  • Financial records
  • Systems
  • Controls
  • Risk assessment and materiality set before testing begins
  • Evidence gathered and tested: confirmations, inventory counts, supporting documents
  • Going-concern and subsequent-events evaluation
  • A formal opinion, with reasonable assurance CAS

Review Engagements

Review engagements offer a limited level of assurance that a company's financial statements adhere to the applicable financial reporting framework.

Explore
  • Limited level of assurance
  • Financial statements checked against the applicable financial reporting framework
  • Inquiry and analytical procedures, without testing internal controls
  • A conclusion stated in negative form
  • Faster and less costly than an audit CSRE 2400
HomeAccountingBusiness Advisory

Business Advisory

We help business owners raise the capital to grow, through lenders and through government funding, and we keep the everyday filings done well and on time.

Business capitalGrants & fundingCompilationsT2 · T1 · T3PayrollGST/HST
Accounting

What we handle.

Growing a business takes capital, and finding it is rarely simple. Our relationships with banks, credit unions, equipment financiers and private lenders, plus experience with federal, provincial and ministry grants, mean you start with introductions, not cold calls. Most businesses also spend more time on compliance than they would like. We take it off your desk with a team that knows every form, every slip and every deadline.

01

Business capital and lender introductions

We prepare a lender-ready package of statements, projections and tax structure, then introduce you to banks, credit unions, equipment financiers and private lenders suited to your plan.

02

Government grants and funding

Finding, applying for and reporting on federal, provincial and ministry grants and funding programs, so you keep what you win.

03

Compilation engagements

Financial statements prepared from your records. A compilation provides no assurance, and users are told so.

04

Corporate income tax returns (T2)

Annual corporate returns prepared with attention to credits, losses and instalments.

05

Individual income tax returns (T1)

Personal returns for owners, executives and families, including self-employment and rental income.

06

Trust income tax returns (T3)

Returns for family, estate and other trusts.

07

Partnership information returns (T5013)

Filings for partnerships and the slips that flow to each partner.

08

GST/HST, payroll, PST, WorkSafe BC & Employer Health Tax

Periodic filings and remittances, kept current so penalties never arise.

09

Annual income slips

T4, T4A, T5, T3, T5018 and T5013 slips prepared and filed.

How we work

Four steps, no surprises.

1

Onboard

We learn your business and collect last year's filings.

2

Organize

A calendar of due dates, assigned and tracked.

3

Prepare

Statements, returns and slips prepared and reviewed.

4

Advise

A conversation about what the numbers are telling you.

Good moments to call

When to call us.

You need capital to grow

Equipment, a new location, an acquisition or working capital: start with a file a lender will take seriously.

You have outgrown bookkeeping

Statements for the bank, the owners or the tax return, produced by professionals.

You are tired of deadlines

Payroll, sales tax and slips on a schedule, handled for you.

General information, not tax or accounting advice. Every situation is different, so please speak with us before you act.

Talk to our team about your situation.

Contact Us
HomeAccountingAudit Engagements

Audit Engagements

An audit is a thorough and systematic review of a company's financial records, systems and controls, ending in a formal opinion that lenders, regulators and owners can rely on.

Reasonable assuranceCASControlsOpinion
Accounting

What we handle.

We plan every audit around risk, so effort is spent where a misstatement would matter most, and we keep you informed from planning to the signed report.

01

Financial records

Balances and transactions tested against supporting evidence.

02

Systems

How information flows through your business, and where errors could enter.

03

Controls

An understanding of the controls that protect your numbers, and recommendations to strengthen them.

04

Risk assessment and materiality

Set before testing begins, so the work is aimed at what matters to a reader.

05

Evidence gathered and tested

Confirmations, inventory counts and supporting documents.

06

Going concern and subsequent events

An evaluation of whether the business can continue, and of events after year-end.

07

A formal opinion

Reasonable assurance, issued under Canadian Auditing Standards (CAS).

How we work

Four steps, no surprises.

1

Plan

Timetable, materiality and the risks that shape the work.

2

Assess risk

Where the statements could be misstated and how controls respond.

3

Test

Third-party confirmations, observation and examination of documents.

4

Conclude

Going concern, representations and the signed report.

Good moments to call

When to call us.

A lender or investor requires it

Agreements often name an audit. A review will not meet that requirement.

Your funding is regulated

Many grants and programs set audit requirements. See our specialist audits.

You want stronger oversight

An independent audit gives owners and boards real comfort and useful findings.

General information, not tax or accounting advice. Every situation is different, so please speak with us before you act.

Talk to our team about your situation.

Contact Us
HomeAccountingReview Engagements

Review Engagements

A review offers a limited level of assurance that financial statements adhere to the applicable financial reporting framework, at lower cost and effort than a full audit.

Limited assuranceCSRE 2400FasterLower cost
Accounting

What we handle.

For many owner-managed businesses, a review is exactly the right level of comfort. We help you decide, and we check your agreements first so there are no surprises.

01

Limited level of assurance

A step above a compilation, giving readers more confidence in the numbers.

02

Checked against the framework

Statements assessed against the applicable financial reporting framework, such as ASPE.

03

Inquiry and analytical procedures

Questions and analysis, without testing internal controls.

04

A conclusion stated in negative form

The report says nothing came to our attention to suggest the statements are misstated.

05

Faster and less costly than an audit

Performed under CSRE 2400, with a scope and timeline suited to smaller organizations.

How we work

Four steps, no surprises.

1

Scope

We confirm that a review satisfies your lender or shareholders.

2

Inquire

Discussions with management and review of the records.

3

Analyze

Trends and relationships compared with what we expect.

4

Report

A clear conclusion and practical observations.

Good moments to call

When to call us.

Shareholders want comfort, not a full audit

A review often satisfies owners who are not involved day to day.

A lender asks for more than a compilation

Check the covenant wording first. We will read it with you.

You are growing

A review is a sensible stepping stone toward an audit later.

General information, not tax or accounting advice. Every situation is different, so please speak with us before you act.

Talk to our team about your situation.

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Specialist audits

The audits other firms turn away.

From BC independent school filings to federal election returns, we audit the sectors where the rules are specific and the deadlines are real.

Sources: BC Financial Services Authority (brokerage reporting requirements, Accountant's Report) and BC CPA guidance on the BCFSA trust report; BC Ministry of Education (independent school reporting: ES Audit and SOPSOC) and BC CPA guidance on those engagements; Elections Canada; BC CPA FAQ on reports on controls at service organizations; BC Private Training Institutions Branch policy and CPA summaries; BC Child Care Operating Funding Model manual; CHOA and Law for Non-Profits guidance on strata and society audits; CPA Canada standards. Requirements change and depend on your agreements and governing documents. General information, not advice.

Talk to our team about your situation.

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Masterclass

Assurance, explained.

Audit, review and compilation are three different promises about your financial statements. Here is how they differ, what an engagement involves, and how to choose.

Three levels of comfort

The more assurance a reader needs, the more work the accountant must do and document.

Level one
Compilation

No assurance. We present your information as financial statements. Standard: CSRS 4200.

Level two
Review

Limited assurance. Inquiry and analysis show whether anything suggests the statements need to change. Standard: CSRE 2400.

Level three
Audit

Reasonable assurance. Evidence is gathered and tested before we give an opinion. Standards: CAS.

Inside an audit

An audit follows a disciplined sequence, so the opinion rests on evidence.

Plan

We learn your business, agree the timetable and set materiality, the size of error that would matter to a reader.

Assess risk

We identify where the statements could be misstated and how your internal controls respond.

Test

We confirm balances with third parties, observe inventory, test transactions and examine supporting documents.

Conclude

We evaluate going concern and subsequent events, obtain management's representations and issue the report.

What the report can say

The auditor's opinion falls into one of four categories.

Unmodified

The statements present fairly, in all material respects. This is the outcome most clients receive.

Qualified

Fair, except for a specific matter that is material but not pervasive.

Adverse

The statements are materially and pervasively misstated.

Disclaimer

We could not obtain enough evidence to form an opinion.

Audit and review, side by side

ReviewAudit
AssuranceLimitedReasonable
Main workInquiry and analytical proceduresRisk assessment, testing of controls and balances, third-party evidence
ConclusionNegative form: nothing came to our attentionPositive opinion: the statements present fairly
Typically asked for byLenders, owners and funders wanting more than a compilationLarger lenders, investors, regulators or governing documents
Time and costModerateHighest

Which one do you need?

Pick the closest situation. The right answer depends on who is reading your statements.

Our suggestion
Audit

If a lending agreement names an audit, a review will not meet the requirement. Speak to us early so planning and fieldwork fit your lender's deadline.

Sources: standards named are from the CPA Canada Handbook: Canadian Auditing Standards (CAS), CSRE 2400 (review of historical financial statements) and CSRS 4200 (compilation). Requirements vary by agreement, legislation and entity type. General information, not advice; ask us about your situation.

Talk to our team about your situation.

Contact Us
 Sectors

Industries

Experience across the sectors our clients work in.

Healthcare

Our collaboration with a wide range of healthcare professionals, including family physicians, surgeons, specialist dentists, and pharmacists, equips us with the expertise to provide advice on the various challenges and opportunities faced by those in the healthcare field.

Education

Our proficiency extends beyond the boundaries of conventional business domains, delving into diverse sectors, especially within every level of the educational industry, encompassing independent schools and private colleges.

Transportation

The key to success for transportation companies lies in securing timely and effective financing for their essential equipment.

Real Estate Development

We are extensively engaged in real estate development projects of various scales, spanning from single-family residential developments to high-rise structures and commercial complexes.

Steel Fabrication

From structural steel to custom metalwork, fabricators need sharp job costing, bonding-ready statements and equipment planning that keeps the shop running.

Manufacturing

Cost accounting, inventory and equipment decisions decide what a manufacturer keeps. We build the numbers and the tax plan around your production floor.

Wholesale & Industrial Supplies

Inventory turns, supplier terms and receivables set your cash flow. We give distributors and supply houses the clarity to grow without running short.

Construction Trades

Job costing, holdbacks, subcontractors and payroll: practical support for electricians, framers, plumbers, concrete crews and every trade between.

Sector expertise

We speak your sector's language.

Each industry has its own rules, regulators, lenders and calendar. Here is what we handle in the eight sectors where our clients are concentrated, and how our tax and assurance teams work together for them.

Clinics, practices and professionals

Healthcare

Doctors, dentists, pharmacists and clinic owners carry a different set of tax questions from other business owners. We have worked with healthcare professionals across the sector and know where the planning opportunities and the traps are.

What this sector needs

  • Incorporating a practice, and keeping the structure current
  • Paying yourself: salary, dividends and the rules on income splitting
  • Passive investment income inside a professional corporation
  • Understanding which services are exempt for GST/HST
  • Associate, locum and contractor arrangements
  • Selling or transitioning a practice, and planning retirement

A clinic owner should not need to be a tax expert. They should be able to treat patients.

Independent schools, private colleges and training institutions

Education

Our proficiency extends to every level of the education sector, including BC independent schools and private colleges. Most of the reporting these organizations face is specific, dated and non-negotiable.

What this sector needs

  • Eligible Student (ES) audit forms for the Ministry of Education
  • SOPSOC audits for Group 1 independent schools
  • Annual financial statement engagements for private training institutions
  • Society and charity status, receipting and annual returns
  • Daycare and child care operating funding reports
  • Board-ready financial statements and clear oversight

Deadlines in this sector are set by regulators. We plan the work backwards from them.

Carriers, fleets and owner-operators

Transportation

The key to success for transportation companies lies in securing timely and effective financing for their essential equipment. Clean financial statements, a sound structure and tax-aware equipment decisions all feed that goal.

What this sector needs

  • Lender-ready financial statements for equipment financing
  • Buying, leasing and depreciating trucks and trailers
  • Owner-operators, contractors and employees: getting the line right
  • Payroll, WorkSafe BC and employer remittances for driver teams
  • Cross-border runs, fuel tax and sales tax on freight
  • Growing, merging or selling a fleet

Trucks earn money when they move. Paperwork should never be the reason they sit.

Builders, developers and investors

Real Estate Development

Real estate projects live and die by structure, timing and financing. We advise from the first land purchase through construction, sale and the distribution of profits.

What this sector needs

  • Setting up single-purpose entities and joint ventures
  • GST/HST on new construction and the rules for rebates and self-supply
  • Capital property versus inventory: how a gain is taxed
  • Construction financing and lender-required audited statements
  • Dividing profits between partners and investors
  • Estate and succession planning for family-held property

A project is won or lost before the first shovel goes in. So is the tax outcome.

Fabricators, welders and structural steel shops

Steel Fabrication

Steel fabricators carry heavy inventory, long job cycles and tight margins on a material whose price moves. Sound job costing and clean statements keep your bonding, credit line and tax planning on solid ground.

What this sector needs

  • Job costing and work in progress on multi-month fabrication contracts
  • Bonding and credit packages that sureties and lenders accept
  • Valuing plate, beams and raw material at year end
  • Capital cost allowance on plant, tools and machinery
  • Payroll and WorkSafeBC for welders, fitters and shop crews
  • Managing cash when a general contractor pays late

Steel is bought by the tonne and sold by the job. Your margin lives in how you cost it.

Manufacturers, processors and producers

Manufacturing

Manufacturers turn raw material into margin through scale, efficiency and timing. Costing, inventory and equipment decisions drive both profit and tax, and lenders expect statements that show it.

What this sector needs

  • Cost accounting: materials, labour and overhead in inventory
  • Inventory valuation, obsolescence and year-end counts
  • Capital cost allowance on manufacturing and processing equipment
  • SR&ED claims for qualifying development work
  • Export sales, customs and cross-border tax exposure
  • Financing for equipment, expansion and succession

What you make is only half of what you earn. The rest is what you keep.

Distributors, wholesalers and supply houses

Wholesale & Industrial Supplies

Distributors live on inventory turns, supplier terms and receivables. A small slip in any of the three shows up in cash flow fast. We help you see it early and finance growth on numbers a lender trusts.

What this sector needs

  • Inventory costing, shrinkage and slow-moving stock
  • Receivables, credit terms and bad-debt provisions
  • Supplier rebates and volume incentives, and how to record them
  • Margin analysis by product line, branch and customer
  • Import duties, customs and foreign-currency exposure
  • Borrowing base and bank covenant reporting

Stock on the shelf is cash that cannot move. Know exactly how much you are holding.

Electrical, plumbing, framing, concrete and finishing trades

Construction Trades

Trades work on thin margins, long payment chains and holdbacks. Whether you are an owner-operator or a firm with crews, clear job records, correct worker classification and steady cash flow decide how well you do.

What this sector needs

  • Job costing, progress billing and holdbacks
  • Subcontractor or employee: classification and payroll obligations
  • WorkSafeBC registration and clearance letters
  • GST on progress billings and construction services
  • Trucks, tools and equipment: purchase, lease and depreciation
  • Incorporating, paying yourself, and planning for retirement or sale

You are good with your hands. Let us handle the paperwork that keeps the crew paid.

Also serving
Mining & resourcesNon-profits & charitiesOwner-managed businessesProfessional practicesFamily enterprises

Do not see your industry? Our approach travels well. Tell us about your business and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right fit.

Talk to us
News

What is changing in Canadian tax.

Updates from the Canada Revenue Agency, picked for business owners, professionals and families. We read them so you do not have to, and we tell you when one affects you.

Headlines are the CRA’s own, as published on the dates shown. Summaries are ours. Snapshot taken October 8, 2026.

Security

Protecting taxpayer information: How the CRA prevents, detects, and addresses fraud

How the CRA works to keep your tax information safe, and what it does when fraud is found.

Read on canada.ca
Security

The CRA is enhancing security for online income tax and benefit return filing

New protections are coming to online return filing. Expect changes to how you sign in and file.

Read on canada.ca
Business

Businesses: Changes are coming to the way you access Business Registration Online

Business owners will access Business Registration Online differently. Know what is changing before you need the service.

Read on canada.ca
Relief & options

Can’t pay your tax debt right away? We have options to help you – including the Manage balance service

Payment options for a balance you cannot pay in full, including the CRA’s Manage balance service.

Read on canada.ca
Personal

Help speed up your disability tax credit application

Tips for a complete disability tax credit application, so it is processed sooner.

Read on canada.ca
Relief & options

The Voluntary Disclosures Program: Your second chance to set things right

The program for correcting a past filing or reporting error before the CRA contacts you.

Read on canada.ca
Business

Self-employed? Make filing easier with these tips from the CRA

Filing guidance for self-employed Canadians.

Read on canada.ca
Security

Tax season may be over for most Canadians, but threats to their personal information are not

Scams and identity threats continue after filing season. A reminder to protect your information year-round.

Read on canada.ca
Personal

Don’t miss out on benefits and credits: Why filing your taxes matters

Many benefits and credits depend on a filed return, even when you owe nothing.

Read on canada.ca
Personal

Making changes to your tax return? Here’s what’s new and how to save time

What is new in the process for changing a return you have already filed.

Read on canada.ca
Business

What you need to know about the non-taxability of the Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses

How the Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses is treated for tax.

Read on canada.ca
Legislation and proposals

Where the rules are made.

Proposed legislation, budget measures and draft tax rules come from the Department of Finance Canada, then the CRA administers them. Follow them at the source, and ask us what they mean for your plans.

General information, not tax advice. Rules change, and your facts matter, so please speak with us before you act.

Ask us about a change
IVThe person

Azmat Ali, CPA, CGA, CA, FCCA

  • CPA
  • CA
  • CGA
  • FCCA (UK)

Azmat Ali is a distinguished Chartered Accountant (CA) with more than twenty years of experience in accounting. He specializes in assurance and tax and holds three prestigious accounting credentials: CA, CGA, and FCCA (UK). Azmat has also completed all levels of CPA Canada's In-Depth Tax Course.

He collaborates closely with business owners to provide them peace of mind. He prioritizes ethics and morality and is committed to delivering high-quality results.

Experience
0+ years in accounting
Specialty
Assurance and tax, including all levels of CPA Canada's In-Depth Tax Course
Community
Chair of a private school in Surrey and Vice President of another charitable organization
Questions

Questions we hear most.

Yes, and it is one of the things we enjoy most. Capital comes from more than one place, so we look at all of them. Over the years we have built working relationships with banks, credit unions, equipment financiers, private lenders and commercial mortgage brokers across BC. We also help clients find and apply for federal, provincial and ministry grants and funding programs, and we handle the reporting and compliance that many of them require. We start by learning what the money is for: equipment, working capital, an acquisition, a new location, a hire or a property. Then we shape your financial statements, projections and tax structure so a lender or funder sees a strong, credible file, and we introduce you to the people most likely to say yes. Where it helps, we sit in on the meetings and handle the follow-up questions. We do not lend money ourselves and cannot promise an approval or a grant, but a well-prepared file and a warm introduction change the odds.

Tax rules are complex and interconnected. Someone trained in depth can spot options, and risks, that are easy to miss in routine preparation.

Yes. We serve individuals and businesses across Metro Vancouver and beyond. Call 604.285.0786 or email info@aliassociates.ca.

Don't ignore it, and note the response deadline. Send us a copy as soon as possible so we can review it before you reply.

Often, yes. Depending on the facts, it may be an adjustment request or a voluntary disclosure. We can help you choose the right route.

This page provides general information only and is not tax advice. Tax rules change; speak to us about your situation.

Careers · Join the firm

Build a career that compounds.

We are a boutique CPA firm in Richmond, BC with more than 45 years of collective experience and a reputation built on tax. If you want real files, real responsibility and a mentor who has completed every level of CPA Canada's In-Depth Tax Course, we would like to meet you.

01

Real work from day one

Tax, assurance and advisory files for owner-managed businesses, professionals and not-for-profits. You are in the work, not the photocopier queue.

02

Mentored by a specialist

Learn alongside Azmat Ali, CPA, CGA, CA, FCCA, who has more than 20 years in assurance and tax and has completed all levels of the In-Depth Tax Course.

03

A path to tax mastery

Tax is our craft. Grow from compliance into planning, corporate reorganizations and the kind of advice that is rare in Canada.

04

Small team, big exposure

Work directly with senior people and with clients, so you see how decisions are made and learn faster than at a large firm.

05

Ethics first

Quality, integrity and care for the client are not slogans here. They are how we hire and how we work.

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info@aliassociates.ca
Tax Experts. Assurance Specialists. Trusted Business Advisors.

Let's talk tax.

Contact Us

Call

604.285.0786

Email

info@aliassociates.ca

Visit

118 - 11782 Hammersmith Way
Richmond, BC V7A 5E2

Office hours

Mon – Thu: 9:00 – 18:00
Fri: 9:00 – 12:00, 14:00 – 18:00