FAQ
Services
Steps
Prices
Supports
Safety
Services
What services does CPAET provide?
CPAET provides two professional services only:
- Political Financing Filing
- Political Financing Audit
Services are provided separately to maintain professional independence.
CPAET specializes exclusively in political financing for candidates and other political entities across federal, provincial, and municipal elections in Canada.
We do not offer general bookkeeping, tax, or corporate accounting services.
Who is your client?
CPAET works with:
- Election candidates
- Electoral District Associations (EDAs)
- Third-parties
- Political parties
- Nomination and leadership contestants
Our services apply to political entities regulated under the Canada Election Acts.
What is political financing?
Political financing refers to financial activities regulated under election laws, including campaign finances, post-election returns, and ongoing compliance for regulated political entities.
Do I need an audit for my campaign or political entity?
Audit requirements depend on the type of election, jurisdiction, and financial thresholds set by the applicable election authority.
During our initial consultation, CPAET helps determine whether an audit is required and what preparation is necessary.
Can CPAET audit a filing that I prepared myself?
In many cases, yes. CPAET can provide independent election audits for client-prepared financial returns, subject to professional independence and eligibility requirements.
Can CPAET both prepare the filing and perform the audit?
No. Professional independence rules generally prohibit an auditor from auditing financial filings that they prepared themselves.
CPAET follows strict independence and ethical standards and will clearly advise on appropriate service options.
What if I don’t know whether I need an audit?
That is common. Audit requirements often depend on financial thresholds that can only be confirmed after the election. CPAET provides free templates and guidance during the campaign so financial records are properly maintained. Once thresholds are known, the appropriate service — filing or audit — is engaged.
Will my filing be completed before the deadline?
Yes. CPAET plans all work to be completed well in advance of filing deadlines, allowing sufficient time for review and revisions.
Requests for expedited or last-minute services may be subject to additional fees and availability.
Do you offer rush or expedited services?
Where possible, CPAET may offer rush services for urgent timelines.
Availability and additional fees will be discussed and confirmed in advance.
How are you different from other accounting firms?
CPAET is fundamentally different from traditional accounting firms because political financing is our sole focus.
Most accounting firms provide election-related services as a small extension of general bookkeeping, tax, or audit work. CPAET was built specifically for political financing filing and audit, with processes designed around the Canada Election Acts, election authority expectations, and strict filing deadlines — not adapted from general accounting practices.
Our team brings first-hand experience within Canada’s election system, combined with CPA-level accounting, audit, and internal audit expertise. We understand not only what the rules require, but how filings are reviewed, questioned, and audited in practice.
In addition, CPAET operates as a fully online firm with structured workflows, responsive communication, and transparent pricing. We combine professional judgment with modern tools to ensure accuracy, organization, and audit readiness, while giving clients clear guidance and sufficient time for review.
Simply put, CPAET is not a general accounting firm that also does election work — we are a political financing firm, by design.
Steps
What’s your process?
We keep things simple and efficient:
- Initial inquiry and consultation
- Scope confirmation and engagement agreement
- Onboarding and preparation package
- Secure document submission and ongoing communication
- Filing or audit preparation, review, and completion
- You can find a full overview on our Process page.
How fast can you start?
We can start as soon as you’ve booked a consultation and provided your financial documents. In most cases, we begin within 1–2 business days of receiving all required files.
How long does it take to complete a return?
The time required to complete a financial return depends on several factors, including the type of election, the political entity involved, the completeness of records provided, and whether an audit is required.
In general, once all required information and documentation have been received:
- Candidate and campaign returns typically take several weeks to prepare, review, and finalize
- EDA and ongoing political entity filings may vary depending on transaction volume and complexity
- Audit engagements require additional time for independent review and reporting
CPAET plans all work to be completed well in advance of applicable filing deadlines, allowing sufficient time for client review and revisions.
Where urgent timelines are involved, rush services may be available for an additional fee, subject to availability and scope.
Prices
How are your fees structured?
Fees are based on:
- The type of election and political entity
- Contribution ranges, transaction volume, and regulatory complexity
- Timing and urgency
Political Financing Filing services start from $300, with pricing adjusted based on the level of activity involved. Political Financing Audit fees depend on the complexity of the engagement and applicable audit requirements and are quoted individually after an initial review.
CPAET is committed to transparent pricing. All fees are discussed upfront, with no hidden charges.
How do I pay you?
We accept payment via e-transfer or bank deposit. You’ll receive an invoice with payment information once the engagement is confirmed.
Supports
Why don’t you have a phone number or physical office?
We are a 100% remote firm, designed to meet the needs of today’s clients. Instead of phone calls or walk-ins, we use an appointment-based system via Google Meet. This allows us to focus on quality, be fully prepared for each meeting, and respect everyone’s time.
Our digital-first model also lets us serve clients across Canada with speed, accuracy, and flexibility — powered by cloud technology and smart automation.
We believe that modern service should be efficient, affordable, and accessible — no overhead, no wait times, just results.
How do we communicate with your team?
We primarily communicate through:
• Email – For document requests, updates, and ongoing correspondence
• Google Meet – For scheduled consultations and discussions
Our goal is to provide clear, efficient, and accessible communication in a fully remote environment.
How fast can I expect a response?
We aim to respond to all client messages and emails within 1 business day. If you have an urgent need, you can mark your message as “urgent”.
What if I am unsure what applies to my situation?
That is very common. Political financing rules are complex, and many clients are navigating them for the first time.
CPAET’s role is to provide clarity, structure, and guidance, so you know what applies and what steps to take next.
Safety
How do we get our documents and information to you?
We use a combination of Google Forms and Google Drive to collect and store your information securely. All files are encrypted and stored in our protected cloud environment.
Is my data secure?
Yes! We use Google Workspace (Google Drive) for secure file storage and access.
All accounts are protected with two-factor authentication (2FA), and we follow best practices for data encryption and client confidentiality in compliance with Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA).