Bookkeeping Today: Remote Work, Digital Records, and Hybrid Teams

Bookkeeping practices have shifted with more remote work, digital document flow, and hybrid teams. Whether you run the books yourself or use a bookkeeper, here are three areas that matter for Canadian small businesses today.

1. Working from home and employee reimbursements

Employees who work from home may have employment expense claims in specific situations; rules change with federal and CRA updates (e.g. flat-rate vs detailed methods when available). Employers sometimes reimburse reasonable home-office costs; documentation and payroll treatment matter. A bookkeeper can help track reimbursements, approvals, and support for CRA or payroll audits.

Self-employed: Home-office deductions use different tests than employees; keep square footage and usage logs consistent with CRA guidance.

2. Digital receipts and cloud storage

More transactions are paperless. Cloud accounting (e.g. QuickBooks Online) and attached PDFs reduce shoebox filing. Standardize naming, approval workflows, and bank feeds reconciliation so year-end is clean.

3. Collaboration with advisors and staff

Bookkeepers often work remotely with owners and accountants—multiple browser sessions, shared access, and clear month-end cutoffs avoid duplicate entries. If you outsource or use a hybrid team, lock down user roles in your software and review who can edit payroll vs view only.

This post has been prepared for general information purposes. It is not advice. The information presented may not fit your unique situation. Please consult one of our trusted business advisors at RHN CPA for further clarification and interpretation of your circumstances.