How Benefits Can Help You Obtain (and retain) High Quality Employees

Payroll may not be the first place you think of when you hear “anti-money laundering.” But for accountants and bookkeepers, payroll can provide a unique window into a business’s financial activity, employee information, payments, and changes over time. That visibility can sometimes reveal activity that deserves a closer look, even when your primary role is simply managing payroll. The important distinction is that seeing something unusual does not automatically mean you have a FINTRAC reporting obligation. What matters is understanding when AML obligations apply to your specific activities, recognizing potential red flags, and knowing what steps you can take when something doesn’t add up.

Understanding whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor is critical for Canadian businesses in 2026. This guide breaks down how the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) determines classification, focusing on key factors like control, ownership of tools, chance of profit, and risk of loss. It also explores common misclassification risks, financial penalties, and how evolving work models, like remote and gig work, are influencing CRA scrutiny. Whether you’re hiring or being hired, this article helps you stay compliant, avoid costly mistakes, and confidently classify working relationships under current CRA rules.

Your benefits plan is already being evaluated online by candidates. This guide walks Canadian SMBs through a 6-step benefits audit to identify gaps, stay competitive, and avoid losing talent during fast-paced spring hiring.

Pay transparency is quickly becoming law across Canada, driven by cultural shifts and legislation. This guide explains what employers must do to stay compliant, from building defensible pay ranges to upgrading payroll systems and internal processes.