Business Setup & Registration Support
Starting a business? Start organized.
NorthStar helps new business owners understand the practical setup steps for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and Ontario corporations.
Whether you are registering a business name, incorporating, setting up CRA accounts, or trying to understand what needs to happen next, the goal is to make the starting point clear before things become messy later.
STARTING POINT
Not sure what you need to register?
Some businesses start as sole proprietorships. Some involve two or more owners and may need a partnership registration. Others are better set up as corporations with their own legal name, CRA account, records, and filing requirements.
NorthStar helps you understand the practical setup differences, the registrations that may apply, and the next steps to get the business organized properly.
BUSINESS SETUP SERVICES
Business Setup Support,
With Clear Pricing
Business registrations, Ontario incorporation support, and CRA account setup for new and growing businesses. Get the essentials in place, with fees explained before work begins.
Sole Proprietorship
Registration
Registration support for a business owned by one person, including a basic registry name review, filing documents and a brief walkthrough of your next steps.
$150
per registration
For a single-owner business
General Partnership
Registration
Registration support for a business with two partners, including intake coordination, a basic registry name review, filing documents and practical recordkeeping guidance.
$225
per registration
For a standard two-partner setup
Ontario Incorporation
& Registration
Registration of an Ontario corporation, including filing coordination, delivery of incorporation documents, a business number check and practical guidance on next steps.
$495
professional support fee
For straightforward corporations
Trade & Operating
Name Registration
Register an operating name for an existing business or corporation, with a basic registry name review, filing support and delivery of your registration documents.
$125 standalone
Additional operating name: $75
Within the same setup
CRA Business Account
Setup & Guidance
Help registering routine GST/HST or payroll accounts, including a business-number application when needed and confirmation of the accounts opened.
$100 first account
Additional accounts: $50 each
When registered together
Bookkeeping
Setup
Build a practical foundation for keeping your business records organized, with the setup work tailored to your business and the estimated cost confirmed before we begin.
From $300
$150 setup base + $75/hour
Software charges are separate
Your first-year business checklist is included with setup.
Get a checklist tailored to your business, covering banking, business records,
bookkeeping and upcoming filing responsibilities.
All fees are in Canadian dollars, plus HST. Government filing, name-search and third-party charges are additional and identified separately. Published fees apply to straightforward assignments with complete information. Your scope and applicable fees are confirmed before work begins.
CHOOSING A STARTING POINT
Sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation?
Sole proprietorship
A simple, lower-cost starting point for one owner. Business income is reported on your personal tax return, and you’re personally responsible for business debts.
Partnership
An option for two or more owners who want to run a business together. Partners share profits and responsibilities; in a general partnership, they’re personally responsible for business debts.
Corporation
Worth considering for limited liability, investment, or future growth. A corporation is a separate legal entity, with its own tax return and higher setup costs and ongoing administration.
Need help choosing?
NorthStar can help you compare the options based on your ownership plans, expected income, and business goals.
ONTARIO OR FEDERAL INCORPORATION?
Ontario incorporation can be a practical starting point for businesses operating mainly in Ontario.
Federal incorporation may be worth considering when broader corporate name protection across Canada matters. Both options allow expansion beyond Ontario, subject to required registrations. A lawyer can help with complex ownership or share arrangements.
Ontario Incorporation:
-
Often a practical choice for businesses based in Ontario.
-
Corporate filings through the Ontario Business Registry.
-
Can expand beyond Ontario with required registrations.
Federal Incorporation:
-
Broader corporate name protection across Canada.
-
Federal annual returns and ownership reporting.
-
Provincial registration still required where the business operates.
Not sure which option fits your business?
Tell us what you’re starting and where you plan to operate. NorthStar can help you compare the options and plan your next steps.
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
Corporate tax filing starts with understanding where the corporation stands.
Discuss your business plans
Tell NorthStar what you’re starting, who will own the business, and where you plan to operate.
1
Confirm the services and fees
NorthStar confirms the setup support, information needed, and fees before work begins.
2
Complete the agreed setup
NorthStar helps with the agreed registrations, CRA account setup, and organization of your initial business records.
3
Review your next steps
NorthStar reviews the completed setup with you and outlines remaining tasks, recordkeeping needs, and upcoming deadlines.
4
POST-REGISTRATION CHECKLIST
Registering the business is only one part of getting started.
Depending on your business, next steps may include:
-
Confirm your business number and required CRA accounts.
-
Review GST/HST registration requirements.
-
Set up payroll if you’ll be paying employees.
-
Open a dedicated business bank account.
-
Choose a corporate year-end, if incorporated.
-
Set up bookkeeping and receipt storage.
-
Establish invoicing and payment processes.
-
Check licences, permits and insurance needs.
-
Organize corporate records and annual filings, if incorporated.
-
Identify tax filing and payment deadlines.
NorthStar can help identify what applies to your business and what to handle next.
RELATED SUPPORT THROUGH TIMMINS BOOKKEEPING
Setup is easier when the records are organized from the beginning.
NorthStar handles business setup guidance, registration support, and tax-readiness direction. If the business also needs bookkeeping setup, QuickBooks setup, monthly bookkeeping, GST/HST filing, payroll support, or cleanup work, those services are handled separately through Timmins Bookkeeping.
This keeps the work organized: NorthStar helps with the setup and tax direction, while Timmins Bookkeeping helps with the books and ongoing records.
Bookkeeping Cleanup
Payroll Support
Monthly Bookkeeping
QuickBooks Setup
GST/HST Filing
Year-End Bookkeeping
CORPORATE TAX SUPPORT
WHAT THIS SERVICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Administrative setup support, not legal advice.
NorthStar can help with business registration, CRA account setup guidance, and organizing records and tax deadlines for your first year.
This service does not include legal advice or opinions, custom legal drafting, shareholder or partnership agreements, complex ownership structures, reorganizations, or estate freezes.
A lawyer should be involved when you need advice on legal rights, liability protection, ownership disputes, shareholder terms, or complex structuring.
FAQ
Do I need to incorporate to start a business?
No. A business can also operate as a sole proprietorship or partnership. The right choice depends on ownership, risk, income, and plans for growth.
Do I need to register for GST/HST right away?
Not always. It depends on your sales and business activities. NorthStar can help determine whether registration is required or whether voluntary registration makes sense.
Can you help if I’ve already registered my business?
Yes. NorthStar can review your registration and CRA account setup, identify remaining tasks, and help organize your records and upcoming deadlines.
Does business setup include ongoing bookkeeping or tax filing?
Those services are arranged separately. Bookkeeping, payroll, and GST/HST filing are available through Timmins Bookkeeping. Personal and corporate income tax returns are available through NorthStar.
How much does business setup support cost?
Fees depend on the registrations and support you need. NorthStar confirms the scope, service fees, and any applicable government filing fees before work begins.
NOT SURE WHERE TO START?
Whether you’re planning a new business or have already registered, NorthStar can help you understand which registrations, CRA accounts, and records you need.
Send a quick note about your business plans, where you’ll operate, and what you’ve completed so far.
Contact Us
Address
131 Spruce St. South
Timmins, Ontario P4N 2M7
Contact
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri
10:00am – 5:00pm
Sat - Sun
Closed
