Bookkeeping for architects
Know which projects pay, keep cash flowing while you wait on clients, and stop doing the books at night, with a CPA who understands how architecture firms bill.
- CPA designation
- 2014
- In accounting
- 10+ years
- Across BC
- 100% remote
- To hear back
- 1 business day
Running an architecture practice is hard enough without the books
You pay sub-consultants before clients pay you, and cash gets tight.
You see cash coming, so a slow-paying client doesn't keep you up at night.
Unbilled time and reimbursables slip through the cracks.
Invoices and reimbursables go out on time, every time.
You're not sure which projects actually make money.
You know which projects and phases pay off.
The books get done late at night, if at all.
Your evenings are yours again.
Messy books make your accountant's year-end bill bigger.
Your year-end accountant gets clean books, which usually means a smaller bill.
Fees arrive in stages. Bills arrive every month.
On a phased project you pay your team and consultants every month, but clients pay at the end of each phase. That gap is where cash gets tight. Here's how I help you see it coming.
- Money in: a fee from your client at the end of a phase
- Money out: your team, consultants and rent, every month
Project costing by phase
See what each phase earns and costs, so you know where your time pays off.
Invoices out at every stage
Each phase and every reimbursable gets billed as soon as it's due.
A forecast that sees the gap
Know months ahead when cash will dip, and plan for it calmly.
Plus the everyday books, handled
The rest of the monthly work, done for you, so you can get back to your projects.
A heads-up: I don't file income tax returns. I keep your books clean and ready for your year-end accountant, which usually makes that bill smaller.
- Monthly bookkeeping
- Reconciled books every month, in QuickBooks Online or Xero.
- Accounts payable
- Consultants and suppliers get paid on schedule, without you chasing bills.
- Payroll
- Biweekly payroll for your team, done right.
- GST filing
- Monthly or quarterly GST, filed for you.
- Financial reporting
- Monthly reports you'll actually read, explained in plain words.
Straight answers, no surprises
After your intro call you'll get a clear estimate for your firm, based on what you actually need.
Bookkeeping starts at
$275/month
Most small architecture firms pay
$575–$900/month
Your price depends on whether you need payroll, invoicing and accounts payable.
From practices like yours
Meeting with someone who I knew not only had a handle on finances in general — but also understood the architecture industry that I worked in gave me confidence that I was getting sound practical advice.
Harmik is a wonderful accountant to support any design practice with exceptional understanding of our unique businesses.
Harmik was always non judgmental at the terrible state of our accounts and was always a calm voice of reason when I was freaking out!
The most helpful was the setup of cash flow forecasting which enabled me to forecast once a week or two and then forget about the money and focus on the projects.
After we hired Blue Skies Accounting we had a much clearer picture of our financials. This enabled us to make better decisions regarding cash flow and hiring staff.
Laura Killam Architecture
MA+HG Architects
Re Studio Architecture
Atmospheric Perspectives
Architecture firms I’ve worked with.
Same accountant, every time
I've been a CPA since 2014, with 10+ years in accounting. Blue Skies is a team of one, so you'll always work with me, never a rotating junior.
Some accountants only speak accountant. That's not me. I'll explain your numbers in plain language and help you plan with confidence.
More about me →Getting started is simple
Free 10-minute intro call
Tell me how your firm runs and what's not working. No pressure, no jargon.
Setup
We connect your bank, cards and software, and agree on what you need: books, payroll, invoicing, forecasting.
Every month
Upload receipts to a shared folder. I reconcile everything, send your reports and walk you through what they mean.
Good questions
Do you do my taxes?
I don't file income tax returns. I keep your books year-end ready for your accountant, and I can file your GST.
What software do you use?
Mostly QuickBooks Online. I also work with Xero and Kashoo, and connect tools like Harvest, Stripe and PayPal.
Do we need to meet in person?
No. I'm based in Vancouver and work 100% remotely with firms across BC: Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley, Campbell River and beyond.
My books are a mess. Is that a problem?
Not at all, and there's no judgment. On the intro call we'll look at where things stand and what it takes to get them in shape.
How quickly will I hear back?
Within one business day.
Do you only work with architects?
Architecture firms are most of my clients. I also work with creative agencies, photographers and people running a business on their own. If that's you, the homepage shows how I can help.
Let's get your books working for your practice
Book a free 10-minute intro call. No pressure, no jargon. Just a quick chat about how your firm runs.
I don’t file personal tax returns
I do bookkeeping, planning and advice for small businesses, so a personal tax return isn’t something I can help with. A CPA firm that prepares personal taxes will be a better fit.
If you also run a business and want help with its books, I’d love to hear about it.
I work with businesses in BC
Right now I only take on businesses based in British Columbia. If you’re moving here soon, or not sure if you count, send me a message and I’ll let you know.
Pick a time
10-minute intro call with Harmik · Pacific Time
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Let’s find a time by email
The calendar isn’t available right now. Send me a message, or email harmik@blueskiesaccounting.com, and I’ll reply within one business day with a few times that work.
