You’ve worked hard to build your business. Let’s connect your company and personal finances, make retained earnings work harder, and plan for your family’s future.
Incorporation brings new opportunities to coordinate your personal income, corporate savings, and long-term goals. We help you understand salary and dividends, tax considerations, and how to make retained earnings work harder for you, alongside your accountant.
A closer look
The opportunity is real: income you do not need personally can stay in the corporation and grow at that low rate. The risk is real too: without a plan, owners overpay themselves, miss the right salary and dividend mix, and leave cash sitting idle.
The right choice depends on your income, family, and goals. We’ll look at your whole picture, not just one account.
Should I pay myself a salary or dividends?
Salary builds RRSP contribution room and can contribute to CPP, the Canada Pension Plan. Dividends do not create RRSP room or CPP contributions. Total personal and corporate tax, cash needs, and retirement goals all matter when choosing a mix.
A closer look
We compare the options with your accountant. The right approach can change as your income, business, and retirement plans evolve.
The right choice depends on your income, family, and goals. We’ll look at your whole picture, not just one account.
What should I do with the cash building up in my corporation?
Cash left in the corporation after you pay yourself is called retained earnings, and it belongs to the company, not you. Taking it all out personally triggers a large tax bill. Leaving it in a chequing account earns almost nothing. The middle path is investing it inside the corporation and withdrawing it later, in a planned way.
A closer look
Corporate investment income is taxed differently from active business income. We consider passive-income rules, liquidity needs, and withdrawal planning before recommending a strategy.
The right choice depends on your income, family, and goals. We’ll look at your whole picture, not just one account.
What's the passive income threshold and does it affect me?
Passive investment income can reduce access to the small business deduction. Rules depend on the corporation and associated companies. We coordinate investment and tax decisions with your accountant before choosing a strategy.
A closer look
Interest, rent, and some investment gains are not taxed like active business income. We review the rules that apply to your corporation, rather than treating retained earnings as personal savings.
The right choice depends on your income, family, and goals. We’ll look at your whole picture, not just one account.
Can my corporation fund my retirement?
Your corporation can be part of your retirement plan. Corporate investments, an Individual Pension Plan where suitable, and other strategies each have different rules, costs, and benefits. We compare them around your circumstances.
The right choice depends on your income, family, and goals. We’ll look at your whole picture, not just one account.
What happens to the business if something happens to me?
Succession planning helps protect your business for your family and partners. Strategies like key person insurance and funded buy-sell agreements provide the stability and clarity needed to protect your professional legacy.
A closer look
An agreement with no funding behind it is a promise your partners may not be able to keep. We write the plan with your lawyer, fund it with the right cover, and review it as the company's value changes.
The right choice depends on your income, family, and goals. We’ll look at your whole picture, not just one account.
How do I sell without losing a large share to tax?
A sale of qualifying small business corporation shares may qualify for the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption. Ownership and asset tests apply, so preparation with your accountant and lawyer should begin well before a sale.
The right choice depends on your income, family, and goals. We’ll look at your whole picture, not just one account.
We learn about your financial habits, your goals, and what matters most to you.
Start with a complimentary conversation
02
Solutions Meeting
We handcraft a personalized financial plan, with clear recommendations and strategies.
Understand your options and next steps
03
Wealth And Maintenance
We implement your plan and stay connected as your work, family, and priorities change.
Keep your plan moving with your life
Real people. Real experiences.
Confidence starts with trust.
5.0 · 100 Google reviews
“HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! I've been working with Athena Financial for a few years now and the shape of my finances has never been better. Ken and his team are knowledgeable, responsive, and easy to partner with. As a beginner investor back when I started, I felt I had a lot to learn but Ken was great about breaking down concepts to make things easy to understand.”
Jessica Tam
“Ken and his team is AMAZING !! I been working with them since 2019 and it's still going . Very easy team of people to work with and very responsive to my questions . I highly recommend them !!”
Christina Ng
“Ken always goes above and beyond to help you get your money invested the right way. Amazing experience as 5 year client.”
I have an accountant. Why do I also need a financial advisor?+
While your accountant manages your historical filings, we focus on your future: optimizing pay mixes, corporate investments, and insurance. We work alongside your accountant to ensure every part of your financial life is working together.
Do I need to be incorporated to work with you?+
No. We work with sole proprietors and partnerships too, and deciding whether to incorporate is one of the most common questions we answer. Once the numbers show incorporation would help, we plan the transition with your accountant.
Do you work with businesses outside Vancouver?+
Yes. We are licensed in British Columbia and Ontario, and most meetings happen by video call. Owners in Burnaby, Surrey, Toronto and smaller centres get the same process as owners two blocks from our office.
What happens in the complimentary assessment?+
We spend 20 minutes understanding your business’s financial health and your current compensation strategy. Your advisor can provide insight on your finances, offered at no charge to you.
Is my corporate information kept private?+
Yes. Everything you share is confidential, and we do not contact your staff, partners or customers. If you introduce us to your accountant or lawyer, we only discuss what you have agreed to share.
