FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Detailed answers to common questions about MyCPACRM — pricing (USD & CAD), US and Canadian tax filing coverage, compliance (PIPEDA, CCPA, GLBA), integrations, e-signatures, and how we compare to other practice management platforms.

About MyCPACRM

What is MyCPACRM?

MyCPACRM is a CPA CRM and practice management software for accounting firms across the US and Canada. It manages clients, tracks every major filing type — IRS (1040, 1120, 1120S, 1065, Schedule C, 1099, W-2, multi-state sales tax) and CRA (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, GST/HST, Payroll, WSIB, EHT, MRQ, OBR) — automates email and SMS reminders, includes built-in e-signatures, and provides a branded client portal, all from one platform.

Who is MyCPACRM for?

CPA firms, Enrolled Agents, and accounting practices in the US and Canada — solo practitioners (50–200 clients) through small firms (2–10 staff, 200–750 clients) to multi-office mid-size firms (3–25 staff, up to 1,500 clients). Multi-state US firms and multi-province Canadian firms are supported via custom service definitions. Cross-border firms can manage IRS and CRA work side-by-side from one platform.

Does MyCPACRM work for both US and Canadian firms?

Yes. MyCPACRM is a single platform built for both jurisdictions. US firms get IRS filing tracking, multi-state sales tax, USD billing, and privacy practices aligned with CCPA / GLBA / IRS Publication 4557. Canadian firms get CRA filing tracking, provincial filings (WSIB, EHT, MRQ, OBR), CAD billing, and PIPEDA-compliant practices. Cross-border firms manage both jurisdictions from one system.

When was MyCPACRM founded?

MyCPACRM was founded in 2025 by Gagan Kambo. The product vision was shaped by 50+ in-depth interviews with practicing CPAs and Enrolled Agents in Ontario, BC, Alberta, Quebec, and across the US, who described recurring problems with single-jurisdiction tools, generic CRMs requiring extensive customization, and ad-hoc spreadsheet systems.

Does MyCPACRM file tax returns to the IRS or CRA directly?

No. MyCPACRM is a practice management platform — it manages workflow, client communications, deadlines, document collection, and e-signatures around tax preparation. The actual tax return is prepared and filed through dedicated tax-prep software (US: Drake, ProSeries, Lacerte, UltraTax, Intuit ProConnect; Canada: ProFile, TaxCycle, CCH iFirm). MyCPACRM works alongside your existing tax-prep tool.

Pricing & Plans

How much does MyCPACRM cost?

MyCPACRM has three flat-rate plans in CAD with annual billing: Solo at $59/month (1 user, up to 500 clients), Team at $99/month (up to 3 users, up to 1,000 clients), and Team Plus at $149/month (up to 5 users, up to 1,500 clients). Monthly billing is also available at $75, $119, and $179 respectively. All plans include every feature; plans differ only on user count and client capacity. Enterprise pricing for firms with 5+ users is available on request.

Are there per-user or per-client charges?

No. Every plan is a flat monthly rate with a generous user and client allowance included. There are no per-client or per-filing charges. The only usage-based pricing is overage SMS — every plan includes 200 SMS/month, additional SMS is $0.03/SMS pay-as-you-go.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. A fully functional trial environment is available with seeded sample data so you can explore MyCPACRM without setting up your own clients first. Sign up at mycpacrm.com/demo.html or request via the demo page. Trial converts to a paid plan when you're ready, and your data persists through the conversion.

Can I upgrade or downgrade between plans?

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade at any time. Pro-rated billing applies. There are no contracts or cancellation fees on monthly billing. Annual plans are pre-paid with optional pro-rated refund on downgrade.

Tax Filing Coverage

What Canadian tax filing types does MyCPACRM track?

T1 (personal income tax with instalments), T2 (corporate — CCPC, public, professional corporation variants), T3 (trust), T4/T4A (payroll, contractor remittance), T5 (investment income reporting), GST/HST (monthly, quarterly, or annual filing frequency), Payroll Remittance, WSIB (Ontario), EHT, MRQ (Quebec), OBR / Provincial Corporate Annual Returns (Ontario, BC, Alberta, etc.). Custom filing types can be added for firm-specific services.

How are CRA filing deadlines calculated?

Deadlines auto-calculate from each client's year-end date and filing frequency, following CRA's actual rules — not approximations. Example: T2 corporate filings are due 6 months after year-end; balance owing is due 2 months after year-end (3 months for CCPCs claiming the small business deduction). MyCPACRM tracks both deadlines separately for the same filing.

Does MyCPACRM handle T1 personal tax season?

Yes. The T1 Tracker module is purpose-built for personal tax season — separate workflow board, deadline-driven prioritization, family group linkage, T183 e-signature integration, document collection per spouse and dependent, instalment tracking, and CRA Represent a Client status. Designed for the volume and pace of T1 season.

Can I add custom filing types for my firm's specific services?

Yes. Custom filing types support configurable deadline rules, reminder schedules, and required documents. Examples: business plan reviews, CFO advisory engagements, audit preparation, R&D tax credit claims. Treated identically to built-in filing types in the workflow.

Are GST/HST quarterly and annual filings supported?

Yes. MyCPACRM auto-determines the appropriate GST/HST filing frequency based on revenue threshold (annual for under $1.5M, quarterly for $1.5M-$6M, monthly for over $6M) and tracks deadlines accordingly. Instalments tracked separately. Quebec QST also supported.

Filing Workflow Engine

What is the Filing Workflow Engine?

It is an optional, built-in engine that turns any filing into a guided set of steps your team works through. Each filing can have phases, steps, subtasks, checklists, priorities, comments, and time tracking, so everyone can see exactly what is done, what is next, and who owns it. You build the steps once as a template per filing type, then they apply to every matching filing automatically.

Can workflow steps depend on each other and block the next step?

Yes. Any step can wait on one or more earlier steps, using AND logic (all prerequisites done) or Any logic (at least one done), and a dependency can be hard (truly blocking) or soft (a warning only). A step that is still waiting shows as blocked, so staff do not start work out of order. This keeps every filing moving in the correct sequence without anyone tracking it by hand.

How does the workflow engine calculate step deadlines?

Each step gets a smart due date from an anchor you choose: a set number of days before the filing deadline, a number of days after a prerequisite step finishes, a fixed calendar date, a not-before date, or a bounded range. Dates are business-day aware and respect your firm's office holidays, so a deadline never lands on a weekend or a closed day. If the filing deadline or an earlier step shifts, the dependent step dates recompute automatically.

Does it handle waiting on the client and recurring follow-ups?

Yes. A step can be marked as waiting on client, which pauses its SLA clock so the delay is not counted against your team. You can also set recurring follow-up steps that repeat on a schedule until the client responds, and a step can require a specific document before it is allowed to be completed. This stops filings from stalling silently while you wait on missing information.

Can I add separate review and approval steps?

Yes. Review and approval are separate gates, and each can be assigned to a named person or to a role, so the right reviewer and the right approver sign off in order. The engine also supports escalation when a step is overdue, plus comments and time tracking on each step. This gives partner sign-off and quality control without leaving the filing.

Is the Filing Workflow Engine on by default?

No. It is fully opt-in and off by default, so firms that just want simple deadline tracking are not affected. When you turn it on, you control everything: build templates per filing type, version them and apply updates to open filings, and make per-filing overrides when a single client needs something different. You can adopt it for one filing type first and expand later.

Compliance & Security

Is MyCPACRM PIPEDA compliant?

Yes — by design, not as an add-on. MyCPACRM stores all data in Canadian data centers; no data is transferred to non-Canadian jurisdictions for processing. Privacy policy generator built in. Data export and deletion tools available to clients on request. Audit log captures all data access. PIPEDA compliance is foundational to the product, not a feature toggle.

Are reminders and emails CASL-compliant?

Yes. Every outbound email and SMS includes the three CASL requirements: clear sender identification, sender mailing address, and a functional unsubscribe mechanism. Bulk sends respect consent flags on each client record. The system enforces compliance automatically — penalties for CASL violations can reach $10M per business, and MyCPACRM is built to prevent that.

How does MyCPACRM handle data security?

TLS 1.3 encryption in transit, AES-256 encryption at rest. Multi-factor authentication available for users. Role-based access control with granular permissions. Field-level encryption for sensitive data (SIN, banking details). Tenant isolation enforced at every database query — multi-tenant architecture prevents cross-firm data exposure. Daily automated backups with 30-day retention.

Where is data stored and processed?

Microsoft Azure regions with regional redundancy and encrypted backups. Canadian tenants can elect Canadian Azure regions for PIPEDA-aligned data residency; US tenants can elect US Azure regions for IRS Publication 4557 alignment. Stripe payments processed via Stripe's regional infrastructure (USD via US, CAD via Canada).

Onboarding & Migration

How long does onboarding take?

Most firms are operational within 1-2 hours. Bulk client import from CSV takes 5-10 minutes. Filing generation for the current tax year takes another 5 minutes. Email/calendar integrations are OAuth-based and connect in 60 seconds each. Detailed firm-specific customization (templates, reminder schedules, office holidays) typically takes 30-60 minutes.

How do I import existing clients from spreadsheets?

Use the CSV bulk import. Download the template (linked from the import page), fill in your client data, upload, review the field mapping preview, and confirm. Most firms import 100-500 clients in 5-10 minutes. Error rows surface with specific guidance for fixing them — no all-or-nothing import failures.

Can I migrate from TaxDome, Karbon, or Jetpack Workflow?

Yes. We provide migration assistance — typically 1-2 hours of pair-work to map your existing data into MyCPACRM's structure. Export client data from your current tool as CSV, share it with our team, and we help with the field mapping. Migration support is included for all plans.

What setup do I need to do before going live?

Setup wizard guides you through: (1) firm profile and branding, (2) email/calendar integration via OAuth, (3) client import from CSV, (4) tax year filing generation, (5) reminder template review, (6) team user invitation. Each step is independent — you can defer any of them and configure later. Setup wizard takes 30-60 minutes total for a well-prepared firm.

Integrations

What email tools does MyCPACRM integrate with?

Microsoft Outlook 365 (OAuth) and any IMAP/SMTP-compatible email service offer full two-way sync — emails sent from MyCPACRM appear in your sent folder, and incoming emails route to the appropriate client thread. Gmail and Google Workspace are supported for sending. Templates with merge fields supported. Bulk email sending with CASL compliance enforcement.

Does MyCPACRM integrate with QuickBooks or Xero?

Yes — QuickBooks Online and Xero, both as one-way import (client data, basic financial info). Two-way sync (writing back to QuickBooks/Xero from MyCPACRM) is on the roadmap. For now, MyCPACRM complements your bookkeeping software rather than replacing it — we manage the practice, you keep using your bookkeeping tool of choice.

Does MyCPACRM integrate with calendar tools?

Yes. Two-way sync with Google Calendar and Microsoft 365 Calendar. Appointments scheduled in either system appear in the other automatically. Client booking pages let clients pick their own slots from your team's available times. Office holidays support. Timezone-aware (per-firm timezone setting).

Where can I store documents?

MyCPACRM's default document storage is AWS S3 (Canadian region). You can also sync documents to your existing Microsoft OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive, or Google Workspace — useful if your firm has standardized on one of those platforms. Documents are linked to specific clients, filings, or signature requests in either case.

Client Portal & Communications

What is the MyCPACRM client portal?

A secure, branded web portal where your clients can upload documents, check the status of their tax filings, send messages to your firm, book appointments, view invoices, and pay invoices via Stripe (CAD). The portal is branded with your firm's name and logo — clients see your firm, not MyCPACRM. Reduces inbound phone calls and emails by 50-70% according to firm interviews.

Is the client portal branded with my firm's name?

Yes. Your firm name and logo appear throughout the portal. With a custom subdomain (e.g., portal.yourfirm.com), the portal lives on your domain — clients see your brand exclusively.

Can clients pay invoices through the portal?

Yes. Stripe integration powers invoice payment in USD (US firms) or CAD (Canadian firms). Clients can pay by credit card, ACH (US), or pre-authorized debit (Canada). Funds settle directly to your firm's bank account through Stripe's regional infrastructure. No separate payment processor required.

Can MyCPACRM send SMS reminders to clients?

Yes. SMS reminders sent via Twilio backbone with Canadian carrier delivery. Every plan includes 200 SMS/month at no extra cost. Additional SMS is $0.03 per message, pay-as-you-go. Each client's communication preferences (email, SMS, both, or none) configurable individually. CASL-compliant — every SMS includes sender identification and opt-out instructions.

E-Signatures

Are e-signatures legally valid in Canada?

Yes. MyCPACRM's e-signatures comply with PIPEDA and the provincial Electronic Commerce Act equivalents (Ontario, BC, Alberta, Quebec, etc.). Audit trails capture signer identity, timestamp, IP address, and document version. CRA accepts e-signed T183 (electronic filing authorization) and T1013/AUT-01 (CRA representative authorization).

Does MyCPACRM support T183 and T1013 e-signatures?

Yes — both are first-class supported workflows. The system pre-fills fields from your client record, sends the document for e-signature, captures the signed copy, and stores it on the client's filing. Status tracking shows when the form was sent, viewed, and signed.

Is e-signature included in the price?

Yes. Every plan (Solo $59, Team $99, Team Plus $149) includes unlimited e-signatures. No per-document or per-envelope fees. No third-party DocuSign or HelloSign add-on required — e-signature is built directly into MyCPACRM.

Comparison & Differentiation

How does MyCPACRM compare to TaxDome, Karbon, or Jetpack Workflow?

Those tools are US-only. They don't natively understand Canadian filings (T2, GST/HST, T1, WSIB, or provincial filings) and bill in USD only. MyCPACRM is built ground-up for both jurisdictions: USD or CAD pricing per firm, IRS and CRA filing types supported natively, privacy frameworks aligned with both PIPEDA (Canada) and CCPA / GLBA / IRS Pub 4557 (US). Cross-border firms manage both sides from one system.

How does MyCPACRM compare to Salesforce or HubSpot?

Generic CRMs are designed for sales pipelines and require months of customization to fit a CPA firm's workflow. They have no built-in concept of IRS or CRA deadlines, 1040 vs 1120 distinctions, T2 vs T1 distinctions, GST/HST or sales-tax cycles, or accounting-firm compliance requirements. MyCPACRM works out-of-the-box for North-American CPA practice — every entity type, filing rule, and deadline is built in, with no custom field engineering required.

What does MyCPACRM NOT do?

MyCPACRM does not file tax returns to the IRS or CRA directly — that's your tax-prep software (US: Drake, ProSeries, Lacerte, UltraTax, Intuit ProConnect; Canada: ProFile, TaxCycle, CCH iFirm). Does not provide bookkeeping (integrates with QuickBooks/Xero rather than replacing them). Does not replace your accounting software — we connect to it. This focused scope is what lets us deliver a tight, well-fitting product for CPA firms across the US and Canada.

Support & Training

What support is available?

Email support at info@mycpacrm.com (typically under 4 business hours response). Demo and walkthrough booking. In-app support chat. Knowledge base in development. Solo plan includes email support; Team and Team Plus include priority email plus phone support.

Where can I get a demo?

Three options. (1) Watch the 7-minute product walkthrough video at mycpacrm.com/demo.html. (2) Book a 15-minute personalized walkthrough call where we configure the system around your firm's specific setup — book via the same demo page. (3) Sign up for a free trial with seeded sample data and explore directly.

How can I contact MyCPACRM?

Email: info@mycpacrm.com. Demo booking: mycpacrm.com/demo.html. General inquiries: mycpacrm.com/contact.html. We respond to all inquiries within 1 business day during business hours.

Question not answered here?

Book a 15-minute walkthrough or send a quick email — we respond personally within one business day.