Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Brad is a QuickBooks Elite ProAdvisor and provides QuickBooks consulting services remotely (or on-site if required) to small- to medium-sized for-profit enterprises across Canada. He supports all Canadian versions of Intuit QuickBooks.
QuickBooks Online Consulting
Brad Celmainis Accounting Solutions is a QuickBooks Advanced Online ProAdvisor supporting Canada’s most popular cloud-based accounting software, QuickBooks Online (“QBO”). Brad provides setup, training, conversions, and general support services for all versions of QBO.
Why does Brad recommend QBO for your business?
Access from anywhere
With QuickBooks Online, your books aren’t tied to a single computer. You can log in from your laptop, phone, or tablet—whether you’re at home, in the office, or travelling. This is especially useful if you’re juggling operations across locations or working remotely. Gone are the days when you require the services of IT professionals to gain access to your data via VPN or Remote Access.
Real-time financial visibility
Cloud accounting updates automatically as transactions happen. That means:
- You always see your business’s current cash flow.
- Financial reports are up to date
- You can make faster, better decisions instead of relying on last month’s numbers
Collaboration
Your accountant or bookkeeper can access your books at the same time as you—no emailing files back and forth. This makes working with other professionals smoother and reduces errors from version mismatches.
Automation
QuickBooks Online automates a lot of repetitive tasks:
- Bank feeds can be set up to import transactions automatically
- Recurring invoices and expenses can be scheduled
- Expense categorization can be automated
- Third-party apps can solve pain points specific to your business
Less manual entry = fewer mistakes and more time to work ON your business (not IN your business).
Integration
Cloud platforms integrate with many apps (such as payment, payroll, inventory, CRM, industry-specific apps and many more). This creates a more streamlined system tailored to your business, rather than isolated tools that don’t talk to each other.
Security and backups
It may feel counterintuitive, but cloud systems are often more secure than desktop setups:
- Data is encrypted
- Automatic backups reduce the risk of loss (QuickBooks Online Advanced only)
- No need to worry about computer crashes and data corruption
Scalability
As your business grows, you don’t need to switch systems. You can upgrade features, add users, or integrate more tools without rebuilding your accounting setup.
Simplified tax and year-end preparation
By granting access to your books to your accountant:
- They can quickly pull reports to complete your year-end engagement
- Track GST/HST in real time
- Reduce last-minute scrambling at tax time
Cost of ownership
Instead of a large upfront purchase, QuickBooks Online uses a subscription model.
- Keeps initial costs lower (Intuit offers deep discounts up to one year from initial sign-up)
- Includes updates automatically
- Avoids paying for major version upgrades
The trade-offs
- Requires a reliable internet connection
- Monthly subscription fees can add up over time (however, many legacy platforms are also subscription-based)
- Less customizable than some desktop systems (but workflows can be customized using third-party apps)
Bottom line
For most small businesses, cloud accounting, especially QuickBooks Online, offers better visibility, less administration, and easier collaboration, which directly translates into smarter decisions and cost savings.
Brad provides setup, training, conversion and general support services for all versions of QBO, including third-party apps.
QuickBooks Desktop Consulting
QuickBooks Desktop is still widely used—especially by businesses that prefer a locally installed, more traditional accounting system. This often appeals to companies with more complex needs or those who want deeper control over their data and workflows. Brad supports all versions of QuickBooks Desktop.
Advantages of QuickBooks Desktop include:
Stronger feature depth (especially for accounting-heavy businesses)
QuickBooks Desktop typically offers more advanced tools than its online counterpart—things like detailed inventory tracking, job costing, and industry-specific editions (contractors, manufacturers, etc.). If your business relies on granular financial tracking, this matters.
Faster performance for some company files
Better customization in reports
QuickBooks Desktop gives you greater control over how reports are built and how forms (like invoices or purchase orders) look. You can tailor things much more precisely compared to many cloud solutions.
One-time purchase option (in some versions)
Unlike subscription-heavy software, certain QuickBooks Desktop versions (such as older Pro/Premier editions) were available as one-time purchases. That can be attractive if you want predictable costs—though newer versions have moved to a subscription model. The most advanced version of QuickBooks Desktop (“Enterprise”) has always followed a subscription model starting at around $500/month.
Complex inventory and job costing
If you deal with assemblies, bills of materials, or detailed project costing, QuickBooks Desktop handles these tasks more robustly than QuickBooks Online does on its own. However, many third-party apps integrate with QuickBooks Online and offer inventory management functionality that meets or exceeds what QuickBooks Desktop offers.
Offline access and local data control
You don’t need an internet connection to work, and your data stays on your own system. That’s a big plus for businesses concerned about cloud dependency or data privacy.
As an Intuit Certified Desktop ProAdvisor, Brad supports all QuickBooks Desktop (“QBDT” – Pro/Premier) versions, including the powerhouse of desktop small-business accounting software, QuickBooks Enterprise (“QBES”).
If you want to convert from QBDT/QBES to QBO, you’ve come to the right place. Brad has 10+ years of experience converting both QBDT and QBES files to QBO.
Contact Brad:
