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Retainer-Based Pricing

Predictable investment
Proportional to your needs

ClearVu operates on a retainer model aligned to client size, complexity, and the level of financial leadership required. No hourly billing. No surprise invoices.

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How Pricing Works

Retainers are scoped, not standardized

ClearVu does not bill by the hour. Retainers create predictability for the client and allow the firm to maintain a consistent monthly operating rhythm. Four variables determine the appropriate retainer level.

Accounting volume & complexity

Monthly transaction volume, number of accounts, entity structure, and reconciliation complexity.

Reporting depth required

Whether the engagement includes management statements, dashboards, variance analysis, and cash-flow forecasting.

CFO involvement level

The degree of strategic advisory, planning, capital support, and forward-looking financial leadership needed.

Entities, systems & stakeholders

Number of legal entities, accounting systems in use, and external parties (lenders, investors, auditors) to coordinate with.

Service Tiers

Three tiers. One integrated model.

The following tiers describe the scope of work. Actual retainer fees are determined after a short assessment of your specific requirements.

Tier 1

Essential

Accurate, compliant accounting for businesses that need a clean, reliable finance function without additional complexity.
Typical use case

Startups and early-stage SMEs with straightforward operations that have outgrown DIY bookkeeping.

  • Core bookkeeping and reconciliations
  • Accounts payable and receivable support
  • Payroll coordination
  • GST / HST / QST filings
  • Month-end close
  • Accountant-ready year-end packages
Discuss Requirements
Tier 2

Growth

Consistent reporting, analysis, and cash-flow visibility — for companies that need more than compliant books.
Typical use case

Growth-stage companies, multi-location operations, or businesses with inventory, projects, or departmental reporting needs.

  • Everything in Tier 1
  • Monthly financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow)
  • Budget vs. actual analysis
  • Rolling cash-flow forecasts
  • Working capital review
  • KPI dashboards
  • Margin and cost analysis
  • Management reporting with narrative commentary
Discuss Requirements
Tier 3

Strategic

Senior-level financial leadership and forward-looking guidance for businesses navigating growth, financing, or strategic decisions.

Companies preparing for financing, scaling, or managing increased financial complexity where CFO judgment is required.

  • Everything in Tiers 1 & 2
  • Long-term forecasting
  • Scenario analysis and financial modeling
  • Pricing and profitability strategy
  • Capital raising support (decks, data rooms, lender packages)
  • Banking and covenant oversight
  • M&A readiness and due diligence preparation
  • Strategic planning sessions
  • Internal control design
Discuss Requirements

On pricing transparency: Retainer fees are not published because they are directly tied to scope — not to broad categories. A Tier 2 engagement for a 5-person professional services firm looks different from one serving a 50-person multi-entity manufacturer. The assessment process ensures the retainer is proportional to actual requirements, avoiding over- or under-scoping from the start.

Onboarding

Starting from a clean foundation

Onboarding is scoped separately when historical cleanup, system changes, or reporting redesign is required. This work ensures that the monthly cycle begins with accurate data and properly structured processes.

Without a reliable starting point, downstream reporting and forecasting will reflect underlying data problems rather than actual business performance. Onboarding is not optional when the books are disorganized.

The scope and cost of onboarding depends on the state of existing records, the accounting system in use, and the complexity of the entity structure. It is assessed during the initial conversation.

Onboarding typically includes

  • Accounting system setup

    Chart of accounts design, system configuration, and integration with payroll, banking, and reporting tools.

  • Historical bookkeeping catch-up

    Remediation of disorganized or incomplete records, going back as far as required to establish a clean baseline.

  • Opening balance validation

    Reconciliation of opening balances to ensure the monthly cycle begins with numbers you can rely on.

  • Reporting framework design

    Templates and cadence designed around the client's operational reporting needs and leadership preferences.

Getting a Quote

A short assessment, not a sales process

Since pricing is tied directly to complexity rather than broad categories, the process begins with a brief review of your current situation.

1

Initial inquiry

Submit a short contact form or email with a brief description of your organization's primary finance need and current situation.

2

Short discovery call

A 30-minute conversation to understand monthly transaction volume, entity structure, reporting expectations, forecasting needs, existing systems, and data quality.

3

Scope and retainer proposal

A clear proposal outlining the scope of work, tier placement, onboarding requirements (if any), and the monthly retainer aligned to actual complexity.

4

Engagement start

Upon agreement, onboarding is scheduled and the monthly operating rhythm begins. Most engagements are fully operational within 30 days.

Common Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most

 

Why a retainer rather than hourly billing?
Hourly billing creates misaligned incentives and unpredictable costs for the client. A retainer allows ClearVu to plan capacity properly and deliver work on a consistent monthly rhythm without the administrative overhead of tracking time. Both parties benefit from the predictability.
What if my needs change over time?
Retainers are reviewed periodically and adjusted when scope materially changes — for example, if a company adds a new entity, begins a capital raise, or significantly scales transaction volume. The intent is proportionality, not lock-in.
Do you replace our existing accountant or tax advisor?
No. ClearVu coordinates with external tax and audit firms rather than replacing them. The firm prepares accountant-ready year-end packages and manages the information flow to external advisors, reducing the burden on both the client and the external firm.
How long does onboarding take?
Onboarding timelines depend on the state of existing records and system complexity. For companies with reasonably organized books, two to four weeks is typical. For companies with historical cleanup requirements, the timeline is longer and scoped specifically during the initial assessment.
Do you work with businesses outside Quebec?
Yes. ClearVu operates on a remote-first model and serves clients across Canada. Primary markets are Quebec and Ontario, though the firm has the capacity to support clients in other provinces and Canadian subsidiaries of international parent companies.

Ready to discuss your requirements?

The conversation begins with a short assessment of your current finance environment. No obligation — just a direct discussion about whether ClearVu is the right fit.

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