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Signal Operations Inc./Navigating The Numbers
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a photo of the ocea with a buoy. Captioned "Navigating the numbers, A Signal Operations Online Course"
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Navigating The Numbers

This course will help creative entrepreneurs and freelancers set up their accounting processes, understand their profit, and know exactly what to sell and when in order to take the stress out of their numbers - and be ready for tax season.
Buy now

Avoid Rough Seas with Your Finances

Achieve greater financial confidence in your business

You're likely here because you've been running your business on your own for a while or maybe you're just starting your business.

I'm willing to speculate that you're feeling like your finances don't add up or they are just overwhelming. Or maybe you just don't know where to start. This is completely normal.

Most of my clients come to me when they are right where you are. Lost, confused, and needing some direction.  

Chances are that you're running your business with receipts in an envelope or shoebox, overpaying for an accountant at tax time to tell you how much you owe without explaining why, and in general not seeing how to keep more money in your pocket.

I know that you might not be able to afford a bookkeeper so I made this course to show you how to navigate your numbers without having to have detailed bookkeeper-level knowledge.
 
When you understand your business finances it allows you to grow your business smarter, understand where money is being wasted, and keep a handle on pesky taxes (which I know is giving you nightmares!).
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The Foundation Matters

Why Navigating Your Numbers is Important

I've been helping business owners with their finances for over a decade. It all comes back to how the foundation of their business has been set up.

Many people will say the foundation is one or two things, but it's actually a mix of you, your books, and your business.

You are the face of your business and why people work with you.

Your Books establish the financial backing for your profit, how and when to hire support, how to plan marketing efforts, and utlimately how you pay yourself.

Your Business is the rest of it. It's your team, your products or services, and what people buy. 

When we put this all together, that's where the signals start to shine. The foundation is built and the metaphorical lighthouse in our business is ready to look out at the buoys guiding the way for us. 

Testimonials

I make it easy for you.

[Erika's] also a wealth of knowledge as I have so many accounting questions which she happily answers. I am so grateful for having Erika in my corner to guide me as my business scales and grows.

Maria

Before working with Erika I had NO idea about anything that was happening financially. [Now] I have a clear picture of my finances and am able to look ahead and set realistic goals - and also see where I have room to spend, or where I need to scale back.

Mandi

The decision to have Signal help us with more than just bookkeeping was easy! Erika has gone above and beyond on more than one occasion to help me with my business and break things down for me to understand

Dan

  • $325 or 2 monthly payments of $175

Navigating The Numbers

  • Course
  • 53 Lessons

This course will help creative entrepreneurs and freelancers set up their accounting processes, understand their profit, and know exactly what to sell and when in order to take the stress out of their numbers - and be ready for tax season.
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Course Waypoints

You, Your Business, and Your Books

Dockside Welcome - Start Here

Dockside Welcome and Overview
Bank Accounts
Why Xero and Why Hubdoc?
How to Reach The Waypoints
Getting Started Survey

Getting The Life Jackets

Setup and Tools
Integrating Bank Feeds, Hubdoc, and Other Tools
Goal Mindset
Goal Setting
Waypoint 1

Keeping in Sight of the Shore

Categories and Measuring What Matters
Report Setup for Taxes and Review
Waypoint 2

Paying the Harbour Authority

An Intro to Sales Tax
GST/HST Reports
A Note on PST/RST/QST
Waypoint 3
Time to Book A Call!
Book Call Number One Here

Making Headway

Mindset Reset on Spreadsheets
Introduction to Revenue and Profit Calculator
The Product Mix
Revenue and Expenses
The Breakeven - How much do you need to sell?
Waypoint 4

Staying Afloat

Introduction to Cashflow
Expenses
Revenue
Understanding the Tool
Waypoint 5

Casting the Net

Getting Caught Up
Revenue Import
Expense Catch Up
Bank Reconciliation
Importing and Understanding Cashflow
Waypoint 6
Time for a Second Check-In!
Time For A Second Check-In

The Signal Beacons

Finding the Signals
Staying on Course
When To Hire Support
Waypoint 7

Getting to the Lighthouse

The Lighthouse
Future Support
Lighthouse Survey

The Maps

Bonus Videos
Profit and Loss
Balance Sheet
Statement of Cashflows
Sales Tax Report
Account Transactions
How to Pay Yourself
Home Office Expenses

All Hands On Deck

Real-time support, real-life processes

Bonuses

Unique Course Points

Two Check in Calls

We will get together twice while you're working through the course to review how you've set up your systems and review your profit and cashflow calculators. It will also be a time to chat about business and any other questions you might have. 
Consider them laser-coaching sessions!

Taxes

A comprehensive review on Sales Taxes, when to register, how to collect sales taxes, and how to remit them. 

A regular discussion point with entrepreneurs is knowing how much to save for taxes. We have a whole section on sales taxes and setting up reports to know how much to save for tax. 

PLUS: My quick hack to know how much to save annually in three minutes or less.

Easy Compliance and Reporting

Compliance is pretty boring to almost everyone. I get it. So, I show you how to make sure you're easily compliant with what needs to get reported. 

When it comes to tax time, your taxes will basically do themselves and save you hundreds of dollars in accountant fees or time filing. 

Plus, if you're ever audited, you'll be ready to go and be able to get through it without being left high and dry with your numbers. 

Erika Dowell, CEO Signal Operations Inc.

A Dockside Welcome

Overview of Navigating the Numbers

Frequently asked questions

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.

How Long Does This Course Take?

Students have taken about two months to complete everything, including meetings, setting up software and integrations, and using the calculators.

Who is this course for?

Generally, it's the best fit for creative businesses in Canada. We cover everything from setting up your accounting software all the way to when to hire support. 

Due to the nature of most creative businesses (agencies, coaches, digital-based), we don't cover inventory or brick-and-mortar type discussions. 

That said, this will probably get you off on the right foot regardless of your business type.

Which Accounting Software will we use?

We will only be using Xero and Hubdoc in the lessons. Of course, you can choose whichever is best for you, but we have found that Xero is the best accounting software for businesses. 

We walk through how to migrate from any system that you're currently using so don't worry about that!

You can read more about why here:

What are 'Waypoints'

Our brand is pretty focused on light and the symbolic nature of lights. We're also using nautical themes. 

Waypoints - or Buoys - help guide people through the water. Naturally, that symbolic light fits easily into this course.

Terms of Use and Privacy

You can find our legal jargon here:

Privacy
Terms of Use

Simply put, we care about your privacy and don't share anything. We won't collect sensitive data unless we have been properly engaged in bookkeeping, accounting, or tax services. 

We don't issue refunds, typically. Feel free to email help@signaloperations.com if you would like to discuss the course in more detail.

Instructor

About me

Erika Dowell, CEO of Signal Operations Inc.

Erika is a business owner first; accountant and bookkeeper second. 

She shares with her clients and students over a decade of experience in bookkeeping, accounting, business operations, and business coaching.

Taking the jargon out of bookkeeping, she keeps it easy to understand for business owners while educating them along their entrepreneurial journey.

Erika is a Silver Xero Partner and recently was chosen by Xero as their East Coast Regional Ambassador; where she helps them with internal support. 

She’s also a Hubdoc Partner and Wagepoint Partner and Ambassador. 

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