How to Start a Consulting Business in Ontario

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Basics to Getting Started
3. Regulations
4. Taxation
5. Financing
6. Managing Your Operation
7. Associations
8. Next Steps

1. Introduction

A consultant is a professional who provides advice and specialized knowledge to clients. While no industry is exclusive to consultants, many consulting businesses focus on a specific industry or area of expertise.

As a consultant, your clients will be relying on your experience and recommendations. You may also be asked to provide services related to your area of expertise such as training sessions or project implementation. Be clear about the services that you will offer, and make sure you are knowledgeable about the industry you will be working in.

Note: If you are working exclusively for one organization, contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for a ruling on whether you are legally considered an employee or a self-employed individual.

Contact CRA:
1-800-595-5525
RC4110    Employee or Self-employed?  

2. Basics to Getting Started

Before starting a business in Ontario, there are several issues to consider, such as regulations, financing, and taxation. Read our start-up guide to learn the basics.

Read online:
Business Start-Up Guide

3. Regulations

Your business may need licences and permits from the federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government.

In addition to the information you will find in this guide, you can use BizPaL—an online search tool—to find licences and regulations that may affect your business. You can also contact the Business Info Line to speak to someone about starting your business.

Use online:
BizPaL

Contact the Business Info Line:
1-888-745-8888

If you have legal questions, contact a lawyer who deals with business regulations. The Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service may be able to assist you in finding a lawyer, based on your needs.

Contact the Law Society of Upper Canada:
1-800-268-8326
Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service  

4. Taxation

Depending on your location and the type of products or services being offered, federal, provincial and/or municipal business taxes may apply.

Read online:
Taxation Guide  

If you sell goods and services in Ontario, you may need a business number to charge and remit the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Speak with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for more information.

Contact CRA:
1-800-959-5525
Canada Revenue Agency – Business

5. Financing

There are many different ways to finance your business. Canada Business can help you find government financing that is available for starting a business.

Search online:
Find Government Grants, Loans and Financing

Contact the Business Info Line:
1-888-745-8888

6. Managing Your Operation

The success of any business starts by setting goals and managing the ups and downs of daily operations. Here are some key factors to consider when starting a consulting business:

Insurance

Having the correct business insurance can provide peace of mind. Contact an insurance agent to discuss your business insurance options, or to develop a plan that is right for your business.

You may also wish to contact your local chamber of commerce or industry association, as some organizations offer members lower rates on their business insurance.

The following list is included to remind you not to overlook the complex areas of business insurance. It is best, however, to discuss your specific requirements with your insurance agent.

Basic insurance:

• Fire insurance (extended coverage on buildings and contents)
• Liability insurance
• Burglary protection (theft coverage)
• Dishonesty insurance (covers thefts by employees)

Read online:
Insurance for your Small Business

Marketing/Advertising

Marketing can help you determine the value of your product or service and communicate that information to customers. Depending on your market and its size, you can consider using flyers, business cards, brochures, newspapers, radio, TV, the phone book or the Internet. Keep in mind, a satisfied customer or a positive referral is often the best form of advertising.

Read online:  
Developing a Marketing Plan 
Marketing and Sales

When preparing your marketing and/or advertising material, there are regulations to follow. When you promote a product or service, your customers need to have enough information to make informed choices. You can get more information on advertising requirements from the Competition Bureau.

Contact the Competition Bureau:
1-800-348-5358 
Misleading Advertising and Labelling  

Professional Services

The use of business support services can be essential to the success of a small business. Professionals can provide knowledge and expertise or they can round out your management team to ensure your business is operating efficiently. As an entrepreneur, there are several types of professional business services you can consult:

• Lawyers
• Real estate agents
• Insurance brokers
• Bookkeepers
• Accountants

Choosing a Location

For most businesses, choosing an appropriate location is critical. Your ideal location will depend on your business needs, zoning restrictions, and where your customers and competitors are. Taxes, noise and the local business environment are also important factors to consider when reviewing your options.

As a consultant, you may consider setting up a home-based business. Make sure you know what regulations and restrictions will apply to a home-based business before you start.

Read online:
Home-Based Business
Choosing and setting up a location

Negotiations 

Negotiating is part of doing business. You negotiate with suppliers, distributors and customers. Good negotiations can lead to prosperity, while bad negotiations can damage your business profitability. Before you start your business you may want to learn about negotiating.

Read online:
Negotiations

Contracts

A contract is a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties. Your contracts will vary based on the nature and the complexity of your projects. They can help you outline the terms of payment, ensure understanding of the project and protect you in case of disagreements. When dealing with legal documents like contracts, you may also want to speak with a qualified lawyer for advice.

Read online:
Contracts

Procurement (Selling to Governments)

The federal, provincial and municipal governments can be important clients for your consulting business. To find government procurement opportunities, you can search the electronic tendering services online through MERX.

Use online:
MERX – Electronic Tendering

Read online:
The Procurement Process 
Government Procurement Guide  

Writing a Proposal

Whether you are responding to a call for proposals from the public, the private or the non-profit sector, there will be selection procedures to follow. These procedures will vary from one organization to the next, so gather all the required information before submitting your proposal. You may also consider getting help from professionals, such as accountants or lawyers.

Read online:
How to prepare a bid

Setting the Right Price

Setting the right price can help ensure the success of your business. Here are a few questions you may want to consider:

• What is the current price for your range of services in the industry?
• What is your competition charging?
• What is the total cost of running your business?
• What is the minimum acceptable profit you need to generate from your business?

When determining your fees, make sure you include the cost of your labour, the overhead, and the expenses that will be incurred. In the end, the right price for the service is the price that the consumer is willing to pay. Correct pricing decisions are often key to successful business management.

Read online:
Pricing

7. Associations

There are many associations that may be of interest to a consulting business. It is not necessary to join an association, but some of the advantages include:

• Promoting and exchanging marketing and promotional ideas among members
• Establishing and encouraging high standards of quality and professionalism

Examples of associations for a consulting business include:

• Association of Independent Consultants (AIC)
  The AIC connects you with educational networking meetings and workshops, opportunities and assignments with other companies, and online articles. You can also network with other consultants using their online discussion board and searchable database.
  
  Contact AIC:
  416-410-8163
  Association of Independent Consultants
   
• Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) 
  You can join more than 100,000 owners of small and medium-sized businesses, distributed across all industry sectors and all regions of Canada, who are members of the CFIB. Advocacy is based on the strong feedback from members, and the organization has a high profile in government, business and among the general public.
  
  Contact CFIB:
  1 888-234-2232 
  Canadian Federation of Independent Business  

8. Next steps

For more information that relates to starting your business, you can read the following guides:  

• Business Planning
• Market Research and Statistics
• Starting Your Business
• Grants and Financing
• Taxation Guide
• Employment Regulations Guide: Hiring

Additional resources that may be of interest to consultants include:

• Running a mobile business

You can also find books, magazines and other relevant print material at business service organizations in your community. To locate a Canada Business Ontario (CBO) community partner, contact us through the Business Info Line at 1-888-745-8888.

Need more information?

Click: Canada Business
Call: The Business Info Line, a collaboration between ServiceOntario and Industry Canada, at 1-888-745-8888
Visit: Find a Community Partner Location near you

DISCLAIMERS

Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.