# Kosh vs an Accountant: Who Does What for Your Taxes? > Kosh vs a CPA or tax preparer in Canada: what each does, when you need a professional, and how an AI CFO can make your accountant's job faster. Source: https://trykosh.com/compare/kosh-vs-accountant Compare - Kosh and an accountant # Kosh vs an accountant or tax preparer An accountant prepares and files returns, handles CRA reviews and gives professional judgement. Kosh watches your money all year and plans your tax before it's due. Here's an honest split of who does what. Checked October 31, 2026Written by Kosh, so read with that in mind On this page[In short](#in-short)[Side by side](#side-by-side)[Two different jobs](#two-jobs)[When you need an accountant](#when-you-need-one)[When Kosh and software may be enough](#when-kosh-is-enough)[What Kosh does that an accountant usually doesn't](#what-kosh-does)[How to use both](#use-both)[FAQs](#faq) **In short** - An accountant, such as a CPA, files your return, can deal with the CRA on your behalf when authorized, and gives judgement on complex situations. Kosh does none of that. - Kosh works all year from your statements: it sorts spending, finds leaks, estimates your federal and provincial tax and plans RRSP, TFSA and FHSA contributions. - If you have a salary, some investment income and an RRSP, Kosh plus certified tax software may cover your year. If you run a business, are incorporated, own rental property or get a CRA review, see an accountant. - Accountants' fees vary by person and complexity. Kosh Pro is CA$19 a month or CA$179 a year. ## Side by side Kosh An accountant What it is An AI CFO: software A professional, often a CPA When it works All year Mostly at filing time, or when something goes wrong Files your return No Yes Deals with the CRA for you No Yes, once you authorize them Corporate returns and bookkeeping No Yes Spending, leaks, budgets Yes Rarely part of the engagement Tax planning during the year Yes, from your real numbers Yes, if you book it Cost Starter free; Pro CA$19 a month or CA$179 a year, with a 7-day free trial Varies by accountant and complexity ## Two different jobs An accountant brings training, professional standards and judgement about how the CRA reads a situation. When you authorize them, they can deal with the CRA on your behalf, which matters when a review letter arrives. Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) are the main accounting designation in Canada; other tax preparers range from seasonal storefront services to specialists. Kosh is an [AI CFO](/learn/what-is-an-ai-cfo). It reads the statements you upload and keeps working on your money through the year: where it goes, what leaks, what your tax looks like and what to do before December 31. It doesn't file returns, deal with the CRA or sign anything. ## When you need an accountant - **You're incorporated** or thinking about it. Corporate returns, salary-vs-dividend decisions and bookkeeping are accountant territory. See [high-income professionals](/for/high-income-professionals). - **You're self-employed with real expenses,** GST/HST registration or a home office. See [self-employed taxes in Canada](/learn/self-employed-taxes-canada). - **You own rental property,** sold a property that wasn't your principal residence, or have foreign income or assets. - **You got a CRA review or reassessment** you don't understand. - **Someone died** and a final return or estate return is needed. ## When Kosh and software may be enough If your income is a T4 salary, maybe some interest or capital gains, plus RRSP, TFSA or FHSA contributions, certified tax software usually handles the return, and the CRA's Auto-fill my return brings in your slips. Kosh adds the planning: what to contribute, what you'll owe or get back, and reminders. See [how to file taxes in Canada](/learn/how-to-file-taxes-in-canada). People with a modest income and a simple situation may be able to use a free tax clinic. ## What Kosh does that an accountant usually doesn't - **Works all year,** not just in March and April. - **Finds leaks:** card interest, bank fees, forgotten subscriptions. An accountant rarely reads your card statements. - **Plans before December 31:** FHSA contributions, donations, tax-loss selling and RRSP room, with the tax saving shown. - **Answers with your numbers,** any time, in chat. ## How to use both 1. **Through the year, let Kosh keep the picture.** Upload statements as they arrive. 2. **Before year end, act on the plan.** Contributions and donations that need to happen by December 31. 3. **At tax time, hand over a clean summary.** Less sorting for your accountant often means less billable time. 4. **When something unusual happens, call the accountant.** Kosh is for the routine; the accountant is for the exceptions. [Free tool**Income tax calculator**Work out your 2026 federal and provincial income tax, CPP and EI, and what you keep, in any province or territory. Add self-employment income, capital gains and RRSP contributions to see how each one changes the bill.](/tools/income-tax-calculator)[Free tool**Capital gains tax calculator**Enter what you sold something for, what you paid and your other income to see the tax on the gain in your province. Half of a capital gain is taxable.](/tools/capital-gains-tax-calculator)[Free tool**RRSP tax refund calculator**Find out how much tax an RRSP contribution saves you this year, and what it really costs once the refund comes back.](/tools/rrsp-calculator) **Where Kosh fits** Kosh isn't an accountant and doesn't file returns or deal with the CRA. It's an AI CFO that works from your statements, never asks for bank logins, can't move money and earns only from subscriptions. ## Free tools to try first [Free tool**Income tax calculator**Work out your 2026 federal and provincial income tax, CPP and EI, and what you keep, in any province or territory. Add self-employment income, capital gains and RRSP contributions to see how each one changes the bill.](/tools/income-tax-calculator)[Free tool**Capital gains tax calculator**Enter what you sold something for, what you paid and your other income to see the tax on the gain in your province. Half of a capital gain is taxable.](/tools/capital-gains-tax-calculator)[Free tool**RRSP tax refund calculator**Find out how much tax an RRSP contribution saves you this year, and what it really costs once the refund comes back.](/tools/rrsp-calculator) ## Frequently asked questions Do I need an accountant to file taxes in Canada? Many people don't. If your income is mainly a salary with some investment income, CRA-certified tax software is often enough. An accountant is worth it if you are incorporated, self-employed with real expenses, own rental property, have foreign income or get a CRA review. Can Kosh replace my accountant? Not for filing, CRA reviews, corporate returns or bookkeeping. Kosh handles the year-round work of tracking money, finding leaks and planning tax, and can give your accountant a clean summary. Does Kosh deal with the CRA for me? No. Kosh does not file returns or communicate with the CRA. An accountant you authorize can deal with the CRA on your behalf. How much does an accountant cost for personal taxes? It varies by accountant, city and how complex your return is. Ask for a quote up front and what is included before you share documents. Is it worth using both Kosh and an accountant? Often, yes. Kosh keeps your finances organized all year and plans moves before December 31, so you bring a clean summary to your accountant instead of a folder of statements. ## Sources - [CRA: Certified tax software for filing online (NETFILE)](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/digital-services-individuals/netfile-overview/certified-software-netfile-program.html) - [CRA: Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (free tax clinics)](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/community-volunteer-income-tax-program.html) - [CRA: Represent a Client](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/represent-a-client.html) - [CPA Canada](https://www.cpacanada.ca/) Descriptions and prices of other products come from their public websites as of October 31, 2026 and may have changed since. Kosh is our product. Product names belong to their owners. Kosh is an educational financial planning tool by Primedepth Labs. It is not registered with any Canadian securities regulator as an adviser or dealer, does not recommend specific securities, and does not hold your money or execute trades. Tax figures are estimates; confirm with the CRA or a qualified professional before acting. Investing carries risk. ## See what Kosh finds in your statements. Upload one bank or card statement. Kosh maps your money, estimates your tax and shows the one thing to fix first. It never asks for bank logins and can't move money. [Start free](/signup?via=compare-kosh-vs-accountant)