Review one Business at a time. Confirm the selected workspace, finish its exception list and produce a separate package before moving to the next Business. A consolidated owner view can help with planning, but it is not a substitute for separate books and evidence.

This workflow supports organization only. SilaTrail does not combine legal entities, decide accounting treatment or prepare a tax filing.

Begin with a visible scope check

Before opening any transaction, verify the Business name and review period. Then list the accounts, receipt sources and open items that belong to that Business. Close unrelated browser tabs or exports so documents from another workspace are not attached by mistake.

If another person is helping, confirm that their membership is limited to the Businesses and permissions they actually need. Revoked or expired access should not remain part of the review process.

Use a repeatable review order

A stable order reduces context switching:

1. Reconcile the Business’s statement rows and payment accounts.

2. Match expenses to receipts or other supporting documents.

3. Review owner-paid items and repayments.

4. Check income and invoice payments for duplication.

5. Review trips, contractors and recurring records.

6. Resolve missing evidence and document remaining questions.

7. Export or share only this Business’s package.

Finish and label the period before selecting the next Business. If a record is discovered in the wrong workspace, use a controlled correction process that preserves the source evidence and review history.

Keep totals and exports separate

A combined dashboard can answer an owner-level question, but reviewers still need Business-specific totals. Give each export the Business name, period and creation date. Never send one mixed folder and expect an accountant to infer ownership from supplier names or bank descriptors.

The CRA says to keep separate records for each business and requires records to be reliable, complete and supported by documents. Electronic records must also remain accessible and readable. That makes scope labels, source links and export boundaries part of a practical control—not just housekeeping.

Finish with an isolation check

Before leaving the workspace, verify:

• no attachment belongs to another Business;
• no total includes another Business’s transactions;
• shared suppliers were matched using invoice details and purpose;
• unresolved items identify the correct owner; and
• the package can be understood without opening another Business.

Frequently asked questions

Can I review all Businesses from one dashboard?

You may use an overview for planning, but complete the underlying review and evidence checks separately for each Business.

Should an accountant receive access to every Business?

No. Grant only the Business scope and permission level needed for the engagement, and revoke access when it is no longer required.

What if I switch Businesses mid-review?

Pause, verify the workspace name and re-open the intended checklist. Do not rely on browser history or memory to determine the active scope.

Continue the workflow

Explore SilaTrail’s multiple-business workspace, month-end review and accountant-ready records.

For current requirements, see the CRA’s Business records and electronic record responsibilities.