WHO STRATUS IS...
Stratus Designs Ltd. is a BC-based Controls & Automation contractor that’s all about creating smart, energy-efficient buildings.
Since launching in 2018, they’ve been delivering top-notch services—from planning and design to installation and operation of building management systems. Their tech-forward, innovative approach helps clients optimize their building's performance and energy use.
We've seen how their commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology sets them apart and drives their success.
Stratus Designs isn’t just designing buildings—they’re shaping the future of intelligent, sustainable spaces.
CHALLENGES FACED
Admin Challenges
We helped cut down Eric’s admin time with:
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When Eric learned we use Xero, it sealed the deal.
“We looked at different software solutions and Xero was one I’d seen…we'd already put it to the top of the list of the software that we wanted to use.”
With our team expertly trained in the software, Eric felt confident signing onto our monthly services of bookkeeping, payroll and tax filing.
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Switching his accounting to Reach CPA was seamless.
With a lot to keep track of under his business’s finance function, Eric wasn’t sure if the onboarding process would disrupt his workflow.
“We've got projects with staff and equipment and materials to track and integrate into our accounting software.”
He soon found there was nothing to worry about.
“They make the onboarding as smooth as possible”, says Eric.
Getting set up as a new client was easy and non-disruptive. When we got his firm up-and-running with Xero, the improvements to efficiency were pretty immediate.
“It’s been nice working with them to figure out really efficient workflows that don’t need much of my time…like categorization of expenses, automating, making things smoother.”
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To cut down on manual admin and save Eric time, we introduced:
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An automated feed of transactions in Xero
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A digital portal to upload receipts and invoices
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Smart categorization of expenses
Xero’s smart integrations were so powerful that Eric didn’t need to have any in-house admin support.
"They make the onboarding as smooth as possible."
SUCCESSES
Reclaim Your Time, Outsource Your Accounting
Outsourcing to Reach CPA gave Eric the freedom to focus on what matters most in his Controls & Automation business
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He was having to spend a lot of his time managing the financial admin. Eric felt like he was juggling more than he could manage.
“I'm an engineer, that's not remotely my expertise,” he says.
“I’d never really dealt with running a business, the accounting and everything.”
His company was working with an accountant at the time. However, their traditional style and paper-based accounting wasn’t the most efficient fit with Eric’s tech-forward, remote business.
If he could find a CPA aligned with his way of working, he knew he’d be able to make financial processes more efficient, cut down admin and free up his time to focus on what matters.
Making the Switch
Making the switch to Reach CPA was smooth and hassle-free
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After being referred by his friend, Eric had an intro chat with Fabien.
“It’s always nice to get that trusted introduction”, he remembers.
In the call, Eric quickly felt like Reach CPA was a good fit to streamline his financial processes.
He learned about our way of working, which aligned with his own:
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Embracing technology and innovation
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Streamlining systems for efficiency
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Fully digital, remote working
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Belief in improving work-life balance
Greater Peace of Mind
More peace of mind, more time to focus on growing the business
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“Everything’s just ticking along in the background”, he says. “I don't want to have to be the person that goes through every expense, every month and goes, More‘This is overhead, this is travel’. They've been able to do that.”
The time Eric used to categorize transactions could now be spent looking at what he wanted to achieve in the business.
“We don’t have ambitions to be a massive, huge company”, he admits. “We ideally want to make enough money and live a balanced life.”
So that’s been a win: the fact I don't have to spend too much of my time on these things and it’s a smooth, efficient workflow.”
Shareholders
Advising Eric on bringing in shareholders without tax headaches
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As the business grows, Eric and his co-founder have been navigating how to give other members of the company a small percentage of shared ownership.
“As a small business, the value of the company is a really important factor to us,” he says.
One wrong move could have unwanted tax consequences.
Expert advice from the Reach CPA team gave Eric peace of mind that he and his team won’t incur unexpected taxes.
“There are tricky tax questions and Fabien’s been really helpful giving us advice. [We’ve been able] to plan appropriately for the ownership of the company and get advice so someone doesn’t get a surprise tax bill.”
When new tax situations or regulations crop up, Eric feels confident knowing he can go to Fabien to understand exactly how his business will be impacted.
We are committed to YOUR success.
Stratus Projects
GOALS
Business Growth
As Stratus Designs grows, Eric knows our training will save him hours
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The plan for Stratus over the next year is to slowly expand and hire an admin assistant.
Eric doesn’t have to worry about spending weeks of his time training a new staff member in how the accounting works. We’ve got it covered.
Our pre-accounting course will teach them:
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How to digitally capture receipts and expenses
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How to use Xero to see the profitability of each project
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How to safeguard financial data from hackers
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Best practices used by established engineering firms
Our team is also ready to answer any queries they have along the way. We’re trained up on Eric’s finances, so we’ll help the new admin assistant get up to speed.
“They can actually ask Reach questions about our operations and be able to learn from them”, he says.
It frees up days or weeks of training time, which Eric can instead spend on profitable activities or spending more time with family.
We are committed to YOUR success.
ERIC'S ADVICE
Outsource your accounting early and streamline your business
​Having worked with Reach for four years, Eric has advice for other small business owners:
“It’s easy to put your head down and get the work done, but it’s so worth investing a little bit extra to make the process smoother and more efficient later.”
Four years since he started working with Reach CPA, Eric says “it’s been years of it being so smooth and it’s easier on me, easier on us.”
He also mentions the importance of having a CPA’s reassurance when running your business: “You don't have a lot of reassurance up front except for from your accountant. It's nice having someone we can trust for advice on all that kind of stuff.”
