Seminar 1- Foundations of Financial Clarity

Wednesday, February 18th

3.00 PM - 5.00 PM (PST)

Online via Zoom

Seminar Overview:

 Keeping your finances organized doesn’t have to be daunting! In this practical session, we’ll explore how artists can manage their cash flow, stay on top of expenses, and meet CRA requirements—all without needing an accounting degree. 

 Whether you’re just starting to organize your finances or looking to streamline your accounting process, this session will give you practical and low to no cost tools and strategies to take control of your books with confidence.  

What You'll Learn:

• How to use spreadsheets effectively as low- to no-cost tools for tracking income, expenses, and cash flow.
• Best practices for maintaining records that align with CRA requirements.
• Tips for organizing invoices, receipts, and financial statements in a way that makes tax time stress-free.
• For artists ready to take their bookkeeping to the next level, we’ll also discuss a few popular accounting software options.

About the Instructor - Gillian Cofsky, Make It Count 

  Gillian is a former dancer and fitness instructor turned bookkeeping and tax specialist. 

She leads Make It Count, helping artists, creative entrepreneurs, and community organizations build financial literacy and strong systems that empower their work. 

With extensive experience in nonprofit accounting, arts administration, and community projects, she brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to finance. Based on a family farm in the Cowichan Valley, she is passionate about alternative economic models, social justice, and supporting projects that make a meaningful impact. 

 "Gillian made me feel empowered to handle the part of starting a business that I found most daunting and was there to provide answers, assistance and encouragement through every step of the way.” 

Wednesday, February 25

3.00 PM - 5.00 PM (PDT)

Online via Zoom

Seminar Overview:

 Keeping your finances organized doesn’t have to be daunting! In this practical session, we’ll explore how artists can manage their cash flow, stay on top of expenses, and meet CRA requirements—all without needing an accounting degree. 

 Whether you’re just starting to organize your finances or looking to streamline your accounting process, this session will give you practical tools and strategies to take control of your books with confidence. 

What You'll Learn:

• How to estimate and plan for income tax payments throughout the year.
• Which documents to gather for your accountant—or for self-filing—to make the process smooth and accurate.
• How to handle T4As received from gallery sales, including step-by-step guidance on what to do when you receive one.
• All about charitable donation and tax credits—how in-kind donations work and what records to keep and how the tax credit is calculated and applied to your income tax return. 

About the Instructor - Gillian Cofsky, Make It Count 

Gillian is a former dancer and fitness instructor turned bookkeeping and tax specialist. 

She leads Make It Count, helping artists, creative entrepreneurs, and community organizations build financial literacy and strong systems that empower their work. 

With extensive experience in nonprofit accounting, arts administration, and community projects, she brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to finance. Based on a family farm in the Cowichan Valley, she is passionate about alternative economic models, social justice, and supporting projects that make a meaningful impact. 

 "Gillian made me feel empowered to handle the part of starting a business that I found most daunting and was there to provide answers, assistance and encouragement through every step of the way.”