Keep daily trading and booked functions distinct
Point-of-sale reports explain sales, refunds, tender types and amounts collected for staff. Event records add contracts, revised guest counts, advance payments and final invoices. We can track these activities separately while reconciling them to the same operating bank account.
A clear cut-off captures supplier invoices that arrive after the event and credits for returned rentals or shortages. Otherwise, a function can look profitable before all of its costs reach the books.
Retain the evidence behind staff and service charges
Approved hours and payroll summaries support labour allocations without replacing employee-level records. Voluntary tips and amounts added to a bill require careful distinction. CRA treats a freely given tip differently from a service charge added to the customer bill for GST/HST purposes.
Illustrative example: one kitchen, two revenue streams
A Victoria café hosts a private evening gathering after normal trading. Staff code the event food order, equipment rental and approved hours to that booking. Its direct contribution can then be reviewed separately from the café day, helping the owner price the next private booking more realistically.
Make the cash calendar part of event preparation
Deposits may arrive well before suppliers and staff must be paid. We can show each event's remaining collections beside its committed costs, with a separate tax review where needed. Health, liquor, venue and municipal approvals remain matters for the appropriate authorities; bookkeeping retains related financial records.
Questions about this work
Can café and event results appear separately?
Yes, when sales and direct costs use consistent department or event references.
Are all tips treated the same way?
No. The actual payment arrangement needs review for sales-tax and payroll treatment.
Put this into practice
Sources and current guidance
A practical next step
Bring the records you have.
We can identify missing information, agree on the scope and organize the next bookkeeping step.
Request a bookkeeping review