Tools of the trade: Helpful tech for SMBs

Written By James Kisielew

8 December 2025
Advice
Business Financing
Canada
Finance
Techonology

PLANNING TOOLS

Starting a new year strong means having a clear picture of your finances and the right systems to keep things organized. For small business owners, planning ahead can feel overwhelming but the right tools make it easier to stay on top of cash flow, invoicing, and budgeting without hiring a full-time accountant. Here are three we think are worth a look.

Wave: Simple accounting and invoicing

Wave is a free, user-friendly accounting platform designed for small businesses. It helps you manage invoices, track expenses, and keep your books in order without complicated setups or steep learning curves. With features like automated reminders and easy payment options, Wave makes it simple to stay organized and get paid faster.

Use case ideas:

  • Send professional invoices to clients.
  • Track expenses for tax season.
  • Monitor income and payments in one dashboard.

Float: Visual cash flow forecasting

Float is all about clarity. It connects to your accounting software and creates visual cash flow projections so you can see what is coming in and going out weeks or months ahead. This helps you plan for seasonal dips, big purchases, or growth opportunities without guesswork.

Use case ideas:

  • Forecast cash flow for the next quarter.
  • Identify potential shortfalls before they happen.
  • Plan for hiring or equipment upgrades.

QuickBooks: All-in-One Financial Management

QuickBooks is a powerhouse for small businesses that need more than basic accounting. It offers budgeting, reporting, payroll, and tax tools in one platform, making it ideal for businesses ready to scale. With customizable dashboards and integrations, QuickBooks gives you a complete view of your financial health.

Use case ideas:

  • Create detailed budgets for 2026.
  • Run reports to track profitability by project.
  • Automate payroll and tax filings.

DESIGN TOOLS

Small business owners wear a lot of hats. Marketing shouldn’t have to be the one that takes the most time or breaks the budget. Whether you’re building your brand from scratch or just trying to keep up on social media, there are tools that make content creation simpler and more polished without needing a designer or editor on staff.

Here are two we think are worth a look.

Canva: Your all-in-one design tool

Canva is a browser-based design platform that helps you create everything from flyers and menus to Instagram posts and business cards. It’s built for non-designers, so you don’t need to start from scratch or know the difference between kerning and contrast.

With drag-and-drop templates, brand kits, and free stock images, you can quickly create consistent, professional-looking content even if you’re short on time.

Use case ideas:

  • Promote a seasonal sale with Instagram Stories
  • Design takeout menus or signage
  • Create print flyers for your neighbourhood

CapCut: Make videos fast

CapCut is a free video editing app made for speed and simplicity. It works on desktop and mobile and is ideal for creating short-form video content for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.

It offers templates, audio libraries, text overlays, and automatic captions, making it easy to create polished video content without expensive software or advanced skills.

Use case ideas:

  • Introduce your staff or show a behind-the-scenes look
  • Announce a promotion with text overlays and music
  • Repurpose customer reviews into quick highlight videos