Greater Toronto Area, Ontario — Serving Canadian Businesses

Let's Make Your
Business Work
Smarter.

Senior financial leadership — without the full-time cost. Fractional CFO services, tax planning, and financial consulting tailored for ambitious small businesses and entrepreneurs.

12+Years Experience
CPA, CADesignation
CPA, CAChartered Accountant
About

Meet Spencer Russell,
CPA, CA

Spencer is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster University. With over 11 years deeply embedded in the Hamilton business community, Spencer brings a trusted, senior-level perspective to every client relationship.

This wealth of experience allows Spencer to derive clever solutions to both common and complex financial problems — no matter the root cause. He is passionate about small businesses and helping entrepreneurs reach their full potential.

Whether you need fractional CFO leadership, strategic financial planning, or expert tax filing for your small business or sole proprietorship, Spencer delivers senior-level expertise at a price point that makes sense.

Chartered Professional Accountant — CPA, CA
Honours B.Comm — McMaster University
11+ years serving Hamilton & surrounding communities
Specialist in small business & sole proprietor taxation
What We Offer

Three ways to make your
business work smarter.

We focus on three things and we do them exceptionally well. Whether you need a financial thought partner, guidance through a major transaction, or a tax strategy that actually saves you money — this is where it starts.

01
Fractional CFO

Your strategic finance partner — without the full-time price tag.

Think of us as your CFO on call. You get all the strategic insight, financial leadership, and big-picture thinking of a seasoned executive — just without the six-figure salary and overhead that usually come with it. We integrate directly with your team and grow alongside you.

What this looks like in practice
Cash Flow ManagementKnow exactly where your money is, where it's going, and how long your runway really is.
Financial Modeling & ForecastingScenario planning so you can make confident decisions — not gut-feel ones.
KPI DashboardsThe right numbers, visible at a glance. No more spreadsheet archaeology.
Investor & Lender PrepPolished financials and the story behind them, ready when it counts most.
Leadership SupportA thought partner on the call when big decisions need a financial lens.

Built for growing businesses at an inflection point — you've outgrown your bookkeeper, but a full-time CFO isn't the right move yet. We fill that gap, typically meeting weekly or bi-weekly and embedding directly into how your team operates.

02
Business Transactions

Buying, selling, or raising? We've been here before.

Whether you're acquiring a competitor, selling the business you've spent years building, or bringing in outside capital, the financial side can get overwhelming fast. We help you navigate it with confidence — and make sure the numbers actually back up the deal.

Where we add the most value
Buy-Side AdvisoryWe dig into the target's financials so you know exactly what you're getting — and what you're not.
Sell-Side PreparationWe get your financials clean, your story straight, and your business positioned to command the best price.
Business ValuationHonest, grounded valuations — not the number you want to hear, but the one you can defend.
Due Diligence SupportWe manage the financial data room, handle buyer questions, and keep the process moving.
Capital RaisesFrom private debt and working capital loans to equity investment, we help you structure the right ask and put it in front of the right people.

Most owners only go through a transaction once or twice in their lives. We've been through dozens. That experience means we catch problems early, coach you through the process, and keep you from leaving money on the table.

03
Tax Planning & Filing

Taxes done right — and a year early, not a day late.

Great tax work isn't about scrambling in April. It's about making smart decisions throughout the year so that when filing time comes, you're not writing a bigger cheque than you have to. We do both — proactive planning and accurate filing, always with an eye on the bigger picture.

Where we make a difference
Year-Round Tax StrategyTiming income, structuring expenses, and making decisions that reduce your bill — before it's too late to act.
Entity Structure ReviewAre you set up as the right type of business? The answer can save you thousands annually.
Business & Personal ReturnsWe handle both, because for most owners the two are deeply connected.
Estimated Quarterly TaxesNo surprises. We keep you on track so you're never caught off guard.

We work best with clients who want a real relationship with their tax advisor — someone who knows their business, not just their return. When your CFO and your tax team are the same people, the strategies align and nothing falls through the cracks.

Client Testimonials

What clients are saying.

"Spencer joined our team in a fractional capacity to help with short term immediate needs around our financial reporting. His knowledge and experience in SaaS business models allowed him to quickly get to the source of reporting issues we were experiencing. He worked on an aggressive deadline to resolve the issues and provide the clarity we needed. Professional, detailed and easy to work with."

MA
Michelle A.

"The Clever difference is the combination of highly effective, affordable and efficient routine accounting with thoughtful, forward-looking and intelligent strategy and advisory services. Spencer and his team are diligent and creative and deliver top-notch service with a personal touch."

AD
Adrian D.

"Spencer & team have been the best addition to my business. When I took the leap to incorporate, he was so helpful, proactive and warm at every step of the way. Even during some missteps from my previous team, he went above and beyond getting everything sorted — and keeping me calm throughout. Not that anyone looks forward to tax season, but I do knowing I'll be in good hands."

SQ
Samantha Q.

"Spencer and his team have been a huge help over the past few years with accounting and tax filing for my sole-proprietorship. So organized, responsive, and efficient — they've made tax season easy for my business year after year. There have been so many unexpected things involved in running my business that Clever has helped me navigate."

EP
Erin P.

"The folks at Clever live up to the name. Their experienced counsel helped me set up my business on many fronts and did so in a way that helped me understand a world I'm not versed in. They are thorough in their explanations — it's obvious they seek to educate along the way, without making one feel stupid. All my peers I've recommended Clever to have only amazing things to report back."

RM
Rony M.

"Accountants were always either too expensive or very unresponsive — they would never explain things or be there when I needed them. Spencer and his team are the best. Always one email or call away and always willing to help. If you have a small business like me, they are your best choice."

AH
Alae H.

"I love working with Clever! They are incredibly knowledgeable and have helped us through tax season multiple times. Spencer is really great at hearing my concerns and helps make financial plans that make sense for my business and family. Can't recommend Clever enough."

JD
Jennie D.

"Spencer and his team do a wonderful job managing tax planning and services for my companies and our family's personal tax matters. I'd highly recommend them to those looking for tax services for their business."

JC
Jade C.
Contact

Ready to get
Clever?

Let's talk about where your business is today and where you want it to go. Reach out for a no-obligation conversation.

Email
Location Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada

✓   Message sent! Spencer will be in touch soon.