JCO JCO SEC Registered Philippines
EST. 2021
It's official · Now registered in Canada

Steady books. Clear decisions.

Bookkeeping · Tax Compliance · Accounting · Documentation

Philippines·Canada
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It's official. As of October 27, 2026, JCO Bookkeeping Firm is a registered business in Canada — CRA-registered with a GST/HST account, based in Milton, Ontario. Same promise as always: free learning for everyone, and books you can trust.

JCO
JCO Bookkeeping FirmPHILIPPINES · CANADA
The announcement film

Watch: It's Official 🎬

The moment, on film: JCO Bookkeeping Firm is now a registered business in Canada — CRA-registered with a GST/HST account, effective October 27, 2026 · Milton, Ontario. An announcement from founder Jeremy Ortega.

It's Official JCO Bookkeeping Firm · Registered in Canada · October 27, 2026
It's Official — JCO Bookkeeping Firm is now registered in Canada (announcement film)

Every JCO film premieres on our YouTube channel first — this player streams it from there.

Coming soon · From the JCO family

Meet Tambayan —
the social network that doesn't sell you.

We're building a place to hang out online — your barkada, your community, your tambayan. No data selling. No shady algorithms. Just people, honestly connected. Because we don't just want to toil and earn… we want to live.

🔒

Your data stays yours

We don't sell it. We don't even peek at it. We're bookkeepers — we respect a closed ledger.

🧠

An algorithm with nothing to hide

Every post shows you why you're seeing it. Imagine that — a feed that shows its work.

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Communities for your real communities

Barkadas, parent groups, study buddies, fan clubs — your people, your space, your rules.

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Reactions beyond "like"

Because sometimes a post deserves more than a thumbs-up and less than a whole comment.

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Starter packs

New here? One tap follows a whole bundle of great people. No more shouting into the void.

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Honest ads, shared rewards

Promoted posts are labeled, never disguised — and a cut of ad revenue goes back to you.

"You've spent years balancing the books. Now it's time to balance life. Work funds the living — don't confuse the two. We don't just toil and earn. We live."

Our story

A Philippine beginning.
A Canadian home.

JCO Bookkeeping Firm started in the Philippines in 2021 with one belief: every business deserves organized, dependable financial records. Now that foundation is crossing an ocean.

2021

JCO begins. The firm starts in the Philippines, focused on bookkeeping, tax compliance, accounting, and documentation.

Roots

Local communities grow. JCO serves communities connected to Valenzuela, Oriental Mindoro, and the Metro Manila area.

Today

Building for Canada. Founder Jeremy Ortega is studying Accounting and Payroll Administration at Anderson College, earning a Canadian diploma while strengthening the skills behind the firm's service — QuickBooks Certified and on the path to becoming a CPA in Ontario.

2026

Registered in Canada. On October 27, 2026, JCO Bookkeeping Firm became an officially registered Canadian business — CRA Business Number issued, GST/HST account opened — with founder Jeremy Ortega operating as sole proprietor from Milton, Ontario, carrying forward the same commitment to organized, dependable financial work.

Jeremy Ortega, founder of JCO Bookkeeping Firm
Kind words

What clients say

Genuine feedback from the people and communities JCO has served since 2021.

“Highly recommended.”

F
FarrahAccountant

“As a first-time user of an accounting system, JCO Books completely exceeded my expectations. It is remarkably user-friendly, highly accurate, and best of all, comes with no subscription fees. It has made managing our financials effortless!”

M
MajaCEO, Little Hands Learning and Development Center

“We highly recommend JCO BOOKS Accounting System! Through our strong partnership, we enjoy exclusive access to this innovative accounting system free of charge, helping us modernize our bookkeeping services and grow our business together.”

J
JimmyJimmy J’s Bookkeeping Center – Oriental Mindoro

Your story could be next.

We’d rather show you one real story than ten made-up ones — that’s how we do business.

Worked with JCO? Share your experience →

What we do

Services

Four practice areas, one standard: records you can trust.

01

Bookkeeping

Orderly financial records that make day-to-day activity easier to follow and review.

02

Tax Compliance

Support for preparing and organizing the records needed for tax-related requirements.

03

Accounting

Practical accounting support that turns financial information into a clearer view of the business.

04

Documentation

Structured handling of financial paperwork so key records are easier to retrieve and understand.

The firm's practice areas — the same work JCO has done in the Philippines since 2021, now registered in Canada (Ontario) as of October 27, 2026.

Our promise

Why everything here is free

Every video, calculator, lesson, book, and guide on this site is free for learners — no paywalls, no upsells, no catch.

🎓

Free to learn

Students and self-learners get everything: two full books, 28 daily lessons, calculators, videos, and guides. Knowledge should never be locked away.

💼

Earn from clients

JCO earns from bookkeeping services — done-for-you books for businesses that would rather have an expert handle it. Education builds trust; service earns the business.

🤝

No one left behind

That's our philosophy: nobody should be shut out of financial knowledge because of money. Learn free here — and when you need a bookkeeper, we'll be here too.

Start learning free →

Learn with JCO

Free Resources

Short videos, handy calculators, bite-sized lessons, and two free books — everything free, no signup needed (except the workbook).

Canada

How GST/HST Works in Canada

Businesses earning over $30,000 in taxable sales must generally register, charge GST/HST — 5% GST, or HST such as 13% in Ontario — and may claim input tax credits on eligible purchases.

Philippines

How VAT Works in the Philippines

12% VAT applies to VAT-registered businesses with gross sales over ₱3 million. Smaller businesses generally pay 3% percentage tax instead, while self-employed individuals under ₱3 million may opt for a flat 8% income tax.

Canada

Sole Proprietor vs Corporation

A sole proprietorship is simple, with income taxed personally but unlimited liability. Incorporation costs more up front but can protect personal assets and open tax-planning options.

Ontario HST Calculator

Enter an amount before tax to see the 13% Ontario HST and the total including tax.

Ontario HST (13%)$0.00
Total including HST$0.00

GST/HST rates vary by province and transaction. Confirm the rate that applies to your situation.

Freelancer Take-Home Estimate

Uses a simple 25% planning set-aside on monthly profit after the expenses you enter.

Estimated monthly profit$0.00
Planning tax set-aside (25%)$0.00
After expenses and set-aside$0.00

The 25% figure is a planning cushion, not a prediction of your tax bill. Your actual income tax and CPP obligations depend on your full circumstances.

Free Excel workbook

Freelancer Finance Starter Kit

Get your freelance finances out of your head — and into one clear workbook. Track income, organize expenses, follow invoices, and review your month at a glance. Enter your details and the Excel download begins automatically.

Free PDF guides

PDF Guide

Freelancer Bookkeeping Checklist

Your 13-point monthly routine. Print it, pin it, never miss a step.

Download free PDF ⭳
PDF Guide

GST/HST Cheat Sheet

Every 2026 rate, threshold, and deadline on two pages.

Download free PDF ⭳
PDF Guide

Sole Proprietor vs Corporation

Which one are you? Find out in 5 minutes.

Download free PDF ⭳

Daily lessons — week one

Day 1

What Bookkeeping Actually Is

Bookkeeping isn't scary math — it's just writing down what came in and what went out, consistently. If you can track who owes you $50, you already understand the whole game.

Day 2

The Receipt Shoebox Must Die

That drawer of crumpled receipts isn't a filing system — it's a cry for help. Snap a photo of every receipt the day you get it.

Day 3

Separate Business & Personal Money

One account for groceries and client payments is like one drawer for socks and spoons — technically possible, deeply regrettable.

Day 4

The 25% Tax Rule

Every time client money lands, move 25–30% to a separate savings account and pretend it doesn't exist. Future-you says thanks.

Day 5

Invoices Are Promises

An invoice isn't income until it's paid. Track what's sent, what's overdue, and follow up like rent is due — because it is.

Day 6

Know Your Numbers Weekly

Ten minutes every Friday reviewing money in vs money out beats ten panicked hours every April.

Day 7

Ask for Help Early

A bookkeeper fixing small messes monthly costs far less than one untangling a year's chaos. No shame in the game.

Daily lessons — week two (Taglish)

Day 8

Ang Bookkeeping, Parang Talaan ng Utang Lang

Kung kaya mong ilista ang utang ni kapitbahay sa notebook mo, kaya mo na rin ang bookkeeping. Same skill — mas malaking pera nga lang.

Day 9

Resibo Mo, Ebidensya Mo

Ang resibo ay hindi basura — it's proof! Kapag nawala ang resibo, parang hindi nangyari ang gastos mo. Picturan mo agad, huwag nang patagalin.

Day 10

Hiwalay ang Pera, Hiwalay ang Gulo

Huwag mong ihalo ang pera ng sari-sari store sa pambili ng ulam — magkaibang mundo yan! Isang GCash for business, isang GCash for personal.

Day 11

Magtabi Para kay BIR

Bawat kita mo, magtabi ka ng pang-tax — 25% safe na diyan. Mas masakit ang penalty ni BIR kaysa sa pagtitipid mo ngayon.

Day 12

Ang Invoice ay Pangako, Hindi Kita

Nagpadala ka ng invoice? Hindi pa yan pera — pangako pa lang yan. I-follow up mo, kasi hindi magbabayad ang client sa pangako lang.

Day 13

Linggo-Linggong Silip sa Pera

Sampung minuto kada Linggo — silipin ang pumasok at lumabas na pera. Mas madali yan kaysa sa isang gabing puyatan tuwing tax season.

Day 14

Humingi ng Tulong, Walang Hiya-Hiya

Mas mura ang bookkeeper na nag-aayos ng maliliit na gulo buwan-buwan kaysa sa naglilinis ng isang taong kalat. Walang nakakahiya sa paghingi ng tulong.

Daily lessons — week three

Day 15

Your Chart of Accounts: The Filing Cabinet

A chart of accounts is just labeled folders for your money — every dollar has a home. No folder, no tracking, no clue where it went.

Day 16

Debits vs Credits, Finally Simple

Debits increase assets and expenses; credits increase liabilities, equity, and income. Two sides, one rule — and your books must always balance.

Day 17

Reconcile Your Bank, Sleep Better

Bank reconciliation is matching your records to your bank statement, line by line. If they don't match, something's hiding — find it before it finds you.

Day 18

Receivables and Payables: Who Owes Whom

Accounts receivable is money clients owe you; accounts payable is money you owe suppliers. Track both — or cash surprises will track you down.

Day 19

Financial Statements: Your Business Report Card

Three reports tell your whole story: the income statement (did we profit?), the balance sheet (what do we own and owe?), and cash flow (where did the money go?).

Day 20

Profit Is Not Cash

You can be profitable on paper and still broke — if clients pay late while your bills come due now. Profit is a score; cash is oxygen.

Day 21

Year-End: Close the Books, Open Fresh

Year-end means reviewing everything, fixing errors, and carrying clean balances forward. Future-you deserves a fresh, honest start.

Daily lessons — week four (Taglish)

Day 22

Chart of Accounts: Ang Filing Cabinet ng Pera Mo

Parang mga labeled na folder lang yan — bawat piso, may bahay. Walang folder, walang tracking, walang alam kung saan napunta.

Day 23

Debit vs Credit, Simple Lang Pala

Ang debit, pataas ng asset at gastos; ang credit, pataas ng utang, puhunan, at kita. Dalawang panig, isang batas — dapat laging balanse.

Day 24

I-Reconcile ang Banko, Para Mahimbing ang Tulog

Ihambing mo ang talaan mo sa bank statement, isa-isa. Kapag hindi nagtugma, may nagtatago — hanapin mo bago ka pa hanapan.

Day 25

Sino ang May Utang Kanino

Ang receivable ay perang dapat bayaran sa'yo ng client; ang payable ay perang dapat mong bayaran sa supplier. Bantayan pareho, o mabibigla ka sa cash.

Day 26

Financial Statements: Ang Report Card ng Business Mo

Tatlong ulat ang buong kwento: income statement (kumita ba?), balance sheet (ano ang ari-arian at utang?), at cash flow (saan napunta ang pera?).

Day 27

May Kita sa Papel, Pero Walang Pera?

Pwedeng kumita ka on paper pero broke ka pa rin — kapag late magbayad ang client pero ang bills mo, due na. Ang profit ay score; ang cash ay oxygen.

Day 28

Year-End: Isara ang Libro, Bagong Simula

Sa year-end, repasuhin ang lahat, ayusin ang mali, at dalhin ang malinis na balanse sa bagong taon. Deserve mo ang fresh at tapat na simula.

New lessons are also posted daily on our JCO Business Academy Facebook page.

Bookkeeping Basics — Canadian Edition book cover
Canada · English

Bookkeeping Basics — Canadian Edition

The complete bookkeeping guide for Canadian freelancers and small business owners: the 5 building blocks, the full accounting cycle, GST/HST, payroll, and reading your numbers — 11 chapters, free to read.

Read free online →
Bookkeeping Basics — Philippine Edition book cover
Philippines · Taglish

Bookkeeping Basics — Philippine Edition

Ang kumpletong gabay sa bookkeeping para sa Filipino freelancers at small business owners: VAT, percentage tax, BIR compliance, at ang accounting cycle — 11 chapters, libreng basahin.

Read free online →

📖 Both books are free to read right here in your browser — no downloads, no signup. Please share the link rather than copying the text.

Coming soon · Paperback

📕 Bookkeeping Basics — the JCO book, in print

The paperback edition of Bookkeeping Basics by Jeremy Ortega is print-ready and coming soon to Amazon. Want to keep building your skills today? Our digital bookkeeping guides & workbooks are available now on Gumroad →

JCO Blog

From the Blog

Practical bookkeeping and tax explainers — written in plain language, free forever.

Bookkeeping

5 Bookkeeping Mistakes Freelancers Make

Mixing personal and business money, ignoring receipts, and three more traps that cost freelancers real money — plus the simple habits that fix each one.

Read more →
Canada Tax

GST/HST Registration: When Do You Need It?

The $30,000 threshold explained: what counts toward it, when the clock starts, and why registering early is sometimes the smarter move.

Read more →
Philippines Tax

VAT vs Percentage Tax in the Philippines

12% VAT or 3% percentage tax — which one applies to you? A clear breakdown of the thresholds, plus the 8% flat option many self-employed Filipinos miss.

Read more →

Every weekday we post a fresh #JCOTaxTips tax tip on Facebook — now every tip also lives here. Browse the full Daily Tax Tips archive →

Ask JCO

Start with your accounting question.

JCO’s virtual guide can help you organize a common bookkeeping or tax concern for Canada or the Philippines, one step at a time.

JCO virtual guideBookkeeping and tax conversation starter

Hi — I’m here to help you get your question into focus. Are you asking about Canada or the Philippines?

General educational guidance only. Do not enter account numbers or other confidential information. Tax rules can change; confirm decisions with the CRA, BIR, or a qualified professional.

Say hello

Contact

Get to know JCO before opening day. We read every message.

Prefer email?

Reach us directly at [email protected].

Follow the journey

Daily tax tips, lessons, and behind-the-scenes from a firm now registered in Canada.

Questions? We love those. 💡

Short answers to the things people ask us most. For the long answers, our free blog and free books have you covered.

What does a bookkeeper do?

Records your day-to-day money story — sales, expenses, invoices, receipts — and keeps it tidy and tax-ready. The bookkeeper writes the story, the accountant reads it to plan taxes, the CPA signs the big-stakes chapters. Our free lessons teach you the basics yourself.

Is JCO's content really free?

Yes — every book, lesson, calculator, and article here is free forever, no sign-up walls. JCO earns from bookkeeping clients, not learners. Free education builds trust; trust builds the business. No one left behind, remember?

Is JCO registered in Canada?

Yes — it's official. We're a Philippine practice since 2021, and on October 27, 2026 JCO Bookkeeping Firm became a registered business in Canada: CRA Business Number issued, GST/HST account open, based in Milton, Ontario. Join the newsletter for tax tips and firm news.

When do I have to register for GST/HST in Canada?

Once your taxable sales pass $30,000 in any four consecutive quarters (or a single quarter), registration is mandatory. Below that it's voluntary — many freelancers register early to claim input tax credits. Run the numbers with our free GST/HST calculator.

What is the BIR 8% tax option in the Philippines?

Self-employed Filipinos earning up to ₱3,000,000 a year can pick a flat 8% income tax on gross sales instead of graduated rates plus percentage tax. Often simpler and cheaper for freelancers with low expenses — our free Philippine book walks through the math.

Should I be a sole proprietor or incorporate in Canada?

Most freelancers start as sole proprietors — simple, cheap, income goes on your personal return. Incorporation can save tax once profits are high enough to keep money in the company, but adds cost and paperwork. Take our free sole-prop-vs-corp quiz for a guided answer.