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What to Include in Your 2026 Budget: A Guide for Smart Founders

  • Jan 20
  • 3 min read

Updated: 3 days ago


Startup in growth mode

Budgeting is less about guessing how much you’ll spend and more about making intentional decisions today that help your business grow tomorrow.

And if you’re a founder looking to scale in 2026, a spreadsheet with last year’s numbers + 10% won’t cut it.


At Nex CPA, we’ve helped Canadian founders build budgets, from scrappy SaaS startups to professional service firms and manufacturing.


Here’s what the smartest founders are including in their 2026 budgets, and why you should too.


1. Revenue Targets With Clear Assumptions

Start with top-line revenue, but don’t just plug in a number. Break it down by:

  • Products or service lines

  • Pricing assumptions

  • Volume or client growth

  • Seasonality


If you’re in SaaS: think MRR, churn, new ARR. If you’re in services: forecast billable hours, new clients, project scope.


Pro tip: Back every revenue figure with a realistic assumption. That’s the difference between forecasting and wishful thinking.


2. Payroll & Hiring Plan

People costs are often the largest line item in a growing business. Plan for:

  • Existing team compensation (salary, bonus, benefits)

  • New hires: when, why, and how much

  • Contractors and freelance support

  • Government subsidies or tax credits (like CDAE, SR&ED)


Thinking of hiring in Q2? Budget for onboarding, recruiting fees, and maybe a ramp-up period before full productivity.


3. Software, Subscriptions, and Automation

Many founders underestimate how much they spend on SaaS tools:

  • CRM, marketing, accounting, payroll

  • Workflow tools like Slack, Notion, ClickUp, etc.

  • Annual renewals that sneak up and hit in Q1

Get clear on what tools drive ROI and what’s just digital clutter.


At Nex CPA, we help clients categorize software spending so you can see what’s essential.


4. CapEx and Equipment Upgrades

Will you need:

  • New laptops for the team?

  • Studio gear or tools for service delivery?

  • Renovations to a workspace?


CapEx is separate from operating expenses and may be depreciated over time. But the cash outlay still matters.


Include these in the budget with planned timing, so they don’t blindside your cash flow.


5. Marketing and Growth Spend

How much will you invest to acquire customers in 2026?

Budgeting for growth means factoring in:

  • Ad spend (Google, Meta, LinkedIn)

  • Agency or freelancer fees

  • Content production (design, video, etc.)

  • CRM and email marketing tools

  • Conferences, sponsorships, partnerships


Even if it’s a small budget, be intentional. A marketing plan with zero dollars behind it is just a wish.


6. Tax and CRA Remittances

Too many businesses forget to plan for:

  • Quarterly corporate tax instalments

  • GST/HST payments

  • T4/T5 filing costs

  • SR&ED or CDAE filing prep


We recommend building a “tax buffer” line item into your budget, so you’re never caught off guard in April.


7. Cash Flow Forecasting

Your budget is the plan. Your cash flow forecast is the reality check.

We recommend layering your 2026 budget into a rolling 12-month cash flow forecast, so you can:

  • Spot shortfalls early

  • Plan for financing or reserve drawdowns

  • Time your spend intentionally


At Nex CPA, we build this in tools like Joiin, Fathom, or even smart Google Sheets, whatever works for your team.


Let’s Co-Build Your 2026 Budget: It’s What We Do Best

You don’t have to start from a blank spreadsheet. And you don’t need to guess what you should include.

We’ll walk through:

  • Your 2025 actuals

  • Your growth plans

  • Your team roadmap

  • And your tax exposure


Then build a tailored 2026 budget and forecast that helps you lead with clarity.


Book a budget-building session with Nex CPA today and start 2026 with numbers you can trust.

About Nex CPA

Nex CPA is a boutique Canadian digital accounting firm that provides online accounting solutions by combining technology and forward-thinking businesses. Tailored for the modern entrepreneur, we provide an easy, automated and client-focused service so you can focus on working 'on' the business and not 'in' the business.


For more information, email us at info@nex.cpa

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