As the chapter membership chair, I get the pleasure of recruiting new members, answering membership questions and running portfolio reviews. I also keep an eye on our membership numbers, and I’m pleased to say that we have more than 500 members in GDC/BC. Not only does this speak volumes about how the design industry is positioned within British Columbia, it also gives the chapter enormous clout in how we speak with colleagues, sponsors and the business community.

Beginning July 1, 2010, the province of British Columbia created the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) of 12 percent. For most businesses, the switch from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to the HST is simple: whenever you would have charged GST, charge HST instead.

That may sound simple, but let’s face it: some of us glaze over when it comes to numbers and bookkeeping. And especially if you're just starting to freelance or if you're new to running your own business, it can seem like a daunting process.

We interviewed Galina Bazova, CMA, BSc, owner of PMH Accounting Services in Vancouver, to get a basic run-down of GST, HST and how to make sure that your business runs by the books.