Find Books

This section will introduce several "how-to" books on business to help you get started with your research. These books will primarily introduce you to business plan writing. These books will also introduce general business types such as retail and service business models.

 

Find Books Using Relevant Subject Headings

• Financial advisers.
• Financial services industry.
• Investment advisors.
• Living trusts. 
• Estate planning. 
• Accountant.
• Bookkeeping.
• Financial planners — Canada.
• Investment advisors — Canada.
• Financial services industry — Canada.
• Investment advisors — Marketing.
• Financial planners — Marketing.
• Investment advisors — Legal status, laws, etc.
• Financial planners — Legal status, laws, etc.
• Financial services industry — Standards.
• Accounting firms– Management. 
• Business planning.
• New business enterprises -- Management.
• Small business -- Management.

 

Google Books 
Google Books is a search feature offered by Google. It enables users to search the full text of approximately 10 million books that Google has scanned and stored in its digital database. It also offers previews of books that are currently still in print.

Worldcat 
A global catalogue of library collections from various libraries around the world. You can search for books on business planning, new enterprises, start-ups, or your specific industry. You can search for all the locations with copies of a specific item, and then locate the item in a nearby library. In Worldcat, you can also view research articles and other digital content directly online.

 

 

illume
A search portal to BC's post-secondary and public library collections (93 libraries). 

Find Business Plans

In the page below you will find examples of successful business plans. Researching your business plan can be a very time-consuming experience, but it is an essential and worthwhile investment. Your business plan will become your most important day to day operating tool. The information resources and strategies in this guide will help you create an effective plan and increase your chances for business success.

Review Sample Plans for Ideas

Most books about starting a business will include examples of business plans, as well as business planning templates. In addition to books, online business resources frequently include sample business plans. Here are a few to get you started.

 

Business Plans

Bplans.com
This site offers a selection of free sample business plans, as well as articles on business planning. Bplans.com also sells business planning software.

• Accounting and Bookkeeping Business Plan
• Financial Planning Business Plan
• Financial Services Business Plan 
• Investment Company Business Plan
• Investment Consulting Business Plan
• Financial Holding Company Business Plan

 

Business Plans Handbook, Gale Publishing
This is a database of actual business plans written by North American entrepreneurs seeking financing for their businesses. Includes examples of many start-up business ideas. Access is available through many BC public libraries, made possible by a generous donation from the Sutherland Foundation. Affiliates of UBC can start here.

• Financial Services Company- Prisma Microfinance, Inc. 
• Financial Services Company- Diamond Strategic Services
• Broker- Marshall Financial Services
• Personal Money Management Educator- Pathways Financial Education, Inc. 
• Accounting Service- Marcus Accounting, LLC
• Accounting Firm- Militello Accounting
• Bookkeeping Services- CR Bookkeeping and Tax Services

 

SCORE
SCORE is a non profit association helping small businesses. Their library includes templates for business plans, SWOT analysis, financial projections and more.

 

Business Plan Template And Cash Flow Forecasting Tool
Our friends at Small Business BC provide two valuable tools in one download: the first is a well-structured business plan template that will help communicate what you plan to do, and how you plan to do it, while the second is a spreadsheet you can fill in to, among other things, project costs and expenses using common line items. These tools will set you on your way to being able to present your business plan to funders. 

 

Marketing Plans

Marketing Plan Outline from Government of Canada |This Government of Canada page reviews the components of a marketing plan and why a marketing plan is necessary for your small business. 

BDC Marketing Plan Template | This comprehensive marketing plan template from BDC is for Canadian entrepreneurs specifically and includes all the important sections of a marketing plan, including an executive summary, identification of your target customer, and how you'll measure your sales.

Small Business BC - How to Write a Marketing Plan
This guide shows you how to develop a marketing plan that includes details like how you intend to meet your customers’ needs and communicate the benefits of your products or services to them. When making any decisions about market positioning, pricing, promotions, and sales, your customers should always be top of mind.

Find Capital

In this section you will find links to information on funding for your business. No business can function without money to pay for overhead expenses and production or product costs. It is also unusual for a business founder to have the capital to fully fund their business. The sources in this section will help you consider the best source of funding for your business.

 

Other Suggestions for Obtaining Capital

With proper planning and a few resources to guide you on your way, identifying and securing capital to start and grow your business becomes a much smoother and gentler process. There are several ways to secure the capital needed to fund your business.

 

Government Funding

This is money that the government gives you to fund your business, based on your application to the funding grant. There are other types of government assistance you might wish to explore here: Business Grants and Financing.

Personal Savings

This involves saving your money from your current employment to invest in your business.

Personal Loans

This option means using your personal credit to secure a loan or using your personal credit card for business expenses.

Crowdfunding/Micro-Lending

Crowdfunding and micro-lending are both alternative ways of raising capital that involve having large groups of people pre-buy your product before it is launched or loan you small amounts that you can then use to finance your business.

Private Financing/Equity Financing

This type of financing comes in the form of loans from banks or individuals. It is obtained through your business’ credit availability or through providing equity in your business in exchange for money. This financing involves going into debt or giving up some control of your business.

Below, we have some resources that can help you find funding options for your business:

• Fundica
• Funding and Grants Database
• Innovation Canada

Industry Codes: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

At the start of your research, it may not be clear what specific industry you should be examining. A good strategy is to find out if your business idea is classified in an industrial classification system. These systems organize industries by assigning them a numeric code. The most commonly used system is the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Once you know your Industry Classification Code you can use this number to:

• Find industry-specific statistics on government websites or in library databases
• Generate lists of competitors in company directories

Another common classification system is the Standard Industry Code (SIC). NAICS have mostly replaced the SIC, but the SIC is still used by some commercial databases. Finding and using these classification systems to effectively search can be tricky, so don't hesitate to ask a librarian for help.

Start With These Suggestions

​​

Search or browse all NAICS or SIC codes on the NAICS Association website. Some NAICS codes are different in Canada — you can search by keyword or browse Canadian NAICS codes at Statistics Canada or Canadian Industry Statistics. To search for a SIC code using a NAICS code and vice versa, use the NAICS & SIC Crosswalks.   

For more information about planning your industry research, including identifying your industry codes, check out the video tutorial for Module 3: Planning Your Industry Research.

Library Databases

The Expensive World Of Business Information

Believe it or not, you cannot find everything on Google! Have you ever done an online search and found the perfect industry report only to find that it costs over $5,000? Did you know that libraries pay for many expensive databases that could be helpful in your secondary market research? 

Search engines like Google can only provide direct access to freely available information. Most of the web, including business information, lives in databases behind expensive paywalls. This paywall-protected section of the Internet is known as the deep web. Fortunately, some libraries pay to subscribe to databases so they can provide free access to their patrons — and many business databases can contain useful information such as articles, market research, and company reports.

There are several strategies you can use to access relevant business information on the deep web. First, we urge you to look up what business resources your local public or academic library can provide access to. Each database has its own arrangement, with unique interfaces and search features. It helps to know the structure and search terms of the specific database you are working with in order to retrieve effective results. 

Also, it is important to know that library databases are restricted by specific usage agreements. It can help to consult with a librarian if you have trouble navigating a specific database. They may also be able to help you find comparable information elsewhere. Libraries with robust business collections might have useful e-books, directories and trade journals. As you conduct your secondary market research you will likely need to consult both free and deep web resources.

For more information about how and why to use business databases, check out our video tutorial, Module Four: Conducting Your Industry Research.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Provincial Library Database Partners

How to access: Check out the database list and note the License Participants to find out which institutions have access. Otherwise, contact your local post-secondary library to see what they offer.

BC Electronic Library Network (ELN) Research Databases

ELN licenses databases with partner academic libraries. These include LexisNexis, Canadian Newsstream, Hoovers, CBCA Business, ABI/INFORM Complete and others that may be of interest to business researchers.

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

• (2022, Dec 23) Digital twin financial services and insurance global market report 2022: Featuring IBM, Atos, Swim, General Electric & Microsoft. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2022, Dec 08). The rising adoption of cloud technologies will drive the digital twin financial services and insurance market as per the business research company's digital twin financial services and insurance global market report 2022: Avail a limited period discount of 33% on our uniquely designed opportunities and strategies market research reports. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2023, Jan 18). Wealth management platform market size worth USD 6.29 billion by 2029 | research by fortune business insights: As per the report by fortune business insights, the global wealth management platform market size is projected to reach USD 6.29 billion in 2029, at a CAGR of 13.2% during the forecast period, 2022-2029. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2023, Jan 16). [Latest] financial analytics market size to surpass USD 19.2 billion with growing CAGR of 14.80% by 2028, emerging trends, business strategies, competitive landscape and regional analysis: Global financial analytics market size, share & COVID-19 impact analysis, by component (solution and services), by deployment mode (on-premise and cloud), by organization size (large enterprises and small & medium sized enterprises), by industrial vertical (BFSI, IT and telecom, manufacturing, retail and E-commerce, government, healthcare and others) and regional forecasts, 2022-2028. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2023, Jan 16). Press release: Profit warning: Verkkokauppa.com adjusts its business operations to meet the decreased demand and makes a write-down related to the streamlining of its assortment - preliminary information on the financial development of 2022. Dow Jones Institutional News. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2023, Jan 13).  High frequency trading market size 2023 to reach USD 12590 million and exhibit a CAGR of 11.8% | global industry growth rate, key players, trends, demand, revenue and gross margin, opportunities, challenges and forecast research. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• Fuentealba, J. (2023, Jan 13). Challenges in the financial industry for 2023. CE Noticias Financieras. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.

 

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

 

BCC Research Centre

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Publishes 250 reports annually that are complete with market intelligence, five-year forecasts, statistical and analytical data, key players, market share, industry structure and dynamics, and technological shifts and trends.

• TBRC. (2022, September). Accounting Services Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact. [Report Code MKB202G.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2022, September). Financial Services Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact. [Report Code MKB051I.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2022, September). Wealth Management Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact. [Report Code MKB062I.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2022, August). Global Accounting Services Market Report 2022. [Report Code MKB202F.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2022, August). Wealth Management Market Global Briefing 2022. [Report Code MKB202H.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2021, December). Financial Services Global Market Competitor Briefing 2022. [Report Code MKB051I.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2021, December). Wealth Management Global Market Competitor Briefing 2022. [Report Code MKB062G.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2021, December). Wealth Management Investment Competitor Outlook 2020: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery. [Report Code MKB062G.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2022, August). North America Accounting Services Market Report 2022. [Report Code MKB587A.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 

 

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

• Thomas, R. A. (2023). Changing Landscape for Rates, Taxes & the Accounting Industry. New Jersey Business, 69(1), 39. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Whitman, P. J. (2023). The Accounting Tidal Wave and What it Means for Businesses: Mergers, acquisitions and flexible hiring trends are all changing the face of the accounting industry. New Jersey Business, 69(1), 46–47. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• MarketLine Company Profile: Robert W. Baird & Co. Private Wealth Management. (2022). In Robert W. Baird & Co. Private Wealth Management Company Profile (pp. 1–17). Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Ortolani, A. (2022). When Merging Retirement Planning and Wealth Management, Participants Must “Come First.” PLANADVISERdash. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• “FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY: Overview of Representation of Minorities and Women and Practices to Promote Diversity.” 2022. GAO Reports, December, 1–9. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Heye, C. (2022). The Three Most Important Trends in Wealth Management: Crypto and ESG get lots of headlines, but they might be distracting us from what’s really important. Journal of Financial Planning, 35(11), 46–50. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Napolitano, J. P. (2022). Looking to buy a wealth management practice? Accounting Today, 36(10), 22–23. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Ahn, Y. (2022). Predicting customer attrition using binge trading patterns: Implications for the financial services industry. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 1–14. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• PUTNAM, C. (2022, August 12). Technological advances enhance wealth management services: Human interaction still needed for relationship building. Central Penn Business Journal, 11–13. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Customer-First Strategy: Putting the client at the heart of wealth management. (2022). American Banker, 4. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.

 

First Research Industry Profiles

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, or faculty you can access many of these reports through ABI/INFORM and/or Business Market Research Collection (Proquest).

Covers over 900 industry segments. Updated on a quarterly basis, these industry profiles contain critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help you engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships. You can search for reports by NAICS, SIC or keyword or browse by category.

• (2022) Financial Planners & Investment Advisers - Quarterly Update 12/19/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
• (2022) Investment Banking - Quarterly Update 11/4/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• DellaCamera, C. (2022, September). Accounting Services in Canada / CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 54121cCA / PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Kanda, S. (2022, February). Tax Preparation Services in Canada / CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 54121dCA / PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Faber, T. (2022, September). Accounting Services in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 54121c / PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Burns, J. (2022, August). Global Accounting Services / GLOBAL INDUSTRY REPORT L6713-GL / GLOBAL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.  IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Maldonado, C. (2022, September). Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 54121b / PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.  
• Lang, C. (2022, July). Financial Planning & Advising Services in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 52393 / FINANCE & INSURANCE. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
• Maldonado, C. (2022, September). Finance and Insurance in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 52 / FINANCE AND INSURANCE. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.  
• Govdysh, A. (2022, December). Custody, Asset, & Securities Services in the US. US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 52399 / FINANCE AND INSURANCE. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Packaged Facts. (2022, October). Financial Services for the Very High Net Worth. Marketresearch.com. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database. 
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, May). Professional Services: United States. Marketresearch.com. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database. 
• Packaged Facts. (2018, December). The African-American and Hispanic Markets: Wealth, Banking, and Payment Trends. Marketresearch.com. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database. 

 

Business Market Research Collection (Proquest)

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Business Market Research Collection brings together four sources to help students more easily conduct the research they need to produce business plans, marketing plans, startup plans, market growth analysis, and strategic and financial plans. Includes access to: Hoover's Company Profiles, OxResearch, Barnes Reports, and the older Snapshots Series, which includes market research overviews on over 40 industries and 40 countries to 2008.

• (2022) Financial Planners & Investment Advisers - Quarterly Update 12/19/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
• (2022) Investment Banking - Quarterly Update 11/4/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.

 

Statista

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

A simple to use statistics portal that integrates statistics from thousands of sources, on topics related to business, media, public policy, health and others. Statistics can be exported in PPT, XLS, PDF, and PNG formats. Some basic content available for free.

• Statista. (2022, August). Statista dossier on Finance and Assets in Canada 2022. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• Statista Research Department. (2022, November 25).Revenue of accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services in Canada from 2012 to 2021. StatCan. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Research Department. (2022, November 25). Accounting, tax, bookkeeping & payroll services revenue in Canada by province 2021. StatCan. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Research Department. (2022, November 25). Accounting, tax, bookkeeping & payroll services expenditures in Canada 2021. StatCan. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Research Department. (2022, November 25). Share of accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services sales in Canada in 2021, by client type. StatCan. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Research Department. (2022, July 20). Share of investors expressing an increase in interest in different investment products in Canada in 2021. KPMG. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• Statista Research Department. (2022, July 20). Distribution of Canadian adults by amount of money invested in the stock market in 2021. KPMG. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Research Department. (2022, July 19). Share of investors trading via online platforms in Canada in 2021, by generation. KPMG. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Kunst, A. (2022, November 28). Financial product usage in Canada in 2022. Statista Global Consumer Survey. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• Kunst, A. (2022, November 28). Attitudes towards personal finances in Canada in 2022. Statista Global Consumer Survey. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• Statista Global Consumer Survey. (2022). Financial consulting service usage [table]. Statista Consumer Insights. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• Statista Global Consumer Survey. (2022). Reasons for changing financial service provider. [table]. Statista Consumer Insights. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• (2022). FinTech | Digital Markets. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2022). Digital Investment | Digital Markets. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.

 

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• What’s working in financial services. (2021, August). WARC Category Intelligence.  Retrieved from WARC database.
• Hamill, A. (2022, May). Mastercard’s ‘True Name’: financial inclusion for trans and gender non-conforming people. WARC Creative Analysis. Retrieved from WARC database.
• (2021). Calvert Research and Management: Teaching advisors to fish with ESG. WARC Awards for Effectiveness. Retrieved from WARC database. 
• Clapp, R. (2020, February). Consumer trust falls across 15 different industries. WARC Data Points. Retrieved from WARC database. 
• Baines, L. Post-COVID expectations and behaviours: Gen Z and financial services. WARC Exclusive. Retrieved from WARC database. 
• Scarfo, G., and Zeidler, B. (2018, September). The Secret Financial Lives of Americans - and the Future of Financial Services. Research on WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.
• (2022). BNY Mellon Wealth Management: Manifesting a Service Proposition. WARC Creative Analysis. Retrieved from WARC database. 
• (2022). Merrill: Seeing the Unseen: The role gender plays in wealth management. ARF Ogilvy Awards. Retrieved from WARC database. 
• Wilde, A. (2021, August). Bucking the declining trust trend in financial services. WARC Exclusive. Retrieved from WARC database. 

 

Newspapers and News Sources - UBC Library Research Guide

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link below. Individual resources and databases will have different access requirements.

UBC Library has an excellent collection of current and historical newspapers from B.C., Canada, and around the world. UBC affiliates will have access to these resources.

• Kiladze, T. (2023). The key to Canaccord’s $1.1-billion buyout offer: An overlooked, but very valuable, wealth management arm: Canaccord genuity has revamped a good chunk of its business model, putting more emphasis on, and more money into, the company’s wealth management business – particularly in Britain. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• (2022, Dec 20). Vena and Fluence announce strategic partnership to provide a unified solution for business planning and financial close. Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• Burnett-Nichols, H. (2022). How advisory practices are preparing for a looming recession: The wealth management industry has been facing challenges for much of the year with the market downturn but now may be the ideal time to invest in the business. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• Waldie, P. (2022). Financial advisor wins investment industry award for supporting charities in canada and abroad: Shiraz ahmed, 39, has supported various charities such as the international development and relief fund, Toronto’s hospital for sick children and the juvenile diabetes foundation. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• (2022, Dec 09). Financial, business groups want to preserve biodiversity. Waterloo Region Record. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 

Industry News

In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.

 

Associations

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

Canadian Associations

Chartered Professional Accountants Canada | CPA Canada is a members’ collective offering career and professional development as well as myriad resources for CPAs. Check out their Practitioner’s Portal for practical advice and resources.

PBA Canada | The PBA Society of Canada is committed to promoting accounting to and for a diverse group of professionals. They offer networking opportunities as well as education; investigate their educational partners and the courses those partners offer.

Association of Tax and Accounting Professionals | ATAP’s offerings for registered tax and accounting professionals in Canada include continuing education, peer-to-peer networks, and the ATAP blog, where you can find a wealth of resources and industry news. 

Canadian Bankers’ Association | The CBA is the voice of more than 60 domestic and foreign banks that help drive Canada’s economic growth and prosperity. Investigate their focus sheets, which reveal layers of customer needs and demographics pertaining to the financial services industry. 

Financial Planning Association of Canada | The FPAC promotes the evolution of the financial services and planning industry into a trusted and high-quality profession, with members who adhere to the highest ethical and fiduciary standards, and focus on bettering the lives of all Canadians. 

Accounting Standards Board | The Accounting Standards Board is “an independent body with the authority to establish accounting standards for use by all Canadian entities outside the public sector. They serve the public interest by establishing standards for financial reporting by all Canadian private sector entities and by contributing to the development of internationally accepted financial reporting standards.”

Association of Canadian Financial Officers | ACFO-ACAF represents more than 5,000 finance professionals employed in the public sector, advocating for fair treatment, labor transparency, and practical solutions to fiscal challenges. 

Canadian Academic Accounting Association | The CAAA is a collective of professionals dedicated to research and education about accounting and finance. They publish two quarterly journals, Contemporary Accounting Research and Accounting Perspectives. 

Investment Regulatory Organization of Canada | This pan-Canadian self-regulatory organization overseeing investment dealers and trading activity on Canada’s debt and equity marketplaces.

Investment Industry Association of Canada | The IIAC is “the leading national association representing investment firms that provide products and services to Canadian retail and institutional investors.”

International Associations

Association of International Wealth Management | The AIWM is a non-profit association based in Switzerland that seeks to promote education in the global banking industry and focuses on identification of customer needs and wants in order to serve customers more thoroughly. Check out their Certified International Wealth Manager certificate. 

Financial Management Association | The FMA is a global leader in developing and disseminating knowledge about financial decision making. They have resources for academics, doctoral students, MBA students, practitioners, and more. They also run the Diversity Emerging Scholars Initiative, which promotes diverse early career scholars in the profession. 

International Investment Funds Association | The mission of the IIFA “is to promote the protection of investment fund investors, to facilitate the growth of the investment funds industry internationally, to act as a medium for the advancement of understanding of the investment fund business around the world, and to encourage adherence to high ethical standards by all participants in the industry.”

International Accounting Association | The INAA is comprised of hundreds of independent accounting firms. It offers general and IT consulting as well as expert advice on legal matters. Read more about its benefits for members here. 

 

Magazines & Trade Journals

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

CPABC in Focus | CPABC is the voice of the accounting profession in BC. Published six times a year, it discusses professional matters facing the accounting profession, from changes in tax standards to ethical dilemmas.

Pivot Magazine | The magazine of the CPA, Pivot Magazine provides features on CPAs innovating in the industry, gives practical advice for consumers, and articles on issues facing accounting such as money laundering and sustainability reporting. 

ABA Journal | This magazine, published online, is run by the American Banking Association. It provides a look at current trends, developments, and products in financial services. 

American Banker | American Banker covers the latest in trends, developments, and innovations in the American banking industry, providing an excellent overview of financial topics and analysis of market opportunities that will help independent financial advisors and wealth managers gain a foothold in the industry. 

 

Consultant & Other Websites

MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.

PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.

Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.

• Accounting Industry Profile 
• Wealth Management Industry Profile
• Investment Management Profile
• Private Equity Industry Profile
• Sales and Trading Industry Profile
• Accountants
• Financial Planners
• Financial Services Brokers
• Financial Analysts
• Financial Consultants

Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre | This free resource created by the Vancouver Public Library is an online and in-person resource that helps newcomers to Canada find information to get a job, explore different careers or start a business.

• Industry Profile: Finance

 

Blogs & Discussion Forums 

Blogs

The Reformed Broker | The Reformed Broker, run by New York City-based financial advisor, writes about markets, politics, economics, finance, and culture, with a pinch of sarcasm and a dash of humour.

Abnormal Returns | Abnormal Returns, written by Tadas Viskanta, who has over 25 years of experience in the financial sphere, aims to educate about best practices in finance and accounting. 

Disruptive Finance | Disruptive Finance is a personal blog about the revelations and revolutions technology has caused in financial services. Despite the author’s location in the UK, those looking to break into finance will find global applicability in topics such as how bankers can think like entrepreneurs and the transformation spurred by fintech.

The Finanser | Chris Skinner of The Finanser writes about everything fintech, finance, banking and technology. His blog posts signpost the future of the financial services industry, as they range from how banks can help solve the climate crisis to coverage of the WEF forum at Davos. 

Insightful Accountant | The Insightful Accountant provides a wealth of information on everything accounting, from recent industry news to new accounting technology. 

Accounting Today | Among its offers (on accounting, technology, taxes, and auditing), Accounting Today’s website provides a dedicated “profession” section where accountants can read about how to level up their careers and where to continue their education. 

Podcasts

Modern Financial Advisor | Host Mike Langford explores topics related to business optimization in the financial services and wealth management industries, with a variety of guests explaining how they’ve grown their financial services businesses and how to succeed in the industry. 

The Advisor Lab | The Advisor Lab confronts the changes in the financial advising industry head-on, with conversations about gaining and retaining clients, innovative marketing and conversations, and thought experiments from successful leaders in the industry. 

Conversations for Financial Professionals | Dominique Henderson, CFP, explores the intersection of financial literacy, economic empowerment, and personal and career development.  

Cloud Accounting Podcast | Cloud Podcast provides a weekly roundup of the latest news in accounting technology, designed for accounting practice leaders serving small businesses.

Accounting Best Practices | Accounting Best Practices covers a variety of topics related to best practices in accounting, from processing pass-through payments to valuing intangible assets to technical accounting.  

The Successful Bookkeeper | The mission of The Successful Bookkeeper is to help small business owners in bookkeeping and accounting increase confidence and grow their businesses. Weekly, inspiring guests share their journeys through the industry and ingredients for success. 

 

TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.

Government Websites

In this section we have gathered some of the most reliable freely available online government and employment websites for you to use in your research.

 

Canadian Websites

BC Stats | Current reports and statistics from British Columbia's central statistical agency including labour market information, economic statistics and bankruptcies. Start by searching their Industry section and narrowing by industry type or go to the Business, Industry & Trade page to skim all the different business-related topics.

 

Government of Canada - Business and Industry | The Government of Canada's comprehensive page for business and industry guides you through important information on starting a business. You will find necessary permits and information on tax and regulation, as well as advice on how to protect your intellectual property through copyright or trademark, a primer for selling to the federal government, information on importing and exporting goods, and advice on managing and protecting your business operations. 

• Starting a business 
• Overview of federal government Services for Small Business 

 

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

• Balance of international payments, current account and capital account, annual
• Quarterly financial statistics for Enterprises, third quarter 2022
• Financial and Taxation Statistics for Enterprises

 

Canadian Industry Statistics (CIS) - Industry Canada | CIS analyses industry data on many economic indicators using the most recent data from Statistics Canada. CIS looks at industry trends and financial information, such as GDP, Labour Productivity, Manufacturing and Trade data.

• 5239- Other financial investment activities
• 52392- Portfolio management

 

City of Vancouver’s Open Data Portal

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link above and is free to use.

The Government of Canada routinely collects vast quantities and kinds of information on a diverse spectrum of topics. Now the City of Vancouver is making this information available to the public in a single concise searchable portal called Open Data 101. This data is accessible to the public and structured in an easy to understand format.

• Business licenses

 

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada
Provides market research, industry statistics, licensing information for intellectual property, and information about doing business internationally. The Industry Canada site features interactive applications such as customizable trade reports, cost calculators, and online business planning guides. You can also search broad Canadian industry statistics.

• Sustainable finance

 

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

• Specialized design services, 2021
• Accounting Services Price Index, 2021

 

WorkBC | Find current employment outlooks, labour market information, relevant links, and a geographic representation of the BC workforce. Start by searching your Industry Profile.

• Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate Industry Profile

 

US & International Websites

Small Business Administration: Free Small Business Data
This site is created and managed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and provides a list of free sources of information that you can use to obtain data about markets in the US.

Regulations

Learn More About Compliance Issues

When it comes to starting a business, one of the first decisions you need to make is the legal structure of your business - sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited company. You'll also need to register your business and you'll need to be aware of many municipal, provincial or federal regulations. The websites in this section will help you.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada - Permits and Licenses Search

Search for the permits and licenses applicable to your industry and location to meet all federal, provincial and municipal regulations.

 

General Business Resources

BizPaL
This is the one-stop website to assist Canadian businesses that are just starting up, or expanding into new areas. BizPaL asks you a short series of questions about the nature and scope of your current or proposed business. Based on your answers, BizPaL provides you with a customized list of government permits and licences that you may require to operate your business. All of the information that you provide is kept anonymous, and you may save or print your results for future reference.

 

Canada Revenue Agency - Business
This section of the Canadian federal tax agency's website contains important taxation and documentation requirements that businesses operating in Canada must adhere to.

• Keeping records
• Business Number (BN) registration
• Business expenses

 

Small Business BC (SBBC)
SBBC is a great place to start for information on BC specific regulations and guidelines, for whatever stage you are in your business development. This is a great post on the topic.

 

The Province of British Columbia
Provides information on programs and resources available to small business owners in British Columbia. Includes information on taxes and industry regulations. Start with the Permits, Licences & Registrations section.

 

BC Business Registry

British Columbia's online Business Registry is a self-serve application allowing small business owners to complete provincial registrations or incorporations of their business, file name requests on behalf of their business, and store maintenance filings required by British Columbia. Anyone with a BC Registries account may also search for existing businesses and clients, providing access to business information and filings for co-operatives, benefit companies, sole proprietorships, and general partnerships. Use the Business Structures Wizard to help you!

Tips on Company Research

An in-depth investigation and analysis of your competition is one of the most important components of a comprehensive market analysis. A competitive analysis allows you to assess your competitors' strengths and weaknesses in the marketplace, and to implement effective strategies to improve your competitive advantage. Here are some research strategies for doing your competitive analysis:

• Company directories can be used to create lists of competitors by industry, product line, size, etc.
• Doing a company name search in a general research database is an excellent way to learn more about your competitor’s products, services, prices, and media coverage.
• If your competitors are public companies, learn more about them by reading their financials and annual reports.
• News archives provide a range of competitive information on both public and private companies.
• Patents are a good way to learn about the technical and design features of a competitor's products. You can refer to this UBC Library Research Guide, created by UBC Engineering Librarians, if you are looking for patent information. Most of the resources listed are freely available.

For information on primary and secondary market research, as well as common sources for secondary market research, watch our video tutorial Module One: Introduction To Market Research.

Finding information on public companies is considerably easier than finding information on privately-held companies. Information on public companies is readily available online, or at your local library. Another good starting point is the list of resources in the next section of this Accelerator Guide: Find Competitors. Unlike public companies, private companies are not required to file with the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR). Searching for private company information is considerably more difficult and will require a lot of patience, and a healthy dose of creativity. 

Find Competitors

Learning About Competitors

To create a list of competitors and find basic information about them (e.g. number of employees, contact information) you will need to consult business directories. Many directories are available online for free, while others are fee-based commercial databases. You can find directories that are particular to an industry or geography. Your local library will likely have a good collection of directories that you can consult in person.

For further information about secondary market research, see our video tutorial Module Two: Secondary Market Research for Industry Analysis.

If you know of some public companies in your industry, then annual reports can provide a great deal of useful financial information including sales volume, revenue increases, and total market share. You can search the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) for Canadian Company filings. If the competitor you are researching does business in the US, then you search the Security and Exchange Commissions equivalent, EDGAR, which provides free public access to corporate information including financial information and operations by reviewing registration statements, prospectuses and periodic reports filed on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. You also can find information about recent corporate events reported on Form 8-K that a company does not have to disclose to investors. You can use advanced search features to search by Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes.

 

Free Business Directories

CanadaOne - Canadian Business Directory
CanadaOne has a directory of over 20,000 Canadian businesses.

• A&L Royal Finance
• Ask the Money Lady
• Beacon Financial Solutions Inc.

Federal Corporations Data Online 
Free searchable database of federally incorporated/registered companies.

Frasers
A comprehensive industrial directory and search tool, with information on products and services provided by Canadian industrial wholesalers, manufacturers, and distributors. You can search by product name, company name, or brand name.

• Accounting Suppliers
• Financial Services Suppliers
• Financial Technology Suppliers

D&B Hoovers
Provides information on 18 million US and international companies, both public and private. D&B Hoovers' reports are generated quickly, and are easy to read. A fair amount of information is provided for free, but much more is available with a paid subscription. If you know the company name or ticker symbol of any of the key players in your industry, try searching for their Hoovers records to find key information. Use the link above for free information or contact your local library to see if they provide access. Affiliates of UBC may have access. 

• Branch Finance Corporation Limited 
• LMG Finance, Inc. 
• Northstar Trade Finance, Inc.

Proprietary Business Directories

Business in Vancouver, Book of Lists
Comprehensive collection of BC business data compiled annually as the popular BIV Book of Lists. Provides data on over 1000 companies including: websites, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, top executives' names, company age, revenues, profits and much more. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version (here are details on how to locate it) or you can get your own online subscription.

 

Mergent Online
Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

 

The Blue Book of Canadian Business
Detailed profiles for over 60 Canadian corporations, including missions/values, history, operations, social responsibility and executive biographies. Also contains directory type information for 2,500 Canadian companies, a ranking of the top 500 companies and a list of the top 400 Canadian stocks. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version of this periodical (here are details on how to locate it at UBC in Vancouver).

 

Reference Canada
Provides information on more than one million businesses throughout Canada. Includes name, address, phone number, contacts, number of employees, annual sales volumes, line of business, and credit rating. Vancouver Public Library subscribes to this online directory so check with your local library about access.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Mapping Your Competitors

Online maps such as Google Maps or Bing Maps and popular directories such as Yelp are a fast way to locate nearby competitors, and to get a better sense of the region your business operates within. Try searching for the name of your product or industry and narrowing your results by focusing the map on a specific location, such as a city or neighborhood.

SimplyAnalytics

This is an Internet-based mapping application that enables users to develop interactive thematic maps and reports using thousands of demographic, business, and marketing data variables. Check your local public or academic library for access. UBC affiliates can learn more and get access.

 

Trade Shows

Attending trade shows is an excellent way to learn more about your competitors. Contact local associations or read trade publications to find out what trade shows are coming to your community.

10Times.com | The largest worldwide online directory of trade fairs, business exhibitions, trade shows, conferences, and seminars for various industries. Search for trade shows by industry, country, date, organizer, or venue.

The One Conference | The ONE Conference is designed to confront economic competitiveness, digital transformation and social and environmental consciousness facing the accounting industry head-on, with exciting hot-button panels, sessions, and keynotes. 

AICPA Advanced Financial Planning Conference | The AICPA Conference helps YOU become a better accountant, as well as gain and retain clients, with leading technical guidance from esteemed thought leaders. 

CAAA Annual Conference | The CAAA Annual Conference covers numerous topics related to issues in accounting and innovations in thought. In 2023, these will include climate change, supply chain disruptions, ESG, and the pandemic.

Accountex Canada | Accountex Canada brings together accounting and bookkeeping professionals looking to further their exposure and their education in the financial sphere. 

Forum FinTech Canada | The Canada FinTech Forum is a landmark international gathering that aims to showcase emerging global trends in FinTech, new technology solutions for the financial industry and emerging FinTech start-ups.

SME Finance Forum | The SME Finance Forum works to make finance more accessible for small and medium-sized businesses by bringing together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs.

Find Financial Benchmarks

One thing you will need to do in the financials section of your business plan is discuss how you will price your products and/or services, and how this compares to your competitors. You will need to develop a financial plan that includes your projected revenues and net income. The following resources will help you find financial information on competitors in your industry.

 

Free Tools for Finding Financial Info

EDGAR
Filings with the US Securities & Exchange Commission by companies listed on US exchanges. 10-K Forms include detailed information on company history, structure, financial statements, and other relevant data.

 

SEDAR
A collection of corporate filings that are required by securities regulators, from companies operating in Canada. This website is an excellent source for information about a company's plans, competitive environment, markets, products, and assets. SEDAR is the Canadian equivalent of EDGAR.

 

Finding Benchmarks & Ratios

Ratios are tools that allow you to plan and assess your company's progress over time, and to compare it to other companies in the same industry. There are diferent kinds of ratios, including operating ratios, financial ratios, performance indicators, and benchmarks.

 

Financial Performance Data (formerly SME Benchmarking Tool)
Tool for benchmarking your financial reports with others in your sector. Website also includes a collection of financial data and annual reports of various Canadian companies. For instructions on using the Financial Performance Data click here. To create a report using Financial Performance data click here.

TIP: Remember to search using your NAICS code (eg. 523930 for Certified financial planners)

 

Financial Performance Indicators for Canadian Business
Offers current financial ratios by industry, based on data provided by Statistics Canada. The indicators are designed to serve as financial performance benchmarks against which individual firms and industries can be compared. Affiliates of UBC, UNBC, UVic and SFU have access through Abacus Dataverse. If you are visiting, please contact your local library about access.

 

 

Proprietary Tools For Finding Financial Info

UBC Company Research Guide
This research guide was created by UBC business librarians. Follow this link to go directly to the section of the guide that features various UBC Library electronic resources that are recommended for searching for financial information on competitors, such as credit rankings, stock prices and investment analyst reports. You can explore the navigation on the right-hand side to find more recommended research sources on the general topic of company research.

 

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

 

Mergent Online
Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

 

Tools For Calculating Your Own Financials

• Financial Ratio Calculators - Business Development Canada
• Financial Ratios Calculator: Debt to Equity and Other Ratios - Canada One
• Business Calculators - GoForth Institute

Market Share & Size

Both market size and market share held by competitors are key factors when assessing the competitive environment. Keep in mind that there is no single source of market size and market share data. Market information is usually pieced together from various sources and is not often readily available for niche or emerging industries. One strategy is to combine a competitor's name or a comparable, established industry with the term market share in article databases or read market research reports. You will need to identify and describe your market – who your customers are and what the demand is for your products and services.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

• (2022, Dec 23) Digital twin financial services and insurance global market report 2022: Featuring IBM, Atos, Swim, General Electric & Microsoft. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2022, Dec 08). The rising adoption of cloud technologies will drive the digital twin financial services and insurance market as per the business research company's digital twin financial services and insurance global market report 2022: Avail a limited period discount of 33% on our uniquely designed opportunities and strategies market research reports. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2023, Jan 18). Wealth management platform market size worth USD 6.29 billion by 2029 | research by fortune business insights: As per the report by fortune business insights, the global wealth management platform market size is projected to reach USD 6.29 billion in 2029, at a CAGR of 13.2% during the forecast period, 2022-2029. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2023, Jan 16). [Latest] financial analytics market size to surpass USD 19.2 billion with growing CAGR of 14.80% by 2028, emerging trends, business strategies, competitive landscape and regional analysis: Global financial analytics market size, share & COVID-19 impact analysis, by component (solution and services), by deployment mode (on-premise and cloud), by organization size (large enterprises and small & medium sized enterprises), by industrial vertical (BFSI, IT and telecom, manufacturing, retail and E-commerce, government, healthcare and others) and regional forecasts, 2022-2028. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2023, Jan 16). Press release: Profit warning: Verkkokauppa.com adjusts its business operations to meet the decreased demand and makes a write-down related to the streamlining of its assortment - preliminary information on the financial development of 2022. Dow Jones Institutional News. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2023, Jan 13).  High frequency trading market size 2023 to reach USD 12590 million and exhibit a CAGR of 11.8% | global industry growth rate, key players, trends, demand, revenue and gross margin, opportunities, challenges and forecast research. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.

 

BCC Research Centre

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Publishes 250 reports annually that are complete with market intelligence, five-year forecasts, statistical and analytical data, key players, market share, industry structure and dynamics, and technological shifts and trends.

• TBRC. (2022, September). Accounting Services Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact. [Report Code MKB202G.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2022, September). Financial Services Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact. [Report Code MKB051I.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2022, September). Wealth Management Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact. [Report Code MKB062I.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2022, August). Global Accounting Services Market Report 2022. [Report Code MKB202F.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2022, August). Wealth Management Market Global Briefing 2022. [Report Code MKB202H.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2021 ,December). Financial Services Global Market Competitor Briefing 2022. [Report Code MKB051I.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2021 ,December). Wealth Management Global Market Competitor Briefing 2022. [Report Code MKB062G.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2021 ,December). Wealth Management Investment Competitor Outlook 2020: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery. [Report Code MKB062G.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
• TBRC. (2022, August). North America Accounting Services Market Report 2022. [Report Code MKB587A.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 

 

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

• Whitman, P. J. (2023). The Accounting Tidal Wave and What it Means for Businesses: Mergers, acquisitions and flexible hiring trends are all changing the face of the accounting industry. New Jersey Business, 69(1), 46–47. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• MarketLine Company Profile: Robert W. Baird & Co. Private Wealth Management. (2022). In Robert W. Baird & Co. Private Wealth Management Company Profile (pp. 1–17). Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Ahn, Y. (2022). Predicting customer attrition using binge trading patterns: Implications for the financial services industry. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 1–14. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.

 

eMarketer

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Or, contact your local public or academic library for their access details.

Global market research and trend analysis database that focuses on Internet, e-business, online marketing, media, and emerging technologies.

• McNamee, J. (2022, December 27). Wealth managers can use fintech tools and open finance to help clients with long-term financial planning. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Paige, W. (2022, December 30). Bankers agree collaboration is key to achieving open finance success. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database. 
• McNamee, J. (2023, January 9). Fintechs have a long way in agricultural finance. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• McNamee, J. (2022, December 2). Santander gives UK customers two new tools to manage their finances as prices continue to rise. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• McNamee, J. (2022, November 21). The gender gap in financial services is narrowing, but it’s far from closed. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• McNamee, J. (2022, October 26). The FCA launches a study of how Big Tech could impact finance. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• McNamee, J. (2022, July 8). Gen Z money app Quirk launches personality tests to its users. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• DellaCamera, C. (2022, September). Accounting Services in Canada / CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 54121cCA / PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Kanda, S. (2022, February). Tax Preparation Services in Canada / CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 54121dCA / PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Faber, T. (2022, September). Accounting Services in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 54121c / PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Burns, J. (2022, August). Global Accounting Services / GLOBAL INDUSTRY REPORT L6713-GL / GLOBAL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.  IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Maldonado, C. (2022, September). Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 54121b / PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.  
• Lang, C. (2022, July). Financial Planning & Advising Services in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 52393 / FINANCE & INSURANCE. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Maldonado, C. (2022, September). Finance and Insurance in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 52 / FINANCE AND INSURANCE. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.  
• Govdysh, A. (2022, December). Custody, Asset, & Securities Services in the US. US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 52399 / FINANCE AND INSURANCE. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, May). Professional Services: United States. Marketresearch.com. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database. 

 

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

Demographic Data

The resources listed in this section will help you identify population characteristics, and help you develop your customer profile. This research will also help you identify geographic areas where the largest number of your potential customers live. This can be very useful when determining a location for your business, and also when formulating your marketing strategy. Don't forget that trade associations and trade journals collect information about customers and can be great information sources for this area of your research.

 

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

 

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

• Financial expectations of retired Canadians 
• Registered retirement plan contributions, 2022
• Accounting services, 2021

 

Canadian Household Spending - Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the national statistical office. The agency ensures Canadians have the key information on Canada's economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers.

This table provides statistical information about household expenditures by Canadians broken down into a variety of categories. You can refine the table by region. You can view the full list of data tables here. 

 

Census Profile - Statistics Canada
Provides Canadian community profiles from the latest Census of Canada. These profiles are very useful for comparing statistics on different municipalities or regional districts. Includes details on family characteristics, primary language, mobility, educational attainment, marital status, labour force activity, earnings, and mode of transportation to work.

 

Socio-Economic Profiles - BC Stats
The socio-economic profiles consist of charts and tables for the various regional districts, health areas, college regions and school districts. Each region contains a map, demographic profile, economic hardship, labour market structure, education concerns, crime, health problems, children at risk, and youth at risk. The profiles are presented in a format that allows comparison to other regions in the province and to BC overall.

 

Your Target Market

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Packaged Facts. (2022, October). Financial Services for the Very High Net Worth. Marketresearch.com. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database. 
• Packaged Facts. (2018, December). The African-American and Hispanic Markets: Wealth, Banking, and Payment Trends. Marketresearch.com. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database. 

eMarketer

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Or, contact your local public or academic library for their access details.

Global market research and trend analysis database that focuses on Internet, e-business, online marketing, media, and emerging technologies.

• McNamee, J. (2022, December 27). Wealth managers can use fintech tools and open finance to help clients with long-term financial planning. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.. 
• McNamee, J. (2022, December 2). Santander gives UK customers two new tools to manage their finances as prices continue to rise. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• McNamee, J. (2022, November 21). The gender gap in financial services is narrowing, but it’s far from closed. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• McNamee, J. (2022, July 8). Gen Z money app Quirk launches personality tests to its users. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.

Passport GMID (formerly Global Market Information Database)

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff or faculty member you can access this resource. Please note this is not available for walk-in library users.

Passport GMID, produced by Euromonitor, is an integrated information system providing business intelligence on country economies and demographics, consumers, lifestyles, companies and industries. 

• Accounting and Auditing Canada

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• What’s working in financial services. (2021, August). WARC Category Intelligence.  Retrieved from WARC database.
• Hamill, A. (2022, May). Mastercard’s ‘True Name’: financial inclusion for trans and gender non-conforming people. WARC Creative Analysis. Retrieved from WARC database.
• Clapp, R. (2020, February). Consumer trust falls across 15 different industries. WARC Data Points. Retrieved from WARC database. 
• Baines, L. Post-COVID expectations and behaviours: Gen Z and financial services. WARC Exclusive. Retrieved from WARC database. 
• Scarfo, G., and Zeidler, B. (2018, September). The Secret Financial Lives of Americans - and the Future of Financial Services. Research on WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.
• (2022). Merrill: Seeing the Unseen: The role gender plays in wealth management. ARF Ogilvy Awards. Retrieved from WARC database. 
• Wilde, A. (2021, August). Bucking the declining trust trend in financial services. WARC Exclusive. Retrieved from WARC database. 

 

Public Opinion Polls

Ipsos
Links to Canadian, U.S. and international polls. Includes polls on consumer goods.

• Huff, E. (2023, January 4). Social media users’ 2023 resolutions: health and finances first. Synthesio. Retrieved from Ipsos.

Roper Center for Public Opinion
Preserves the data from polls conducted by many leading survey organizations for the use of researchers, students, and journalists. Includes a section on how to analyze polls. Only for those affiliated with UBC.

 

Primary Research

The main point of this guide is to introduce you to a wide range of secondary market research resources but keep in mind there is great value in analyzing other information including:

• Advertising, blogs and sales brochures
• Your personal network and employees
• Direct observation, focus groups and interviews with potential customers

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.