Training Example: Wave Financial Inc. – Review the Data, Give Your Score & Compare to the Real AI Evaluation

4.5
[IMG: Rating stars]
[IMG: Google logo]
Wave: Small Business Software
[H1] Clear books.Confident decisions.
The single source of truth for your business finances. Wave keeps your accounting, invoicing, payments, and more in one unified system. Gain financial clarity and stay tax-ready year-round.Get started now

[IMG: Pause video]

[IMG: Play video]

4.5
[IMG: Rating stars]
[IMG: Google logo]
Wave: Small Business Software
[H1] Clear books.Confident decisions.
The single source of truth for your business finances. Wave keeps your accounting, invoicing, payments, and more in one unified system. Gain financial clarity and stay tax-ready year-round.Get started now
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
[H2] More reasons to love Wave
[H2] More reasons to love Wave
Make bookkeeping and tax time easy with solutions that are affordable, small biz friendly, and—dare we say—fun to use.
[IMG: Accounting icon]
[H3] No sweat accounting
Track income and expenses, manage cash flow, and access reporting that’ll help you make smart business decisions.
[IMG: Invoicing icon]
[H3] Easy invoicing
Create beautiful, professional invoices and estimates in only a few clicks and wow your customers.
[IMG: Wallet icon]
[H3] Secure online payments
Give your customers the choice of quickly paying you using credit card, bank transfer, or Apple Pay.
[H3] Painless payroll
Reliably pay employees and yourself and manage contractors without worrying about the complicated legal stuff.Learn more
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
Learn more
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
Learn more
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
Learn more
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
[IMG: Accounting icon]
[H3] No sweat accounting
Track income and expenses, manage cash flow, and access reporting that’ll help you make smart business decisions.
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
[IMG: Invoicing icon]
[H3] Easy invoicing
Create beautiful, professional invoices and estimates in only a few clicks and wow your customers.
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
[IMG: Wallet icon]
[H3] Secure online payments
Give your customers the choice of quickly paying you using credit card, bank transfer, or Apple Pay.
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
[H2] Painless payroll
Reliably pay employees and yourself and manage contractors without worrying about the complicated legal stuff.
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
[H3] Painless payroll
Reliably pay employees and yourself and manage contractors without worrying about the complicated legal stuff.
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
Ask an expert
[H4] Get by with a little 1:1 help
Our (non-judgmental) in-house team of bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll experts is standing by to coach you—or do the work for you.Learn more about Advisors
[IMG: Three of our Wave Advisors]
Ask an expert
[H2] Get by with a little 1:1 help
Our (non-judgmental) in-house team of bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll experts is standing by to coach you—or do the work for you.Learn more about Advisors
[IMG: Three of our Wave Advisors]
[H2] Focus on your business, not your books

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Wave Pro customer received a complimentary annual subscription for their honest feedback.“Wave is rock solid.So for the peace of mind alone, totally worth it.”Joshua NadlerCreative Business Owner & WAVE PRO CUSTOMER“Wave is rock solid.So for the peace of mind alone, totally worth it.”Joshua NadlerCreative Business Owner & WAVE PRO CUSTOMERWave Pro customer received a complimentary annual subscription for their honest feedback.
[H2] Over 350,000 small businessestrust Wave to easily button-uptheir books
[H2] Over 300,000 small businesses trust Wave
[IMG: Headshot of Wave customer Tatiyanna.]
Tatiyanna W.TruCreates.com"Wave makes your life a whole lot easier and takes that worry off you. I've tried Quickbooks—it's a bit more complicated and technical, and takes more time to set up."
[IMG: A headshot of Wave customers Eric Silverberg & Eli Gladstone.]
Eric Silverberg & Eli GladstoneSpeaker Labs“Wave’s invoicing is unbeatable. In eight years, we haven’t had a single unpaid invoice, thanks to how easy it is to create, send, and follow up. Our invoicing process would be lost without it!”
[IMG: Headshot of Wave customer Robbie Katherine Anthony.]
Robbie Katherine AnthonyEuphoria LGBT Inc.App Development"It’s not just a cool piece of software, it is giving peace of mind to people. You deserve to know your taxes aren't something you have to sweat over the entire calendar year."Get started for free
[H2] Spend more time on what you love
[IMG: Wave customer standing near their laptop]
[H3] Breathe that sigh of relief
With everything in one place, there’s no need to endlessly research solutions or stare at spreadsheets until your eyes glaze over. Plus, our features are designed to work together, meaning less to worry about.
[H3] Make it without the fake it
Unlike other software, Wave is built for small business owners and solopreneurs at every stage—not accountants—so it’s easy for you to use. Look and feel polished, keep your books organized, and kick tax season’s butt, whether you’re a newbie or seasoned pro.
[IMG: Wave customer working on their laptop]
[IMG: Wave customer checking their profit and loss report on the Wave mobile app]
[H3] Be the wiz of your biz
Keep tabs on your cash flow, know who owes you and who you owe, and access important reports to stay in the know—even on-the-go, with our mobile app, the convenient companion to your desktop experience.
[H2] Spend more time onwhat you love
[IMG: Wave customer standing near their laptop]
[H3] Breathe that sigh of relief
With everything in one place, there’s no need to endlessly research solutions or stare at spreadsheets until your eyes glaze over. Plus, our features are designed to work together, meaning less to worry about.
[IMG: Wave customer checking their profit and loss report on the Wave mobile app]
[H3] Make it without the fake it
Unlike other software, Wave is built for small business owners and solopreneurs at every stage—not accountants—so it’s easy for you to use. Look and feel polished, keep your books organized, and kick tax season’s butt, whether you’re a newbie or seasoned pro.
[IMG: Wave customer working on their laptop]
[H3] Be the wiz of your biz
Keep tabs on your cash flow, know who owes you and who you owe, and access important reports to stay in the know—even on-the-go, with our mobile app, the convenient companion to your desktop experience.
[H2] Built for small business owners like you
[H2] Built for small business owners like you
[H3] Freelancers
Pay your staff (and yourself!) with confidence.Tru WilliamsPhotographer/Videographer
[H3] Solopreneurs
Get tidy books for tax time—one less thing to worry about.DaeDae the poet
[H3] Contractors
Fire off professional invoices and estimates in minutes.
[IMG: Wave customer Troy Styke]
Troy StykeCrystal Clean Window Cleaning
[H3] Consultants
Set up recurring invoices and payments for repeat clients.
[IMG: Wave customer Sarah Stockdale]
Sarah StockdaleGrowclass Founder
[H2] Built for small business owners like you
[H3] Freelancers
Pay your staff (and yourself!) with confidence.Tru WilliamsPhotographer/Videographer
[H3] Solopreneurs
Get tidy books for tax time—one less thing to worry about.DaeDae the poet
[H3] Contractors
Fire off professional invoices and estimates in minutes.
[IMG: Wave customer Troy Styke]
Troy StykeCrystal Clean Window Cleaning
[H3] Consultants
Set up recurring invoices and payments for repeat clients.
[IMG: Wave customer Sarah Stockdale]
Sarah StockdaleGrowthclass Founder
[H2] From the blog
[H3] How to identify clients that are killing your cash flow (using tags to identify costly customers)
High revenue doesn't always guarantee profit. Discover how hidden costs like scope creep, endless revisions, and late payments are quietly draining your cash flow, and learn how to use a simple tagging system to identify exactly which clients are hurting your bottom line.
[H3] What Your Financial Reports Are Trying to Tell You
Financial reports are more than just tax documents—they are powerful decision-making tools. Discover how to read the "Big Three" (profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow) to confidently plan for your business's future.
[H3] How to understand and use your chart of accounts
Learn what a chart of accounts is, why it matters for accurate bookkeeping, and how to set it up without overcomplicating your business finances.
[H3] Is your business actually profitable? Check in 10 minutes
Stop guessing and start knowing. This 10-minute guide helps small business owners move beyond "feeling busy" to identify hidden cash drains and confirm true profitability.
[H3] Why your P&L and bank statement don't match
Ever wonder why your bookkeeping shows a profit but your bank account feels empty? Discover the key differences between your P&L and bank statements and how to master your cash flow.
[H3] Tax forms for small businesses in the United States
Know exactly which IRS forms your small business needs — returns by entity, 1099-NEC, W-2/941/940, Form 4562, estimates, extensions — plus checklists to stay compliant.
[H2] Browse by category
[H2] How does Wave compare to other accounting and invoicing software?
[H3] Wave vs.
[H3] HoneyBook
[H3] Wave vs.
[H3] QuickBooks
[H3] Wave vs.
[H3] FreshBooks
[H3] Wave vs.
[H3] ZipBooks
[H3] Wave vs.
[H3] Xero
[H3] Wave vs.
[H3] Sage
[H2] Frequently Asked Questions
Expand allCollapse all
[H3] Is Wave's software something I need to install?
Wave's tools are web-based, so you just need an Internet connection and browser—no installation is necessary for our online software!‍If you're looking for an on-the-go solution, you can install our mobile app to help you manage invoices and payments. Download our mobile app on iOS and Android today!
[H3] What if I just want to try Wave to see if it works for my business?
Sign up for the Starter Plan to take the bookkeeping and invoicing basics for a spin. Then, whenever you’re ready, upgrade to the Pro Plan to unlock even more money management features. Our plans are built for small business owners at every stage!
[H3] Can I change plans easily?
You bet! To upgrade to the Pro Plan, sign into Wave. Visit your dashboard or use your invoicing or accounting features, and click the “Upgrade now” button. Learn more about changing subscription periods and plan types in our Help Center.
[H3] Is my data secure when I use Wave?
Our servers are protected physically and electronically. Any connections between you, your bank accounts, and Wave are protected by 256-bit SSL encryption. Wave is a PCI-DSS Level 1 Service Provider.
[H3] Do you provide customer support?
We provide different levels of support, depending on the plan and/or the add-on features you choose. Learn more about how Wave support works here.
[H3] Is it easy to cancel for any reason after I subscribe?
Yes, you can unsubscribe at any time! The cancellation of your subscription will take effect at the end of the billing period in which you cancel. Learn how to cancel your subscription in our Help Center.†Offer only available to new Pro Plan subscribers when purchasing a monthly subscription through Wave’s website, and is limited to one offer per customer. Discount applied to the listed monthly price for Wave’s Pro Plan, starting from the date the Pro Plan is purchased and continuing for three monthly payment periods. Following the offer period, your account will automatically be charged at the listed monthly price until you cancel your subscription. You can cancel your subscription up until one (1) day before your renewal date through Wave. If you choose to cancel your subscription, it will remain active until the end of your current billing period. This discount can't be combined with any other promotional offer from Wave. Offer available from December 2nd, 2025 until January 6th, 2026. Please see Waves Paid Subscription Terms of Service for more details. Offer Terms and Conditions subject to change without notice.
[H2] You didn't start your business tobe a bookkeeper
[H2] You didn't start your business to be a bookkeeper
Get started for free
[H2] You didn't start your business to be a bookkeeper
Get started for free

[H1] Payroll that pays off
Wave’s payroll software is the easy, more accurate way to pay employees, contractors, and yourself. Get started now
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
USCanada
[H2] Simplified payroll software
[IMG: Checkmark]
Run payroll in minutes
[IMG: Checkmark]
No hidden fees
[IMG: Checkmark]
Built for small business owners
[H3] Pay employees and contractors
Easily generate T4 and T4A slips and summaries for tax season.
[H3] Pay employees and contractors
Pay independent contractors and employees, and generate W2 and 1099 forms for tax season.
[H3] Tax payments and filings
Wave’s complete payroll tax service will automatically pay and file your state and federal payroll taxes.
[H3] Direct deposit
Deposit payments directly into your employees’ bank accounts. Less work for you, and your team will love it.
[H3] Automatic tax remittances
Save valuable time and get peace of mind by having Wave handle your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tax remittances on your behalf.
[H3] Automatic payroll journal entries
Wave’s payroll software is seamlessly connected with the rest of your Wave account to reduce the time you spend on manual bookkeeping.
[H3] Employee access
Your employees can log into Wave securely to access their pay stubs and T4s and manage their contact and banking information.
[H3] Easily switch from another payroll provider
When you switch from another payroll software, migrating your data is simple. Learn more about how you can switch to Wave.
[H3] Self-service pay stubs and tax forms
Employees can securely log in to access their pay stubs and W2s, and manage their contact and banking information.
[H2] Make managing payroll easy
Save time and stress with automated, more accurate payroll.Get started now
[H2] Make managing payroll easy
Save time and stress with automated, more accurate payroll.Get started now"Payroll can be tedious, but Wave makes it fast, reliable, and worry-free. It automates tasks like tax remittance, so I can focus on what I love about running my business without unexpected surprises."Sarah Stockdale, Growclass founder
[IMG: Wave customer Sarah Stockdale]
[IMG: Wave customer Sarah Stockdale]
"Payroll can be tedious, but Wave makes it fast, reliable, and worry-free. It automates tasks like tax remittance, so I can focus on what I love about running my business without unexpected surprises."Sarah Stockdale, Growclass founder
[H2] Payroll pricing
No set-up fees or hidden charges.USCanadaAvailable in all provinces and territories, except Quebec.Monthly feeDetailsMonthly fee$25 CAD base fee+ $6 per active employee+ $6 per independent contractor paidMonthly fee$40 USD base fee+ $6 per active employee+ $6 per independent contractor paidDetails
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
100% payroll accuracy guaranteed
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Unlimited free direct deposits
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Automatic tax payments to the CRA
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Pay yourself, employees, or contractors, hassle-free
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Seamless integration with Wave's accounting software
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Get the full picture of your cash flow with wage and tax payment reporting
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Integrated employee portal for access to pay stubs, tax forms, and vacation leave
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Full employee management with ROEs, top ups, benefit calculations, and more
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Easily generate T4 and T4A slips and summariesDetails
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
100% payroll accuracy guaranteed
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Unlimited free direct deposits
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
As part of our tax services, Wave will automatically transfer tax payments* and file the paperwork with your state tax agency and the IRS (excluding 1099 filings)*In rare cases, tax payments may not be able to be automatically transferred.
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Pay yourself, employees, or contractors, hassle-free
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Seamless integration with Wave's accounting software
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Get the full picture of your cash flow with wage and tax payment reporting
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Integrated employee portal for access to pay stubs, W-2s, and vacation leave
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Full employee management with ROEs, top ups, benefit calculations, and more
[IMG: Orange checkmark]
Easily generate W-2 and W-3 and 1099-NECPrices apply to new payroll customers who signed up after April 2, 2025. Payroll customers who joined Wave before April 2, 2025, will be notified of any changes to their current plan if applicable. Please log in to your account for full details of your plan.
[H2] Try payroll software free for 30 days.
[H2] Try payroll software free for 30 days.
Get started now
[H2] See all small business payroll features
Run your payroll with ease and accuracy.Make payments, record accounting entries, and file tax documents for your independent contractors.Pay employees with one simple click every payday.See a breakdown of your payroll expenses by employee, expense type, and more.Employees get online access to pay stubs and tax forms, and can update their banking and contact details.We consistently update our features to incorporate government relief programs and changes.Generate W2 and 1099 forms without the hassle.Save time with automatic tax filings and payments.Track leave time and accruals required to process payroll.Payroll automatically integrates with Wave’s accounting, invoicing, and online payments features to keep your records up-to-date.Get a priority connection to our customer support team via live chat Monday-Friday.Connect with our support team via email for prompt assistance.
[H2] From the blog
[IMG: Methods LLC owners can take to compensate themselves either from a salary or owner]
[H3] How to pay yourself as an LLC small business owner
How to pay yourself as an LLC, including LLCs of all levels: single-member, multi-member, and corporate LLCs.
[IMG: The ultimate guide to paying yourself as a sole proprietor]
[H3] How to pay yourself as a sole proprietor
Paying yourself for all of your hard work can be easy if you establish yourself as a sole proprietor. Learn how to do it here.
[IMG: How to pay contractors: the ultimate guide]
[H3] How to pay contractors: A guide for small businesses
Whether you’re already working with a contractor or just weighing your options, we'll help you better understand their role, how to hire an independent contractor, and how to pay them.More articles
[H2] Frequently Asked Questions
Expand allCollapse all
[H3] How does the 30-day free trial work?
Upon processing your first payroll, you can use Wave Payroll for up to 30 days, commitment-free. At any time, you can activate to start your billing cycle and gain access to items like tax filing and approving payrolls beyond the current month. See our full US terms here, and our full Canadian terms here.
[H3] What if I want to pause my payroll for a period of time?
You can deactivate your payroll account at any time by navigating to Settings > Billing > Deactivate.
[H3] When can I begin using small business payroll software?
You don't have to wait for a new quarter or year to start using payroll software—you can start running payroll at any time! And if you’re switching providers, you can make the transition easily by importing all the necessary forms and information in just a few minutes. Check out our handy support article to learn how you can switch to using Wave’s payroll feature.
[H3] What are the benefits of using small business payroll software?
Doing payroll manually involves confusing and time-consuming calculations. Not to mention the stress of worrying about making errors and winding up in a tax audit (yikes!).Payroll software saves you time so you can focus on the best parts of running your business. And, in the long run, an online payroll software provider like Wave can save you a lot of money by reducing human error so you can avoid tax penalties (and who doesn’t love saving money?).‍
[H3] How do I run payroll for my small business?
We totally get it—running payroll for your small business can seem like a daunting task, especially when you've got so much on your plate. That's why a payroll software like Wave's can help ease the burden of doing payroll on your own. We've also crafted a guide to small business payroll to help you navigate the process.
[H3] Can I pay independent contractors with Wave's payroll software?
You sure can! Wave Payroll supports paying both employees and independent contractors when you run payroll. The proper tax forms—1099 in the US and T4-A in Canada—are also generated for you.
[H3] Why did the base price change for some US states?
Prior to April 2, 2025, our tax service was not available in all US states. The base rate was higher in "tax service states," because Wave automatically transferred tax payments and filed the necessary paperwork with the state tax office and/or the IRS.‍Now, Wave offers our tax service in all 50 US states, meaning the pricing is the same for all states. The base price will not change for states who already had access to our tax service, and will increase for states that now have access to our tax service.
[H2] ‍You're the boss. Now be Employee of the Month.
Get started now

[H1] Personalized help with Wave Advisors
Get VIP treatment from our in-house bookkeepers and coaches. Explore packages
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
[IMG: Pause video]
[IMG: Play video]
[H2] Have a trusted advisor by your side
[IMG: Illustration of a person confidently riding a blue wave on an orange surfboard.]
THIS independence DAYTHIS CANADA DAYGet your weekends back. Your first month free.Save up to $1,199 on annual bookkeeping support, or up to 13% on 1:1 coaching sessions†.Save up to $949 on annual bookkeeping support, or up to 13% on 1:1 coaching sessions†.Claim my free month
[IMG: Illustration of a person confidently riding a blue wave on an orange surfboard.]
THIS independence DAYTHIS CANADA DAYGet your weekends back.Your first month free.Save up to $1,199 on annual bookkeeping support, or up to 13% on 1:1 coaching sessions†.Save up to $949 on annual bookkeeping support, or up to 13% on 1:1 coaching sessions†.Claim my free month
[H3] Bookkeeping support
Starting at$149$136USD and up per month**$199$182CAD and up per month**Book a callAssigned in-house bookkeeper based in North AmericaIntroductory call and account setupTransaction categorizationAccount reconciliationCollaboration with your bookkeeperMonthly review callsBusiness upgraded to the Pro Plan*
[H3] Accounting coaching
Starting at$229$199USD one time fee (other packages available)CAD one time fee (other packages available)Book a callLive 1:1 coachingUnlimited 30-day email access to your coachThe confidence to manage your own booksMigration from other accounting software, like FreshBooks*Receipts feature not included‍**Billed annually. No contract, and no commitment necessary. Monthly plans are also available. Pricing is based on transaction volume. Read our Terms of Service for full pricing breakdown.†Total savings on a 2 year engagement for businesses with over 400 monthly transactions. Actual savings may vary. See Terms and Conditions for more information.
[H2] Schedule a consultation now and discover the right package for you.
[H2] Schedule a consultation now and discover the right package for you.
Book a call
[IMG: Headshot of Wave customer Katherine Perez]
Katherine PerezKat D Productions "Simran is very helpful and goes above and beyond to help me as I am a fairly new freelancer and user of the Wave Advisors services."
[IMG: Headshot of Wave customer Melodia Martinia]
Melodie MartiniaLanding Spot Counseling"Dawn is always upbeat and kind, even when
not feeling 100%. She always has everything
in order and is ready
for any questions
I may have."
[IMG: Headshot of Wave customer Christopher Mayer]
Christopher MayerWoodlock House Family Capital"Very easy so far. I like that I don't have to do it myself and worry about whether everything balances, etc."
[H2] Frequently Asked Questions
Expand allCollapse all
[H3] What is a Wave Advisor?
Wave Advisors are trained in-house professionals in bookkeeping, accounting and Wave features. Experienced and passionate about the unique challenges small business owners face, Wave Advisors can give you help and advice when you need it—during the year, when you’re closing year-end, or at tax time.
[H3] What is the difference between Bookkeeping and Accounting Coaching?
With Bookkeeping, you outsource your bookkeeping to us and let the pros handle it. With Accounting Coaching, we ensure you are set up correctly and coach you on how to do it yourself.
[H3] What are the monthly fees for Bookkeeping with an Advisor?
The fee is calculated for a calendar month of transactions, and depends on the size of your business. Schedule a call to receive a customized quote.
[H3] Who is Accounting Coaching for?
It’s for freelancers, consultants, contractors, and self-employed entrepreneurs who want to do their own bookkeeping with confidence.Whether you’re new to accounting software (or Wave), or have years of experience and want to utilize our software to the fullest extent, we will coach you to succeed.
[H3] Who provides the coaching services?
Wave employees who are all trained in-house.
[H2] Discover which Wave Advisors package is right for you.
Book a call
[H2] Discover which Wave Advisors package is right for you.
Get started for free