SR&ED software vs hiring a consultant
A consultant does the work for you and takes a cut of the credit. Software gives you the workflow and you keep the credit. Neither is the right answer for everyone — the honest version of when each fits is below.
Hire a consultant when
- It's your first claim and you're unsure what qualifies or how to frame uncertainty.
- The claim is large or technically contested enough that expert framing changes the outcome.
- You have no one who can write the technical narrative, and no time to learn.
- You want someone to represent you directly if the CRA reviews the claim.
Use software when
- You have the technical knowledge in-house — the people who did the work can describe it.
- You'd rather keep the full credit than pay 15–30% of it as a contingency fee.
- You want to own the process and the records, and run it again next year.
- You're a consultant or firm yourself, preparing claims for clients at volume.
Worth saying plainly: many SR&ED consultants prepare their clients’ claims in software like SREDlog. “Software vs consultant” often turns out to be the same tool, used by different hands.
The real trade-offs
Is software or a consultant cheaper?
It depends on the claim. Consultants typically work on a contingency fee — a percentage of the credit — so a large claim can mean a large fee. Software is a flat subscription, so the cost doesn't scale with the credit. For a small first claim a consultant's expertise may be worth the fee; at volume, software usually wins on cost.
Isn't a consultant more likely to get the claim approved?
A good consultant brings real expertise, especially on complex or first-time claims. But approval turns on the quality of the evidence and narrative, not on who typed it. Software that keeps your evidence organized and drafts grounded narratives closes much of the gap — and many consultants use exactly this kind of tool.
Can I use both?
Yes, and many do. Prepare the claim in software to keep it organized and traceable, and bring in a consultant for a review or for the parts that need specialist judgment. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.
Does SREDlog replace a consultant?
It replaces the manual grind of preparing a claim; it doesn't replace professional judgment. It prepares and organizes — it never decides eligibility or files for you. If you want a specialist's sign-off, that's still yours to arrange.
Preparing claims for clients? SREDlog for consultants
Keep the credit, keep control
Try preparing a real claim yourself in SREDlog before you decide. If you'd still rather hand it off, you'll know exactly what you're handing off.
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