Guidelines on how-to use the tool:

The guidelines below will take you step-by-step through the Financial Performance Data tool and show you how to estimate the operating costs of your business, view financial performance averages in your industry and enter your own data to see how your business compares to the competition.

Step 1: Go to www.sme.ic.gc.ca

Step 2: Select Create a Report on the left-hand side of the main page.

Step 3: Fill out the electronic form in front of you. Next, select from pull-down menus for the remaining box options. Choose the options that best support your data search.

Step 4: Enter your NAICS number in the box provided. If you’re not sure of your code visit Statistics Canada

Hit “Create Report” when done.

Step 5: Next, decide which portion of the industry you will use as comparables. You can use the half or quartile that best reflects your own operating revenue to get a more accurate benchmark or you can select them all.