How to become a financial auditor or accountant
Official title: Financial auditors and accountants
Also called: Accountant, Tax auditor, Tax accountant, Cost accountant, Chief accountant, Internal auditor, Plant accountant, Auditor - finance, Budget accountant, Claims accountant, Financial auditor, Public accountant
Financial auditors examine and analyze the accounting and financial records of individuals and establishments to ensure accuracy and compliance with established accounting standards and procedures. Accountants plan, organize and administer accounting systems for individuals and establishments. They are employed by private sector accounting and auditing firms or departments and public sector accounting and auditing departments or units, or they may be self-employed. Articling students in accounting firms are included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Financial auditors
- Examine and analyze journal and ledger entries, bank statements, inventories, expenditures, tax returns and other accounting and financial records, documents and systems of individuals, departments within organizations, businesses or other establishments to ensure financial recording accuracy and compliance with established accounting standards, procedures and internal controls
- Prepare detailed reports on audit findings and make recommendations to improve individual or establishment's accounting and management practices
- Conduct field audits of businesses to ensure compliance with provisions of the Income Tax Act, Canadian Business Corporations Act or other statutory requirements
- May supervise other auditors or professionals in charge of accounting within client's establishment
- Accountants
- Plan, set up and administer accounting systems and prepare financial information for individuals, departments within organizations, businesses and other establishments
- Examine accounting records and prepare financial statements and reports
How to become one
Chartered professional accountants, chartered accountants (CPA, CA) require a university degree and completion of a professional training program approved by a provincial Institute of chartered accountants and, depending on the province, either two years or 30 months of on-the-job training and membership in a provincial Institute of Chartered Accountants upon successful completion of the Uniform Evaluation (UFE). Chartered professional accountants, certified general accountants (CPA, CGA) and chartered professional accountants, certified management accountants (CPA, CMA) require a university degree and completion of an approved training program and several years of on-the-job training and certification with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories. Auditors require education, training and recognition as indicated for chartered professional accountants, chartered accountants (CPA, CA), chartered professional accountants, certified general accountants (CPA, CGA) or chartered professional accountants, certified management accountants (CPA, CMA) and some experience as an accountant. Auditors may require recognition by the Institute of Internal Auditors. To act as a trustee in bankruptcy proceedings, auditors and accountants must hold a licence as a trustee in bankruptcy. Licensing by the provincial or territorial governing body is usually required for accountants and auditors practising public accounting.
Ways in
- University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 17 universities in Canada
- Licence or registration: Chartered professional accountants, certified general accountants (CPA, CGA) and chartered professional accountants, certified management accountants (CPA, CMA) require a university degree and completion of an approved training program and several years of on-the-job training and certification with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories. To act as a trustee in bankruptcy proceedings, auditors and accountants must hold a licence as a trustee in bankruptcy. Licensing by the provincial or territorial governing body is usually required for accountants and auditors practising public accounting.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $78,702 a year The middle half earn $59,066 to $105,008.
- About 247,300 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 266,500 are projected by 2033. (+7.8%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Financial and investment analysts
- Financial advisors
- Securities agents, investment dealers and brokers
- Other financial officers
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Questions people ask
How do I become a financial auditor or accountant?
Chartered professional accountants, chartered accountants (CPA, CA) require a university degree and completion of a professional training program approved by a provincial Institute of chartered accountants and, depending on the province, either two years or 30 months of on-the-job training and membership in a provincial Institute of Chartered Accountants upon successful completion of the Uniform Evaluation (UFE). Chartered professional accountants, certified general accountants (CPA, CGA) and chartered professional accountants, certified management accountants (CPA, CMA) require a university degree and completion of an approved training program and several years of on-the-job training and certification with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories. Auditors require education, training and recognition as indicated for chartered professional accountants, chartered accountants (CPA, CA), chartered professional accountants, certified general accountants (CPA, CGA) or chartered professional accountants, certified management accountants (CPA, CMA) and some experience as an accountant. Auditors may require recognition by the Institute of Internal Auditors. To act as a trustee in bankruptcy proceedings, auditors and accountants must hold a licence as a trustee in bankruptcy. Licensing by the provincial or territorial governing body is usually required for accountants and auditors practising public accounting.
How much does a financial auditor or accountant earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $78,702 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $59,066 to $105,008.
Is a financial auditor or accountant a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2033, from about 247,300 to about 266,500 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a financial auditor or accountant?
Usually. 80% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03