Printable version

Financial auditors and accountants (NOC 1111)

Job titles

Nature of work

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. Articling students in accounting firms are included in this unit group. Financial auditors and accountants are employed by auditing and accounting firms throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.

Fields of interest

  • Crunching numbers
  • Managing, organizing, administrating
  • Working in an office
  • Writing, working in communications and information

Main duties

  • Financial auditors perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - 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 perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - 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
  • - Develop and maintain cost finding, reporting and internal control procedures
  • - Examine financial accounts and records and prepare income tax returns from accounting records
  • - Analyze financial statements and reports and provide financial, business and tax advice
  • - May act as a trustee in bankruptcy proceedings
  • - May supervise and train articling students, other accountants or administrative technicians.

Main characteristics of the occupation

These headings are provided for the following occupation(s) :

Employment requirements

  • * Chartered accountants 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).
  • * Certified general accountants and certified management accountants require a university degree and Completion of a training program approved by the Society of Certified General Accountants or Society of Management Accountants and several years of on-the-job training and Certification by the Certified General Accountants Association or the Society of Management Accountants.
  • * Auditors require education, training and recognition as indicated for chartered accountants, certified general accountants or certified management accountants 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.

Skill type

  • Business, finance and administration occupations

Skill level

  • Professional

More information

  • * There is limited mobility among the three professional accounting designations of chartered accountant (CA), certified general accountant (CGA) and certified management accountant (CMA).
  • * Progression to auditing or accounting management positions is possible with experience.

Job titles - Classified elsewhere

Professional associations

  • Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec
  • 5, Place Ville-Marie, bureau 800
  • Montréal, QC
  • H3B2G2
  • Toll free: 1-800-363-4688
  • Phone: 514-288-3256
  • Email: info@cpaquebec.com