Accountants create, disseminate, and assess financial data. This program will introduce you to various information technologies, expose you to conceptual issues, and equip you with the technical skills necessary to work as an entry-level accountant.
The program is offered at all three levels: undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral in Canada's top prestigious universities. You must complete formal presentations, live projects, group projects, and various case studies throughout the course.
Graduates of the program from Canada are eligible to sit for the licensure examination to become certified public accountants. Big firms hire them for a variety of finance and accounting roles. A Master of Accounting salary in Canada is $73,000 per year on average.
One of the largest national accounting organizations in the world, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, has certified the majority of accounting degrees provided by Canadian universities (CPA Canada).
In Canada, the scope of graduate courses in accounting saw a 10% increase in job opportunities and satisfaction for those working in this field. There are over 1,800 job openings for Master of Accounting graduates in Toronto alone. This indicates that it is one of Canada's most rapidly growing industries.
Global ranking of some of the top universities in Canada for Accounting courses
Many top universities in Canada offer accounting courses. Students must make an educated decision regarding the choice of their university. The following is a list of the top Canadian universities in these subjects based on the "Best Global Universities for Economics and Business in Canada" by USnews.
The table is based on carefully calibrated performance indicators that assess a university's performance in four areas: teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and global outlook. The list is intended to help international students get acquainted with Canadian universities.
World Ranking 2023 |
Universities/Colleges |
Location |
15 |
University of Toronto |
Toronto |
29 |
University of British Columbia |
Vancouver |
101-150 |
Western University |
London (Canada) |
98 |
University of Alberta |
Edmonton |
97 |
University of Montreal |
Montreal |
101-150 |
York University |
Toronto |
201-250 |
Simon Fraser University |
Burnaby |
55 |
McGill University |
Montreal |
151 |
University of Calgary |
Calgary |
168 |
University of Waterloo |
Waterloo |
182 |
Concordia University |
Montreal |
213 |
Laval University |
Quebec City |
232 |
University of Ottawa |
Ottawa |
233 |
McMaster University |
Hamilton |
|
Programs for Bachelors in Accounting with tuition fees in Canada
Some numerous Canadian universities or institutions provide undergraduate accounting courses to cater to the increasing demand for this specialization.
The bachelor’s degree in accounting is a four-year course. It is a significant/concentration course in the Bachelor of Commerce or BBA program.
Bachelor in accounting graduates have various immigration options available to them in Canada. These will assist them in obtaining citizenship in Canada.
The total cost of the Bachelor of Accounting program can vary depending on the course or university you choose. The tuition fee for the program ranges from $23,000 to $59,000 per year.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Duration/Credit hours |
Tuition fees per annum in CAD |
Simon Fraser University |
Bachelor in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting |
120 Credits |
$31,770 (1059*30) |
University of Toronto |
Bachelor in Commerce specialization in Accounting |
4 years |
$59,320 |
Concordia University |
Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting |
3-5 years (90-120)CH |
$27,278 – $32,120 |
University of Ottawa |
Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting(Honors) |
120 units |
$46,820 |
University of Alberta |
Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting |
4 years |
$35,700 |
University of Calgary |
Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting |
4 years |
$25,679 |
Laval University |
Bachelor in Business Administration - Accountancy |
3 years |
$23,240 |
Academic Requirement:
- Successful completion of an intermediate level or high school diploma.
- Score above 75% is preferred by most universities.
English Language Requirement:
- A TOEFL score of at least 90 with a minimum score of 22 in Writing and Speaking.
- A Duolingo score of 120.
- An IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 in each band.
Programs for Masters in Accounting with tuition fees in Canada
Most of the Master in accounting curriculum in Canada focuses on subjects including taxation, banking, insurance, accounting, and financial strategies. A postgraduate degree in accounting in Canada is one to two years, depending on the university.
It is favourable for students interested in pursuing a master's degree in accounting in Canada, given the rising demand for MAcc graduates from Canadian multinational corporations. In Canada, an entry-level accountant makes an average of 46,000 USD annually.
Here are a couple of top-ranked universities that provide master’s courses in accounting in Canada.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Duration/Credit hours |
Tuition fees per annum in CAD |
York University |
Master of Accounting |
45 Credits |
$39,658 |
University of Alberta-Alberta School of Business |
Master of Accounting |
2 years |
$25,704 |
University of Toronto |
Master of Accounting and Finance |
16 months |
$45,630 |
University of Waterloo |
Master of Accounting |
8 months |
$43,426 |
Academic Requirement:
- Completing an Honor Bachelor's degree in Bachelor of accounting, math, or Bachelor of Science program.
- Most universities prefer a score above 75%.
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is recommended.
- International applicants with a bachelor's degree from a university outside of Canada must complete a Diploma in Intermediate Accounting program before entering the Master of Accounting Program.
English Language Requirement:
- A TOEFL score of at least 90 with a minimum score of 25 in Writing and Speaking.
- A PTE score of 63 overall and a minimum of 60 in writing and speaking.
- An IELTS score of 7.0 overall, with at least 6.5 in each band.
Programs for PhD in Accounting with tuition fees in Canada
The PhD degree is awarded for accomplishing independent and original research and reporting thereof in a dissertation.
The primary requirements include coursework, passing a comprehensive examination, and acceptance of a thesis by a supervisory committee. By conducting high-quality research, PhD courses in accounting help scholars generate and disseminate new financial accounting, auditing, and taxation knowledge.
Only a few universities in Canada offer four to six-year research degrees in accounting.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Duration/Credit hours |
Tuition fees per annum in CAD |
University of British Columbia |
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Accounting (PhD) |
5years |
$9,319 |
University of Waterloo |
PhD in Accounting |
4 to 6 years |
$22,188 |
Academic Requirement:
- Completing a Master's or Honor Bachelor's degree with at least an 80% average.
- Students from various backgrounds, including economics, mathematics, statistics, behavioural science, and related disciplines, are encouraged to apply. Admission will not be confined to those with an accounting, commerce, or business administration background.
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is recommended.
English Language Requirement:
- A TOEFL score of at least 100 with a minimum score of 26 in Writing and Speaking.
- A PTE score of 68 overall and a minimum of 65 in writing and speaking.
- An IELTS score of 7.5 overall, with at least 7.0 in each band.
Top Accounting University in Canada: Scholarships
Scholarships are non-repayable financial awards allowing international students to pay for their studies in Canada. Although some also honour volunteer and work experience, they are often given to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic success.
Various scholarship opportunities are available to international students enrolling in a full-time program in Canada. On the other hand, students with strong academic record can apply for these programs. A few examples of available scholarships include:
Universities |
Scholarships |
Amount in CAD |
Simon Fraser University |
The Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship |
$120,000 |
University of Toronto |
Inclusive Excellence Admissions Scholarships for Master’s Students |
$15,000 |
University of British Columbia |
Minimum Funding Package |
$22,000 |
University of Alberta |
International Leader Scholarship |
$10,000 |
Concordia University |
The Concordia International Scholars |
Full tuition and fees |
|
Top Accounting University in Canada: Scope
Working in the accounting industry requires extreme precision and concentration when reviewing financial records. This will assist the employer in meeting the necessary tax requirements. As a result, there is a lot of demand for these domains worldwide.
In Canada's finance industry, accounting graduates are in high demand. They can work for private accounting and auditing firms or units, for public accounting and auditing organizations, or they can work for themselves.
After graduation, you might find what you're looking for in an accounting career. Whether it's management accounting, audit, or budget analysis, a career in accounting offers you some of the best options. Pursuing education from Canada's best universities could enhance your skill set.
As a graduate in accounting, you'll be prepared for global career opportunities in the areas of:
- Forensic Accounting
- Financial auditing
- Tax accounting
Some of the common job posts available include:
Job Title |
Range |
Average |
Financial Analyst |
C$50k - C$84k |
C$65,646 |
Accountant |
C$40k - C$73k |
C$53,989 |
Financial Controller |
C$61k - C$113k |
C$83,965 |
Chief Financial Officer |
C$107k - C$238k |
C$157,906 |
Accounting Manager |
C$53k - C$99k |
C$72,658 |
Staff Accountant |
C$37k - C$61k |
C$47,159 |
Intermediate Accountant |
C$44k - C$68k |
C$54,116 |
Finance Manager |
C$60k - C$111k |
C$84,029 |
Tax Manager |
C$70k - C$110k |
C$87,543 |
Assistant Controller |
C$52k - C$83k |
C$66,071 |