The Canadian salary for an accountant is increasing based on the last study conducted. This has been reported by the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada. While the need for accountants is increasing, the median income for them is also going up. Statistics from this study show that from the years 2013 to 2016, there was at least a 12 percent increase in salary for those who are working as an accountant. This increase is an indication that more people are recognizing the importance of having a good accountant to their business or personal finances. Add to this achievement the fact that there are many different job opportunities available to those who have a degree in accounting and you will find that these professionals are in high demand these days.
Accounting is a great career choice, and the demand for accounting professionals is on the rise. In fact, a recent study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that there will be more than 1 million new jobs for accountants in the next decade.
If you want to become an accountant in Canada, you can expect to earn an average salary of $43,000 per year as an entry-level accountant. This can increase significantly with experience and education. For example, after 10 years as an accountant you could expect to earn about $63,000 per year. This salary can increase to more than $92,000 per year after 20 years on the job!
Salary for an accountant in canada
A person working as an Accountant in Canada typically earns around 80,600 CAD per year. Salaries range from 38,700 CAD (lowest) to 127,000 CAD (highest).
This is the average yearly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Accountant salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Accountant Salary Distribution in Canada
The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range
- Salary RangeAccountant salaries in Canada range from 38,700 CAD per year (minimum salary) to 127,000 CAD per year (maximum salary).
- Median SalaryThe median salary is 83,900 CAD per year, which means that half (50%) of people working as Accountant(s) are earning less than 83,900 CAD while the other half are earning more than 83,900 CAD. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
- PercentilesClosely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of Accountant(s) are earning less than 55,200 CAD while 75% of them are earning more than 55,200 CAD. Also from the diagram, 75% of Accountant(s) are earning less than 109,000 CAD while 25% are earning more than 109,000 CAD.
Accountant Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does experience and age affect your pay?
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. We broke down Accountant salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
An Accountant with less than two years of experience makes approximately 45,300 CAD per year.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 64,200 CAD per year, 42% more than someone with less than two year’s experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 84,400 CAD per year, 31% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, Accountant(s) whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 104,000 CAD per year, 23% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 110,000 CAD per year, 6% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 121,000 CAD per year, 10% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Accountant average salary change by experience in Canada
| 0 – 2 Years | 45,300 CAD | |
| 2 – 5 Years | +42% | 64,200 CAD |
| 5 – 10 Years | +31% | 84,400 CAD |
| 10 – 15 Years | +23% | 104,000 CAD |
| 15 – 20 Years | +6% | 110,000 CAD |
| 20+ Years | +10% | 121,000 CAD |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Accountant Salary Comparison By Education
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down Accountant salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is High School, the average salary of an Accountant is 56,300 CAD per year.
While someone with a Certificate or Diploma gets a salary of 65,100 CAD per year, 16% more than someone having a High School degree.
A Bachelor’s Degree gets its holder an average salary of 95,000 CAD per year, 46% more than someone with a Certificate or Diploma.
Professionals who hold a Master’s Degree are rewarded with an average salary of 117,000 CAD per year, 23% more than someone with Bachelor’s Degree.
Accountant average salary difference by education level in Canada
| High School | 56,300 CAD | |
| Certificate or Diploma | +16% | 65,100 CAD |
| Bachelor’s Degree | +46% | 95,000 CAD |
| Master’s Degree | +23% | 117,000 CAD |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
