Canada is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations among international students all over the world. It has several highly-ranked universities that provide excellent education and top-notch opportunities. Thus, pursuing accounting courses in Canada is a wise decision for all those looking for a financial degree. It focuses on the skills of recording, analysing, manipulating and modifying financial databases to derive accurate conclusions. If you feel this field is well-suited to you but are confused about where to start, you have reached the right place. Our guide contains details about the course structure, top universities, scholarships, fees, and job opportunities regarding accounting courses in Canada. Read on to find out!
Benefits Of Studying Accounting Courses In Canada
You may pick accounting and finances as the ideal field to pursue a career in, but why choose Canada? Apart from the high standard of education and infrastructure, what reasons make it an apt choice for accounting courses? Here are some of them.
- Accounting courses in Canada include a large number of subjects and specialisations that allow students to pursue the one that suits their interest the best.
- After completing any accounting certifications Canada, graduates are faced with ample job opportunities in several domestic and international companies.
- The average annual salary of an accounting graduate in Canada is CAD 52,876 per year.
- The courses are comparatively more affordable and have high returns on investment.
- Universities offer several grants, awards and scholarships to supplement the overall cost of studying, thus reducing the burden of finances.
- Further job opportunities in this field are expected to increase by 10% in the coming years.
Top Universities For Accounting Courses In Canada
Accounting courses in Canada for international students include several types of programmes, like bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, certifications, professional courses and even a CPA Canada course. However, choosing the right university is essential to ensure that you receive the best facilities and opportunities. The following table contains some of the highly recommended universities for pursuing an accounting course in Canada.
| University | Times Higher Education World Rankings |
| University of Toronto | 18 |
| McGill University | 44 |
| University of Alberta | 125 |
| University of Ottawa | 162 |
| University of Waterloo | 201 – 250 |
| Western University | 201 – 250 |
| Dalhousie University | 251 – 300 |
| Simon Fraser University | 201 – 250 |
| University of Saskatchewan | 501 – 600 |
| Brock University | 300 |
Courses Structure
Accounting courses fundamentally focus on instilling necessary skills like analysing and interpreting financial data in students. They must also learn to refer to data from multiple sources and compile it together to communicate it efficiently. While it seems that accounting is restricted to dealing with numbers, it involves taking into consideration an accurate picture of the company’s financial status when looking at the larger image. Students can choose to pursue financial accounting, management accounting, tax accounting, auditing and forensic accounting.
Accounting courses in Canada also focus on skills like compartmentalising and comprehending financial statements, forming budgets, learning advanced techniques for evaluations and exploring business decisions from a finance perspective. These skills are incorporated in students through different modules and specialisations. Some of the common ones are listed here.
- Taxation & Strategic Planning
- Forensic Accounting
- Professional Accounting
- Banking
- Business administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Analytics
- Performance Management
- Advanced Auditing
- Business Strategy
Bachelor’s courses may be three to four years long, whereas master’s courses are typically one to two years long. You can also explore some of the 1-year accounting courses in Canada.
Eligibility & Admission Requirements
Before proceeding to the application process, consider the eligibility criteria and admission requirements. Since the prerequisites differ in different universities according to the programme, course structure and intakes, there are a few factors that you would need when applying anywhere for accounting courses in Canada. We have compiled these in the following list.
- A minimum of 75% – 85% in 10+2 or equivalent exams.
- A minimum of 65% in a bachelor’s degree from an accredited or recognised university. (for master’s applicants)
- All official academic transcripts
- Scores of entrance exams
- Scores of English language proficiency tests
- CV/Resume
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Details of work experience (if applicable)
- Financial documents and proof of finances
- Visa documents and a valid passport
Submitting the results of standardised tests and English language proficiency exams is mandatory in almost all colleges. The minimum required scores are given here.
| Programme | Exam | Minimum Required Scores |
| UG | IELTS | 6.5 |
| TOEFL | 86 | |
| PG | IELTS | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| TOEFL | 90 – 105 | |
| GRE | 305 | |
| GMAT | 600 |
Application Process
The application process for any college offering accounting courses in Canada is quite simple and straightforward. Look at the following step-by-step guide to get a deeper understanding.
- Explore the universities, courses and their specialisations to find the one that best suits your personal and professional objectives. Compare the different courses available. For instance, MBA vs master’s in accounting.
- Find out the eligibility criteria and admission requirements to ensure you fulfil them.
- The universities often announce the intakes, available seats and courses, registration dates and deadlines a few days before the portal opens. Follow these dates, as a late application may not be considerable.
- Applicants will be required to create an account to ensure a successful application.
- Input all your personal and educational credentials. Upload all the necessary documents, like academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, scores of entrance exams, etc.
- You may be asked to pay an application fee.
- Depending on your application, the university will send an acceptance letter or a conditional offer letter.
- Fulfil their requirements and confirm your spot at the university.
- Start the process for a Canada student visa as soon as your admission is confirmed, as it may take time.
Cost Of Studying
Before confirming your enrolment, considering the overall cost of studying is crucial. It is a significant figure that includes two major expenses – the tuition fees and the cost of living. The average tuition fee for accounting courses in Canada is CAD 40,878. However, this figure is liable to vary depending on the university and course you select. Consider the following table for the average annual tuition fees in some of the top colleges offering different accounting degrees in Canada.
| University | Average Annual Fee | Average Annual Cost Of Living |
| University of Toronto | CAD 35,000 | CAD 20,088 |
| McGill University | CAD 40,000 – CAD 59,690 | CAD 25,632 |
| University of Alberta | CAD 30,570 | CAD 21,684 |
| University of Ottawa | CAD 36,453 | CAD 17,603 |
| University of Waterloo | CAD 61,258 | CAD 16,905 |
| Western University | CAD 54,942 | CAD 21,132 |
| Dalhousie University | CAD 38,370 | CAD 26,821 |
| Simon Fraser University | CAD 20,877 | CAD 21,684 |
| University of Saskatchewan | CAD 36,800 | CAD 21,684 |
| Brock University | CAD 35,700 | CAD 21,132 |
The average cost of living in Canada is CAD 21,684 per year. This figure is derived by considering the expenditure on accommodation, transportation, food, groceries, utilities and entertainment. Here is a detailed breakdown of how these factors affect the total cost.
| Item | Cost of living in Canada (per month) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | CAD 550 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | CAD 1,611 |
| Transportation | CAD 100 |
| Food | CAD 720 |
| Utilities | CAD 180 |
| Groceries | CAD 64 |
| Clothes | CAD 133 |
| Entertainment | CAD 60 |
| Total Cost Of Living With Off-Campus Accommodation | CAD 1,807 |
| Total Cost Of Living With On-Campus Accommodation | CAD 2,868 |
| Annual Cost Of Living | CAD 21,684 |
Scholarships To Study In Canada
As the above section indicates, the cost of studying in Canada can be high, especially for international students. To help students incur these expenses, universities offer numerous financial aid, like prizes, awards, grants and scholarships. In order to avail of these, students must browse the official websites of the university and find application details, eligibility and deadlines associated with their scholarships.
Here are some of the most beneficial ones, along with the amounts awarded.
| Scholarships | Amount Awarded |
| C. Douglas Mellor Prize, McGill University | CAD 2,200 |
| Kenneth F Byrd Prize, McGill University | CAD 250 |
| Principal’s Scholarship, Queen’s University | CAD 4,000 |
| Principal’s International Scholarship India, Queen’s University | CAD 20,000 |
| Bourse H Marcel Caron Scholarship, HEC Montreal | CAD 2,000 |
Students must note that maximum scholarships are specific to universities and apply to their students only. Thus, exploring the scholarships available at the university you have applied to is wise.
Future Scope
Students completing accounting courses in Canada have the opportunity to explore a vast number of options to take their careers ahead. You can opt for further education with degrees like a masters in accounting in Canada and a PG diploma in accounting and finance in Canada. Or you can consider getting a job. Although the chances of acquiring high-paying jobs are higher after completing a master’s degree. Some of the top recruiters are –
- Ernst & Young (EY)
- Deloitte
- Grant Thornton LLP
- KPMG
Students can expect to earn an average annual salary of CAD 52,876. Some of the popular job profiles and their average annual salaries are listed here.
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary |
| Senior Accountant | CAD 66,740 |
| Accountant | CAD 53,845 |
| Financial Analyst | CAD 66,293 |
| Financial Controller | CAD 84,002 |
| Chief Financial Officer | CAD1,65,000 |
| Accounting Manager | CAD 72,470 |
Canada Student Visa
It is advisable to start the process of obtaining a student visa as soon as possible since it usually takes a long time. When considering the student visa for Canada, you may or may not require it as the government has agreements with several nations where international students could be exempted under certain conditions. Thus, first and foremost, ensure that you need a student visa. You must pay an application fee of CAD 150 or INR 9,157.
Students are required to have the following list of documents to apply for a student visa.
- The letter of acceptance from a recognised or accredited university
- Proof of identity
- A valid passport
- Recent passport-sized photos
- Proof of finances
- A personal essay that justifies your stay and intent
- A Quebec Acceptance Certificate (if you plan on moving to Quebec)
- Consent form from parents or guardians if you’re under 17 years of age
- The receipt for your payment of the application fee.
The complete process of obtaining a visa can be completed in the following steps –
- Create an online account on the official website.
- Add your personal and educational details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the application fees.
- Book your appointment for biometrics and medical tests.
- Submit the scores of English proficiency tests.
- Verify any country-specific requirements with respect to your native.
FAQs
Q1. Which universities in Canada offer the best accounting programmes?
Ans: The University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Alberta, University of Ottawa, and the University of Waterloo are a few universities in Canada that offer the best accounting programmes.
Q2. What is the cost of studying accounting courses in Canada for international students?
Ans: The average annual tuition fee for accounting programmes in Canada is CAD 40,878. On the other hand, the average annual cost of living in Canada is CAD 21,684.
Q3. Which Canadian cities have the most reputable accounting courses?
Ans: Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary have some of the highest-ranked universities for pursuing accounting and finance-related courses.
Q4. Which accounting qualification is best in Canada?
Ans: While students can acquire a great job after completing a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, the number of opportunities for career growth and development increases drastically after a master’s degree in the same field. Thus, it is advisable to complete a master’s in accounting from a recognised and accredited university.
Q5. Is accounting a high-paying job in Canada?
Ans: The average annual salary for accounting graduates in Canada is CAD 52,876. However, accounting and finance, in general, is a high-paying field, and candidates can expect this figure to increase with more experience and skill sets.
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I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further