Accountants and Financial Auditors
Formal Description
“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.” (NOC 2021)
Sample Job Titles
This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:
Bankruptcy Trustee
Computer Audit Specialist
Tax Auditor
Production Accountant
Financial Control Officer
Reinsurance Analyst
Internal Audit Project Manager
Property Accountant
Typical Employment and Education Requirements
The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts.
The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:
- Chartered professional accountants (CPA, CA) require a university degree, completion of a provincial training program, and two years or 30 months of on-the-job training, along with membership in a provincial Institute of Chartered Accountants upon passing the Uniform Evaluation (UFE).
- CPA, CGA and CPA, CMA accountants also need a university degree, approved training, and several years of work experience, with certification required in all provinces and territories.
- Auditors must meet the same educational and certification standards as CPAs and often require experience as an accountant. Some may also need recognition by the Institute of Internal Auditors.
- To become a trustee in bankruptcy, accountants must obtain a bankruptcy trustee license. Additionally, public accountants and auditors must be licensed by their provincial or territorial governing body.
Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond
When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:
- Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
- Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
- Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.
Related Categories
Here are a few other categories that might interest you:
Related Sectors
Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:
Academic Program Connections
As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:
Economics Learn More
Economics equips students with expertise in financial systems, market analysis, and economic policy. Courses in macroeconomics, public finance, and data analytics provide a strong foundation for careers in tax auditing, financial consulting, and corporate accounting.
Political Science Learn More
Understanding governance, regulatory frameworks, and public policy is crucial for roles in financial compliance, taxation policy, and government auditing. Political Science courses explore institutional decision-making, preparing students for careers in public finance and financial oversight.
Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PNB) Learn More
With a focus on cognitive processes, decision-making, and behavioural analysis, this program supports careers in risk assessment, fraud detection, and financial advising. PNB courses explore human behaviour, making them valuable for roles in financial auditing and forensic accounting.
Sociology Learn More
Examining social structures, workplace dynamics, and organizational behaviour helps professionals navigate corporate ethics, financial regulation, and economic inequality. Sociology courses provide insights into business accountability, financial transparency, and consumer behaviour.
