Whether you're an accounting clerk, a corporate accountant, or a CPA, the differences can be significant. At Fed Finance, a recruitment agency specializing in finance, we get these questions every day. Here’s a realistic overview based on verifiable data to help you understand your value in the job market.
Quick Salary Summary in Quebec
| Role | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
| Accounting Clerk / Technician (AEC/DEC) | $45,000 - $55,000 | $22 - $28 |
| Corporate Accountant (no CPA) | $58,000 - $75,000 | $28 - $36 |
| Junior CPA (0–3 years) | $80,000 - $90,000 | $38 - $43 |
| Experienced CPA (5–10 years) | $100,000 - $140,000 | $48 - $67 |
| Finance Director / CFO | $150,000 - $200,000+ | $72 - $96+ |
👉 Browse accounting job offers in Quebec
Salary by Type of Accountant: Clerk vs. Accountant vs. CPA
Accounting Clerk/Technician (AEC/DEC)
An accounting clerk or technician earns between $45,000 and $55,000 per year in Quebec, or $22 to $28 per hour. This is typically the first step for those who have completed an AEC or DEC in accounting.
Certain industries offer slightly higher wages:
- Construction: up to $58,000 with experience
- Manufacturing: around $52,000 - $56,000
- Retail: generally on the lower range
Salary progression at this level mainly depends on hands-on experience. After 5 years, many accounting technicians reach $60,000 if they develop specialized skills (payroll, advanced bank reconciliation, basic taxation).
Corporate Accountant (No CPA)
A corporate accountant without a professional designation who holds a bachelor’s degree or has strong experience earns between $58,000 and $75,000 per year. This category includes junior, intermediate, and even some senior accountants who haven’t completed the CPA designation.
The outlook is strong if you continue your training. Many employers value practical experience, especially in SMEs, where versatility is as important as degrees.
CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant)
The CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) designation changes everything. A junior CPA (0–3 years) starts around $80,000 annually. With 5 to 10 years of experience, the salary climbs to $100,000 - $140,000.
CPAs in leadership roles (controller, finance director, CFO) often reach $150,000 - $200,000+, depending on company size and industry.
💡 Summary: The CPA designation adds $25,000 to $40,000 to annual salary compared to non-CPA accountants, all else being equal.
Factors That Influence Salary
Several variables affect accountant salaries in Quebec:
1. Experience
| Level | Years of experience | Avg. Salary (Non-CPA) | Avg Salary (With CPA) |
| Junior | 0-3 years | $55 000 - $65 000 | $80 000 - $90 000 |
| Intermediate | 3-7 years | $65 000 - $80 000 | $95 000 - $115 000 |
| Senior | 7+ years | $75 000 - $95 000 | $120 000 - $140 000+ |
2. Region
Location plays a major role. Montreal offers salaries 10% to 15% higher than the Quebec average due to cost of living and business concentration.
- Montreal: above-average salaries
- Quebec City: mid-range
- Estrie/Mauricie: slightly below average
- Bas-Saint-Laurent / Gaspésie: lower (around $48,000–$52,000 for non-CPA accountants)
3. Industry
Industry type also impacts salary:
- Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG): competitive pay, especially early in your career ($80,000–$85,000 for junior CPAs)
- SMEs: slightly lower salaries but better work-life balance
- Public sector: strong benefits and stable pay
- Manufacturing: competitive salaries for controllers
- Finance and banking are among the highest-paying sectors.
4. Status: CPA vs. Non-CPA
This is the most important factor.
A non-CPA accountant with 10 years of experience often caps at $85,000–$95,000. A CPA with the same experience can reach $120,000–$130,000 easily.
5. Key Skills
Specialized skills increase your value:
- Tax (individual and corporate)
- Internal or external audit
- Advanced Excel (pivot tables, Power Query, VBA)
- ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics)
- Financial analysis and modelling
Salaries by Region (Job Bank & Official Sources)
| Region | Accounting Clerk | Accountant (No CPA) | CPA |
| Montreal | $48 000 - $58 000 | $65 000 - $80 000 | $85 000 - $145 000 |
| Quebec City | $45 000 - $55 000 | $58 000 - $75 000 | $80 000 - $135 000 |
| Estrie / Mauricie | $43 000 - $53 000 | $55 000 - $70 000 | $78 000 - $125 000 |
| Bas-Saint-Laurent | $42 000 - $50 000 | $52 000 - $65 000 | $75 000 - $115 000 |
Sources include the CPA Quebec Salary Survey and Job Bank.
Salary Growth Over 5–10 Years
Example: Non-CPA Career Path
- Year 1: $55,000
- Year 3: $65,000
- Year 5: $75,000
- Year 10: $85,000 – $95,000
Total growth: +35% to +40% over 10 years
Example: CPA Career Path
- Year 1: $80,000
- Year 3: $95,000
- Year 5: $110,000
- Year 10: $130,000 – $145,000
Total growth: +50% to +70% over 10 years
Early years in firms (especially the Big 4) are often when raises are the fastest.
CPA vs Non-CPA: The Real Gap
The median gap between a CPA and non-CPA is $25,000 to $40,000 annually, depending on experience and industry.
Why such a gap?
The CPA designation is legally recognized and grants exclusive rights (such as auditing financial statements, signing reports). It also represents rigorous training and professional commitment, which employers pay a premium for.
- Before CPA: avg. $70,000 after 5 years
- After CPA: avg. $105,000 after 5 years
- Difference: +$35,000 per year
Over a 20-year career, the cumulative gap reaches hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Conclusion: Accountant Salary in Quebec Depends on Several Factors
Accountant salaries in Quebec vary widely depending on your education, experience, and sector.
- Accounting Clerk: $45,000 – $55,000
- Non-CPA Accountant: $58,000 – $75,000
- CPA: easily over $100,000 with a few years of experience
At Fed Finance, we work daily with accountants at all levels. We know real market salaries because we place candidates in companies of all sizes and industries.
👉 Browse accounting job offers in Quebec
Whether you’re looking for a new role or simply validating your current situation, we can help you better understand where you stand and what your options are.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Accountant Salary in Quebec
What is the starting salary for an accountant in Quebec?
A junior accountant without CPA earns $55,000 - $65,000. With the CPA, salaries start closer to $80,000.
What does an accounting technician earn?
An accounting technician (AEC or DEC) earns $45,000 - $55,000, or about $22-$28/hour.
Is becoming a CPA worth it?
Yes. It significantly boosts salary potential and opens doors to management roles. The CPA adds $25,000 - $40,000 per year on average.
Who pays better: firms or companies?
Firms (especially Big 4) pay well early in your career but require long hours. Companies often offer better balance and competitive salaries after 5 - 7 years.
How much does a CPA make in Quebec?
A CPA earns $80,000 (junior) to $140,000+ (senior). Finance directors and CFOs can reach $150,000-$200,000+.
How much does a financial controller earn?
A financial controller earns $110,000 - $150,000, with higher salaries in large companies (up to $160,000+).
Do accountant salaries increase every year?
Generally yes, 2% to 5% annually, more with job changes (10% - 20%).
Are Quebec accountants well paid compared to other provinces?
Salaries are slightly lower than Ontario/Alberta, but cost of living is lower too. Purchasing power is comparable.
Sources
To ensure reliability, we used:
- CPA Quebec Salary Survey (2023–2024)
- Statistics Canada
- Job Bank salary tables
- Fed Finance internal data from placements across Quebec
These sources are recognized and updated regularly, providing a realistic picture of the market.
