Life in an accounting firm
is life in an accounting
firm for you?
Different types of firms
for different types of profiles
Many misunderstand what life is like working at a firm, as the experience can differ significantly depending on the type of organization where you work. On this page, we describe the main characteristics of the various types of firms in order to help you find the one that best meets your personal and professional goals. Please note that these characteristics can vary greatly from one firm to another. Your decision should be influenced by your career goals, your sense of connectedness to its corporate culture, and the balance you can achieve between your needs and the opportunities it offers.
Small firms
Want to support and advise entrepreneurs? Working in a small firm or starting your own once you become a CPA might be just the thing for you!
Small accounting firms are accounting structures that are distinguished by a smaller number of CPAs. These firms are generally focused on providing accounting and tax assistance services to assist local clients, including compilation engagements and tax returns. Audits and reviews may also be performed. It is also possible to solicit these CPAs for various advice regarding the operational management of their clients.
- Small team under the direct supervision of a limited number of CPA owners
- Rapid accountability of the intern in client files
- Close contact with clients
- Global view of client files
- Clients are often local, self-employed workers, small businesses and NPOs
Medium-sized firms
Want to acquire a broad range of expertise and help local SMEs grow? Developing your advisory role within a medium-sized firm might be a good fit for you!
Medium-sized firms generally have several CPAs who are often organized into specialized teams. They offer a range of multidisciplinary services to businesses, including audits, reviews, tax planning, management consulting and business valuation. With such a diverse range of services, they are able to meet a broad range of financial and accounting needs.
These firms often try to combine personalized attention with a diverse range of expertise, both in their client approach and the internal support they give to employees.
These firms often try to combine personalized attention with a diverse range of expertise, both in their client approach and the internal support they give to employees.
- Intern develop general skills and knowledge and transfer the more specialized requests to the appropriate departments
- Hierarchical structure at several levels including partners (organization owners) and directors
- Range of multidisciplinary services
- Regional or provincial opportunity for movement between firm offices
- Diversified clients composed mainly of SMEs, NPOs and large regional companies
Large firms
Want to develop expertise in a specific sector of activity or discover the complexity of large multinationals? Working in a large firm might be the right option for you!
Large accounting firms operate nationally or internationally. They are recognized for their in-depth expertise in various fields, such as audits, taxation, consulting, insolvency, etc.
These firms act as leaders in emerging topics (ESG, artificial intelligence, risk management, cybersecurity).
These firms act as leaders in emerging topics (ESG, artificial intelligence, risk management, cybersecurity).
- Large multidisciplinary team often specialized in a specific field or industry
- Multi-level hierarchical structure including partners (organization owners), directors, team leaders, mission managers, etc.
- Growing responsibilities of the intern throughout the journey
- Mobility opportunities in the rest of Canada or internationally
- Clients composed of medium and large private or publicly listed companies
To discover some firms where you could find your place and read the profiles of CPAs who work there, click here! (in French)
A FIRM
FOR YOU!
Interested in a career at a firm? Here are some things to think about when looking for your perfect match!
Did you know that there are over 3,000 firms in Quebec? You will have your pick when it comes time to decide where you will pursue your career!
To make an informed decision, it is important to think about what you are looking for and what your professional goals are. Here are some questions to help you ruminate on this.
- Do prefer large teams at work who change with every project or smaller teams that are essentially made up of the same people?
- What types of projects interest you most? Projects spanning several weeks/months or several different projects spanning a few days/weeks, sometimes in progress at the same time.
- Do you prefer to work remotely or in person?
- What types of clients interest you? Individuals, small or medium-sized businesses, non-profit organizations, large corporations, public companies (listed on stock exchanges), government agencies, etc.
- What types of subjects interest you? Audits, reviews, compilations, taxation, corporate finance, buying or selling businesses, insolvency, consulting, etc.
- Is provincial, national or international mobility important to you?
- Would you like to help companies with their environmental, social and governance (ESG) or artificial intelligence (AI) issues?
- Imagine an ideal day at work: What would it look like?
- What values are important to you? Which ones would you like to see reflected at work?
- What type of contact would you like to have with your clients?
To make sure that you have chosen the right firm, we strongly recommend that you also participate in events or activities where you can interact with firms and learn more about them. To keep tabs on these types of events and activities, follow the Order and your CPA student committee on social media.
Here are some other ways to learn more and find the right firm for you:
- Talk to the student committee at your university.
- Contact your regional group.
- Watch for job offers on Emploi CPA.
One thing is certain: There is a firm out there for you!