Accounting Career Guide

The Accounting field offers a wide range of opportunities to explore. Use this guide to gain insights on the industry, or to learn how to hatch a student or entry-level Accounting job.

Considering a career in Accounting?

Accounting is a great industry for anyone looking for professional growth and development opportunities. If you are passionate about understanding the inner workings of a business and have strong analytical skills, this field offers a wide variety of different service areas and professional designations for you to pursue.

In-demand skills and traits:

  • Leadership
  • Team oriented
  • Attention to detail
  • Interpersonal skills
Average Starting Salaries: Accounting
Pro Tip
"Make an effort to get to know the recruiting team. They meet hundreds of students throughout the recruiting season, so take initiative so that you are not forgotten."

Resources

MNP: Achieving a Healthy Work/Life Balance

Would you rather work for a firm where the entire team celebrates your success instead of being overly competitive? How about working for the fastest growing firm in Canada? Add flexible hours, office events throughout the year, banked overtime, and you ge...
Office Hours: Exploring Grant Thornton's Career Opportunities For Students & Grads

Our guest eggs-perts at Grant Thornton answered career questions from students and grads on the Accounting industry. Read the full transcript here!
Here’s How Grant Thornton Sets New Grads Up For Success

This award-winning accounting firm is an egg-cellent place to hatch a career!
Will You Fit In With The Grant Thornton Team?

One of the biggest factors in hatching a great career is finding the right fit.
Office Hours: The Experts At Grant Thornton Answer Your Accounting Career Questions

Missed out on our Office Hours Q&A with Grant Thornton? We have the full transcript – read on!
Choosing A Major? Three Reasons Why You Might Choose Accounting!

See if accounting is the right major for you!
Which Accounting Certification Is Right For You?

Learn which accounting designation is the right one for you!
Involved In Extracurriculars? 3 Skills You Learned That Might Make You Suited For A Career In Accounting

Three skills you may have developed through extracurricular involvement that suit you for a career in accounting.
Accounting 101: Basic Accounting Principles To Know

Basic principles you should master if you're looking for a career in accounting.
Average Starting Salaries - Accounting 2015

Average salaries for some common entry-level accounting jobs!
Office Hours: CPA Ontario’s Student Recruitment Team Answered Your Questions

Want to know what it takes to become a top accountant? The CPA Student Recruitment Team shared a lot of great information during their Office Hours session – read it here!
Office Hours: Grant Thornton Shares Success Stories And Advice For Fall Recruitment Season

On Tuesday, August 12th, TalentEgg hosted this season’s third summer Office Hours with the Grant Thornton team! We chatted with Talent Attraction Specialist Sumira Duggal, Human Resources Consultant Adam Melnyk and National Talent Resource Manager Paul...
A Strong Career Start: Hatching An Entry-Level Accounting Career With Grant Thornton

Two recent graduates share their stories about landing accounting positions with Grant Thornton LLP, and how their experiences have set them up for career success!
10 Reasons To Explore A Career In Accounting

A career in accounting can be incredibly rewarding. Find out why!
Exploring The CPA Designation? Get Started Here

Jane has some valuable insight to offer if you’re interested in learning more about the CPA.
Average Starting Salaries: 2014 Accounting Edition

It’s good to know what you can expect to earn as you enter the wide world of accounting!
Considering A Career In Accounting? Here's What You Need to Know

At its most basic level, accounting involves the recording, analysis and reporting of a business’s financial transactions.
Case Study: A Recent CPA Success Story

Completing his CPA was an integral part of Tomas's long-term plan to succeed as an entrepreneur.
Learning About The CPA Designation: Hear From A New CPA

As a globally-recognized designation, the CPA designation equips you to work in diverse industries around the world.
Office Hours: Grant Thornton’s Team Discusses Community Involvement, Workplace Culture And More

The experts from Grant Thornton talked about workplace culture, community involvement at Grant Thornton and more.
Applying For A Job In Accounting: Resumes, Cover Letters And Interviews

Gathering the right resources is a key step to set yourself up for success.
6 Skills You Need To Succeed In Accounting

Ready to explore some of the top career skills you'll need in accounting? Start here!
Office Hours: Career Advice From The Grant Thornton Team

On Wednesday, May 21st, TalentEgg hosted another egg-ceptional Office Hours with the team from Grant Thornton!
The Best Part: Hear From Co-Op Students At Suncor Energy

Co-op roles offer exposure to diverse areas of Suncor Energy’s operations! Hear from current co-op students at Suncor.
What It’s Like On The Inside

Identifying the service line that matches your interests is a vital first step in your career with MNP.
Office Hours: Tips On Hatching Your Accounting Career With Grant Thornton

On September 17th, TalentEgg hosted Office Hours with Grant Thornton. Four egg-cellent representatives were on hand to answer questions about hatching an accounting career and how to stand out to recruiters.
From Accounting To Fashion: How A Chartered Professional Accountant Launched A Successful Clothing Company

Queen's University Commerce graduate, Tomas Romita, pursued his accounting designation and quit his job to start his own clothing company.

Who To Follow on Twitter: Accounting Edition 2013

Are you following the right Twitter accounts in accounting?
Average Starting Salaries: Accounting Edition 2013

Do you wonder how much money you'll make in your first accounting job?

How Extracurricular Involvement Can Help You Hatch Your Accounting Career

University of Waterloo student Rosanne Lai found her passion for accounting in high school. Learn about her keys to success.
Top Accounting Publications in North America

Staying on top of the right reading material in accounting can put you ahead of the curve with industry insights.

Why One Student Transitioned From Engineering To Accounting

Avalon D’Souza pursued engineering for two years before he switched into accounting.

Office Hours: Grant Thornton Recruiters Offer Advice On Hatching Your Accounting Career

Representatives from Grant Thornton joined us for Office Hours on March 6th, 2013 to answer questions about hatching a career in accounting.
Future CPAs: Tips For Choosing A Service Area At PwC

Tips and advice for choosing the area of business that's right for your career from a Partner in Tax and a Manager in Audit and Assurance at PwC.
Office Hours: Stand Out To Accounting Recruiters With This Advice From Grant Thornton

Representatives from Grant Thornton joined us for Office Hours on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, to answer student questions about hatching a career in accounting.
Office Hours: Tips For Hatching Your Accounting Career With Grant Thornton

The complete transcript from Grant Thornton's Office Hours in September.
TalentEgg's Free Student Accounting Career Guide eBook

This free Student Accounting Career Guide eBook features an overview of all of TalentEgg's accounting and related career resources.
Post-Graduate And Continuing Education Options In Accounting: Part Two

Four more continuing education options in accounting in western Canada.
How To Stand Out At CA Recruitment Events

It’s the day of the big CA recruitment event - time to get noticed by employers and hatch your accounting career!
An Inside Look At One Waterloo Grad's Accounting Career So Far

University of Waterloo grad Shaina Chawla (BAFM, MAcc) shares her experience with CA recruitment and starting her accounting career.
How To Plan Ahead For CA Firm Recruitment Events

Plan ahead to make the most of this egg-cellent opportunity to meet and mingle with potential employers!
September Recruitment Tips From A New Grad Financial Analyst

For many new grads, the recruitment process can seem endless and frustrating. I know, I've been there.
3 New Ways PwC Is Creating opportunities of a lifetime For Students This Fall

A recruiter and recent grad Associate share some of the egg-citing ways PwC is helping students hatch their careers in accounting and consulting.
TalentEgg's Free September Recruitment Survival Guide For Students

TalentEgg's free September Recruitment Survival Guide for students explains how to land your dream job this fall in 7 easy steps!
Office Hours: Tips For Hatching Your Accounting Or Consulting Career With PwC

Representatives from PwC provide advice on acing the application and interview process, networking tips, and more.
How To Get Promoted In Entry Level Accounting And Finance Jobs

If you aspire to a management position one day, you’ll need to start planning now.
What Does Accounting Unification Mean For Students And Recent Grads?

Canada’s three legacy accounting bodies are discussing the creation of a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.
What You Need To Know About Accounting Ethics Before You Start Your Career

To be a successful and trusted accountant, you have to know the rights and wrongs of accounting ethics.

Have You Considered These 4 Entry Level Accounting Jobs?

There's more than one way to start an accounting career.
Who To Follow On Twitter: Accounting Edition

Follow these employers and campus recruiters to get noticed during accounting recruitment season!
Post-Graduate And Continuing Education Options In Accounting

Thinking about going back to school? Check out these master's and post-graduate certification options in accounting.
Average Starting Salaries For New Grad Accountants In Canada In 2012

Find out what the average entry level accounting salaries are in locations across Canada.
What An Accounting Career In Tax Looks Like

What does it mean to start your accounting career in tax?
CFOs: Previous Work Experience Important For Accounting, Finance Graduates

78% of CFOs say it's important for entry level accounting and finance candidates to have gained work experience while in school.
Office Hours: Learn About Student And Entry Level Accounting Jobs At KPMG

Stephen Novalski, Talent Attraction Manager, GTA Campus Recruiting at KPMG, fielded questions about the accounting industry and career opportunities with KPMG.
A Day In The Life Of A PwC Associate – Part 2: Fun And Culture

PwC Associate Helen Kirvan discusses her favourite aspects of the firm's culture, including community work, flexibility and fun.
Diversity And Inclusion At PwC, And Why It Matters To Your Career

PwC has been proactive by implementing a number of diversity and inclusion initiatives to create a culture where all types of diversity are embraced and celebrated.
Behind The Scenes With A PwC Recruiter

Watch our behind-the-scenes video with James Davidson, PwC's Strategic Sourcing Manager to find out what PwC is looking for!
A Day In The Life Of A PwC Associate - Part 1: At Work

Helen Kirvan is a recent University of Alberta commerce grad who has been working as an Associate at PwC since October 2010.
Average Starting Salaries For New Grad Accountants In Canada In 2011

We’ve put together the average entry-level salaries for entry-level jobs in the accounting field in Canada. About 10% should be added if you have graduate or professional certifications.
Getting To Know KPMG At Executive Look

At KPMG's Executive Look event this summer, students from across Canada got to meet KPMG's executive team, including CEO Bill Thomas, and take part in fun activities that helped them get to know what it's like to work at KPMG.
Behind The Scenes With KPMG Summer Interns At The National Boardroom Skills Case Competition

TalentEgg goes behind the scenes of the KPMG National Boardroom Skills Case Competition with student interns to find out what an summer internship with KPMG is like.
What Size Accounting Firm Should You Work At - Small Or Large?

What's the difference between working at a small and large accounting firm? Recent grads share their experiences. Do you agree?
Softchoice's A/R Supervisor Started Her Career In Accounting With An Arts Degree – You Can Too

Cathy Giallo says students and recent grads with unrelated educational backgrounds who want to work in accounting will be hired by many organizations as long as they're willing to start from the bottom and work their way up by getting experience and maybe even pursuing additional education or certification in finance and accounting.
Think Outside The Accounting Firm, Says Softchoice's Senior Financial Operations Manager

Since Vince Iozzo started with Softchoice in 1999, after graduating from Ryerson University with a bachelor of commerce, he's helped the company go public and acquire other organizations, and he says he probably wouldn't have been able to get all that experience at a firm that focuses solely on accounting.
Recent Grad Senior Accountant At KPMG To Students: Get Active On Campus!

Laura Szekely is a recent Queen's University commerce graduate who has moved up the ranks at KPMG very quickly over the last four years. Right now she's a senior accountant, but in October she will become a manager.
The Perfect Summer Job: KPMG’s Summer Internship Program

An internship with KPMG truly speaks for itself. Rising above the common intern stereotype of grabbing the boss a coffee, the program has been designed to provide an invaluable learning experience for second and third year university students looking to break into the world of accounting.
What You Need To Know About International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

By 2011, accounting standards will be changing to a new international system in Canada. This article is a reference for any students or young professionals in the field who are wondering what these changes will mean for their future career path.
How To Survive The Accounting Student Recruitment Process This Fall

Student recruitment processes in accounting have become increasingly competitive. Sarah Whelan, a Queen's accounting grad, just landed a job with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Toronto. After surviving the recruitment process herself, she has some tips for students following in her footsteps.
How To Hatch A Career In Accounting Without Accounting-Related Education

If you are looking into the accounting career path and don’t have a finance or accounting background or degree, it can be difficult to wade through all the designations. However, there are many roles in the field that don’t require professional accounting designation.
What Can I Do With My Accounting Degree?

Accounting grads have gained a combination of hard and soft skills that apply well to numerous career options. Remember, employers hire people, not degrees.
KPMG is using Twitter to connect with students about their careers

On KPMG’s Twitter page, students who are interested in a career with the firm or in a career as a Chartered Accountant in general, have been asking questions and getting the inside scoop from recruiters about what it takes.