Accounting Services in Canada - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: August 2024
NAICS 54121cCARevenue
$17.2bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
90,136
Businesses
29,032
Wages
$X.Xbn
Accounting Services in Canada industry analysis
Revenue for the Accounting Services industry in Canada tends to be pretty steady because many of the industry's services, such as bookkeeping and auditing, must be completed annually, as mandated by law. Despite this, shifts in economic growth have induced some volatility during the current period. When the pandemic hit, central and provincial governments throughout Canada implemented lockdowns and social distancing measures to stop the spread of the virus. This severely constrained consumer spending and corporate profit, making it difficult for many businesses to afford discretionary accounting services (e.g. consulting) and causing more companies to provide the industry's services in-house. As a result, revenue crept downward in 2020. As pandemic-era restrictions were relaxed in 2021, households flocked to retail stores, supermarkets and other businesses, causing corporate profit to soar and boosting revenue for accounting firms in Canada. The strong economy also spurred business formation, giving providers an ample supply of customers.
Trends and Insights
- Consulting services are growing in importance. Though many accounting firms provide consulting services as a supplementary means of generating revenue, more firms are likely to specialize in the field as large companies seek advice on navigating tax laws and regulations.
- Every business, new or old, needs basic accounting services such as bookkeeping and payroll documentation. Because of this, accounting firms in busy cities typically have a steady stream of clients needing these services.
- Ontario and Quebec, home to Toronto and Montreal, attract accounting firms due to significant business activity in these populous cities. Firms prefer these locations as they allow for closer client relationships and frequent in-person visits.
- Internal competition is stiff and rising. With so many accounting firms out there, all offering the same or similar services, it can be difficult for a firm to stand out from the pack.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $17.2bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Varying economic conditions have fostered some revenue volatility for providers
- Revenue for accounting firms in Canada tends to be pretty steady because many of the industry's services, such as bookkeeping and auditing, must be completed annually, as mandated by law. Despite this, shifts in economic growth have induced some volatility during the current period.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
A stable economy will promote business growth, resulting in steady revenue gains
- Despite recent challenges related to high inflation, rising interest rates and recessionary fears, Canada's economy is expected to perform well during the outlook period.
Biggest companies in the Accounting Services in Canada
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
KPMG International Limited | 1,661.6 | 578.6 | 34.8 | |
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | 1,607.8 | 559.9 | 34.8 | |
Ernst & Young | 1,257.0 | 437.7 | 34.8 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Auditing and other assurance services, Other services and Corporate tax preparation services. Auditing and other assurance services is the largest segment of the Accounting Services in Canada.
Trends and Insights
General accounting services are almost always in need
- General accounting services include things such as bookkeeping and review and compilation of payroll documents, typically for a single fee. Since nearly every business across the nation requires such services, demand for general accounting services remains fairly steady.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Management Consulting in Canada
- Software Publishing in Canada
Complementors
- Home Furnishings Stores in Canada
- Supermarkets & Grocery Stores in Canada
- Convenience Stores in Canada
- Department Stores in Canada
- Dollar & Variety Stores in Canada
- E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada
International industries
- Global Accounting Services
- Accounting Services in the US
- Forensic Accounting Services in the US
- Accounting Services in Australia
- Accounting Services in New Zealand
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Accounting companies in Canada audit the accounting records of public and private organizations and attests to compliance with generally accepted accounting practices. Accounting services establishments provide various accounting services, including auditing accounting records, designing accounting systems, preparing financial statements, developing budgets and providing advice on matters related to accounting.
What's included in this industry?
Auditing and other assurance servicesCorporate tax preparation servicesIndividual tax preparation servicesTax planning and consulting servicesGeneral accounting servicesInsolvency and receivership servicesConsulting servicesSelling of receiptsCompanies
KPMG International Limited PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPErnst & YoungPurchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
AUDITINGINITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING (IPO)INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS)Industry Code
NAICS 541212 - Accounting Services in Canada
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Consulting services are growing in importance. Though many accounting firms provide consulting services as a supplementary means of generating revenue, more firms are likely ...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Every business, new or old, needs basic accounting services such as bookkeeping and payroll documentation. Because of this, accounting firms in busy cities typically have a s...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Ontario and Quebec, home to Toronto and Montreal, attract accounting firms due to significant business activity in these populous cities. Firms prefer these locations as they...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each province in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each province in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Internal competition is stiff and rising. With so many accounting firms out there, all offering the same or similar services, it can be difficult for a firm to stand out from...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Deloitte expands its partnership with NVIDA. In 2023, the company revealed its decision to partner with NVIDIA as it aims to use the company's artificial intelligence (AI) te...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of KPMG International Limited 's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Ernst & Young's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for KPMG International Limited , and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Ernst & Young, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) is one of the largest accounting organizations in the world. The association provides a slew of services to members,...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
A range of services keeps profit high. Accounting firms offer services that companies require in both positive and negative economic landscapes. As a result, profit tends to ...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Assets (2017-2022)
- Liabilities (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Canada include:
- Statistics Canada
- Industry Canada
- Canadian Business Patterns
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Accounting Services industry in Canada in 2024?
The market size of the Accounting Services industry in Canada is $17.2bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Accounting Services in Canada industry in 2024?
There are 29,032 businesses in the Accounting Services industry in Canada, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Accounting Services industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Accounting Services industry in Canada has been growing at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Accounting Services industry in Canada over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Accounting Services industry in Canada is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Accounting Services market in Canada?
The biggest companies operating in the Accounting Services market in Canada are KPMG International Limited , PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Ernst & Young
What does the Accounting Services in Canada include?
Auditing and other assurance services and Corporate tax preparation services are part of the Accounting Services industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Accounting Services in Canada?
The company holding the most market share in Canada is KPMG International Limited .
How competitive is the Accounting Services industry in Canada?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Accounting Services industry in Canada.
