Bankeo vs. Québec Comptable vs. Bottin des CPA: an honest comparison

In short. There are three main ways to find an accountant in Quebec: the Bottin des CPA, the official directory of the Quebec CPA Order, ideal for verifying credentials; a private directory like Québec Comptable, which lists profiles you can contact yourself; and Bankeo, a free matching service with support and free re-matching. Bankeo boasts a network of over 1,500 accountants, more than 15,000 requests received since 2023, and a 4.7/5 rating based on over 180 Google reviews. This comparison puts the three models side-by-side, supported by real data.

You're looking for an accountant in Quebec, and three names keep popping up in your search: Bankeo, Québec Comptable, and the Order's CPA Directory. All three can connect you with a professional, but they don't do the same job at all. A directory gives you a list; a matching service offers you a suitable candidate. This guide compares the three options directly: what each does well, what it doesn't, and which one to choose based on your situation.

Une précision d'entrée de jeu : ce comparatif est publié par Bankeo, alors on a forcément un parti pris. C'est justement pour ça qu'on l'appuie sur des chiffres vérifiables, notre Baromètre des honoraires et notre Indice de plus de 20 critères, et qu'on vous dit clairement dans quels cas un autre outil est le meilleur choix.

Three ways to find an accountant: what exactly are we talking about?

The CPA Directory: the official directory of the Order

The CPA Directory, the "Find a CPA" tool, is the public directory of the Quebec Order of Chartered Professional Accountants. It lists members in good standing and allows you to search by region or by type of services offered to the public. Its greatest strength: it is the official source for confirming that a person holds the CPA designation. Its limitation: it is a directory, not a service. It does not recommend anyone, does not display prices, and does not provide any follow-up. The initial screening, phone calls, and comparison of offers remain entirely your responsibility.

Quebec Accountant: a private directory for networking

Québec Comptable is one of the private directories that compile profiles of Quebec accountants and accounting firms. The general principle is simple: you browse profiles or submit a request, then contact the professionals and compare them yourself. The exact workings—professional admission criteria, profile sorting, follow-up after initial contact—vary from one platform to another and are subject to change: check directly on the website when you begin your search. When used effectively, this type of tool is suitable for entrepreneurs who have time and prefer to make their own choices.

Bankeo: a free, human-centered matching service with re-matching options

Bankeo isn't a directory; it's a matching service. You describe your business and your needs, and we present you with verified accountants from our network of over 1,500 partners who match your profile: sector, size, software, budget. Since 2023, we've received over 15,000 requests from entrepreneurs, and most receive their first proposals within 48 hours. Crucially, we stay by your side after the initial match: if the relationship isn't working out, even months later, we'll re-match you at no cost.

Bankeo, Québec Comptable, CPA Directory: the comparative table

Here are the three options side by side, criterion by criterion. We have deliberately marked "to be verified" when information depends on the platform and may change over time: an honest comparison does not guess for others.

When is the CPA directory the right tool?

Let's be clear: to verify a professional designation, nothing replaces the professional order. The CPA directory is a good starting point in three specific situations.

• Check a CPA before signing. You already have a name and you want to confirm that the person is a member in good standing: that's exactly the role of the directory.
• A mandate reserved for CPAs. Certification engagement, audited financial statements required by a lender or investor: you are then specifically looking for a CPA authorized to practice public accounting.
• Create a comprehensive list. You want to see all CPAs providing services to the public in your area, without commercial filters.

Its limitations are the flip side of its mission: no pricing, no personalized recommendations, and only CPAs, not all bookkeeping professionals. Once you have your list, the real work of sorting begins: calls, availability, quotes, compatibility with your software. Our list of questions to ask an accountant before hiring them can save you several hours at this stage.

When is a directory like Québec Comptable sufficient?

If you have time to spare and enjoy comparing options yourself, a private directory can be a perfectly suitable solution: you get a list of listings, often categorized by region or specialty, and you can proceed at your own pace. However, before relying on a private directory, four questions deserve clear answers:

• How are professionals accepted? Open registration, paid registration, or selection based on verified criteria? The answer changes the value of the list.
• Are the reviews verifiable? Testimonials without sources don't compare well to public Google reviews.
• Who responds to your request, and how long does it take? A profile listing doesn't call anyone back.
• What happens if the chosen professional is not suitable? With a directory, you start the process from the beginning.

These are precisely the questions that led us to publish our own data rather than asking for your word.

What Bankeo is putting on the table: public data and matchmaking that remains

The fundamental difference between a directory and Bankeo can be summed up in two words: data and support.

The Barometer: actual market prices, published

Le Baromètre Bankeo publie les honoraires réellement payés par les entrepreneurs de notre réseau. Basé sur les honoraires réels de 1 248 mandats conclus via Bankeo (2024-2026), sur plus de 15 000 demandes reçues : la médiane se situe autour de 3 000 $ par année, et la plupart des mandats vont de 500 à 6 000 $ selon le secteur et la complexité. Aucun des deux autres outils ne publie de données de prix : avec le Bottin ou un annuaire, vous découvrez les honoraires soumission par soumission, sans point de comparaison.

L'Indice Bankeo : plus de 20 critères de vérification, documentés

L'Indice Bankeo documente comment on évalue les comptables avant et pendant leur présence dans le réseau : plus de 20 critères couvrant notamment l'expérience, les spécialités sectorielles, les outils maîtrisés, la disponibilité réelle et la qualité du service. C'est notre façon de rendre la vérification transparente : quand on vous dit « comptable vérifié », vous savez exactement sur quoi on se base, et vous pouvez toujours confirmer un titre CPA au Bottin de l'Ordre en parallèle.

Free re-pairing: the real difference in model

A directory's job is done once you've found a name. Our job starts there. We present you with as many accountants as necessary to find the right match, not just a number; and if the relationship isn't working out in six months or a year, we'll find you another one, at no cost. That's Bankeo's core promise: your ideal accountant, made easy, and we're there to support you every step of the way.

And the business model? Bankeo is free for entrepreneurs, no strings attached: the network's accountants pay a fee per completed transaction, an amount known in advance. Your fees remain entirely between you and your accountant, and the Barometer exists precisely so you know what a typical price looks like before even the first meeting.

Which tool should you choose based on your situation?

• If you want to verify a title or find a listener, start with the CPA Directory. It's the official tool and will remain useful even after matchmaking to confirm a title.
• If you have the time and like to compare for yourself: a directory like Québec Comptable may suffice, provided you ask the admission and follow-up questions listed above.
• You want the right match without spending your evenings on it: Bankeo's matchmaking service does the pre-selection for you, free of charge, with published market prices and a free re-matching if the need changes.

The three approaches are not mutually exclusive: many entrepreneurs use Bankeo for the initial screening, then confirm the proposed accountant's CPA designation in the Order's directory. And if you're wondering how long each step takes, we've quantified it in our article on the time required to find an accountant in Quebec .

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Bankeo and the CPA Directory?

The CPA Directory is the official directory of the Quebec CPA Order: it confirms that a professional is a member in good standing, but it does not recommend anyone or display prices. Bankeo is a matching service: we analyze your profile, present you with verified accountants from our network of over 1,500 partners, and support you after the initial connection, including free rematching. The two are complementary: you can verify the CPA designation of an accountant suggested by Bankeo in the Directory.

Is Bankeo really free for entrepreneurs?

Yes. You never pay Bankeo: not for the application, not for the account pairing, not for re-pairing. The service is funded by the network's accountants, who pay a fee per completed transaction, an amount known in advance. Your accounting fees remain entirely between you and your accountant.

How much does an accountant cost?

Basé sur les honoraires réels de 1 248 mandats conclus via Bankeo (2024-2026), sur plus de 15 000 demandes reçues, la médiane se situe autour de 3 000 $ par année et la plupart des mandats vont de 500 à 6 000 $ selon le secteur et la complexité. Le détail par type de service est publié dans le Baromètre Bankeo, la seule source de prix publique parmi les trois outils comparés ici.

What happens if the dual accounting system doesn't suit me?

We offer you another, free service, even if the need arises months after the initial connection. This is the core of the Bankeo model: we present you with as many accountants as necessary to find the right match, and we support you for as long as required. With a directory, the same situation brings you right back to square one.

Are the accountants in the Bankeo network CPAs?

Le réseau regroupe 1 500+ firmes inscrites, dont plusieurs comptent des CPA membres de l'Ordre des CPA du Québec. Chaque professionnel est vérifié à son entrée dans le réseau selon l'Indice Bankeo et ses plus de 20 critères, et le jumelage tient compte du type de mandat : si votre besoin exige un CPA, par exemple pour une mission de certification, la présélection en tient compte. Vous pouvez toujours confirmer un titre au Bottin de l'Ordre.

Can Québec Comptable or the CPA Directory recommend an accountant to me?

No, these are directories: they display profiles, but the pre-selection, contacting, and comparing quotes remain your responsibility. This is the main difference with a matching service like Bankeo, where we pre-select for you based on your company profile, free of charge and without obligation.

Official sources

1. Quebec CPA Order, Find a CPA (official directory)
2. Quebec CPA Order, General public and public protection;
3. Revenu Québec Business Space
4. Revenue Agency of the | Canada Corporate Tax