How long will it take to find an accountant in Quebec in 2026?

At a Glance. Searching for an accountant on your own in Quebec usually takes 2 to 6 weeks: identifying accounting firms, waiting for callbacks, meeting with candidates, and comparing quotes. During peak tax season (February through April), many accounting firms simply stop taking on new clients, which makes the search even longer. With a matching service like Bankeo, the typical turnaround time is 48 hours from request to being matched with a vetted accountant in the network (1,500+ accountants, over 15,000 requests received since 2023). The service is free for business owners.

You’ve just incorporated your business, are starting your own self-employed practice, or your bookkeeper is retiring: you need an accountant, and the real question quickly becomes, “How long will it take?” The answer depends almost entirely on your approach and the time of year. In this article, we break down the actual timeframes for each approach, step by step; we explain where Bankeo’s famous “48 hours” figure comes from; and we provide a calendar of the best times to search (and the times to avoid) in Quebec.

Why timing matters: Your obligations won’t wait. Source deductions filings are due every month; GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) returns are filed according to your reporting frequency; the federal T2 (CRA) and Quebec CO-17 (Revenu Québec) must be filed within six months of the end of the fiscal year, and individual T1 and TP1 returns are due on April 30. Every week that goes by without an accountant is a week that brings these deadlines closer.

Actual time required, by method

Here are the typical timeframes for a Quebec entrepreneur, depending on how you search. The table provides a realistic range, from the first step to the moment an accountant accepts your case.

There’s nothing mysterious about the “2 to 6 weeks” it takes for a blind search: it’s the sum of steps that no one can rush through on their own.

• Define your needs (1 to 3 days). Monthly bookkeeping, corporate taxes, catching up on back work, payroll, and source deductions: as long as things aren’t clear, every call starts from scratch.
• Identify 5 to 10 firms (2 to 5 days). Research, online reviews, websites, and comparisons with your industry.
• Wait for responses (3 to 10 business days). Firms respond between deadlines; some never call back.
• Meet with one (1 to 2 weeks). Accountants’ schedules fill up weeks in advance, especially from January through June.
• Compare quotes and make a decision (3 to 7 days). Fees, scope of services, personal chemistry.

Do the math: 10 to 27 business days in the best-case scenario, that’s 2 to 6 calendar weeks. And that’s not even counting the most frustrating scenario: the perfect firm that gets back to you two weeks later to say it’s no longer accepting new clients.

Where does bankeo’s “48 hours” come from (and why it’s not a promise)

The number you see everywhere at Bankeo is 48 hours. Here’s exactly what it means, so you can quote it (and challenge it) with full knowledge of the facts.

• What is being measured: The time between receiving your request and matching you with an accountant from our network who is ready to review your case.
• The data set: More than 15,000 requests have been received since Bankeo was founded in 2023, across all industries and throughout Quebec and Canada.
• The situation: Matching is typically done within 48 hours. This is a general timeframe, not a contractual guarantee: cases with a backlog of several years or highly specialized requests during peak season may take longer.
• Why it’s possible: Bankeo knows the actual availability of the more than 1,500 accountants in its network. Rather than calling accounting firms at random, your request is directed straight to those who have the capacity and expertise to handle your situation.

The key difference from a blind search isn’t just the speed, it’s that the screening has already been done. The accountant we recommend is already working with businesses like your own, and if it’s not a good fit, we’ll introduce you to another one at no cost and without having to start from scratch. We’ll support you for as long as it takes, even up to six months after the matching process. Our 4.7/5 rating based on over 180 Google reviews reflects this approach.

The Quebec tax calendar: When to look (and when to avoid)

In Quebec, the availability of accountants is tied to the filing deadlines set by the CRA and Revenu Québec. Here’s an overview, period by period.

There are two nuances to consider. First, incorporated companies have their own “season”: the T2 and CO-17 forms are due six months after the end of the fiscal year, which isn’t necessarily December 31. Second, bookkeeping, payroll, and GST/QST remittances are ongoing year-round: for these recurring tasks, the timeline matters less than the firm’s capacity. To tackle the next deadline stress-free, check out our Checklist for the 2026 Tax Season in Quebec.

How to speed up your search, no matter which method you use

Whether you use a matching service or go it alone, these four steps can shorten the process by several days, sometimes even several weeks.

• Define your needs in writing. Taxes only (T2 and CO-17, or T1 and TP1)? Monthly bookkeeping? Payroll and source deductions? Incorporation? A clear description of your needs allows the accountant to respond quickly and effectively.
• Get your documents ready. Most recent tax returns filed, financial statements, access to accounting software, GST and QST numbers. A complete set of documents can save you an entire meeting.
• Set your budget before making your first call. The median fee is approximately $3,000 per year for a business, and most engagements range from $500 to $6,000 depending on the industry and volume. Based on actual fees from 1,248 assignments completed through Bankeo (2024-2026), out of more than 15,000 requests received. A breakdown by industry is available in the Bankeo Fee Barometer.
• Prepare your questions and checklists. Our guide to Questions to Ask an Accountant Before Hiring Them and the one for TFSA Check whether an accountant in Quebec is trustworthy provides you with a ready-to-use checklist, including verification of the CPA designation with the Ordre des CPA du Québec when the engagement requires it.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to find an accountant in Quebec?

If you’re searching on your own, expect the process to take 2 to 6 weeks in most cases: defining your needs, searching for firms, waiting for responses, scheduling meetings, and comparing proposals. Through Bankeo’s matching service, you’re often matched with a vetted accountant from the network within 48 hours, a timeframe observed across more than 15,000 requests received since 2023.

Does it take longer to find an accountant during tax season?

Yes. From February to April, the T1 and TP1 filing season keeps accounting firms busy, and many are no longer accepting new clients; a blind search can therefore take more than 6 weeks. The best time to shop around for an accountant is from July to October, when their schedules open up.

Is bankeo’s 48-hour turnaround time guaranteed?

No, and that’s by design: 48 hours is the typical turnaround time between a request and matching, based on over 15,000 requests received since 2023, but it’s not a contractual guarantee. A complex case or a highly specialized request during peak season may take longer. In any case, we’ll guide you to the right match, for free.

How much does an accountant cost in Quebec?

The median fee is approximately $3,000 per year for a business, and most engagements range from $500 to $6,000 depending on the industry and volume. Based on actual fees from 1,248 engagements completed through Bankeo (2024-2026), out of more than 15,000 requests received. The Bankeo Fee Barometer breaks down these time frames by sector.

How can I make sure an accountant is trustworthy before hiring them?

Check their experience in your industry, ask for references, and, if the assignment requires a CPA (for example, certain financial statements), verify their credentials in the membership directory of the Ordre des CPA du Québec. Accountants in the Bankeo network are vetted before being recommended, which saves you some of this legwork.

When should I start looking for an accountant for the 2026 season?

Ideally between July and October, when accounting firms have availability: you can take your time choosing, and your paperwork will be ready before the February rush. For an incorporated company, start your search at least two to three months before the end of the fiscal year, since the T2 and CO-17 forms are due six months later.

Official sources

1. Revenu Québec, Business Portal (QST, source deductions, CO-17)
2. Revenu Québec, Individual Tax Return (TP1)
3. Canada Revenue Agency (T1, T2, GST)
4. Ordre des CPA du Québec