Bilingual or english-speaking accountants in Quebec: How to find one

At a Glance. Finding a bilingual or English-speaking accountant in Quebec is more complicated than it seems: a Google search ranks accounting firms based on their search engine optimization, and a professional directory lists names, but neither allows you to filter accountants based on a verified ability to provide services in English. Bankeo’s matching service treats language as a key criterion: you specify your preferred language of service, and we connect you with vetted accountants from our network of over 1,500 partners who meet that requirement, for free, often within 48 hours. As for the budget, nothing changes: the median fee remains around $3,000 per year.

Your clients are in Ontario, your banker works in English, your team is English-speaking, or you’ve just moved to Quebec: there’s no shortage of reasons to look for a bilingual accountant. The problem is that language proficiency is one of the hardest criteria to verify from the outside. This guide reviews the situations where bilingualism really matters, what “bilingual” should actually entail, why standard search tools fall short on this criterion, and the method for obtaining a matching process that’s truly filtered by language. It complements our article on How Bankeo’s matching service works.

Why look for a bilingual accountant in Quebec?

Quebec conducts business in both languages. According to Statistics Canada’s 2021 census, 46.4% of Quebecers are bilingual in French and English, the highest proportion in the country. As soon as your business sells outside the province, hires English speakers, or reports to English-speaking financial partners, your accountant becomes your financial translator: they must be just as comfortable explaining a notice of assessment in English as they are preparing a CO-17 return in French.

Here are the most common situations, and what they really require from your accountant:

In all these cases, the same reality applies: documents submitted to Quebec government agencies must be in French, while business dealings take place in English. It is precisely this bridge that a bilingual accountant provides.

What exactly should a “bilingual” accountant be able to do?

Being able to hold a conversation in English and having a solid grasp of accounting terminology in English are two different things. Before you commit, make sure the accounting firm’s bilingual staff covers:

• Technical vocabulary in both languages. Financial statements, balance sheets, notice of assessment, and source deductions: Your accountant should be able to discuss these matters with you in English and draft official documents in French.
• Written communications. Emails, engagement letters, management reports: written communication is often the weak link in a firm that is “bilingual” only in spoken language.
• Dealing with both tax authorities. Your federal tax returns (T1, T2) can be filed in English with the CRA; your Quebec tax returns (TP1, CO-17) and taxes (5% GST, 9.975% QST, administered by Revenu Québec) are handled in French.
• Your tools. Many accounting software programs are set to English by default: an accountant who is fluent in both languages can set up your taxes and reports correctly, regardless of the interface language.

Google, directories, matching: Who really filters by language?

Typing “English-speaking accountant Montreal” into Google returns SEO-optimized pages, not firms whose ability to provide services in English has been verified. Professional directories and listings confirm a firm’s status and provide contact information, which is helpful, but language proficiency is, at best, self-reported: no one verifies that the person who will handle your day-to-day bookkeeping can communicate with you in English, or even that the firm is accepting new clients. The following table compares the three approaches based on the criterion that matters most to you: language.

The difference can be summed up in one sentence: Google and online directories give you a list to sort through yourself, while our matching service provides you with a pre-filtered selection where the language of service has been confirmed before we introduce you to anyone.

The approach: Make language a matching criterion

Here’s how to turn your language requirement into a selection criterion rather than an unpleasant surprise:

1. Describe your situation In the free request: industry, status (self-employed, incorporated business), size, and services needed (bookkeeping, taxes, payroll).
2. Specify the language of service: English only, French only, or bilingual, both spoken and written.
3. Bankeo filters its network of 1,500+ accountants based on your criteria: language, as well as specialty, industry, and region.
4. You’ll receive proposals from vetted accountants who meet the language requirement, often within 48 hours.
5. You’re free to choose, and we’re always here to support you: If things don’t work out, even months later, we’ll introduce you to other accountants at no cost.

In fact, the language criterion actually broadens your options rather than limiting them: if few firms in your neighbourhood offer services in English, a Online Accountant Elsewhere in Quebec can expertly manage your books, file your tax returns, and meet with you via videoconference in the language of your choice.

How much does a bilingual accountant cost in Quebec?

Language should not affect the bill. For a business, the median accounting fee is around $3,000 per year, and most engagements range from $500 to $6,000, depending on the service, size, and complexity of the case. These figures are 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 provides a breakdown of price ranges by type of service.

A word of advice: be wary of a “bilingual bonus.” Serving clients in English is standard practice for many accounting firms in Quebec, particularly in the Montreal area; if a firm significantly increases its fees simply because you request service in English, compare quotes from other firms before signing a contract.

Five questions to test bilingualism before you hire someone

Once you’ve identified potential candidates, verify the extent of their English-language skills. Ask these questions during your first meeting:

• “Who will be working on my case on a daily basis, and in what language?” The partner who meets with you may be perfectly bilingual, but the person who will handle your books each month may not be.
• “Can you prepare my financial statements and reports in English?” Essential if you report to English-speaking investors or a bank.
• “How do you handle communications with Revenu Québec and the CRA?” The response should demonstrate that the firm navigates with ease between the two jurisdictions and the two languages.
• “Do you have clients like me who conduct business in English?” Real-world experience is better than a box checked on a resume.
• “In what language will your engagement letter and written communications be?” This is where spoken bilingualism alone becomes apparent.

For more information, check out our complete list of Questions to Ask an Accountant Before Hiring Them also covers pricing, turnaround times, and availability.

Frequently asked questions

How do you find an english-speaking or bilingual accountant in Quebec?

There are three ways to find one: Google search, professional directories, and matching. Only the matching service allows you to filter by verified language of service: you specify your needs in a free request, and Bankeo presents you with vetted accountants from its network of over 1,500 partners who can truly serve you in English, French, or both languages.

Do bilingual accountants cost more in Quebec?

No, the language of service shouldn’t affect the bill. The median fee is around $3,000 per year, and most engagements range from $500 to $6,000 depending on the service, 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 ranges by type of service.

Can my business deal with Revenu Québec in English?

The Quebec government communicates with businesses in French, in accordance with the Charter of the French Language: your TP1 or CO-17 returns and your communications with Revenu Québec are therefore conducted in French. The Canada Revenue Agency, on the other hand, offers its services in both official languages. A bilingual accountant handles these communications for you and explains everything in English if that is your working language.

Can an accountant practice exclusively in English in Quebec?

Many Quebec firms serve their clients in English, particularly in the Montreal area. That said, to hold the CPA designation, a professional must be a member of the Ordre des CPA du Québec and have an appropriate knowledge of French, as is required of all members of a professional order. The real rarity, therefore, is not French proficiency, it is the ability to provide comprehensive service in English, both verbally and in writing, a skill that is rarely advertised and never verified by professional directories.

Can I work remotely with a bilingual accountant?

Yes, and that’s often the best way to expand your pool of candidates. Bookkeeping, tax filings, and meetings can all be handled very effectively remotely: online document sharing, video conferencing in the language of your choice, and electronic signatures. If bilingual accounting firms are rare in your area, an online accountant based elsewhere in Quebec can serve you with the same level of professionalism.

How long does it take for Bankeo to match me with a bilingual accountant?

Your request takes just a few minutes to complete, and the service is completely free for business owners. The first proposals often arrive within 48 hours, and we’ll introduce you to as many accountants as you need: if it doesn’t click with the first one, even months later, we’ll introduce you to others, at no cost. Since 2023, Bankeo has received more than 15,000 requests from business owners.

Official sources

1. Statistics Canada, 2021 Census: French-English Bilingualism Among Canadians
2. Revenu Québec, Business Portal
3. Canada Revenue Agency
4. Ordre des CPA du Québec
5. Quebec Office of the French Language