Accountants by industry in Quebec

At a Glance: The cost of an accountant varies greatly depending on your line of work, because each sector has its own tax deductions, requirements, and level of complexity. The median ranges from about $1,100 per year in the simplest sectors to over $3,500 in the most complex ones. Full details are available at The Bankeo Fee Barometer.

Your industry is one of the factors that most significantly affects an accountant’s bill. This isn’t because certain professions are “more expensive” on a whim, but because the amount of work and expertise required varies. Here’s what we’ve observed, industry by industry, based on the requests received by Bankeo.

Wealth management and asset management firms: at the high end of the range

This is the sector where fees are often the highest, at the upper end of the range, up to $6,000 per year, depending on complexity. The reason is simple: setting up management companies, dividends, investments, and tax optimization. The more complex the structure, the more work is involved.

Construction: around $3,540

Between approximately $1,700 and $5,000 per year. The construction industry involves subcontracting, withholdings, progress payments, and sector-specific regulations. An accountant familiar with these aspects can avoid costly mistakes and track profitability on a project-by-project basis.

Restaurants, hotels, startups: from $2,250 to $2,450

Median rates in these sectors range from $2,250 to $2,450 per year, depending on the specific business, with wide variations. In the restaurant and hospitality industries, key areas include tips, inventory, GST/QST on food. In the technology sector, key areas include research tax credits, stock-based compensation, and accounting for subscription models.

E-commerce and real estate: from $1,500 to $2,000

The median is around $1,990 per year in e-commerce and around $1,500 in real estate. In e-commerce, these include sales taxes across multiple jurisdictions and payment platforms; in real estate, they include rental income, depreciation, and capital gains.

Healthcare and events: $1,125 to $1,500

In the healthcare sector, the median rate is one of the most affordable in the Barometer, at around $1,125 per year; in the events sector, it’s closer to $1,500. Each sector has its own unique characteristics: in healthcare, incorporation and management companies are game-changers; in the events industry, it’s seasonality and the management of one-off projects.

Why you should look for an accountant who knows your industry

Beyond the listed price, an accountant who understands your business often provides Save more than it costs : They know your deductions, your obligations, and the pitfalls, and won’t have to figure out your industry from your file. This is one of the criteria they check The Bankeo Trust Index before we introduce you to someone.

Helpful reminder: these amounts are Guidelines, not your price. Your actual bill depends on your volume, your situation, and the services you choose, and is negotiated directly with the accountant.

An accountant who knows your industry, at the right price? Find one for free.

In summary

• The median cost of an accountant ranges from about $1,125 (healthcare) to $3,540 (construction), depending on the sector; wealth management can cost as much as $6,000.
• The difference stems from the deductions, requirements, and complexity specific to each industry.
• An accountant who specializes in your industry often ends up costing less. Details on the price ranges in The Bankeo Fee Barometer.