Introduction

Hiring an Accountant / CA in Montreal is a high-stakes decision for individuals, freelancers, and business owners who need accurate tax filings, clean financial statements, and practical advice that fits Quebec and Canadian rules.

In this guide, you’ll learn what an Accountant / CA typically handles, what it costs in Montreal, and how to compare firms based on real-world buying criteria (services, transparency, and reputation signals).

Because this is a “verified & reviewed” style roundup, firms are included only when their presence and service offering are clearly established through publicly available information. Where specific details (ratings, direct contact info, review themes) are not consistently public, they are marked as Not publicly stated rather than guessed.


About Accountant / CA

An Accountant / CA helps people and organizations track financial activity, stay compliant with tax law, and make better decisions using accurate numbers. In practice, many clients in Montreal look for support with year-end tax filings, bookkeeping cleanup, payroll, GST/QST, and advisory for incorporations or growth.

You may need an Accountant / CA when you’re:

  • Starting a business or incorporating in Quebec
  • Catching up on overdue tax filings
  • Managing payroll, expenses, and sales taxes (GST/QST)
  • Preparing financial statements for lenders or investors
  • Handling complex situations like cross-border income, multiple entities, or audits

Average cost in Montreal (typical market ranges)

Pricing varies widely by complexity, turnaround time, and whether you need a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) to sign reports.

  • Personal tax return (T1): Often ranges from $150–$400+ (Varies / depends)
  • Self-employed / rental / multiple slips: Often $300–$800+ (Varies / depends)
  • Corporate year-end (T2 + financials): Commonly $1,000–$5,000+ (Varies / depends)
  • Hourly advisory: Often $150–$350+/hour (Varies / depends)

Licensing / certifications

In Quebec, the CPA designation is regulated by the Ordre des CPA du Québec. “CA” is a legacy term historically associated with chartered accountants; today, “CPA” is the standard designation, and many people still search for “Accountant / CA” out of habit.

Key takeaways

  • An Accountant / CA can cover tax, bookkeeping oversight, payroll guidance, and financial reporting.
  • If you need signed assurance work (e.g., audit/review engagement), confirm CPA credentials and scope.
  • Montreal pricing varies significantly; ask for a written scope and what’s included.
  • Quebec rules (including GST/QST and provincial filings) make local experience valuable.

How We Selected the Best Accountant / CA in Montreal

We used criteria that match how people actually hire an Accountant / CA in Montreal:

  • Years of experience: Firm history and depth of team (when publicly stated)
  • Verified customer review signals: Public ratings/review patterns only when consistently available (otherwise marked Not publicly stated)
  • Service range: Tax, corporate, advisory, bookkeeping support, cross-border, and industry specialization
  • Pricing transparency: Clear scopes, engagement letters, and predictable billing options (where described publicly)
  • Local reputation: Known presence in Montreal and the Quebec market

This list relies on publicly available information when it is known and verifiable. If a detail such as a rating, direct email, or review summary isn’t reliably published, it is left as Not publicly stated rather than inferred.


About Montreal

Montreal is Quebec’s largest city and a major hub for startups, professional services, retail, construction, real estate, and cross-border commerce. That mix creates steady demand for Accountant / CA services—from straightforward personal returns to multi-entity corporate structures and international tax considerations.

Service demand is especially high around typical tax deadlines, corporate year-ends, and periods of business change (incorporation, financing, acquisition, or restructuring).

Key neighborhoods served (commonly requested):

  • Downtown Montreal
  • Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal)
  • Plateau-Mont-Royal / Mile End
  • Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie
  • Griffintown
  • Verdun
  • NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce)
  • Westmount
  • Outremont
  • Saint-Laurent (Ville Saint-Laurent)

Some firm-by-firm neighborhood coverage is Not publicly stated; most established firms serve clients city-wide and often remotely.


Top 5 Best Accountant / CA in Montreal

#1 — Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton

  • Rating: Not publicly stated
  • Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
  • Services Offered: Tax (personal and corporate), assurance, advisory, business valuation (Varies / depends), transaction support (Varies / depends), outsourcing (Varies / depends)
  • Price Range: Varies / depends
  • Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
  • Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
  • Website (if available): https://www.rcgt.com
  • Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
  • Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
  • Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Complex Quebec corporate needs, established businesses, multi-service advisory

#2 — BDO Canada LLP

  • Rating: Not publicly stated
  • Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
  • Services Offered: Corporate tax, personal tax (Varies / depends), assurance, advisory, accounting outsourcing (Varies / depends), support for entrepreneurs and mid-market companies
  • Price Range: Varies / depends
  • Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
  • Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
  • Website (if available): https://www.bdo.ca
  • Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
  • Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
  • Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Mid-sized businesses, ongoing accounting support, advisory-led engagements

#3 — MNP LLP

  • Rating: Not publicly stated
  • Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
  • Services Offered: Tax, assurance, consulting/advisory, bookkeeping/accounting support (Varies / depends), support for owner-managed businesses
  • Price Range: Varies / depends
  • Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
  • Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
  • Website (if available): https://www.mnp.ca
  • Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
  • Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
  • Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Owner-managed businesses, growth-stage companies needing structured finance support

#4 — Deloitte

  • Rating: Not publicly stated
  • Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
  • Services Offered: Audit & assurance, tax, consulting, financial advisory (Varies / depends), support for large/complex organizations
  • Price Range: Varies / depends (often premium for complex engagements)
  • Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
  • Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
  • Website (if available): https://www.deloitte.ca
  • Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
  • Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
  • Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Premium / enterprise needs, complex advisory, multi-jurisdiction organizations

#5 — PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)

  • Rating: Not publicly stated
  • Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
  • Services Offered: Assurance, tax, deals/transactions (Varies / depends), consulting, complex reporting and compliance support
  • Price Range: Varies / depends (often premium for complex engagements)
  • Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
  • Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
  • Website (if available): https://www.pwc.com/ca
  • Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
  • Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
  • Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Premium / complex corporate work, transactions, cross-border considerations

Comparison Table

Professional Rating Experience Price Range Best For
Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Not publicly stated Not publicly stated Varies / depends Complex Quebec corporate needs
BDO Canada LLP Not publicly stated Not publicly stated Varies / depends Mid-sized businesses, outsourcing support
MNP LLP Not publicly stated Not publicly stated Varies / depends Owner-managed and growth-stage businesses
Deloitte Not publicly stated Not publicly stated Varies / depends Premium / enterprise and complex advisory
PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) Not publicly stated Not publicly stated Varies / depends Premium / transactions and cross-border complexity

Cost of Hiring a Accountant / CA in Montreal

In Montreal, the cost of an Accountant / CA usually depends more on complexity and scope than on a simple hourly rate. A basic personal return is typically far less expensive than corporate year-end work that includes financial statements, GST/QST reconciliation, and advisory.

Average price range (practical expectations)

  • Personal taxes: Often $150–$400+ (Varies / depends)
  • Self-employed / multiple income sources: Often $300–$800+ (Varies / depends)
  • Corporate year-end: Often $1,000–$5,000+ (Varies / depends)
  • Monthly bookkeeping oversight: Commonly $200–$1,500+/month (Varies / depends)
  • Advisory/consultations: Often $150–$350+/hour (Varies / depends)

Emergency pricing (if applicable)

Rush requests can cost more—especially near filing deadlines or when records need cleanup. Many firms handle urgent work, but true “24/7” availability is not typical and is often Not publicly stated.

What affects cost

  • Number of slips, schedules, and tax forms required
  • Quality of bookkeeping (clean records vs. catch-up/reconstruction)
  • Corporate structure (incorporated vs. sole proprietor; number of entities)
  • GST/QST complexity (frequency, reconciliations, past periods)
  • Payroll, T4/Relevé filings, and benefits requirements
  • Advisory needs (incorporation, financing packages, valuations, due diligence)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does a Accountant / CA cost in Montreal?

For personal taxes, many clients see $150–$400+, while corporate year-ends often start around $1,000+ and can go higher. Pricing varies with complexity, record quality, and deadlines.

How to choose the best Accountant / CA in Montreal?

Start with scope: personal tax, corporate year-end, bookkeeping, or advisory. Then verify CPA credentials where needed, ask what’s included, confirm timelines, and request a written engagement letter or clear quote.

Are licenses required in Montreal?

If you need CPA-specific services (like certain assurance reports), the accountant should be licensed through the Ordre des CPA du Québec. For general bookkeeping, licensing may not be required, but oversight by a CPA can reduce risk.

What’s the difference between Accountant / CA and CPA in Quebec?

“CA” is a legacy term; in Quebec and Canada, the standard professional designation today is CPA. Many people still search for “Accountant / CA,” but credentials should be checked under the CPA framework.

Who offers 24/7 service in Montreal?

24/7 service is Not publicly stated for most accounting firms and is uncommon. If you have an urgent issue, ask about rush turnaround, after-hours availability during deadlines, and emergency response policies.

Can an Accountant / CA help with GST/QST in Montreal?

Yes—many firms handle GST/QST registration, filing schedules, and reconciliations (Varies / depends by provider). Confirm whether they also help with past-due periods and CRA/Revenu Québec correspondence.

Do I need an Accountant / CA for a small business in Montreal?

Not always, but it’s often worth it once you have employees, GST/QST obligations, or incorporated income. A good accountant can prevent filing errors and help you structure your finances for tax efficiency (Varies / depends).

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Typically: prior-year returns, notices of assessment, payroll summaries (if any), bank statements, sales reports, expense receipts, and bookkeeping exports. The exact list varies based on whether it’s personal, self-employed, or corporate.

Can an Accountant / CA help if I’m behind on taxes?

Often yes. Many firms can help you organize documents, file prior years, and respond to CRA/Revenu Québec requests (Varies / depends). Ask directly about backlog projects and timelines.

How long does it take to get taxes done in Montreal?

Simple returns can be quick, but turnaround depends on seasonality, record readiness, and complexity. Near deadlines, lead times commonly increase; confirm timelines in writing before you engage.


Final Recommendation

If you want a Montreal-focused firm with broad Quebec business coverage and multi-service support, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton is a practical short list option for complex corporate and advisory needs (scope and pricing vary).

For mid-market businesses that want ongoing support (tax + accounting + advisory) with structured processes, BDO and MNP are strong comparisons—especially if you expect recurring work beyond a single filing.

If your needs are enterprise-level, transaction-heavy, or multi-jurisdiction, Deloitte and PwC are better fits on the premium end. For most individuals and small businesses, ask for a clearly defined scope first so you don’t overbuy services.


Get Your Business Listed

If you’re an Accountant / CA in Montreal and want your details added or updated in this guide, email contact@professnow.com. You can also registe & Update yourself at https://professnow.com/.