OCAQ - What does a CA do?

What does a CA do?

Non-stop action! Chartered Accountants are leaders in virtually every sphere of public and private enterprise.

CAs in public practice

Chartered accountants in public practice spend little time in the office. Alone or with their colleagues, they regularly call on clients in diverse businesses and industries to meet with their managers, audit financial statements or provide consulting services.

CAs acquire in-depth knowledge of the businesses for which they work. In addition, their business sense, financial knowledge, sense of responsibility and objectivity make them favoured advisors to businesses — a role CAs carry out especially well thanks to their broad education.

Among other things, CAs are qualified to:

provide professional assurance services;
develop a risk management policy;
build internal controls;
determine financial strategies;
interpret information for decision-making;
develop business plans;
assist financially troubled businesses;
manage budgets and cash flow;
support the purchase, expansion and sale of a business;
practice effective tax planning;
conduct financial reporting;
implement information systems.

CAs often meet with clients and come into contact with managers, senior executives and other professionals such as lawyers and engineers. Their area of involvement is broad and diversified. When it comes to making decisions, whether concerning organizational structure, managing change, EDP environments and technology, finance, marketing, or human resources, CAs are in demand both for their sense of initiative and for their expertise. When it comes to collecting, validating or interpreting financial and non-financial information to enhance decision making, CAs are the most qualified professionals.

Born business leaders!

CAs in business and industry
CAs are fascinated by business. In fact, more than half the chartered accountants in Quebec are at the helm of enterprises or hold key executive positions. Whether as business leaders, vice-presidents of finance, controllers or in other management capacities, CAs are leaders in all segments of industry. As key players in the business world, they are the drivers behind countless success stories.

Starting your own business: a logical choice

CAs and their own business
A number of CAs choose to take advantage of their education and experience to start their own business. And they generally succeed very well since they were given the opportunity to acquire a broad understanding of the business world and the economic environment, for example during the training period.

CAs serving the public

CAs and government
When they hold strategic government positions — such as auditors general, deputy ministers, controllers general, and senior public servants — CAs are known for their effective management of government programs and for their leadership in suggesting and implementing innovative solutions to improve the performance of government bodies.

Teaching and research: another option

CAs and teaching
A number of CAs choose to help prepare the next generation of CAs. As teachers in universities and CEGEPs, they prepare quality professionals for the future. They are also key contributors to the advancement of accounting sciences in innovative fields.

Active everywhere it counts!

CAs abroad
CAs are in demand! The chartered accountancy profession can be the launching pad for a national or international career. So it is the perfect gateway to a career that embraces today’s global economy. CAs are respected world-wide for their high professional standards. In fact, chartered accountants may serve clients anywhere in the world since many CA firms have international affiliations. The CA designation is recognized everywhere in Quebec, in Canada and in Bermuda, as well as in a number of other countries, including the United States, France, Australia and Japan.