OCAQ - CA compensation

CA compensation survey — Quebec

During the summer of 2009, the provincial institutes/Ordre and the CICA conducted a comprehensive compensation survey of all CAs. The survey was conducted to aid members and those who hire members during salary negotiations. In addition, the results will be used to promote the profession to the best and brightest students across Canada.

The results of this survey are set out in nine reports: a summary report covering all findings and eight regional reports. The survey addressed compensation, vacation time, benefits and work-life balance.

The key findings of the survey for Quebec are as follows.

Respondent profile

62% of respondents are under 45.

37% of respondents worked in professional services, 44% in industry, 15% in Crown corporation/public service, and 5% in either an educational institution or not-for-profit.

3% of respondents worked as sole practitioners, 5% as partners in a CA firm, 3% as owners/partners of a non-CA firm, 87% as employees of an organization and 2% as contract employees or consultants.

Compensation

The mean (average) for member compensation from either employment or business was $139,855.

Compensation by practice area

Industry	$167,028
Professional services firm	$124,999
Crown corporation or public service	$101,723
Educational institution	$103,961
Not-for-profit	$120,663

Compensation by city

Drummondville	$74,281
Granby	$108,847
Montreal	$158,069
Ottawa-Hull	$168,259
Quebec City	$108,920
Rouyn-Noranda	$99,641
Saguenay	$105,545
Saint-Hyacinthe	$99,966
Sherbrooke	$94,278
Trois-Rivières	$79,845
Other	$107,618

Compensation by age

Under 35	$84,422
35-44	$138,642
45-54	$167,013
55-64	$219,196
65 and over	$215,022

Compensation by year received CA

2008	$59,878
2007	$66,011
2006	$78,793
2005	$86,952
2004	$105,993
1994-2003	$138,772
1989-1993	$144,364
1984-1988	$170,018
1979-1983	$187,502
1974-1978	$185,916
Before 1974	$337,998

Owners’ compensation

377 respondents owned a business. Of these, 174 were partners in a CA firm, 98 were sole practitioners and 105 owned another type of business.

Partner	$247,148
Sole practitioner	$122,578
Owner of a CA firm	$202,267
Owner of another business	$362,565

Compensation of non-owners

The table below shows base, total non-base and total compensation statistics for members who did not own their own business in 2006. Non-base compensation includes, in particular, profit-sharing income, bonuses, paid overtime, commissions and allowances.

Base compensation	$107,465
Total non-base compensation	$19,457
Total compensation	$126,923

Compensation of members in professional services firms

Average compensation is lower for CAs in professional services firms that primarily deliver auditing, accounting and/or tax services as compared to firms that deliver other professional services (consulting, legal, etc.).

Firm that primarily delivers auditing, accounting and/or tax services	$118,499
Firm that primarily delivers other professional services	$202,933

Compensation by major practice area

Business/industry
Agriculture, forestry or fisheries	$109,330
Arts, entertainment, leisure	$141,586
Construction	$133,260
Financial services	$145,396
Holding, conglomerate	$212,504
Hotels and restaurants	$252,000
Manufacturing	$182,100
Media, communications and publishing	$166,820
Mining	$238,310
Oil and gas	$175,298
Pharmaceuticals and chemicals	$185,964
Real estate and building management	$163,804
Retail, wholesale	$159,884
Software	$202,774
Telecommunications	$159,889
Transportation, distribution	$156,207
Utilities	$156,451

Public Service
Municipal, provincial, federal government or one of their agencies	$94,490
An office of the auditor general	$88,223
Board and commissions	$78,759
Regulatory bodies	$116,841
Crown corporation	$117,228
Hospital, library, health organization or social services organization	$94,519

Education
University	$114,337
College or CEGEP	$86,847
Primary or secondary school	$97,709

Not-for-profit
Industry, professional or trade association	$132,269
Social or charitable organization	$104,787
Religious institutions	$106,129

Compensation by job title

Other Business Partner/Owner	$362,565
Senior Vice President	$321,480
President/CEO	$283,811
Other Executive Management	$260,528
CA Firm Partner	$247,148
Vice President	$214,631
Assistant Vice President	$189,850
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)	$170,590
Treasurer	$169,851
Principal	$158,676
Senior Director	$130,876
Senior Manager	$129,801
Sole Practitioner	$122,578
Consultant	$120,367
Director	$114,948
General Manager	$114,636
Controller/Comptroller	$114,362
Associate/Assistant Director	$110,826
Manager	$110,167
Tax Specialist	$107,434
Supervisor	$104,638
Internal Auditor	$103,342
Professor, Lecturer Or Teacher	$101,643
Associate/Assistant Manager	$88,875
Analyst	$87,033
Senior Auditor/Accountant	$76,037
Auditor/Accountant	$73,257
Junior Auditor/Accountant	$44,584

Vacation time

Less than 10 working days	1%
10-14 working days	3%
15-19 working days	22%
20-24 working days	46%
25-29 working days	18%
30-34 working days	7%
35 + working days	2%

Benefits received

The employers of 80% of respondents provide health insurance and almost three quarters provide life insurance.

Pension Benefits	38%
Medical (health and dental) benefits	80%
Stock or Stock Options Purchase Program	12%
Long Term Disability Insurance	67%
Life Insurance	71%
Out of Country Travel	43%
Parking	32%
Car Allowances	19%
Parental/Maternal/Caregiver Leave Top Ups	7%
Professional Membership dues other than CA	14%
Health/Fitness Club Memberships	18%
Credit Card Fees	4%

Programs to encourage work/life balance

More than 60% of respondents have flexible work arrangements and 74% have access to training programs.

Flexible working hours	62%
Sabbaticals	24%
Compressed Work Weeks	22%
Leaves for Personal Reasons	60%
Employee Assistance Programs	58%
Training Programs	74%
Work from home	39%