Largest employers: part 2

In the April issue of our Findings column, we looked at the largest employers of CAs in public practice. This month, we look at the largest employers in industry.

The percentage of CAs working outside of public practice has risen steadily over the years and today public practice accounts for only about 40% of CAs. Fifty-four percent of CAs are employed in industry and the remaining 6% work in government departments or Crown corporations.

The financial services sector continues to be the largest employer of CAs outside of public practice, with the biggest five banks being the largest employers of CAs in industry. And the number of CAs in financial services is on the rise. The five largest banks added 74 CAs to their staff during the past two years and now employ a combined total of 1,265.

In addition to having the top-five employers of CAs, the financial services sector accounts for nine of the 10 top employers of CAs and includes 11 companies in the top 25.

BCE is the only nonfinancial services company that makes it into the top-10 list. The company and its subsidiaries employ 185 chartered accountants. The remaining companies represent firms with large Canadian operations over several industries and include IBM, Bombardier, Nortel, George Weston, Canadian Tire, Telus and Magna.

John Tabone is CICA's manager of innovation