Yes — NOC 11100 (Financial auditors and accountants) is TEER 1, eligible for FSW, CEC, and most PNP skilled-worker streams.

Do I need a CPA to claim NOC 11100?

No. The CPA designation is 'usually required' per ESDC, but IRCC scores duties not credentials. A non-CPA senior accountant whose duties match the NOC main duties can still claim 11100. The CPA is required to use the title 'Chartered Professional Accountant' in Canada once you arrive.

What about bookkeepers — is that NOC 11100?

No — bookkeepers fall under NOC 12200 (Accounting technicians and bookkeepers), TEER 2. NOC 11100 covers analysis, audits, tax planning, and financial advisory work, not transactional bookkeeping.

NOC 11100 — Financial auditors and accountants

NOC 11100 is the workhorse code for finance-track PR applicants. It's also the most commonly mis-claimed by bookkeepers and accounting clerks — whose work is closer to NOC 12200 (TEER 2). Here's how to know which one fits and how to write a reference letter that survives IRCC scrutiny.

Knowing your NOC code is only half the equation. IRCC doesn't ask what your code is — they ask whether your reference letter duties prove it. Most refusals at the eligibility stage aren't wrong NOC codes, they're correct codes (like 11100 for financial auditors and accountants) with reference letters that don't back them up.

A NOC code that doesn't match your actual duties isn't just a paperwork issue — IRCC can treat it as misrepresentation, which carries consequences that go well beyond a single refused application.

Confirming your NOC code before you submit is a lot cheaper than correcting it after.

Educational information only, not legal advice. Consequences vary based on individual circumstances.

Real example: A Senior Accountant applicant claimed NOC 11100 but their reference letter described invoice posting, bank reconciliations, and month-end data entry — bookkeeper-level work that maps to NOC 12200, not 11100. Refused at the eligibility stage.

✓ 3,000+ NOC codes verified

Am I safe to submit? →Generate my reference letter →

At a glance

NOC 2021 code: 11100
Title: Financial auditors and accountants
TEER: 1
Eligible: FSW, CEC, most PNPs

Official main duties

Examine accounting records, financial statements and other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.
Plan, set up and administer accounting systems and prepare financial information for an individual, department, company or other establishment.
Examine financial accounts and records and prepare income tax returns from accounting records.
Analyze financial statements and reports and provide financial, business and tax advice.
May act as a trustee in bankruptcy proceedings.
Supervise and train articling students, other accountants or administrative technicians.

Reference letter — sample wording

"As Senior Accountant, [Name] examined accounting records and financial statements to assess accuracy and IFRS compliance, administered the company's general ledger and consolidation system, prepared corporate income tax returns, analysed monthly financial statements and provided strategic tax planning advice to management, and supervised three junior accountants. 40 hours/week, CAD $90,000 + benefits."

11100 vs 12200 — which one are you?

Bookkeepers, AP/AR clerks, and people whose primary job is data entry into accounting software belong in NOC 12200 (TEER 2) — see our bookkeeper NOC code guide. If your work involves analysis, audit, tax advice, or system design, you fit NOC 11100. Title alone is not enough — see our Job title vs NOC code guide.

What IRCC actually checks

What surprises most applicants: IRCC officers compare your reference letter duty lines word-by-word against the official NOC duty list. Generic phrases like “managed projects” or “supported the team” fail this check every time.

IRCC refused 23% of Express Entry applicants at the eligibility stage. A $9.99 check is insurance against a $1,500+ mistake.

11100 or 12200? IRCC will decide — unless you do first

Claiming TEER 1 with bookkeeper-style duties is the #1 way accountants lose CEC eligibility. Score your reference letter against both NOCs and see which one your duties actually support.

Check My NOC

FAQ

Is NOC 11100 TEER 1?: Yes — NOC 11100 (Financial auditors and accountants) is TEER 1, eligible for FSW, CEC, and most PNP skilled-worker streams.
Do I need a CPA to claim NOC 11100?: No. The CPA designation is 'usually required' per ESDC, but IRCC scores duties not credentials. A non-CPA senior accountant whose duties match the NOC main duties can still claim 11100. The CPA is required to use the title 'Chartered Professional Accountant' in Canada once you arrive.
What about bookkeepers — is that NOC 11100?: No — bookkeepers fall under NOC 12200 (Accounting technicians and bookkeepers), TEER 2. NOC 11100 covers analysis, audits, tax planning, and financial advisory work, not transactional bookkeeping.

Last updated: June 2026