What's the NOC code for an accountant?
Short answer: NOC 11100 for professional accountants and auditors, NOC 12200 for bookkeepers and accounting technicians, NOC 10010 for finance managers.
Title-to-NOC quick map
- Accountant / Senior Accountant / Tax Accountant: NOC 11100 (TEER 1).
- Financial Auditor / External Auditor: NOC 11100.
- Bookkeeper / Accounting Clerk / AP-AR Specialist: NOC 12200 (TEER 2).
- Accounting Technician: NOC 12200.
- Financial Analyst (investment, equity, FP&A): NOC 11101 (TEER 1).
- Finance Manager / Controller: NOC 10010 (TEER 0).
- CFO / Director of Finance: NOC 00012 (TEER 0).
The bookkeeper trap
Many applicants whose actual work is bookkeeping (data entry, journal entries, monthly close from templates) claim NOC 11100 because their title says "Accountant." This is the single most common accountant-side refusal. If you don't do analysis, advisory, audit, or system design, your duties almost certainly map to NOC 12200 — which is still skilled experience for some PNPs and TEER 2 Express Entry categories.
CPA, CMA, CGA, ACCA — does the certification matter?
Not for NOC selection. IRCC scores duties. A non-CPA whose duties match NOC 11100 main duties can claim 11100. The certification only matters if you intend to use the regulated title "Chartered Professional Accountant" in Canada after landing.
Verify your accountant NOC
Don't get refused on the accountant-vs-bookkeeper line.
Check my accountant NOCFAQ
- What is the NOC code for an accountant?
- Most accountants fall under NOC 11100 (Financial auditors and accountants, TEER 1). Bookkeepers, AP/AR clerks, and accounting technicians fall under NOC 12200 (TEER 2). Senior finance leaders often fit NOC 10010 (Financial managers, TEER 0).
- Can a non-CPA claim NOC 11100?
- Yes. The CPA is 'usually required' but IRCC scores duties, not credentials. If your reference letter shows you do financial analysis, audits, tax work, or system design, you can claim NOC 11100 without a CPA.
- What's the right NOC for a tax accountant or auditor?
- Both fall under NOC 11100 — it explicitly covers tax preparation and financial audits. External auditors at firms like the Big Four also fit NOC 11100.