In Canada, the finance industry is experiencing a seismic shift with existing roles evolving rapidly and new careers emerging. These factors have also contributed to a growing demand for skilled professionals in the financial sector, driven by shifting economic landscapes and technological advancements. This situation has also meant that finance professionals in the North American country are earning well – it is just that some roles command a higher salary than others. For example, the average annual base pay in the sector across roles is 95,797 Canadian dollars (CAD) a year, but it can go up to CAD 125,910 a year as well.
This blog will discuss the top finance careers in Canada, examining their current compensation and highlighting the qualifications and skills that can help unlock these job opportunities for candidates.
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Exploring the 10 Top Paying Finance Jobs in Canada in 2025
In 2025 and beyond, the top career opportunities in Canada’s finance sector, in terms of prestige and remuneration, are available only to individuals who possess the skills necessary to navigate technological transitions.
1. Finance Manager
Role Overview
A Finance Manager is responsible for ensuring the overall financial health of an organization. They analyze financial data, prepare reports, and manage risks.
Key Responsibilities
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- Ensure adherence to financial standards and regulations
- Design and manage forecasts and budgets
- Manage investments, cash flow, and evaluate risks for the company
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, or Economics
- MBA in Finance preferred
- Professional certification courses such as CFA, CPA, or CMA
Career Trajectory: Junior Accountant →Accounting Supervisor →Finance Manager →Controller →CFO
Average Salary: CAD 74,000 – CAD 112,000 per annum
2. Financial Controller
Role Overview
A Financial Controller manages all accounting operations, ensuring compliance with standard regulations, and performs accurate financial reporting.
Key Responsibilities
- Adherence with GAAP, tax laws, and IFRS standards
- Prepare detailed financial statements – monthly, quarterly, and annual
- Offer insights to senior leadership roles to make informed decisions
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Finance, Accounting, or Economics
- MBA in Finance preferred for senior roles
- Professional certifications such as CMA, ACCA, CPA, and CFA
Career Trajectory: Financial Analyst →Internal Auditor →Financial Controller →Finance Director →Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Average Salary: CAD 83,000 – CAD 117,000 per annum
3. Business Analyst
Role Overview
A Business Analyst serves as the bridge between business stakeholders and technical teams. They assist companies in enhancing their systems, processes, and services by analyzing needs and data.
Key Responsibilities
- Offer support in budgeting, planning, and allocation of resources
- Collect business needs, analyze, and document them
- Prepare dashboards, reports, and help validate solutions before executing them
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Finance, Business Administration, or Economics
- MBA preferred for strategic roles
- Professional certifications such as ECBA, CBAP, or CCBA
Career Trajectory: Business Analyst Intern →Systems Analyst →Senior Business Analyst →Program Manager →VP of Strategy
Average Salary: CAD 59,000 – CAD 83,000 per annum
4. Financial Advisor
Role Overview
A Financial Advisor assists both individuals and business organizations in making informed decisions regarding insurance, investments, and tax strategies. They utilize a blend of financial acumen and skills in client relationships to enable clients to achieve their financial goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Offer advice on tax, retirement, and estate planning
- Evaluate the objectives, financial situations, and risk tolerance
- Design customized financial plans on insurance, investments, and savings
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, and Economics
- MBA in Finance
- Professional certifications such as CLU, CFP, and CFA
Career Trajectory: Junior Financial Advisor →Investment Advisor →Portfolio Manager →Head of Advisory
Average Salary: CAD 45,000 – CAD 65,000 per annum
5. Financial Analyst
Role Overview
A Financial Analyst assesses the overall financial performance of an organization by analyzing financial data and preparing reports to help businesses achieve financial goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Evaluate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Analyze budgets, financial statements, and forecasts
- Collaborate with departments and teams in the Finance department to help improve financial processes
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, and Economics
- MBA in Finance or Financial Engineering
- Professional certifications such as CPA, ACCA, CFA, and FRM
Career Trajectory: Junior Financial Analyst →Financial Analyst →Senior Financial Analyst →Finance Manager →VP of Finance
Average Salary: CAD 55,000 – CAD 77,000 per annum
Also Read: CFA vs CPA: Which Finance Credential Is Better in Canada
6. Investment Banker
Role Overview
Investment Bankers offer assistance and expert advisory services to companies in managing their mergers & acquisitions and raising capital.
Key Responsibilities
- Building complex financial models to evaluate the performance of the company and forecast its potential earnings
- Maintain relationships with investors, corporate clients, and financial institutions to ensure ongoing support and stability
- Research the performance of competitors, industry trends, and economic conditions to guide good investment decisions
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Economics, Finance, or Business Administration
- MBA in Finance
- Professional certifications such as CPA, CSC, CFA, or CIM
Career Trajectory: Investment Banking Analyst →Investment Banking Associate →VP →MD
Average Salary: CAD 51,000 – CAD 84,000 per annum
Also Read: Top Finance Courses in Canada for Aspiring Professionals
7. FinTech Analyst
Role Overview
They combine their knowledge and expertise in both finance and technology, assess blockchain technology and digital financial products, and offer AI-driven solutions to complex financial problems in an organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess FinTech platforms and payment solutions, and offer suggestions on adopting or integrating new technologies into financial services
- Research the competitive market landscape and identify prospective opportunities for innovation and growth
- Analyze financial data and prepare data-driven reports
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Finance, or Computer Science
- MSc in FinTech/MBA in Finance
- Professional certifications such as FRM, CFA, and certifications in technology like Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, R, Python, SQL, and AI/ML
Career Trajectory: FinTech Analyst Intern →FinTech Analyst →Senior FinTech Analyst →VP of Digital Finance →Chief Innovation Officer
Average Salary: CAD 65,197 – CAD 114,259 per annum
Also Read: Finance Project Topic Ideas, Tools Used and Learning Outcomes
8. Risk Manager
Role Overview
Risk Managers identify, evaluate, and offer suggestions to reduce the financial and operational risks for organizations.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and execute risk-mitigation strategies such as insurance, hedging, and internal controls
- Analyze the internal and external factors that affect the operational, financial, and strategic stability of an organization
- Ensure adherence to financial regulations in Canada, such as the OSFI guidelines
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Economics, Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration
- MSc in Risk Management, MBA in Finance, or a degree in Financial Engineering
- Professional certifications such as CFA, FRM, CERA, PRM, and CPA
Career Trajectory: Risk Analyst →Risk Associate →Senior Risk Manager →Director of Risk Management →Chief Risk Officer
Average Salary: CAD 72,000 – CAD 107,000 per annum
9. ESG Finance Analyst
Role Overview
They analyze sustainable investment opportunities in the market and integrate ESG factors into making informed financial decisions.
Key Responsibilities
- Offer expert advice to internal teams and clients on sustainable investment opportunities
- Assess the social, environmental, and governance performance using standardized metrics
- Ensure adherence to ESG regulations in Canada, including the TCFD framework and CSA guidelines
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, and Economics
- MSc in Finance, MBA, or MSc in Sustainability Management
- Professional certifications such as CFA, SASB FSA Credential, CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing, CFA ESG Certificate, FRM, and GRESB
Career Trajectory: ESG Analyst Intern →ESG Analyst →Senior ESG Analyst →ESG Manager →Chief Sustainability Officer
Average Salary: CAD 41,000 – CAD 74,000 per annum
Also Read: Data Analytics and Its Role in Modern Canadian Finance
10. Corporate Treasurer
Role Overview
Corporate Treasurers are overall responsible for managing a company’s investments, liquidity, capital structure, and relationships with banks.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and execute strategies for raising capital via equity, debt, or other financing options
- Optimize the working capital and manage short-term investments for companies
- Identify potential financial risks and mitigate them, including risks in interest rate, currency, and credit risk
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, or Economics
- MBA in Corporate Finance or Finance
- Professional certifications such as CPA, FRM, CFA, and CTP
Career Trajectory: Treasury Analyst →Treasury Manager →Senior Treasury Manager →Corporate Treasurer
Average Salary: CAD 115,000 – CAD 223,000 per annum
Source: Glassdoor, Economic Research Institute
Also Read: How to Land a Finance Internship During Your MBA in Canada
A career in finance in Canada offers several benefits, including lucrative pay packages, promising career opportunities, and a diverse range of job roles across various industries.
In line with the increasing demand for financial protection products in the Canadian job market, life insurance premiums increased to CAD 508 million.
Here are some more reasons why a career path in Finance is widely preferred among students:
- Lucrative earning potential: Business analysts and financial analysts are generally high-paying roles and thus attract a high demand in the Canadian job market.
- Resilient economy: The Canadian economic sector is renowned globally for its resilience despite turbulence in its landscape. In August 2025, a 7.1% increase was witnessed in the unemployment rate in Canada. However, the insurance and finance industries in the country continue to remain significant.
- Varied job roles: The finance industry offers a variety of career opportunities for professionals with specialized skills and knowledge. A few examples include Controllers, Financial Advisors, and Reporting Analysts, among others.
Also Read: Best Online MBA Programs for Finance Students in Canada
Skills and Qualifications That Unlock Highest Paying Finance Jobs in Canada
Economic uncertainty and technological disruption have continued to reshape the Canadian financial landscape recently, making the outlook both challenging and promising for the financial sector. To secure the highest-paying finance career paths in Canada, students require the right combination of qualifications and skills. In terms of qualifications, the most sought-after options are the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and Master of Business Administration (MBA). In terms of skills, the following stand out the most:
- Data Analysis.
- Financial Statement Analysis.
- Financial Planning.
- Auditing.
- Reporting and Dashboarding.
- System Applications and Products in Data Processing (SAP) Applications.
- Power Business Intelligence (BI).
Also Read: Top Finance Courses in Canada for Aspiring Professionals
upGrad’s Online Program to Help You Launch a Career in Finance
The Master of Science in International Accounting and Finance program at O.P. Jindal Global University, offered through upGrad, helps prepare students well to launch a successful career in finance. The edtech platform also provides students with the tools they need to advance their careers confidently. These tools include industry-aligned education and career support, which helps them in the professional domain. Students can also book one-on-one sessions with the experienced mentors at upGrad to explore their learning options in this context.
Also Read: Data Analytics and Its Role in Modern Canadian Finance
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FAQs: Highest Paying Finance Jobs & Career Opportunities in Canada
In Canada, Toronto is the best city for professionals looking to work in the accounting and finance stream, as it is the financial capital of Canada and the second-largest financial center on the continent.
The best finance courses for beginners include financial modeling and valuation, certificate programs in financial planning, Canadian Securities Courses (CSCs), and finance and accounting certificate programs.
Yes, there is a tremendous demand for finance professionals in Canada, especially for roles such as financial analysts, senior accountants, and accounting professionals.
For candidates seeking to work in the asset management or investment banking sectors of Canada, a CFA certification is the ideal option.
The highest-paid job in the Canadian finance sector is that of a finance manager, who earns around CAD 124,705 per year.
