Best Paying Careers in Finance in Canada You Should Aim for in 2025-26

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 2025-26

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.

Finance Manager Key Responsibilities

• Ensure adherence to financial standards and regulations
• Design and manage forecasts and budgets
• Manage investments, cash flow, and evaluate risks for the company

Finance Manager Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, or Economics
• MBA in Finance preferred
• Professional certification courses such as CFA, CPA, or CMA
  

Finance Manager Career Trajectory: Junior Accountant →Accounting Supervisor →Finance Manager →Controller →CFO

Finance Manager 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.

Financial Controller 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

Financial Controller Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Finance, Accounting, or Economics
• MBA in Finance preferred for senior roles
• Professional certifications such as CMA, ACCA, CPA, and CFA

Financial Controller Career Trajectory: Financial Analyst →Internal Auditor →Financial Controller →Finance Director →Chief Operating Officer (COO) 

Financial Controller 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.

Business Analyst 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

Business Analyst Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Finance, Business Administration, or Economics
• MBA preferred for strategic roles
• Professional certifications such as ECBA, CBAP, or CCBA

Business Analyst Career Trajectory: Business Analyst Intern →Systems Analyst →Senior Business Analyst →Program Manager →VP of Strategy

Business Analyst 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.

Financial Advisor 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  

Financial Advisor Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, and Economics
• MBA in Finance
• Professional certifications such as CLU, CFP, and CFA

Financial Advisor Career Trajectory: Junior Financial Advisor →Investment Advisor →Portfolio Manager →Head of Advisory

Financial Advisor Average Salary: CAD 45,000 – CAD 65,000 per annum

Also Read: Finance Project Topic Ideas, Tools Used and Learning Outcomes

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.

Financial Analyst 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  

Financial Analyst Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, and Economics
• MBA in Finance or Financial Engineering
• Professional certifications such as CPA, ACCA, CFA, and FRM

Financial Analyst Career Trajectory: Junior Financial Analyst →Financial Analyst →Senior Financial Analyst →Finance Manager →VP of Finance

Financial Analyst 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.

Investment Banker 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

Investment Banker Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Economics, Finance, or Business Administration 
• MBA in Finance
• Professional certifications such as CPA, CSC, CFA, or CIM

Investment Banker Career Trajectory: Investment Banking Analyst →Investment Banking Associate →VP →MD

Investment Banker 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.

FinTech Analyst 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 

FinTech Analyst 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

FinTech Analyst Career Trajectory: FinTech Analyst Intern →FinTech Analyst →Senior FinTech Analyst →VP of Digital Finance →Chief Innovation Officer

FinTech Analyst 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.

Risk Manager 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

Risk Manager 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

Risk Manager Career Trajectory: Risk Analyst →Risk Associate →Senior Risk Manager →Director of Risk Management →Chief Risk Officer

Risk Manager 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.

ESG Finance Analyst 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

ESG Finance Analyst 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

ESG Finance Analyst Career Trajectory: ESG Analyst Intern →ESG Analyst →Senior ESG Analyst →ESG Manager →Chief Sustainability Officer

ESG Finance Analyst 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.

Corporate Treasurer 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

Corporate Treasurer Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, or Economics
• MBA in Corporate Finance or Finance
• Professional certifications such as CPA, FRM, CFA, and CTP

Corporate Treasurer Career Trajectory: Treasury Analyst →Treasury Manager →Senior Treasury Manager →Corporate Treasurer

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.

FAQs: Highest Paying Finance Jobs & Career Opportunities in Canada