Spring CPA CFE honour roll offers insights into diversity of Canadian accounting roles

TORONTO, October 4, 2026 – The common image held by the public of a typical accountant is one who works for an accounting firm, or the sole practitioner filing tax returns, to the virtual exclusion of other roles. But the spring sitting of the national exam for accounting students belies this stereotype. The recent release of the honour roll for the June 2026 common file examination offers fresh insights into the multitude of roles awaiting future chartered professional accountants. 

Not that the honour roll did not include students in professional practice. Unlike the winners of the past two years, who worked for the CRA and Canadian Armed Forces respectively, the top writer among this new cohort of CPAs is employed by Baker Tilly Ottawa LLP in Ottawa. Yash Dineshkumar Patel achieved the highest standing nationally, earning the Governor General’s Gold Medal Award and a $5,000 cash prize. 

In addition to the national gold medal recipient, top-performing candidates across Canada were recognized for achieving the highest standing in their respective jurisdictions. Regional gold medals, each accompanied by a $2,500 cash prize, were awarded to:

• •      Atlantic Canada: Carter Kingston of Halifax, Nova Scotia (Citco, financial services).
• •      Quebec: Émilie Boulay of Montreal, Québec (La Presse, media).
• •      Western Canada: Brady Hildebrand of Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada Life Assurance). 

A deeper dive into the honour roll recipients

Forty students out of 1,578 future accountants who passed the June 2026 Common Final Examination earned honour roll distinction, placing them among the highest-scoring CFE writers nationwide. Far more students at public accounting firms write the fall sitting of the CFE as these students are working during tax season rather than studying for the exam. 

Of the 40 students, only one worked for a Big Four firm (Deloitte), and one worked for homegrown national accounting firm MNP LLP. The remaining 10 tended to work for smaller, local CPA firms across the country. 

We counted four students who worked in the public sector, both federally and provincially, with one working for the First Nations Financial Management Board in West Vancouver, BC. Far more common were students working for corporations both large and small, though here as well there were subtle differences. 

Four students worked at household names Brookfield, Canada Life, CIBC, and George Weston (parent company of Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart and more) respectively. But there were many who worked at smaller, regional companies that are obscure to most Canadians. 

For example, one student is employed by Britespan Building Systems, which makes buildings covered in fabric (think barns, warehouses and aircraft hangars) in the town of Wingham, Ontario. Similarly, Scotlynn Commodities of Norfolk County in Ontario ships food products across North America. 

Another student works for Ground Effects Environmental Services, which removes contaminants from fluids, in Regina, Saskatchewan. Serving the same industry (natural resources) are honour roll students at Semican (agriculture) and Interfor (forestry). Or, in the same neck of the woods, Grand Touring Automobiles, maker of iconic British car brands such as Aston Martin, in Calgary, Alberta. 

Financial management companies also figured prominently, such as Citco (hedge fund operator), Intact Financial, and AAREA Private Lending. Then there are the one-offs, such as a law firm, an architecture firm, and tech firms in the medical and transportation sector. 

CPA Canada congratulates successful candidates

CPA Canada president and CEO Pamela Steer congratulated all the successful candidates. “A successful CFE result reflects the dedication, judgement and professional capability required to meet the CPA profession’s high standards,” said Steer. 

“For these candidates, this milestone represents years of effort, growth and perseverance. It is a moment worth celebrating and the start of what I am confident will be meaningful careers shaped by continued learning, leadership and service.” 

Colin Ellis is a contributing editor to Canadian Accountant.