North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2017 Version 2.0

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54 - Professional, scientific and technical services

This sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this sector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this sector are legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.

The distinguishing feature of this sector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this sector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this sector.

541 - Professional, scientific and technical services

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this subsector are legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.

The distinguishing feature of this subsector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this subsector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this subsector.

5412 - Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in auditing accounting records; designing accounting systems; preparing financial statements; developing budgets; preparing tax returns; processing payrolls; bookkeeping; and billing.

54121 - Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in auditing accounting records; designing accounting systems; preparing financial statements; developing budgets; preparing tax returns; processing payrolls; bookkeeping; and billing.

541212 - Offices of accountantsCAN

This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing a range of accounting services, such as the preparation of financial statements, the preparation of management accounting reports, the review and auditing of accounting records, the development of budgets, the design of accounting systems, and the provision of advice on matters related to accounting.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • accountant, professional
    • certified public accountants (CPAs)
    • public accountants, offices of

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • provision of related services, such as bookkeeping, tax return preparation, payroll, management consulting and insolvency
  • Exclusion(s)

    • providing bookkeeping, billing and payroll processing services, without also providing accounting or auditing services (See 541215 Bookkeeping, payroll and related services)
    • providing tax return preparation services, without also providing accounting or auditing services (See 541213 Tax preparation services)
541213 - Tax preparation servicesUS

This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing only tax return preparation services. These establishments do not provide accounting, bookkeeping, billing or payroll processing services.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • income tax return preparation or compilation services without accounting, auditing, or bookkeeping services

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • providing a range of accounting services (See 541212 Offices of accountants)
541215 - Bookkeeping, payroll and related servicesCAN

This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing bookkeeping, billing or payroll processing services. These establishments do not provide accounting services, such as the preparation of financial statements, the preparation of management accounting reports, and the review and auditing of accounting records.

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • providing a range of accounting services (See 541212 Offices of accountants)
    • providing tax return preparation services, without also providing accounting or auditing services (See 541213 Tax preparation services)
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