Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers

(NOC 1311)

in All Business, Finance, and Administration

Accounting technicians and bookkeepers maintain complete sets of books, keep records of accounts, verify the procedures used for recording financial transactions, and provide personal bookkeeping services. They work throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Good

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  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 730 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

  • Estimate 3555 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 9370 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

This is a fairly large occupation, and so staff replacement generates a lot of the vacancies. Some difficulty in filling positions has been noted among employers. Those with two or more years of experience and current skills will have access to a wider range of jobs. Workers need to be versed in modern software accounting applications, and many positions now require workers to combine bookkeeping with other duties. Those with post-secondary education or a certification are sought by some employers. There are also opportunities for persons in this occupation to be self-employed.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$20.00

Median

$35.71

Maximum

Annual Pay

$3,790

Minimum

$24,895

Median

$54,509

Maximum

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$23.00

Median

$38.50

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,754

Minimum

$36,515

Median

$70,271

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Accounting technicians and bookkeepers maintain complete sets of books, keep records of accounts, verify the procedures used for recording financial transactions, and provide personal bookkeeping services. They work throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Accounting technicians and bookkeepers:

  • Keep financial records and create, maintain and balance accounts using manual and computerized bookkeeping systems.
  • Post journal entries and reconcile accounts, prepare trial balance of books, maintain general ledgers and prepare financial statements.
  • Calculate and prepare cheques for payrolls and for utility, tax and other bills.
  • Complete and submit tax remittance forms, workers' compensation forms, pension contribution forms and other government documents.
  • Prepare tax returns and perform other personal bookkeeping services.
  • Prepare other statistical, financial and accounting reports.

Sample job titles

  • accounting bookkeeper
  • accounting technician
  • bookkeeper
  • bookkeeping clerk
  • budget officer
  • finance officer
  • finance technician
  • senior bookkeeper

Skills

  • You need good mathematical skills and your work must be accurate. Good interpersonal and communication skills are important. Knowledge around manual and computerized accounting systems and software programs is needed. You should be cooperative and able to work as part of a team.

Job requirements

  • High school is required.
  • A college program in accounting, bookkeeping or a related field or completion of two years (first level) of a recognized professional accounting program (e.g., Chartered Accounting, Certified General Accounting) or courses in accounting or bookkeeping combined with several years of experience as a financial or accounting clerk are required.

Other considerations

  • Bookkeepers should be prepared to keep abreast of changing practices and technology. Movement to professional accounting jobs is possible with additional training.

By the numbers

Quick look

3,730

employed in 2016

56.2%

employed full-time

21.0%

self employed

87.5%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
12.5%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
53.5

median age

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

63,775

employed in 2016

78.4%

employed full-time

6.6%

self employed

73.4%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
26.6%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
47.9

median age

Where will I likely work?

35.3%

Halifax

$26,050 median annual income
19.5%

North Shore

$24,573 median annual income
18.1%

Southern

$23,091 median annual income
16.0%

Annapolis Valley

$23,971 median annual income
11.0%

Cape Breton

$24,825 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

25.1%

Professional, scientific and technical services

11.0%

Health care and social assistance

10.2%

Construction

8.7%

Retail trade

7.3%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

What is the age of Employment?

29.0%

55-64

24.0%

45-54

17.0%

65+

13.0%

35-44

10.0%

15-24

7.0%

25-34

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

26.3%

45-54

22.6%

55-64

19.4%

35-44

16.7%

25-34

7.5%

65+

Top levels of education

37.4%

College Diploma

$25,314 median annual income
26.3%

High school

$20,227 median annual income
17.2%

Bachelor

$35,138 median annual income
6.6%

Trade Certification

$24,659 median annual income
6.4%

Less than high school

$13,978 median annual income

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

33.8%

College Diploma

$36,304 median annual income
23.8%

High school

$32,903 median annual income
22.8%

Bachelor

$41,755 median annual income
5.8%

Trade Certification

$34,807 median annual income
4.9%

Less than high school

$23,174 median annual income

Education & training

Accounting

University Program

These programs prepare students to practice the profession of accounting and to perform related business functions. They include courses in accounting principles and theory, financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, budget control, tax accounting, legal aspects of accounting, auditing, reporting procedures, statement analysis, planning and consulting, business information systems, accounting research methods, professional standards and ethics, and applications to specific for-profit, public, and non-profit organizations.

Institutions providing this program

CPA Atlantic School of Business Association

Halifax, NS

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax, NS

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Accounting Technology and Bookkeeping

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to provide technical administrative support to professional accountants and other financial management personnel. They include courses in posting transactions to accounts, record-keeping systems, accounting software operation, and general accounting principles and practices.

Institutions providing this program

Maritime Business College

Lower Sackville, NS

Eastern College - Halifax

Halifax, NS

Academy of Learning Career College - Halifax

Halifax, NS

Centre for Distance Education

Sydney, NS

Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax, NS

Finance

College or University Program

These programs prepare students to plan, manage, and analyse the financial and monetary aspects and performance of business enterprises, banking institutions, or other organizations. They include courses in principles of accounting, financial instruments, capital planning, funds acquisition, asset and debt management, budgeting, financial analysis, and investments and portfolio management.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax, NS

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Human Resources Management and Services

College or University Program

These programs prepare students to manage the development of human capital in organizations, and to provide related services to individuals and groups. They include courses in personnel and organization policy, human resource dynamics and flows, labour relations, sex roles, civil rights, human resources laws and regulations, motivation and compensation systems, work systems, career management, employee testing and assessment, recruitment and selection, managing employee and job training programs, and the management of human resources programs and operations.

Institutions providing this program

Eastern College - Halifax

Halifax, NS

Island Career Academy

Sydney, NS

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Association of Administrative Professionals
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.