Accounting and Related Clerks

(NOC 1431)

in All Business, Finance, and Administration

Accounting and related clerks calculate, prepare and process bills, invoices, accounts payable and receivable, budgets and other financial records according to established procedures. They work throughout the private and public sectors.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 455 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.

Jobseekers may find that some employers have unique expectations of certain skills and/or require previous experience. Newcomers to the field, and those without strong computer skills or a broad range of abilities, may have more difficulty finding stable employment. The job requirements for accounting clerks have broadened over the years as a result of computerization, so they may include duties from other clerical occupations; financial skills in particular remain important. Jobseekers may also find that there are more opportunities before the tax-filing season.

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$21.00

Median

$30.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$9,142

Minimum

$34,949

Median

$52,931

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 and related clerks calculate, prepare and process bills, invoices, accounts payable and receivable, budgets and other financial records according to established procedures. They work throughout the private and public sectors.

Job duties

Accounting and related clerks:

  • Calculate, prepare and issue documents related to accounts like bills, invoices, inventory reports, account statements and other financial statements.
  • Code, total, batch, enter, verify and reconcile transactions like accounts payable and receivable, payroll, purchase orders, cheques, invoices, cheque requisitions, and bank statements in a ledger or computer system.
  • Compile budget data and documents based on estimated revenues and expenses and previous budgets.
  • Prepare period or cost statements or reports.
  • Calculate costs of materials, overhead and other expenses based on estimates, quotes, and price lists.
  • Respond to customer questions, maintain good customer relations and solve problems.
  • Do related clerical duties like word processing, maintaining filing and record systems, faxing and photocopying.

Sample job titles

  • account audit clerk
  • accounting and auditing clerk
  • accounting clerk
  • accounts payable and receivable clerk
  • audit clerk
  • billing clerk
  • finance clerk
  • income tax return preparer
  • senior accounting clerk
  • tax clerk

Skills

  • Good communication and interpersonal skills are important, along with a willingness to learn and adapt to continually changing equipment and software. Basic mathematical skills are required, and you should be comfortable handling basic financial transactions. Your work must be accurate and you should enjoy repetitive tasks. Familiarity with computer software and other office equipment is needed. You should also be cooperative and able to work as part of a team.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • College or other courses certified by the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, Canadian Securities Institute or Canadian Bookkeepers Association may be required.
  • Some accounting clerks must be bondable.

Other considerations

  • Movement to supervisory or skilled financial jobs like accounts payable supervisor, bookkeeper, or office manager is possible with additional training and experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

3,980

employed in 2016

83.8%

employed full-time

4.9%

self employed

83.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
16.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
49.7

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?

48.5%

Halifax

$36,485 median annual income
17.8%

North Shore

$34,289 median annual income
12.8%

Annapolis Valley

$36,195 median annual income
12.0%

Cape Breton

$36,345 median annual income
8.9%

Southern

$30,534 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

20.6%

Professional, scientific and technical services

12.8%

Retail trade

9.7%

Public administration

8.0%

Manufacturing

7.9%

Health care and social assistance

What is the age of Employment?

29.0%

45-54

23.0%

55-64

19.0%

35-44

15.0%

25-34

8.0%

65+

5.0%

15-24

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

41.2%

College Diploma

$35,354 median annual income
24.5%

High school

$35,981 median annual income
19.6%

Bachelor

$34,327 median annual income
5.0%

Trade Certification

$35,059 median annual income
3.3%

Less than high school

$24,109 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 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

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

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.