Overview
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 are employed throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Keep financial records and establish, maintain and balance various 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.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$39,626
$56,311
$93,060
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
6,236expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school is required.
Completion of a college program in accounting, bookkeeping or a related field or courses in accounting or bookkeeping combined with several years of experience as a financial or accounting clerk are required.
Additional information
Progression to professional accounting occupations is possible with additional training.
Certification requirements
Optional: The following certifications are optional to practice as Accounting technicians and bookkeepers in B.C.
- Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Designation - Technicians
- Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (IPBC) Certification - Bookkeepers
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Designation - Technicians
To work as an accountant in B.C., you may choose to earn the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. Eligibility for this designation is achieved through the completion of a bachelor’s degree in any subject from a Canadian or international university and required prerequisite courses.
Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (IPBC) Certification - Bookkeepers
To work as a bookkeeper in B.C., you may choose to earn the Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (IPBC) Certification. Eligibility for the certification is achieved through work experience and successful completion of the certifying exam.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.