Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers

About This Job
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.

Accounting technicians and bookkeepers are employed throughout the private and public sectors. They may be self-employed.

Annual median salary
$43,443

Hourly rate

 * High: $32.05/hr
 * Median: $20.83/hr
 * Low: $13.13/hr

Accounting technicians and bookkeepers

 * 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.

Key aspects of the work in this occupation

 * work in an office environment, typically during a regular Monday Friday workweek.
 * are employed in small to large offices and some may also work from home offices.
 * work can involve long hours using a computer, which may cause muscle strain, eye strain and occasional headaches.
 * Bookkeepers who work for smaller firms have a wider range of functions to perform, some that may not be directly within the scope of bookkeeping.
 * In a larger company, a bookkeeper's tasks may be restricted to bookkeeping only.

Education, training & qualifications
or or
 * Completion of secondary school is required
 * Completion of a college program in accounting, bookkeeping or a related field
 * Completion of two years (first level) of a recognized professional accounting program (e.g., Chartered Accounting, Certified General Accounting)
 * Courses in accounting or bookkeeping combined with several years of experience as a financial or accounting clerk are required

Skills

 * Clerical Ability
 * Numerical Ability
 * Detail-Oriented
 * Finger Dexterity