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Auditor, Certified General Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Accountant, Chartered Professional Accountant, Comptroller, Controller, Fraud Investigator, Professional Accountant, Treasurer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Accountants offer accounting services to the public and provide internal accounting services to organizations. Duties vary from one position to another. In general, accountants:
Accountants usually work in an office setting and often work in teams. Their hours vary depending on the organization and their duties. Overtime is common at budgeting time, month end, and an organization’s fiscal year end. Overtime is also common when personal income-tax time approaches.
Depending on the position and the technology, some accountants may need to travel. They may be able to perform some tasks remotely while doing others from an office. Some organizations allow flexible work hours and remote working options.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in administering accounting systems, examining financial accounts and records, preparing income tax returns from accounting records, and in maintaining internal control procedures
Interest in co-ordinating information to develop cost finding and internal control procedures; and in analyzing financial statements and reports
Interest in consulting with clients to provide financial, business and tax advice; may supervise articling students, other accountants and administrative technicians
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Accountants need:
They should enjoy having clear technical rules, working within highly structured processes, and solving problems creatively. They should be comfortable directing others.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 207 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jun 27, 2023 and May 22, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Prepare financial statements and reports | 140 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Analyze financial documents and reports | 134 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 134 |
| Attention to detail | 130 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 129 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 126 |
| Tasks: Examine accounting records | 119 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 112 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 112 |
| Tasks: Ensure accuracy and compliance to accounting standards, procedures and internal control | 105 |
Training to become an accountant involves a combination of related education and practical experience.
Accountants who provide public accounting services must be designated as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta (CPA Alberta). For more details, see the CPA Alberta website.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Chartered Professional Accountants provide financial reporting and consulting services for organizations and individuals.
On July 1, 2015, Alberta’s 3 regulated accounting designations, Chartered Accountants, Certified General Accountants, and Certified Management Accountants, merged into a single designation, Chartered Professional Accountant.
Under Alberta’s Chartered Professional Accountants Act [pdf] and Chartered Professional Accountants Regulation [pdf], you must meet the requirements of and register as a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta (CPA Alberta) if you:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Accountant.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Accountants work for a wide variety of organizations including:
They may be salaried employees or work on a fee-for-service basis.
Experienced individuals with professional accounting designations may advance to management positions or teach at the post-secondary level. Those in public accounting firms can move through the ranks of senior staff to become managers and partners.
In industry, experienced accountants can become controllers, treasurers, chief financial officers, or senior executives.
In government, accountants may work as:
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Financial auditors and accountants
2016 NOC: 1111
78.0% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $57.20 | $32.76 | $30.63 |
| Overall | $23.96 | $65.91 | $41.04 | $38.00 |
| Top | $27.40 | $83.78 | $51.41 | $46.34 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $79,752 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | $73,592 |
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $105,764 |
| Utilities | $91,520 |
| Construction | $79,395 |
| Manufacturing | $77,723 |
| Wholesale Trade | $69,453 |
| Retail Trade | $68,125 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $97,285 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $76,821 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $72,235 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $72,493 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $76,203 |
| Educational Services | $88,434 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $68,676 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | $53,277 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $58,783 |
| Public Administration | $86,241 |
Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta (CPA Alberta) website: cpaalberta.ca
Chartered Professional Accountants Western School of Business (CPAWSB) website: cpawsb.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2025. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
