Accountant

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: Accountants (1111.2) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Financial Auditors and Accountants (B011) 
• 2011 NOC: Financial auditors and accountants (1111) 
• 2016 NOC: Financial auditors and accountants (1111) 

Accountants offer accounting services to the public or provide internal accounting services to organizations. Duties vary from one position to another. In general, accountants:

• Design and administer accounting and business planning systems that include records of assets, liabilities, and transactions
• Prepare budgets, tax returns, and financial statements
• Analyze information to help develop and implement financial management policies, business strategies, and resource planning, and the control and use of business assets
• Develop and evaluate business models and projections to support project proposals and short- and long-term business planning
• Provide personal and corporate income tax services and estate planning goals
• Provide internal and external auditing services (for more information, see the Internal Auditor occupational profile)
• Recommend solutions for individual or organizational financial challenges
• Serve as bankruptcy trustees and business valuators
• Provide expertise in business strategic planning

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 their office. Some organizations allow flexible work hours and remote working options.

Accountants work for a wide variety of organizations including:

• Accounting firms and tax preparation offices
• Banks
• Credit offices
• Government bodies
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Private businesses
• Public corporations
• Stock exchanges
• The education sector

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:

• Budget officers
• Internal auditors
• Accounting managers
• Information systems managers
• Senior managers or executives

Industry Concentration

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.

In the 1111: Financial auditors and accountants occupational group, 78.0% of people work in:

• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Public Administration
• Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, and Leasing
• Construction
• Manufacturing

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 1111: Financial auditors and accountants occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 541 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta (CPA Alberta) website: www.cpaalberta.ca

Chartered Professional Accountants Western School of Business (CPAWSB) website: www.cpawsb.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.