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Oil and Gas Production Accountant: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Do you like gathering and analyzing details? Can you pull information from large amounts of data? Are you interested in the energy industry? Then a career as an oil and gas production accountant may be the number one choice for you.
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Occupations in Alberta

Oil and Gas Production Accountant

Oil and gas production accountants calculate and analyze production data. They calculate revenue and royalties associated with properties owned by oil companies. They also ensure reporting requirements are met.

Contents
Also Known As

Production Accountant, Property Accountant

NOC Codes

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) 
Interests & Abilities

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.

Accountants
2006 NOC : 1111.2

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group

METHODICAL

Interest in administering accounting systems, examining financial accounts and records, preparing income tax returns from accounting records, and in maintaining internal control procedures

INNOVATIVE

Interest in co-ordinating information to develop cost finding and internal control procedures; and in analyzing financial statements and reports

DIRECTIVE

Interest in consulting with clients to provide financial, business and tax advice; may supervise articling students, other accountants and administrative technicians

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

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.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

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.

Learn About Abilities

Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Oil and gas production accountants keep track of the activity at well sites, pipelines, and other facilities and prepare monthly reports for the province, owners, and the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).

In general, oil and gas production accountants gather production data and confirm pipeline deliveries. They also:

  • Enter well tests, inventories, and sales into a production accounting system
  • Gather, calculate, and analyze volumetric data for wells, batteries, gathering systems, and gas plants
  • Communicate volumetric activities and product splits to owners, producers, refineries, and purchasers
  • Calculate and book revenues, royalties, tax credits, and processing fees
  • Review purchaser statements and reconcile accounts receivable
  • Set up and update crowning incentives, royalty masters, and trucking deductions
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Production accountants usually work in offices. Working hours vary depending on the organization and level of responsibility. Overtime often is required at month-end and year-end. Depending on the position, some travel may be required.

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Oil and gas production accountants need:

  • Math skills
  • The ability to pay close attention to details
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent analytical, time-management, and problem-solving skills
  • The ability to work alone and as part of a team
  • High ethical standards

They should enjoy having clear rules and organized methods to guide their activities. They should also enjoy developing innovative solutions to problems and directing the activities of others.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Financial auditors and accountants
NOC code: 1111

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 53 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 27, 2021 and May 25, 2022.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Prepare financial statements and reports
Personal Suitability: Organized
Examine accounting records
Examine accounting records
Personal Suitability: Reliability
Prepare financial information for individuals, departments or companies
Personal Suitability: Team player
Analyze financial documents and reports
Personal Suitability: Accurate
Personal Suitability: Excellent written communication
Prepare financial statements and reports 44
Personal Suitability: Organized 41
Examine accounting records 40
Examine accounting records 40
Personal Suitability: Reliability 38
Prepare financial information for individuals, departments or companies 38
Personal Suitability: Team player 37
Analyze financial documents and reports 37
Personal Suitability: Accurate 35
Personal Suitability: Excellent written communication 34
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Minimum Education High school diploma

The minimum education requirement for oil and gas production accountants is a high school diploma. However, employers often prefer applicants who:

  • Have strong computer skills and experience using production accounting software
  • Are familiar with the oil and gas industry
  • Are enrolled in or have completed a CAPPA certificate program

In conjunction with 2 post-secondary schools in Alberta, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Production Accounting (CAPPA) offers a 10-course certificate program. They offer the courses full time on campus and also in a self-paced, online format.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Mount Royal University

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

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.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Oil and gas production accountants most often work for oil and gas companies whose head offices are located in large urban centres.

Oil and gas production accountants are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1111: Financial auditors and accountants. In Alberta, 79% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Trends and events affecting overall employment, especially in the industries listed above
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation

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: Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

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

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2020

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.

Financial auditors and accountants

2016 NOC : 1111
Average Wage
$39.31
Per Hour
Average Salary
$77,317.00
Per Year
Average Hours
38
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2019 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 1111 Wage Profile

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.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.

Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $18.00 $51.92 $30.61 $27.69
Overall $22.60 $75.00 $39.31 $35.55
Top $24.62 $84.84 $49.03 $42.07

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

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees
Industry Information
Oil & Gas Extraction
Utilities
Public Administration
ALL INDUSTRIES
Transportation and Warehousing
Agriculture
Educational Services
Construction
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Information, Culture, Recreation
Manufacturing
Retail Trade
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
Wholesale Trade
Health Care & Social Assistance
Business, Building and Other Support Services
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)
Accommodation & Food Services
Oil & Gas Extraction $111,254
Utilities $93,401
Public Administration $84,047
ALL INDUSTRIES $77,317
Transportation and Warehousing $76,846
Agriculture $74,087
Educational Services $73,765
Construction $71,490
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services $69,932
Information, Culture, Recreation $69,286
Manufacturing $69,060
Retail Trade $65,850
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing $65,616
Wholesale Trade $65,562
Health Care & Social Assistance $62,856
Business, Building and Other Support Services $61,158
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) $59,075
Accommodation & Food Services $58,136
Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years

33%
33%)

Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties

15%
15%

Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months

2%
2%

Vacancy Rate

1%
Related High School Subjects
  • Business, Administration, Finance and IT
    • Financial Management
    • Information Processing
    • Management and Marketing
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Canadian Association of Petroleum Production Accounting (CAPPA) website: cappa.org

Petroleum Accountants Society of Canada (PASC) website: www.petroleumaccountants.com

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

Updated Mar 31, 2020. 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.

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