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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.

  • Avg. Salary $77,317.00
  • Avg. Wage $39.31
  • Minimum Education High school diploma
  • Outlook below avg
  • Employed 29,900
  • In Demand Lower
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) 
Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years

33%
33%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
Starting $30.61
Overall $39.31
Top $49.03
  • Certification Not Regulated
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Interest Codes
The Oil and Gas Production Accountant is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Accountants
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

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 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 More

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

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.

  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
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 37 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 17, 2020 and Jul 29, 2021.

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.
Personal Suitability: Organized
Business Equipment and Computer Applications: MS Excel
Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills
Personal Suitability: Accurate
Personal Suitability: Reliability
Personal Suitability: Team player
Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication
Prepare financial statements and reports
Personal Suitability: Initiative
Personal Suitability: Excellent written communication
Personal Suitability: Organized 34
Business Equipment and Computer Applications: MS Excel 32
Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills 30
Personal Suitability: Accurate 30
Personal Suitability: Reliability 30
Personal Suitability: Team player 27
Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication 27
Prepare financial statements and reports 27
Personal Suitability: Initiative 26
Personal Suitability: Excellent written communication 25
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020

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

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020

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.

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
Financial auditors and accountants

Survey Methodology

Survey Analysis

Overall Wage Details
Average Wage
Average Salary
Hours Per Week
Overall Wage Details
Average Wage $39.31 / hr
Average Salary $77,317.00 / yr
Hours Per Week 38 hrs
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.

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.

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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