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Bookkeepers
What they do?
Bookkeepers perform some or all of the following duties:
A. Keep financial records and establish, maintain and balance various accounts using manual and computerized bookkeeping systems
B. Post journal entries and reconcile accounts, prepare trial balance of books, maintain general ledgers and prepare financial statements
C. Calculate and prepare cheques for payrolls and for utility, tax and other bills
D. Complete and submit tax remittance forms, workers' compensation forms, pension contribution forms and other government documents
E. Prepare tax returns and perform other personal bookkeeping services
F. Prepare other statistical, financial and accounting reports.
Where they find work?
1. Accounting tax preparation bookkeeping and payroll services - 17.0%
2. Retail trade - 12.0%
3. Construction - 10.0%
4. Other services (except public administration) - 7.0%
5. Wholesale trade - 6.0%
6. Farms - 5.0%
7. Transportation and warehousing - 5.0%
What education do I need?
1. You must have a high school diploma.
2. You must finish a college program in accounting, bookkeeping or a related field or two years (first level) of a recognized professional accounting program (such as Chartered Accounting or Certified General Accounting), or a combination of courses in accounting or bookkeeping plus several years' experience as a financial or accounting clerk.
3. With additional training, you may move up the ranks to become an accountant.
4. Many recent entrants have a community college diploma, and almost 3 in 10 have an undergraduate university degree and 3 in 10 have a trade/vocational certificate.
High School Subject that will help:
1. Math
2. English
3. Business
4. Computer-related courses
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Bookkeepers is $14.88/HR, which is below average for occupations in the business, finance and administration sector and are below average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
3% of Bookkeepers are unemployed. This rate is close to the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Bookkeepers is considered Average because:
1. Employment grew at an average rate.
2. Hourly wages ($14.88) are below the average ($18.07), and the rate of the wage growth is close to the average.
3. The unemployment rate (3%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be about average because the continued introduction of new technologies should allow employers to do more with fewer people.
2. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations Bookkeepers are found in Alberta and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
Useful Experience:
1. Computer literacy
2. Income tax law
3. Government forms
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
4% of Bookkeepers are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 126,300 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 8% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average influenced by a similar-to-average age of workers (42).
