HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A typical route is to finish secondary school with strong math, computer, and communication skills, then look for an entry-level accounting or office administration program, bookkeeping course, or business administration studies at a college or similar school. Some people also learn on the job in clerical or bookkeeping support roles and build experience with invoices, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, and record keeping. Employers may prefer different combinations of education and experience depending on the province, workplace, or the exact accounting task.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Calculate, prepare and issue documents related to accounts such as bills, invoices, inventory reports, account statements and other financial statements using computerized and manual systems
- Code, total, batch, enter, verify and reconcile transactions such as accounts payable and receivable, payroll, purchase orders, cheques, invoices, cheque requisitions, and bank statements in a ledger or computer system
- Compile budget data and documents based on estimated revenues and expenses and previous budgets
- Prepare period or cost statements or reports
- Calculate costs of materials, overhead and other expenses based on estimates, quotations, and price lists
- Respond to customer inquiries, maintain good customer relations and solve problems
- Perform related clerical duties, such as word processing, maintaining filing and record systems, faxing and photocopying.
SKILLS TO BUILD
Skills used in this Career
Accounting and BudgetingCommunication SkillsComputer Literacy