Accountant

Accountants plan, organize and administer accounting systems for individuals and establishments. Articling students in accounting firms are included in this unit group. Financial auditors and accountants are employed by auditing and accounting firms throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.

Possible Titles:

accountant
certified general accountant (CGA)
certified management accountant (CMA)
chartered accountant (CA)
chief accountant
corporate controller - accounting
financial auditor
income tax expert
industrial accountant
internal auditor


Responsibilities:

 Accountants perform some or all of the following duties:

• Plan, set up and administer accounting systems and prepare financial information for an individual, department, company or other establishment
• Examine accounting records and prepare financial statements and reports
• Develop and maintain cost finding, reporting and internal control procedures
• Examine financial accounts and records and prepare income tax returns from accounting records
• Analyze financial statements and reports and provide financial, business and tax advice
• May act as a trustee in bankruptcy proceedings
• May supervise and train articling students, other accountants or administrative technicians.

Employment Requirments:

• Chartered accountants require a university degree
• Completion of a professional training program approved by a provincial institute of chartered accountants and, depending on the province, either two years or 30 months of on-the-job training
• Membership in a provincial Institute of Chartered Accountants upon successful completion of the Uniform Final Examination (UFE).
• Certified general accountants and certified management accountants require a university degree
• Completion of a training program approved by the Society of Certified General Accountants or Society of Management Accountants and several years of on-the-job training
• Certification by the Certified General Accountants Association or the Society of Management Accountants.
• Auditors require education, training and recognition as indicated for chartered accountants, certified general accountants or certified management accountants 
•  Some experience as an accountant.
• Auditors may require recognition by the Institute of Internal Auditors.
• To act as a trustee in bankruptcy proceedings, auditors and accountants must hold a licence as a trustee in bankruptcy.
• Licensing by the state/provincial or territorial governing body is usually required for accountants and auditors practising public accounting.

Additional information:

There is limited mobility among the three professional accounting designations (CA, CGA and CMA).

Progression to auditing or accounting management positions is possible with experience.

Courtesy of: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Articles and Other Information:

• Becoming an Accountant - Find out some general background information about accounting as well as what accountants require for education & experience and what their job options are. 

• Accountancy History
  Accountancy dates back to the earliest days of human agriculture and civilization. Learn where and when accountancy began and how that has shaped the accountant field today.