Accountant

National Occupation Classification Code: 1111.2

OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Can I practice as an Accountant right away?

Anyone who has an accounting diploma or degree may call himself
or herself an accountant. But you must receive one of the following three
designations in order to call yourself a CA, CGA, or CMA, and to perform
higher-level accounting:

  • Charted Accountant (CA)
  • Certified General Accountant (CGA)
  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Not all accounting occupations will require a designation. Positions such as
accounting clerk, accounts payable, and bookkeeper may not require an
accountant designation, but will require accounting skills.

What are the duties for this occupation?

There are three types of designated accountants: Chartered Accountants (CAs),
Certified General Accountants (CGAs), and Certified Management Accountants (CMAs).
CAs and CGAs tend to focus on financial accounting while CMAs focus more on analyzing financial records to help managers make decisions.

Certified accountants may provide assistance in the following:

  • accounting and information systems design
  • budget, tax return, and financial statement preparation
  • financial management policy making
  • personal and corporate income tax and estate planning
  • providing solutions to business and financial problems
  • litigation support in financial matters

View the general occupation profile and employment outlook information as developed
by the Government of Alberta – Alberta Learning: ALIS Occupation Profiles. Please note
that this is general information provided as guidance and companies may have different
specific requirements in their job postings and job descriptions.

In smaller companies, accountants may also provide bookkeeping tasks such as:

  • verifying and entering information into journals, ledgers, and computers
  • compiling reports and financial statements
  • receiving, recording and paying out cash
  • balancing checkbooks with monthly bank statements
  • posting accounts receivable and payable
  • preparing and making bank deposits
  • recording payrolls
  • maintaining inventory records

What titles or specialization areas correspond to this occupation?

Designated accountants may be employed as:

  • budget officers
  • internal auditors
  • accounting managers
  • information systems managers
  • senior managers/executives
  • controllers
  • chief financial officers

Also view the occupational profile of:
Accounting Technician

What educational institutions offer the degree?

Search Post-Secondary Educational Institutions in Alberta to see all programs and
courses offered to individuals pursuing an accounting career in Alberta: Alberta Learning
Information Service - EDinfo

If you have an accounting diploma/degree from a foreign college/university, you may
be qualified to begin one of the three accountant designation programs. An association
that develops and provides specific training for individuals pursuing licensure as certified
accountants regulates each designation.

Start Your Application for Licensing

The official regulatory bodies that govern each designation have their own
requirements and steps for acquiring certification. However, it is best to have
your transcripts and credentials prepared and assessed as proof of courses and professional practice will be required when applying for the accountant professional programs. Assessment information can be found at the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)

Research Career Options and Stay Connected

Connect with Professional Associations

Contact professional associations in your field to start networking and understand
what specialized training is available for experienced professionals:

. Institute of Charted Accountants of Alberta
. Society of Management Accountants of Alberta
. Certified General Accountants Association of Alberta