Description
Accounting technicians and bookkeepers maintain complete sets of books, keep records of accounts, verify the procedures used for recording financial transactions, and provide personal bookkeeping services. They are employed throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.
Job Titles
- Accounting bookkeeper
- Accounting technician
- Bookkeeper
- Bookkeeping clerk
- Budget officer
- Finance officer
- Finance technician
- Financial officer
- Financial services administrator – Canadian armed forces
- Senior bookkeeper
Main Duties
- Keep financial records and establish, maintain and balance various accounts using manual and computerized bookkeeping systems
- Post journal entries and reconcile accounts, prepare trial balance of books, maintain general ledgers and prepare financial statements
- Calculate and prepare cheques for payrolls and for utility, tax and other bills
- Complete and submit tax remittance forms, workers’ compensation forms, pension contribution forms and other government documents
- Prepare tax returns and perform other personal bookkeeping services
- Prepare other statistical, financial and accounting reports.
Workplaces
- Establishments throughout the private and public sector
- Self-employed
Skills
- Numeracy
- Critical Thinking
- Decision Making
- Digital Literacy
- Evaluation
Abilities
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Categorization Flexibility
- Deductive Reasoning
- Numerical Ability
- Fluency of Ideas
Personal Attributes
- Attention to Detail
- Analytical Thinking
- Independence
- Active Learning
- Adaptability
Similar Occupations
- Financial auditors and accountants (11100)
- Payroll administrators (13102)
- Accounting and related clerks (14200)
- Banking, insurance and other financial clerks (14201)
Source: OaSIS
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook will be Good for accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 12200) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Demand for accounting technicians and bookkeepers is closely tied to economic activity, business growth, and seasonal reporting cycles. In Prince Edward Island, projected economic expansion supports employment in this field, though slower population growth due to reduced immigration targets may temper long-term demand. Employers increasingly seek candidates with proficiency in accounting software, strong attention to detail, and the flexibility to work during peak periods such as tax season or year-end reporting. As automation streamlines routine tasks, individuals entering this field should focus on developing digital skills, understanding financial regulations, and gaining hands-on experience through co-ops or part-time roles. Self-employment remains a viable path, especially for those interested in serving small businesses or niche markets.
Here are some key facts about Accounting technicians and bookkeepers in Prince Edward Island:
- Approximately 1,050 people work in this occupation.
- Accounting technicians and bookkeepers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services (NAICS 5412): 24%
- Real Estate and rental and leasing (NAICS 53): 14%
- Construction (NAICS 23): 11%
- Agriculture (NAICS 111, 112, 1151, 1152): 8%
- Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 6%
- The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
- Full-time workers: 77% compared to 84% for all occupations
- Part-time workers: 23% compared to 16% for all occupations
- 69% of accounting technicians and bookkeepers work all year, while 31% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
- 16% of accounting technicians and bookkeepers are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 15% compared to 51% for all occupations
- Women: 85% compared to 49% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 21% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 10% compared to 11% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 47% compared to 25% for all occupations
- bachelor’s degree: 19% compared to 17% for all occupations
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
Source: Job Bank
Prevailing Wages
| AREA | LOW | MEDIAN | HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | $17.00 | $25.00 | $39.42 |
| Canada | $19.55 | $28.02 | $45.07 |
Training
| TRAINING PROGRAM | INSTITUTION | CREDENTIAL |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Technology | Holland College | Diploma |
| Accounting Technician (bilingual option) | Collège de l’Île | Diploma |
| Certificate in Accounting | UPEI | Certificate |