Accounting Technician

What to expect from the program

If you enjoy working with numbers and are interested in business and finance, this career could be ideal for you.

Graduates from this program will have the basic theory, technical knowledge, computer competencies, and skills to enter the accounting field at an entry-level position. Our program equips graduates to perform financial accounting, budgeting, costing, and tax returns. The work experience component of the program allows you to gain hands-on experience in the field.

Graduate with experience

NorQuest College believes in the importance of on-the-job experience that provides an enriched learning opportunity.

This program includes 150 hours of optional field experience.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the Accounting Technician certificate program are workforce ready and can be employed in positions such as accounting technician, accounting clerk, bookkeeper, office manager, accounting assistant, payroll administrator, accounts payable/receivable clerk, billing supervisor, and data entry professional.

Graduates may find employment in small businesses, government, banking, insurance, manufacturing, health services, not-for-profit organizations, retail, hospitality, and the oilfield and construction industries.

For more information on related careers see:

• ALIS OCCinfo occupational profiles
• ALIS WAGEinfo salary info

Use the search feature in ALIS OCCinfo and WAGEinfo for other related occupations.

What to expect as an accounting technician

Accounting technicians are involved in processing invoices, recording receipts and payments, payroll, bookkeeping, auditing external and internal work, and preparing and checking ledger balances and other monthly and yearly accounts. They also handle company expenses, control budgets, prepare financial transactions, and use computerized accounting systems. Accounting technicians usually work regular weekday hours in a comfortable office environment.

Accounting technicians can work on their own, in a large accounts team, or alongside professional accountants. While they are not accountants, they can perform many of the same functions and are qualified to take accounts beyond the trial balance stage, as well as prepare full financial accounts. There is always a strong demand for these skills in industry.

Self-employed accounting technicians provide a range of accounting services to businesses, which may include advising on budgets and taxation issues, calculating end-of-year accounts, and consultancy.