NOC 12200 — Bookkeepers in Canada

About this occupation

Accounting technicians and bookkeepers maintain complete sets of books, keep records of accounts, verify procedures used for recording financial transactions, and provide personal bookkeeping services for Canadian small and mid-sized businesses.

Also known as

Bookkeeper · Accounting technician · Accounting clerk · Accounts payable clerk

Main duties

• Keep financial records and establish, maintain, and balance various accounts using manual and computerized systems.
• Post journal entries and reconcile accounts, prepare trial balance of books, maintain general ledgers.
• 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.
• Prepare tax returns, GST/HST/QST returns, and other government reports.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• Completion of a college program in accounting, bookkeeping, or related field is usually required.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks, Sage 50, or Xero commonly required.

Wage band (Canada)

Reported wages typically range from $22/hr (low) to $38/hr (high), with a median around $28/hr. Confirm the wage band for your specific city on Job Bank Canada.

Where the jobs are

The strongest provinces for this NOC are typically: Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec.

Outlook

Steady demand from SMB, public practice, and contract / freelance bookkeeping.

How to position your resume

Use "Bookkeepers" (or one of the equivalent titles above) at the top of each relevant role on your resume — recruiters and ATS systems search by Canadian NOC titles. Pair this with our resume tailoring guide and run your draft through the free ATS checker.

Related guides

• Canadian resume format
• Resume bullet point examples
• Cover letter format Canada

Source: National Occupational Classification 2021, Statistics Canada / ESDC. Wages reflect typical Job Bank ranges and vary by region.