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Clerks in Accounting and Related Fields

Formal Description

“Accounting and related clerks calculate, prepare and process bills, invoices, accounts payable and receivable, budgets and other financial records according to established procedures. They are employed throughout the private and public sectors.” (NOC 2021)

Sample Job Titles

This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:

Audit Clerk

Financial Investigation Clerk

Investment Clerk

Revenue Accounting Clerk

Invoice Clerk

Tariff Clerk

Patient-Billing Clerk

Wharfinger

Typical Employment and Education Requirements

The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts.

The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Completion of college or other courses certified by the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, Canadian Securities Institute or Canadian Bookkeepers Association may be required.
  • Some accounting clerks must be bondable.

Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond

When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:

  • Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
  • Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
  • Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.

Related Categories

Here are a few other categories that might interest you:

Financial Advisors

Financial and Investment Analysts

Business Management Consultants

Related Sectors

Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:

Careers in Organizations

Careers in the Financial Sector

Careers In Municipalities

Browse More Options by Sector

Academic Program Connections

As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:

Economics Learn More

Economics creates space to develop expertise in financial analysis, market trends, and decision-making, preparing students for roles in accounting, budgeting, and economic policy

Sociology Learn More

Sociology equips students with analytical and communication skills to navigate workplace dynamics, data management, and organizational structures in business and government settings

Political Science Learn More

Political Science strengthens policy analysis, administrative coordination, and strategic communication, supporting careers in government, advocacy, and corporate administration

Anthropology Learn More

Anthropology enhances cultural awareness, research abilities, and qualitative analysis, making it useful for roles in international business, human resources, and organizational development

Browse More Options by Program

Related Areas

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Career Planning

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