Fact Sheet – Accountant

Regulated profession (NOC 2021)There are a wide variety of occupations in the field of accounting. They include regulated and non-regulated occupations.

Regulated occupations include professional accountants, public accountants, and auditors. These occupations require individuals to hold a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation or one of the legacy accounting designations: CGA, CMA, or CA. They include:


Non-regulated occupations include accounting clerks, bookkeepers, payroll clerks, income tax experts, etc. To work in a non-regulated occupation, individuals must meet the employer’s hiring criteria which typically requires having related education or training, work experience, and knowledge of industry-specific accounting software. They include:

Regulatory bodyChartered Professional Accountants (CPA) of Manitoba
Regulated titles
  • Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)
  • Other variations (e.g., professional accountant, public accountant)
National bodiesChartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) is the national organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the profession.
Regional bodiesThe CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB) delivers CPA education on behalf of provincial and territorial CPA bodies in Western and Northern Canada.
Designation processSee CPA Manitoba – Become a CPA.
Credential assessmentInternationally educated applicants must obtain a credential evaluation from a member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC). Upon receipt of the credential evaluation, the CPAWSB conducts a transcript assessment.

The credential evaluation and transcript assessment are separate processes with separate fees. For details, see CPA Manitoba – Requesting a Transcript Assessment FAQ.
Language proficiencyThere are no specific language requirements for designation. However, CPA Manitoba and CPA Canada highly recommend prospective applicants have a minimum level of CLB 8 (or equivalent) before enrolling in a CPA program.
Professional competency profilesSee CPA Manitoba – The CPA Competency Map and CPA practical experience: Competency requirements.
Tools/resources
Essential skills profileGo to Job Bank – Explore careers by essential skills, search for the occupation via name or NOC code, and view the essential skills profile.
Employment outlookGo to Job Bank – Explore job outlooks, search the occupation name or NOC code, and view employment outlook by provinces and regions across Canada.
Job search toolsCPA Manitoba Career Hub is an online portal for connecting CPA Manitoba members and candidates/students with business and accounting employment opportunities in Manitoba.

To search job postings in any occupation, visit Job Bank or Work in Manitoba.
Related occupations/alternate careers (NOC 2021)Below are examples of occupations in the broader field of accounting, data entry, banking, and administration:

General accounting and data entry
  • 14200 – Accounting and related clerks
  • 13102 – Payroll administrators
  • 12200 – Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
  • 14202 – Collection clerks
  • 14111 – Data entry clerks
  • 11201 – Professional occupations in business management consulting
  • 14403 – Purchasing and inventory control workers
  • 12102 – Procurement and purchasing agents and officers
  • 65100 – Cashiers
  • 14100 – General office support workers

Banking
  • 64400 – Customer services representatives – financial institutions
  • 14201 – Banking, insurance and other financial clerks
  • 63102 – Financial sales representatives

Other
  • 14110 – Survey interviewers and statistical clerks
  • 64409 – Other customer and information services representatives

While each occupation will have its own set of employment requirements, none are regulated occupations in Manitoba and therefore do not have certification/registration requirements with a professional regulatory body. Employers often, however, require applicants to have job-specific experience, training, and/or certification. Always check the hiring criteria carefully. Hiring criteria is set by the employer and will vary from employer to employer.
Last updated December 2022.

Notes

  1. This fact sheet serves as a guide and will be updated periodically. When researching information on professional registration processes, always refer to the regulator to ensure accurate, up-to-date information.
  2. The Government of Canada updates the National Occupational Classification (NOC) every five years. At present, users can access four versions of NOC (2021, 2016, 2011, and 2006) on the NOC website. When searching an occupation on the NOC website, always use the most recent version (NOC 2021).
  3. The regulatory body is the only organization that can grant entry into a regulated occupation via registration and the issuing of a licence or certificate. Other organizations (e.g., national bodies, regional bodies, membership associations, etc.) are not regulatory bodies.
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