Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Important Notice

The Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre (SIIC) will be closing on March 31, 2025 due to funding cuts. This website will no longer be available after this date. Please save any guides you would like ahead of the closure. If you have any questions, please email siic@vpl.ca.

Skills, Education, and Experience

a record-keeping book on a table with a pen next to it
Source

Skills

  • Highly skilled with numbers
  • Strong clerical ability
  • Very detail oriented
  • Good at problem solving
  • Knowledge of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheet and accounting software

Education and Experience

Completion of secondary school is required.

Bookkeepers also require:

  • Completion of a college program in accounting, bookkeeping or a related field

OR

  • Completion of two years (first level) of a recognized professional accounting program (e.g., Chartered Accounting, Certified General Accounting)

OR

  • Courses in accounting or bookkeeping combined with several years of experience as a financial or accounting clerk
  • Strong understanding of computers and cloud applications
  • The ability to use Microsoft Office and/or other similar desktop applications

Qualifications

This occupation is not regulated in British Columbia.

There are no mandatory requirements for licensing or professional certification in order to work as a Bookkeeper in BC.  However, your services may be in greater demand if you gain certification in cloud-based accounting platforms and associated applications.

Certification as a Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB) with the Certified Professional Bookkeepers of Canada may also increase your employment opportunities.

Source: WorkBC

More information: