Examples of job titles:

• Chief accountant
• Accountant
• Treasurer
  
  

Typical tasks

• Accountant and chief accountant
  
  

- Define and control accounting material related to internal and external specifications
- Supervise and assist in producing the financial statements
- Analyze, check and present accounting information
- Optimize production methods
- Assist the budgeting process
- Supervise the accounting system
- Track accounts receivable and payable
- Make sure that certification and tax constraints are observed
- Assist managers
- Responsible for recruiting, training and team management for accounting staff

Depending on their training and the professional association to which they belong, accountants will be more likely to be responsible for certain accounting tasks:

Table source: Les Affaires, March 6, 2002

For more information about professional accounting associations:
Training file- Professional certifications

• Treasurer
  
  

- Be in charge of cash flows and balances: manage short-term financing and investments, determine the cash position, balance accounts
- Take care of operating cash
- Manage financial risks: liquidity, exchange and interest rate risk, credit risk with respect to financial partners, countries or customers
- Promote the company's image to the financial community and maintain business relations with commercial banks to facilitate financing procedures, as necessary
- See to the coherence of all financial information (annual report)
- Responsible for recruiting, training and team management for accounting and financial staff

Education and skills

• University degree in accounting studies
• Certification from a recognized professional accounting (e.g. CA, CMA, CGA) or finance (e.g. CFA, TMAC) association may be required
• Proficiency with office software, integrated management software (e.g. PeopleSoft, SAP) and accounting software: ACCPAC, Accountant's Drill, Acomba, Simply Accounting, ProTaxprep, etc.
• Good knowledge of theories and generally accepted accounting principles
• Accounting firm experience may be an asset
   

Qualities

• Organized
• Analytically minded
• Integrity and thoroughness
• Negotiating skills
• Good teamwork and personnel management skills
  
  

Typical career path

Accounting => Chief accountant => Accounting manager => Chief financial officer

A professional designation (e.g. CFA, CA, CMA, CGA) facilitates moving up the ladder.

Salary

• Accountants – Large companies
  • Chief accountant: $65,500 – $90,000
  • Senior accountant: $49,250 – $69,250
  • 1 to 3 years of experience: $38,250 – $48,500
  • Up to 1 year of experience: $33,750 – $38,250
    
    
• Accountants – Small and medium–sized companies
  • Chief accountant: $54,250 – $79,000
  • Senior accountant: $45,750 – $60,000
  • 1 to 3 years of experience: $35,500 – $45,500
  • Up to 1 year of experience: $30,500 – $35,750 

(Source: 2006 Salary Guide / Robert Half International)

• Treasurer: Salary figures to be obtained

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