Job prospects Income Tax Return Preparer in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "income tax return preparer" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Accounting and related clerks (NOC 14200) in Ontario for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Employed across most industries with the leading share in accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services

 

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Ongoing need for accounting services and financial recording across businesses and departments will support work in this occupation
• Greater use of technology to manage invoicing, billing and accounts may temper job growth and change some job functions

 

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Proficiency in accounting software like QuickBooks is usually required along with the ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Excel

 

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• Ability to work longer hours at the end of financial reporting periods and during the federal tax season may be required.

Here are some key facts about Accounting and related clerks in Ontario:

• Approximately 56,200 people work in this occupation.
• Accounting and related clerks mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services (NAICS 5412): 14%
  • Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 8%
  • Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 7%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 7%
  • Monetary Authorities - central bank and securities, commodity contracts and other intermediation and related activities (NAICS 521, 522, 523): 6%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 86% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 14% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 72% of accounting and related clerks work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 8% of accounting and related clerks are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 20% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 80% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 31% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 24% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 8% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "income tax return preparer" Accounting and related clerks (NOC 14200) or across Canada.

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