Job prospects Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant (CPA, CMA) in Prince Edward Island

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "chartered professional accountant, certified management accountant (CPA, CMA)" in Prince Edward Island or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Prince Edward Island

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Financial auditors and accountants (NOC 11100) in Prince Edward Island for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

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

The demand for workers in this occupation is influenced by economic conditions and business activity. The Island economy is projected to expand at a respectable pace over the forecast period which should support employment growth in this occupation. This is based on the expectation that interest rates will continue to fall which will encourage more consumer spending and business investment. Population growth has been, and continues to be, a key economic driver. However, the announcement by the federal government to reduce immigration targets will mean a slowdown in the number of new consumers and labour force participants that come to the province. The impact this immigration measure will have on the Island's economy is at this time uncertain and remains a potential risk factor to employment prospects over the forecast period. The availability of inexpensive and easy to use online tax software may impact the demand for this occupation to some degree.

These workers are employed across various industries, as in-house auditors and accountants, but are mostly employed in the depository credit intermediation, securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerages and payroll services subsector working for firms. Other key sectors are finance, insurance and public administration. This is due to the demand for accounting and auditing services from small businesses and individuals who do not necessarily need the services offered by larger firms. Some employers experience difficulty hiring accountants with professional designations. Some positions may become available as a result of the need to replace accountants who change jobs seeking career advancement. As the economy expands, opportunities may occur for people who wish to operate their own accounting practice.

Most businesses use accounting and auditing software to increase efficiencies, simplify the transaction processes and allow for better information flow. This allows them to develop remote accounting systems or outsource to external accounting firms. The availability of inexpensive and easy to use tax software online may impact the demand for accountants. Professionals with experience in these systems and specific industries will have better job prospects.

Here are some key facts about Financial auditors and accountants in Prince Edward Island:

• Approximately 550 people work in this occupation.
• Financial auditors and accountants mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services (NAICS 5412): 35%
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 20%
  • Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 8%
  • Transportation equipment manufacturing (NAICS 336): 6%
  • Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 6%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 94% compared to 84% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 6% compared to 16% for all occupations
• 81% of financial auditors and accountants work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
• 14% of financial auditors and accountants are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 50% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 50% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: n/a
  • high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 17% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 64% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 15% compared to 8% for all occupations

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "chartered professional accountant, certified management accountant (CPA, CMA)" Financial auditors and accountants (NOC 11100) or across Canada.

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