What Employers Seek
  • Professional credentials: The chartered accountant (CA), certified general accountant (CGA) and certified management accountant (CMA) accreditations remain the most highly sought after designations for accounting and finance roles. In addition, employers value such certifications as the chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified internal auditor (CIA),certified information systems auditor (CISA), certified fraud examiner (CFE), certified credit professional (CCP), certified payroll manager (CPM) and payroll compliance practitioner (PCP) designations. A master’s degree in business administration (MBA) also is beneficial, particularly for senior-level finance positions.
  • Broad accounting expertise: Companies are looking for individuals with diverse skill sets. Managers often are unable to fill multiple openings within their departments due to budget cuts, so they need staff who can perform a range of tasks. For instance, a firm might hire an accountant who also has the ability to perform financial analysis.
  • Technology expertise: High-demand areas include:
    • Advanced features of Microsoft Excel and Access
    • Enterprise resource planning applications such as Oracle, SAP and Great Plains
    • Financial planning and reporting applications
    • Industry-specific software
  • Financial reporting: Demand persists for professionals with expertise in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as Canadian publicly traded and publicly accountable organizations prepare for the January 2011 conversion deadline. (For more information, read IFRS: Making the Talent Transition.)
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