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Feb 12, 2014

Career Opportunities from Accounting and Payroll Training

Career Opportunities from Accounting and Payroll Training

If you’re a person who possesses a keen attention to detail, loves to work with numbers and finances, and gets great pleasure from organizing and streamlining efficiency, then a career in payroll and accounting could be right up your alley. In an industry with many multifaceted jobs, graduates of a program that teaches the ins and outs of payroll administration and accounting skills are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a career. Here are just some of the great career options available to you when you graduate from an accounting or payroll training program.

Payroll Administrator

As a payroll administrator, you’ll oversee the majority of the financial and monetary transactions between the company and its employees. Payroll administrators perform tasks like keeping track of the hours worked by employees and ensuring that they receive the proper pay based on said hours. Payroll administrators are also responsible for calculating taxes and social security, processing contractor or freelance payments, processing bonuses and overtime, and more.

Rigorous attention to detail and a sharp eye for crunching numbers are essential to your success as a payroll administrator, something that can be facilitated by enrolling in top-notch accounting courses. Additionally, depending on the sector you’re trying to find work in, you might need to take more specialized courses to understand the industry you’re performing payroll duties for. For example, if you want to become a payroll administrator for a hospital or dental clinic, taking some courses at one of many dental assistant schools could be useful in getting you up to speed.

Tax Preparation

You know the old saying, “there are only two sure things in life: death and taxes?” Well, it’s pretty true, but fortunately, that means that a career in tax preparation is not only lucrative and rewarding but extremely stable.

If you’re very organized and thorough and have a passion for crunching the numbers and squeezing as much as you can out of a tax return than this job is for you. Whether you’re self-employed or work for a larger firm that specializes in preparing taxes, you’ll ensure that citizens have the correct information filled out on their tax forms and that people receive the maximum amount of money back from the government. It requires an intimate knowledge of the trends in income taxes and being aware of what the newest regulations and acceptable deductions are.

As well as being extremely computer literate, people going into the field of tax preparation should also be proficient in creating and managing spreadsheets.

With the right training in finance and accounting, there is no shortage of lucrative and interesting careers that you can find yourself in. While this is just the tip of the iceberg, the list of rewarding jobs that an accounting and payroll course can prepare you for is extensive, and with a little determination and focus, you’ll be crunching numbers with the best of them.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about applying, funding, and life at Anderson College.

How long does it take to complete a program at Anderson College?
Most diploma programs run 24–58 weeks of full-time study, depending on the discipline. Healthcare programs (PSW, Cardiology, MOA, Dental Assistant) typically include a clinical or work placement so you graduate job-ready.
What financial aid options are available?
We accept OSAP (Ontario), Better Jobs Ontario, Windmill Microlending, in-house Alumni and PSW bursaries, and traditional student lines of credit through major banks. Visit our Financial Aid page for the full list and to chat with a Financial Aid Advisor.
Are international students welcome?
Yes. Anderson College is a DLI-approved Career College registered with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. Programs marked as PGWP-eligible qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. See our International Students page for visa support details.
How do I apply?
You can start your application online in under 5 minutes or speak with an Admissions Advisor for a guided walkthrough. Begin your application here.
Does Anderson College offer job placement support?
Every program includes Career Services — resume coaching, interview prep, employer connections and lifetime alumni support. Many programs also include a built-in clinical or industry placement so you graduate with real-world experience. Learn more on the Career Services page.

Still have a question? Speak with an Admissions Advisor →

Anderson College — Celebrating 140+ Years

Anderson College is one of Canada's oldest colleges, having opened our first location in 1885. We have trained more than 150,000 students over a 140-year history, and have been an empowering partner for students overcoming career challenges and transitioning to the next phase of their lives.

With ten locations in Ontario, we are recognized for our high-calibre faculty, hands-on, real-life career training and supportive culture. At Anderson College, we are more than our century-old history, our programs and state-of-the-art facilities; we are a team of caring individuals, deeply committed to helping our students become skillful, confident and in-demand employees.

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