Information links

To become a certified, a bookkeeper must:

1. know basic bookkeping, including double-entry accounting, before undertaking certification;
2. pass a national exam in advanced bookkeping;
3. has at least 3,000 hours (2 years) of on-the-job experience in bookkeeping;
4. sign a Code of Ethics that assures commitment to integrity;
5. constantly update skills by earning 20 Continuing Education Credits every year.

The CPB is an important credential for you because you now have an independent way to eveluate the skills and qualifications of a bookkeeper. No more "hoping" you've made the right choice when hiring a bookkeeper. No more paying twice to have your books done right because the first bookkeeper really didn't know what they were doing.

And you may have noticed how similar the requirements to be a CPB when compared to the accounting or financial planning professions. IPBC modeled the CPB credential after the accounting
profession's CGA credential. And only members of the IPBC are eligible to take the CPB exam. IPBC does the first level of screening for you when someone applies for membership to the Institute. Then the exam nails down their qualifications with certainty.

There is a feature on the IPBC website (www.ipbc.ca) designed to give you even more peace of mind and confidence in the bookkeeper you choose. Feel free to use the "CPB Verification Service" (just click on the text link inside the quotation marks), to double check the name of any bookkeeper using the CPB credential. You will know in just a moment whether they have truly earned this coveted credential or not.

According to HRDC, the definition  of a bookkeeper is as follows:

Bookkeepers maintain complete sets of books, keep records of accounts, verify the procedures used for recording financial transactions, and provide personal bookkeeping services. The term bookkeeper refers to a person who can complete a full set of books up to and including a trial balance.

Some of the Duties Performed by a Bookkeeper:

• Setting up and maintaining financial records using either a manual or computerized bookkeeping system
• Post journal entries and reconcile accounts, prepare trial balance of books, and maintain general ledgers
• Calculate and prepare cheques for payrolls, supplier invoices, government remittances as well as other expenditures
• Complete and submit tax remittance forms, pension contribution forms and other government documents
• Prepare other statistical, financial and accounting reports

Record of Employment Information 

You can order these forms for when an employee is leaving, so that they will be able to make a claim on their employment insurance. However, you can usually get registered first, and then get your forms filed online instead of paper. You generally will have to get these prepared within about 4 days from their departure.

Employment Standards Branch British Columbia 

Ministry of Labour, employment standards regarding overtime, vacation pay, sick time, coffee breaks, etc.

Canadian Payroll Association

This is a great association to consider joining for all kinds of training related to payroll 

Revenue Canada Forms
Revenue Canada forms frequently requested

RC59 Consent Form
Business Consent Form to give your accountant access to information on your tax accounts on your behalf