Find Construction Accounting & Bookkeeper Jobs in Canada
Find bookkeeper and accountant jobs in Canada's construction industry. Browse roles at general contractors, subcontractors, and developers requiring job costing and progress billing expertise.
## Construction Accounting Jobs in Canada
Canada's construction industry is one of the country's largest economic sectors — and a major employer of specialized accounting professionals. Construction accounting is a technically demanding discipline involving job costing, contract accounting, holdback management, and project-level profitability reporting. Professionals with construction accounting experience are in consistent high demand across Canada.
## What Makes Construction Accounting Different?
- Job costing — Every cost (labour, materials, subcontractors, equipment) is tracked by individual project, not just by department
- Percentage-of-completion accounting — Revenue and profit are recognized progressively based on project completion, following IFRS 15 (PoC method)
- Holdback / Liens — Canadian construction law requires a mandatory holdback (typically 10%) be retained by general contractors until project completion and lien periods expire
- Progress billing — Construction companies invoice in stages (draws) tied to project milestones, not simply when goods are delivered
- Bonding and WIP schedules — Surety bonding requires audited WIP (work-in-progress) schedules that lenders and sureties scrutinize closely
## Construction Accounting Roles in Canada
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Construction Bookkeeper | AP/AR, payroll, job costing entry, subcontractor lien waivers |
| Project Accountant | Job cost reporting, budget-to-actual, owner billing and draws |
| Construction Controller | Financial reporting, WIP schedules, bonding package management |
| CFO (Construction) | Strategic finance, banking covenants, surety relations |
## Construction Accountant Salary in Canada
| Role | Salary Range |
| Construction Bookkeeper | $48,000 – $68,000 |
| Project Accountant | $65,000 – $88,000 |
| Construction Controller | $100,000 – $145,000 |
## Frequently Asked Questions
What software do Canadian construction accountants use?
Sage 300 CRE (formerly Timberline), Jonas Construction, Procore (finance module), and Vista by Viewpoint are the most widely used construction accounting platforms in Canada. QuickBooks and Sage 50 are common at smaller contractors.
Do I need construction industry experience for a construction accounting job?
Prior construction experience is a major asset, but not always required at entry level. Strong job costing knowledge, AP/AR experience, and construction software familiarity can substitute for industry tenure at many employers.