Learn the essential skills to start a career in Accounting.

The Business - Accounting Ontario College Diploma program balances accounting theory with tools used in the industry. This program equips you with the essential skills for various entry-level accounting positions.

Learn how to complete accounting tasks, from conducting bookkeeping responsibilities to preparing financial statements and personal income tax returns. Expand your knowledge of various business concepts including economics and finance.

Explore accounting concepts while sharpening your communication, math and technological skills. Courses incorporate accounting software to strengthen your computer literacy, and provide you with up-to-date technical skills, which is essential in this field.

Students considering a professional accounting designation or an accounting credential are advised to make inquiries with the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario) before deciding to enroll in this program. See Additional Information for further details.

This program prepares you for entry-level positions in:

• financial accounting
• managerial accounting
• payables and receivables
• taxation

Graduates typically find employment in roles such as:

• accounts payable clerk
• accounts receivable clerk
• bookkeeper
• payroll clerk
• junior accountant

To qualify for this diploma, you must complete the program within six years.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Enjoy problem solving and critical-thinking activities.
• Are inquisitive and have an analytical nature.
• Can work well independently and in a group.
• Are detailed-oriented, organized and adaptable.
• Are comfortable using a variety of computer applications.
• Possess a high standard of ethics.

Careers

Graduates may pursue employment opportunities in various entry-level positions including accounts receivables or payables, bookkeeping or payroll responsibilities. Roles include: accounting assistant; accounts payable clerk; accounts receivable clerk; bookkeeper; and payroll clerk.

Pathways

Please note: There may be more pathways available for this program than are listed here. Please use our Pathways search tool to see every option.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Record financial transactions in compliance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for sole proprietorships, partnerships, private enterprises, publicly accountable enterprises and non-profit organizations.
2. Prepare and present financial statements, reports and other documents in compliance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for sole proprietorships, partnerships and private enterprises.
3. Contribute to recurring decision-making by applying fundamental management accounting concepts.
4. Prepare individuals` income tax returns and basic tax planning in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.
5. Analyze organizational structures, the interdependence of functional areas, and the impact those relationships can have on financial performance.
6. Analyze, within a Canadian context, the impact of economic variables, legislation, ethics, technological advances and the environment on an organization`s operations.
7. Outline the elements of an organization`s internal control system and risk management.
8. Contribute to recurring decision-making by applying fundamental financial management concepts.
9. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

Registration Note:

If you would like to take courses individually or start the program part time, you are not required to apply to the program. You can register for up to three courses per term by clicking on the course title and selecting "Register Online".

Program Resources

International students wishing to study online should visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/international for information related to International online students and for International fees information prior to registering. Please note that AC Online programs do not qualify international students for new study permits or study permit extensions.

This program has flexible delivery options.

Courses appearing to be unavailable online (during the registration period) may have substitute courses which are taken instead. If you are a full-time student, you are automatically enrolled in those courses; if you are part-time, please contact AC Online for the current substitutions and links to these courses.

Field Placement in Level 04 is only available to on-campus students. ACC0044, Accounting Experience, is not offered online.

Students considering completing a degree after their diploma may be able to apply some courses towards a degree through various university articulation agreements. For further information see https://www.algonquincollege.com/degree-pathways.

Students considering pursuing a professional accounting designation are advised to make inquiries with the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario). Please note that Algonquin College courses are not directly transferrable to CPA unless they are transferred through a recognized articulation agreement with a university. For further information see https://www.cpaontario.ca/become-a-cpa.

AC ONLINE ACADEMIC PLANNER:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore, essential that all part-time students declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under `Part-time Students` on the left-hand toolbar.

PRIOR LEARNING AND RECOGNITION (PLAR):
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all of the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.

PROGRAM PROGRESSION:
As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resumed).

Future Students

For additional information, please contact our Customer Service Representative team at online@algonquincollege.com and they will direct you to the best person to answer your specific questions.

Current Students

For additional information, please reference the AC Online Circle of Care.