Bookkeeping and Accounting Practices
Launch into the field of accounting and open up career opportunities.
- You may earn credits that can be used in our Business - Accounting Diploma program, if you choose to pursue further studies
- Faculty members include experts that are closely tied to industry, and dedicated to ensuring that you gain a solid foundation of skills
- Small class sizes enable students to have stronger peer relationships, and closer contact with professors
Program Availability and Schedule
Availability
Open
Closed
Waitlisted
Start Term
Availability
International
Availability
Competitive?
Winter 2025
No
Fall 2025
No
Schedule
Program Summary
Credential
Program Delivery
Program Code
Area of Interest
School
Campus
The Bookkeeping and Accounting Practices Ontario College Certificate program gives you the knowledge and skills to work effectively in a variety of accounting and bookkeeping roles.
This one-year program balances theory and practical training, to ensure that you are ready for your career. Faculty members include experts dedicated to ensuring that you gain a solid foundation of skills....(read more)
Overview
Launch into the field of accounting and open up career opportunities.
The Bookkeeping and Accounting Practices Ontario College Certificate program gives you the knowledge and skills to work effectively in a variety of accounting and bookkeeping roles.
This one-year program balances theory and practical training, to ensure that you are ready for your career. Faculty members include experts dedicated to ensuring that you gain a solid foundation of skills.
Explore the full accounting cycle, including:
- identifying and recording business transactions
- preparing financial statements
- developing essential bookkeeping skills by practising working with data such as purchases, payments, sales, collections and payroll
- effectively identifying and applying business processes by maintaining paper and computerized financial records
Develop communication and math skills as well as an understanding of business practices. Work with popular accounting software and spreadsheet tools to ensure that your technical skills are up-to-date.
With an Ontario College Certificate from Algonquin College, you may find employment in entry-level roles such as:
- payroll clerk
- accounts payable clerk
- accounts receivable clerk
- billing clerk
- debt collections
- accounting clerk
- bookkeeper
- accounting assistant
You may also earn credits that can be used in our Business - Accounting Diploma program, if you choose to pursue further studies.
SUCCESS FACTORS
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Are adaptable and enjoy problem-solving.
- Communicate effectively with people in a variety of capacities.
- Work well under pressure and are deadline driven.
- Perform well working both independently and collaboratively.
- Possess a keen eye for detail.
- Have a high standard of ethics.
- Have strong organizational skills.
- Are comfortable using technology and software.
Courses
Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.
Code:
ACC1100
Course Name:
Bookkeeping
Course Description:
The ability to accurately record the day-to-day transactions is an essential skill for bookkeepers and office administration staff. Student... + Read More
Hours:
56.0
Code:
ACC1104
Course Name:
Payroll Fundamentals
Course Description:
Whether the organization has one or 10,000 employees, accurate and timely payroll processing is paramount. Students focus on practices to en... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
BUS2301
Course Name:
Business Computer Applications
Course Description:
The knowledge gained in this course provides students with a solid foundation for future learning in other studies, and in business. Student... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
ENL1962
Course Name:
English Fundamentals
Course Description:
Students develop language skills necessary to promote success in program courses and, ultimately, business careers. Students achieve correct... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
GED2013
Course Name:
Interpersonal Relations
Course Description:
In the context of increased use of technology in today's workplace, the human touch remains a cornerstone of business interactions and the s... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
QUA2210
Course Name:
Basic Business Mathematics
Course Description:
Management and entrepreneurs with a good understanding of math are better able to correctly calculate and interpret figures allowing busines... + Read More
Hours:
56.0
Code:
ACC1202
Course Name:
Statutory Compliance
Course Description:
Governments and regulatory authorities require organizations to meet performance and documentation standards, and submit reports and payment... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
ACC1207
Course Name:
Bookkeeping II
Course Description:
Cash management and internal controls are fundamental functions in business. Students are introduced to cash management practices, including... + Read More
Hours:
56.0
Code:
ACC1211
Course Name:
Accounting
Course Description:
The ability to maintain accounting records and internal controls around bookkeeping processes are essential skills for bookkeepers. Students... + Read More
Hours:
56.0
Code:
ENL1813B
Course Name:
Communications I
Course Description:
Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-orient... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
OFF1200
Course Name:
Spreadsheet Applications
Course Description:
Accountants and bookkeepers use spreadsheets to calculate and record information and produce reports. Students create, manage, calculate, as... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
OFF1201
Course Name:
Introduction to Business Processes
Course Description:
Businesses are made up of many functional areas that perform distinctly different activities. Students explore and discuss marketing, operat... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Careers & Pathways
Careers
Graduates may find employment in entry-level bookkeeping and payroll positions in a variety of business organizations, in roles such as payroll clerk, accounts payable clerk, accounts receivables clerk, billing clerk, debt collections, office administration roles with accounting tasks, accounting clerk, bookkeeper or accounting assistant. Graduates may also work as self-employed entrepreneurs.
Pathways
Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Prepare and maintain manual and computerized financial reports for organizations in accordance with Canadian accounting practices in a timely and accurate fashion.
- Identify and apply Canadian and Ontario payroll record-keeping practices, procedures, requirements and regulations to employee compensation.
- Describe and navigate business structures and interrelationships from the perspective of the finance and accounting department.
- Apply Canadian compliance standards to the preparation of basic statutory and non-statutory business filings.
- Apply fundamental mathematical methods and procedures to support bookkeeping practices and the preparation of financial information.
- Produce accurate and appropriate formats of inter- and intra-office communications according to accounting and finance department conventions.
- Practise ethical behaviour and corporate responsibility in all aspects of work completed.
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.
Tuition & Fees
Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.
2024/2025 Academic Year
Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator.
Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar`s Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro.
Fees are subject to change.
Additional program related expenses include:
Books and supplies cost approximately $900 and can be purchased at the campus store.
Admissions Requirements
All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements.
College Eligibility
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
- Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
- General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
- Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee will be charged.
Program Eligibility
- English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent).
- Mathematics, Grade 11 (MBF3C or equivalent).
- Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
- IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT) Overall 80, with the minimum of 20 in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 110, minimum of 110 in Literacy and no score below 95.
Not sure if you meet all of the requirements? Academic Upgrading may be able to help with that: https://www.algonquincollege.com/access/.
Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English and mathematics.
Application Information
BOOKKEEPING AND ACCOUNTING PRACTICES
Program Code 1315X01FWO
Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:
ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228
Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.
Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.
International applicants please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/.
For further information on the admissions process, contact:
Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro
Additional Information
Program Resources
This program includes a course that may count toward the Canadian Payroll Association`s Payroll Compliance Practitioner Designation.
Classes in this program could potentially be scheduled between 8 AM and 10 PM, Monday through Friday.