Overview

Our one-year Accounting (with CO-OP) advanced diploma program provides graduates with a deeper knowledge and understanding of accounting principles needed in business or accounting firms. Work towards your completion of the prerequisites for the Chartered Professional Accountants Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) accounting designation administered by the Chartered Professional Accountants. 

Graduates find employment in a wide range of challenging and rewarding careers. Potential career opportunities may include accounting technician, bookkeeper, accounts payable clerk, accounts receivable clerk, payroll clerk, and tax return specialist.  

Some graduates decide to pursue university studies in accounting and work towards obtaining their Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. 

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Critical Thinking & Knowledge: use core specialization knowledge in solving business problems. 
  • Ethical Perspective and Social Responsibility: identify organizational activities to reduce unethical behaviour. 
  • Collaboration: work effectively in diverse teams, supporting team performance to achieve organizational goals. 
  • Communication: present effective business communications in a variety of formats. 
  • Business Strategy: strategize to plan for changes in business. 

Examples of what jobs graduates from this program can do: 

  • Maintain financial records, prepare financial statements, and analyze financial data. 
  • Record financial transactions, maintain general ledgers, and prepare financial reports. 
  • Process employee paychecks, manage employee benefits, and maintain accurate payroll records. 
  • Manage invoices, process payments, and maintain accurate records of all financial transactions. 
  • Prepare tax returns for individuals and businesses in accordance with tax laws and regulations. 

Success Factors 

You might be a good fit for this program if you would enjoy: 

  • Building upon your previous degree to work in the accounting field 
  • Demonstrating a strong work ethic and attention to detail 
  • Adopting an ethical and socially responsible mindset 
  • Adapting to changes in business environments 
  • Completing tasks and delivering results 

For Co-op program only: A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is strongly recommended given the potential need to travel for co-op placement. 

The industry and program environment require individuals to: 

  • Have excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders. 
  • Think analytically and critically to make informed decisions that will benefit the organization. 
  • Manage time effectively and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines. 
  • Lead teams and manage projects effectively to ensure organizational success. 
  • Uphold ethical and moral standards while conducting business and making decisions. 
  • Have a good understanding of technology and be able to utilize it in their work to streamline processes and increase efficiency. 
  • Possess a good understanding of financial management and be able to make financial decisions that benefit the organization. 
  • Have excellent customer service skills to provide quality service and maintain positive relationships with clients. 
  • Be adaptable and committed to ongoing learning and professional development to stay current with industry trends and best practices. 

Elevate Awards

Full-Tuition Awards Available!

The Elevate Award is a full-tuition award that supports university or college graduates looking to enhance their professional skill sets by pursuing an advanced diploma program. Up to 20 full-tuition Elevate awards are granted annually to domestic students (Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents). Awards are limited; apply to the program today!

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Admissions

  • Two-year diploma or university degree
  • Entry level accounting knowledge is required. Applicants without this will be required to take ACCT-0003 Financial Accounting 1 and ACCT-0004 Financial Accounting 2 (or equivalent) prior to the start of the program.

If you do not have a prior post-secondary credential, please see our Business Administration program where you can specialize in Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management or Marketing.

English is the language of instruction at Assiniboine. All applicants educated outside of Canada or in a country not on the test exempt list are expected to meet the English language proficiency requirement. See assiniboine.net/elp for more information. IELTS score of 6.0 with no sub score less than 5.5 or equivalent is acceptable for this program.

International Applicants

If you are an international applicant, please read our Helpful Information for International Students prior to applying to this program. 

Program Considerations

Relocation to a small, rural community may be required for completion of the co-op placement. A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required, given the need to travel to rural Manitoba (outside of Brandon) for the co-op work placement.

Careers & Connections

Career Opportunities

Graduates find employment in a wide-range of challenging and rewarding careers. Potential career opportunities may include accounting technician, bookkeeper, accounts payable clerk, accounts receivable clerk, payroll clerk, and tax return specialist.  

Some graduates decide to pursue university studies in accounting and work towards obtaining their Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. 

Connections

Successful completion of this program may qualify graduates for advanced standing in the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) preparatory program. Some restrictions apply.

Assiniboine has a number of agreements with other colleges, universities and professional organizations, making it possible for students to apply credit taken at Assiniboine to programs at other institutions. For up-to-date information on agreements, visit Articulation Agreements.

Tools & Supplies

You benefit from industry networking and guest speakers and attend classes in computer labs, regular classrooms and lecture theatre. This program uses online learning resources and instructional resources.

Booklists are available from your school office 30 days prior to the start date of your program. Visit the Assiniboine Bookstore website to learn more.

Program Checklist and Supplies

Technology Requirements

Programs at Assiniboine have certain technology requirements. Students require access to computer devices at home and may be required to bring these on campus when instructed. Refer to assiniboine.net/tech  for more detailed information about the requirements for this program. 

Courses & Costs

Costs

Estimated Program Costs (Domestic students)
  Credits Tuition Course fees Students' Association fees (Inc Health Premium) Estimated textbooks, tools and supplies
Accounting (With Co-op) 63 $4,655 Included Included $1,950

All fees are estimated and subject to change without notice.

Estimated Program Costs (International students)
  Credits Tuition Course fees Students' Association fees (Inc Health Premium) Required Health Insurance Estimated textbooks, tools and supplies
Accounting (With Co-op) 63 $17,495 Included Included $1,000 $1,950

All fees are estimated and subject to change without notice.

All international students must purchase health insurance. The college adds this fee to your student account and then sends your name and fee to the insurance provider on your behalf.

All tuition and fees are required to be paid in full before your program begins. Tuition and fees to this program are non-refundable and non-transferable. All fees are estimated and subject to change without notice.

Courses

To graduate with an advanced diploma in Accounting, students must successfully complete 60 academic credits plus the 16-week co-op work placement. The minimum passing grade for each course is indicated on the course outline. Course offerings are subject to change and may vary by intake.

Courses
Title Credits/CEUs Elective Distance PLAR
Advanced Software (COMP-0598)

Prerequisite: COMP-0597 Software Applications
In this course, students learn to use software to store and prepare data for analysis in a variety of business situations. Students begin by learning to use various tools and features to improve the analytical capability of their spreadsheets. They also learn when to use a spreadsheet and when it is more appropriate to utilize a database. Students learn how to create relational databases to store data effectively, as well as how to extract data in the form of queries and reports. Students use Excel to perform metrics and analysis using real business examples. Use of database software for data mining and analysis purposes will add knowledge, skills and abilities related to business intelligence and meeting organizational objectives.

6 credit(s) No No No
Canadian Business and Society (BUSN-0166)

Students explore the complex business environment and the relationships organizations have with civil society, the natural environment and each other. Through this examination, students learn that ethical decision-making is critical to the successful management of any organization. Topics include changing economic, political, social and cultural forces and their influences on business and society; the continuum of socially responsible management and ethical business practices; and the challenges and opportunities that influence where an organization fits on the continuum. Special attention is given to Indigenous history and developments.

6 credit(s) No Yes No
Co-op Work Placement - ACTCV (COOP-0031)

Prerequisite: Cumulative weighted grade point average (CWGPA) of 2.0 or greater
This course requires a minimum of 480 hours of full-time, paid, relevant work experience. The work placement, which is normally of 16-week duration, is subject to prior approval and monitoring by a designated faculty member. Credit is given subject to the student submitting evidence that the work has been successfully completed. In addition, the student is required to submit a written report on the work experience for approval by the designated faculty member. Work experience acquired prior to registraton in the program is not eligible for this credit.

3 credit(s) No No No
Corporate Finance (BUSN-0165)

Prerequisite: ACCT-0004 Financial Accounting 2
Students explore finance issues and the tools used by financial managers in decision-making. Topics include the corporate financial environment and its impact on decisions, time value of money, investing and risk management, distribution of earnings, capital budgeting techniques and short-, medium- and long-term financing decisions.

6 credit(s) No Yes No
Financial Accounting 3 (ACCT-0005)

Prerequisites: ACCT-0004 Financial Accounting 2; MATH-0001 Financial Math OR MATH-0107 Math for Business
This intermediate course in accounting provides coverage of financial accounting topics such as the accounting cycle, financial statement presentations, asset and revenue recognition, inventory concepts, as well as inventory and capital asset principles.

6 credit(s) No Yes No
Financial Accounting 4 (ACCT-0007)

Prerequisite: ACCT-0005 Financial Accounting 3
This intermediate course in accounting provides comprehensive coverage of financial accounting topics on the liabilities and equity side of the financial statements, such as: current and contingent liabilities, long term debt, leasing, corporate shares, complex financial instruments, retained earnings, earning per share and income taxes.

6 credit(s) No Yes No
Intermediate Mgmnt Accounting (ACCT-0052)

Prerequisite: ACCT-0050 Introductory Mgmnt Accounting
This course applies accounting information to internal decision-making. Students explore the managerial and ethical issues relation to the determination and analysis of relevant costs and their behaviour. Topics covered include cost allocation, cost management, product costing, strategy and control, transfer pricing, joint and by-product costing, and spoilage.

6 credit(s) No Yes No
Introductory Mgmnt Accounting (ACCT-0050)

Prerequistie: ACCT-0004 Financial Accounting 2
An introduction to the use of accounting information for internal management purposes focusing on planning and control, budgeting, standard costs and overhead analysis, relevant costs, management control and evaluation, and financial statement analysis.

6 credit(s) No Yes No
Sage Accounting Software (ACCT-0051)

Prerequisite: ACCT-0003 Financial Accounting 1
Students complete computerized accounting cycles for a variety of organizations using SAGE 50 Accounting Software. Exposure to components in this accounting suite include: General Journal/Ledger, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Payroll, Inventory and Order Entry. Functionality related to System Set-up, Sales Taxes, Banking, Periodic Processing and Financial Reporting are also explored. Students apply computerized accounting techniques to each step of the accounting cycle.

6 credit(s) No No No
Taxation 1 (BUSN-0171)

Prerequisite:ACCT-0004 Financial Accounting 2
This course covers the fundamental principles and concepts of Canadian federal income tax legislation as it applies to individuals. The course emphasizes the understanding of the conceptual structure of the Income Tax Act and equips students with skills in the application of its rules to practical cases including the use of tax return software.

6 credit(s) No Yes No
Taxation 2 (BUSN-0178)

Prerequisite: BUSN-0171 Taxation 1
This course covers the fundamental principles and concepts of Canadian federal income tax legislation as it applies to corporations, trusts, and partnerships; international taxation for individuals and corporations; tax planning for individuals in relation to corporations; GST/HST and payroll tax. The course emphasizes the understanding of the conceptual structure of the Income Tax Act and equips students with skills in the application of its rules to practical cases including the use of tax return software.

6 credit(s) No Yes No

Fast Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

I have a Mac laptop, can I use that?

No. MAC computing devices are not compatible with Business Administration or Office Administration program software. Refer to assiniboine.net/tech for detailed information.