Introduction
Our graduates have an 86% employment rate in their field of study.
This program teaches the practical and technical skills required to qualify and secure employment in entry-level roles within the accounting industry. The primary focus will be on double entry bookkeeping and the preparation of basic financial statements. These skills will be practiced manually and using computerized accounting software (QuickBooks).
Anticipated salary range is $15.00 – $25.00 per hour to start.
Example Job Titles Include (but are not limited to): Accounting assistant, accounting clerk, accounting technician, bookkeeper, customer service representative, night auditor, inventory controller, and data entry clerk.
Program Highlights
- Cost: Grant funded program (for those who qualify)
- Delivery: Hybrid or Online
- Duration: 48 or 32 weeks
- Instruction Hours: Monday-Friday (26 hours/week)
- Semester Intake: January, May, and September
- Work Experience: 5 weeks
Program Information
Classes will be interactive and involve learners in group discussions, research, role plays, and presentations. Active participation in class is expected. As learners progress through this program, they will build their confidence levels, gain experience, and increase their ability to perform entry-level accounting tasks in real situations. Embedded within the curriculum are job search strategies, industry vocabulary, skills for success (previously referred to as essential skills employers look for) and professional behaviours which will help learners improve their success in the workforce.
This course has been developed as a blended delivery model (a combination of face-to-face and online).
It is strongly recommended that online learners have:
- Daily access to a reliable computer (Windows Pc recommended) for the full duration of the class.
- Reliable internet service with high-speed internet. A cable connection is the best however staying closer to the Wi-Fi also works.
- A comfortable chair
- A workspace away from distractions
- A working microphone and video camera
- Earphones or earbuds (optional)
This program offers 2 program lengths: 48 or 32 weeks.
Accounting Assistant (48 week) program
- learners born outside of Canada – CLB 6, Math Grade 8
- learners who have attended school in Canada – English Grade 8 and Math Grade 8
Accounting Assistant (32 week) program
- learners born outside of Canada – CLB 7, Math Grade 9
- learners who have attended school in Canada – English Grade 9 and Math Grade 9
Before entering the program, all participants must be able to:
- achieve satisfactory results on the Columbia College Accuplacer assessment in reading comprehension, writing, and math
- successfully complete a Columbia College computer skills assessment (or equivalent) that will address basic computer skills (which includes basic internet and email knowledge), introductory Microsoft Word and Excel
- keyboarding 25 words per minute
- successfully complete an entry interview with the Career and Employment Coordinator for suitability
Additionally, applicants must:
- be an Alberta resident and currently residing full-time in the province
- be unemployed or marginally employed
- be committed to seeking employment
- meet citizenship requirements (e.g. Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident or Convention Refugee) and be legally entitled to work and train in Canada
Accounting Assistant (48 week) program
- Essential Skills Computers
- Essential Skills English
- Business Math
- Accounting Fundamentals
Accounting Assistant (32 week) program
- Essential Skills Computers
- Basic Accounting, I
- Basic Accounting II
- Cloud Accounting
- Business Writing
- Desktop Accounting
- Introduction to Payroll
- Introduction to Canadian Taxation
- 5 weeks of work experience (practicum)
In the final 5 weeks of the training program, learners will attend 5 weeks of work experience (practicum) where they will be challenged to apply all areas of acquired classroom knowledge to practical real-life circumstances. Work hours will be a minimum of 25-40 hours per week (depending on the employer’s needs) for the duration of the practicum placement.
Additional Information
This program is funded by Alberta Human Services. Students may be eligible to receive financial assistance to attend full-time studies. Please contact the college at 403-235-9300 for further details.
The Accounting Assistant program follows a mastery learning model. These sessions will be delivered on an as needed basis. Students whose weekly test results fall below the Mastery Learning level must attend tutorial classes that Friday afternoon. Concentration will be focused on areas that the student does not understand. These tutorials provide learners who are having trouble with additional staff support. Focus will be placed on mastering the competencies and skills required to become successful in the accounting field.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will receive a Certificate of program completion (must achieve minimum course requirement of 70% or higher in each course). All graduates will be invited to attend Columbia College’s Convocation ceremony.
Employers of Graduates
Calgary Board of Education, H&R Block, Scotia Bank, Southland Transportation, CIBC
Course Features
- Lectures 1
- Quizzes 0
- Duration 50 hours
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 0
- Assessments Yes
