Overview
BCIT's two-year Accounting Diploma program lays the foundation for a successful career in business and accounting. Benefit from experienced industry instructors and gain valuable insights into how accounting is the backbone of businesses. Apply today to prepare for your CPA designation and unlock the keys to success in the business world.
In just two years, this highly experiential program will prepare you to step into a corporate office or head back into the classroom to complete your bachelor’s degree. The road to CPA designation is an easy one with the accounting programs at BCIT.
About the program
- Two year, full-time diploma
- After graduation, complete your bachelor’s degree in just one year
- Prepare for CPA designation
Learn more about accounting accreditation and designation with our Program Details.
Who should apply for the Accounting Diploma?
The Accounting diploma program is right for you if you:
- Have completed high school or higher
- Have a degree and need accounting upgrading
- Are looking to earn your CPA designation
- Want to pursue a multi-faceted business career
Ready to enroll in the Accounting diploma program? Visit Entrance Requirements to get started.
What grads can do
Thanks to the comprehensive courses included in the Accounting diploma program, graduates of the program are ready for entry-level and mid-level positions in a variety of business settings. They are also prepared to further their education by completing a bachelor’s degree in as little as one extra year.
To find out more about the positions Accounting diploma grads enter, visit Graduating and Jobs.
International study
BCIT offers a number of international study opportunities that helps students gain a global perspective of the economy, culture, government, and everyday life of the country they study in. You could participate in a summer field school or complete an international degree. Learn more about studying abroad.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Open to applications beginning October 1st (or next business day).
Entrance requirements
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains.
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
- Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (67%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (67%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (67%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses
Recommended for success
Strong mathematic skills are required for success in BCIT Business diplomas. If you feel that you would like to upgrade your math skills, you should complete OPMT 0199 or OPMT 0023 before commencing the program.International applicants
This program is available to international applicants.
Study permit: A valid BCIT study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
September each year.
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
Advanced Placement
Conditions
You may be eligible to apply to an advanced level of the program through either re-admission or direct entry. Please note that applications are considered based on:
- Complete applications: you must show proof that you have completed (or are registered in) all requirements to be considered.
- Competitive entry: if the number of applicants exceeds available seats, BCIT will accept those deemed to have the best opportunity for success.
- Seat availability: confirmation may not be available until approximately one week before the term begins.
Re-admission
You can apply for re-admission if you:
- were previously admitted to this program and completed part of it at BCIT and
- want to re-enter the program at an advanced level.
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Submit the Course-by-Course Self-Assessment Form [PDF] with your application.
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
Direct entry
BCIT accepts complete applications starting:
- February 1st* for level 2 (January start)
- October 1st* for level 3 (September start)
*or next business day
There are four options for direct entry. If you are applying through options 1, 2, or 3, you must submit an online application. Option 4 applicants, submit your application for transfer directly to BCIT Admissions.
Applications to level 2 or 3.
Submit the following with your online application:
- Proof of meeting all general entrance requirements (excluding Math 11)
- Course-by-Course Self-Assessment Form [PDF] showing that you have completed all of the required courses for the level to which you are applying
Required courses
If you are applying to level 2, you must show proof of completion of (or registration in) the level 1 courses (or equivalents) below.
If you are applying to level 3, you must show proof of completion of (or registration in) the level 1 and 2 courses (or equivalents) below.
Level 1 courses
| Full-time | Course Name | Part-time Equivalent |
| BSYS 1000 | Business Information Systems | BSYS 1001 |
| COMM 1100 | Business Communication 1 | COMM 1103 or COMM 1106 |
| ECON 2100 | Microeconomics | ECON 2100 |
| FMGT 1105* (65%) | Accounting 1 for Financial Management | FMGT 1100 (70% or B-) |
| MKTG 1102 | Essentials of Marketing | MKTG 1102 |
| OPMT 1110 | Business Mathematics | OPMT 1110 |
Level 2 courses
| Full-time | Course Name | Part-time Equivalent |
| BSYS 2000 | Applied Data Analytics in Excel | BSYS 2222 |
| BUSA 2150 | Introduction to Organizational Development | BUSA 2005 and ORGB 1105 |
| COMM 2200 | Business Communication 2 | COMM 2202 and COMM 2002 or COMM 2202 and COMM 2003 |
| ECON 2200 | Macroeconomics | ECON 2200 |
| FMGT 2105* (65%) | Accounting 2 for Financial Management | FMGT 2100 (70% or B-) |
| FMGT 2701 | Management Information Systems | FMGT 2701 |
| OPMT 1130 | Business Statistics | OPMT 1197 |
*Note: Accounting courses completed in the UK or the United States may be considered for transfer credit toward FMGT 1105/1100 and FMGT 2105/2100.
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
Applications to level 2 or 3.
Submit the following with your online application:
- Proof of meeting all general entrance requirements (excluding Math 11)
- Proof of diploma or degree* in any discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution
- Course-by-Course Self-Assessment Form [PDF] showing that you have completed all of the required courses below
*If you have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you will require a basic evaluation of your credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered.
Required courses for direct entry to level 2:
| Full-time | Course Name | Part-time Equivalent |
| COMM 1100* | Business Communication 1 | COMM 1103 or COMM 1106 |
| FMGT 1105** (65%) | Accounting 1 for Financial Management | FMGT 1100 (70% or B-) |
Required courses for direct entry to level 3:
| Full-time | Course Name | Part-time Equivalent |
| FMGT 1105** (65%) | Accounting 1 for Financial Management | FMGT 1100 (70% or B-) |
| FMGT 2105** (65%) | Accounting 2 for Financial Management | FMGT 2100 (70% or B-) |
The following courses are recommended for completion prior to admission into level 3, but are mandatory for graduation from the program.
| Full-time | Course Name | Part-time Equivalent |
| COMM 1100* | Business Communication 1 | COMM 1103 or COMM 1106 |
| COMM 2200* | Business Communication 2 | COMM 2202 (or 2002) and COMM 2203 (or 2003) |
| FMGT 2701 | Management Information Systems | FMGT 2701 |
*Note: For accredited Canadian or US credentials, if you have achieved a bachelor’s degree the COMM 1100 and 2200 courses may be waived. If you have an associate degree or a diploma, COMM 1103 (or 1106) and COMM 2202 (or 2002) may be waived. Note that COMM 2203 (or 2003) will still be required.
**Note: Accounting courses completed in the UK or the United States may be considered for transfer credit for FMGT 1105/1100 and FMGT 2105/2100.
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
If you are an adult learner, you may be eligible to complete an Advanced Placement and Prior Learning (APPL) assessment to qualify for direct entry to an advanced level of the program. Visit the SITE Centre to find out if you are eligible, and to learn more about the assessment process and associated fees.
Submit the following with your online application:
- Proof of meeting all general entrance requirements
- Approved Advanced Placement and Prior Learning (APPL) Assessment
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
If you are currently in a full-time BCIT School of Business diploma program and wish to transfer:
- Print the School of Business Program Change form [PDF].
- Make an appointment with the program heads to review your eligibility to transfer.
- If you are transferring to Level 3, you may be required to complete one or more bridging courses.
- Submit the following to BCIT Admissions:
- Approved School of Business Program Change form
- Completed Course-by-Course Self-Assessment form for your current program (found on your current program’s Advanced Placement page)
Do not apply online.
Direct entry FAQs
- When should I apply?
- When will I be accepted?
- Can I take courses in advance to reduce my course load?
- When will I get my timetable?
- When can I buy my books?
- It is recommended that you apply when you have met all of the entrance requirements. If you are currently registered in a course, please indicate this on the self-assessment form.
- Once your application has been assessed and has been approved for direct entry, a seat must become available in the program you have selected. The Admissions department must wait until the current students obtain their final grades in either December or May to determine how many seats will become available for direct entry applicants.
- In order to maintain a competitive application, it is recommended that you take no more than two courses per term ahead of time. A maximum of two courses per level are eligible for credit. Note that this will not reduce your full-time program tuition.
- Print your timetable one day prior to class start by logging into my.bcit.ca and going to Student Self-Service. You must be registered in your courses in order to access this feature. If you know the set to which you have been assigned, you can also find your timetable on the School of Business Timetables page.
- It is recommended that you wait until the first week of classes before buying textbooks. Your instructors will tell you which books to buy.
To register for a Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) course, visit Register for Flexible Learning Courses or contact Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Still have questions? Review the Admissions FAQ or contact Program Advising.
Additional options for degree holders
Advanced Diploma in Professional Accounting
This program is a fast track to the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. If you have a degree (in any discipline) and want to complete all of the CPA Preparatory classes in less than a year, this program is for you.
BCIT has small class sizes where you get to know your instructors and provides exemplary career support, where more than 94% of graduates get jobs in their field. Our cohort model can help you build your professional network with a thriving BCIT community of students and graduates in the industry. At BCIT, you are much more than a student number, and your success means everything!
Upon completing this program, you can start the CPA journey, working in the field while completing your CPA designation. CPAs are in high demand, and the CPA designation leads to rewarding careers in accounting and finance.
The Advanced Diploma in Professional Accounting program can be completed in two ways:
- In 12-month full-time studies at BCIT’s downtown campus, during the day in a class cohort format
- At your own pace through Flexible Learning with courses scheduled on evenings, weekends, and virtually
Full program details and further information can be found here.
Costs & Supplies
Bring your own device
Students are required to have their own laptop. Please refer to the Bring Your Own Device Specifications [PDF] for requirements.
Laptop costs vary depending on the configuration chosen, but will likely range from approximately $1,000 to $2,000.
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition and fees, visit:
Books & supplies
Level 1: $542; Level 2: $388; Level 3: $981; Level 4: $758
(General estimated cost, subject to change)
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Courses
Students should be aware that course exemptions can be claimed for a maximum of two courses per level. Please note that not all optional courses are offered every year. Offerings are at the discretion of the program faculty.
Program matrix
| Level 1 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BSYS 1000 | Business Information Systems | 3.0 | |
| COMM 1100 | Business Communication 1 | 3.0 | |
| ECON 2100 | Microeconomics | 3.0 | |
| FMGT 1105 | Accounting 1 for Financial Management | 5.0 | |
| MKTG 1102 | Essentials of Marketing | 3.0 | |
| OPMT 1110 | Business Mathematics | 4.0 | |
Students must achieve a minimum grade of 50% in FMGT 1105 or 70% in FMGT 1100 to take FMGT 2105. |
|||
| Level 2 (20 weeks) | Credits | ||
| BSYS 2000 | Applied Data Analytics in Excel | 4.0 | |
| BUSA 2150 | Introduction to Organizational Development | 4.0 | |
| COMM 2200 | Business Communication 2 | 4.0 | |
| ECON 2200 | Macroeconomics | 4.0 | |
| FMGT 2105 | Accounting 2 for Financial Management | 6.5 | |
| FMGT 2701 | Management Information Systems* | 3.0 | |
| OPMT 1130 | Business Statistics | 5.5 | |
| *denotes a half-term course | |||
| Level 3 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
| BLAW 3100 | Business Law | 4.0 | |
| FMGT 3110 | Financial Accounting 1 | 5.0 | |
| FMGT 3210 | Cost/Managerial Accounting 1 | 4.0 | |
| FMGT 3410 | Taxation 1 | 4.0 | |
| FMGT 3510 | Finance 1 | 4.0 | |
| FMGT 3720 | Advanced Computer Applications 1 | 4.0 | |
| Level 4 (20 weeks) | Credits | ||
| FMGT 4110 | Financial Accounting 2 | 5.5 | |
| FMGT 4210 | Cost and Managerial Accounting 2 | 5.5 | |
| FMGT 4410 | Taxation 2 | 5.5 | |
| FMGT 4510 | Finance 2 | 5.5 | |
| FMGT 4710 | Advanced Computer Applications 2 | 5.5 | |
| FMGT 4915 | Payroll Essentials | 2.5 | |
| FMGT 4920 | Career Preparation | 4.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 111.0 | ||
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
Program length
Two years, full-time
Additional program options
Accreditation
The Chartered Professional Accountants association, CPA Canada and the Canadian Credit Institute give credit for various subjects, and some graduates are able to achieve a professional designation within two years of receiving their BCIT diploma.
Students who choose the Finance program will write the Canadian Securities Course examination while they are students at BCIT. Successful completion is a mandatory step for anyone considering a career in the field of financial planning, or indeed in any aspect of the investment world. In addition, it is a prerequisite course for all other courses and programs offered by the Canadian Securities Institute.
Program delivery
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
Most of this program will be delivered in person; however, some lectures in the second year of the program will be delivered asynchronously.
Continue your education
The Financial Management department offers an Accounting degree completion program to those who already have an Accounting, Finance, or Financial Planning diploma or equivalent. Please see our Bachelor of Accounting program for more information.
Universities will give credit for subjects taken in the program to those students who wish to continue their training and qualify for a university degree. Block transfer credit arrangements are in effect with Thompson River University, Simon Fraser University, the University of Northern British Columbia, Royal Roads University and Lakehead University.
Graduating & Jobs
Entry-level positions:
- Accounting Clerk
- Internal Auditor
- Staff Accountant
- Budget Analyst
Mid-level positions:
- Intermediate Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Senior Tax Manager
- Controller
Accounting
The Accounting program leads to middle management positions in financial accounting, cost accounting, internal audit and budget preparation. Graduates of this program will usually go on to obtain a professional designation as a CPA.
Beginning salaries
Successful graduates who complete additional training can expect, with significant varied experience, to achieve middle to senior management positions earning annual salaries in excess of $60,000. Achieving this level of success means starting in entry-level positions in financial accounting, cost accounting, internal audit, budget preparation, brokerage, banking, trust and insurance, with starting salaries as high as $3,000 per month.
Testimonials
As a graduate of the Financial Management Professional Accounting Diploma and Bachelor of Technology in Accounting, I feel that my experience through the programs not only has given me the skills and technical knowledge that I needed to excel in my career at Meyers Norris Penny LLP, but also gave me the technical knowledge and the discipline that is required to make it through CASB and successfully pass the UFE.
Jay Parley, CA, Meyers Norris Penny LLP.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Advisory committee
- Mr. J. Nagy, Reid Hurst Nagy
- Mr. H. Chang, Work Safe BC
- Mr. M. Lancaster, Lancaster and David Professional Accountants
- Ms. L. Greguric, CPA Western School of Business
- Mr. W, King, BDO Canada LLP
Contact Us
604-431-4954 | Accounting_Diploma@bcit.ca
International students please contact:
international@bcit.ca
Contact a Program Advisor with the BCIT program name in the subject line if you have a question about:
- Program selection and program planning
- Applying for transfer credit and advanced placement
- Job placement and graduate outcomes
- Student life
Questions or comments?
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