Computerized Accounting

Associate Certificate Part-time School of Business + Media

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Program Overview

Credential: Associate Certificate
Format: Part-time
Start Dates: Sept, Jan, Apr
Campus: Burnaby, Vancouver
Domestic Tuition: $4,700*
International Tuition: Read More
*cost estimate

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Overview

The part-time Computerized Accounting Associate Certificate, consisting of 9 courses, is designed to help small business owners and accounting beginners acquire essential computer skills for basic accounting and bookkeeping. Students will become proficient in using business applications such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Google Docs, and more.

Your time is valuable, and if you find that you need stronger, more specific software skills for accounting, it probably means you need them fast, and through a flexible schedule. The Associate Certificate in Computerized Accounting program prepares you with a foundation of accounting and software skills, with courses and options that meet your needs.

About the program

9-course Associate Certificate program
Introductory certificate program
Flexible course options including in-class, online, and distance learning

Learn more about whether this program is for you at the Program Details.

Who should complete the Associate Certificate in Computerized Accounting?

This program might be for you if you:

Want to get into accounting and need a starting point to begin
Are already working and looking for professional development
Hope to transition into an accounting/finance position or to enhance your current position
Are a small business owner who needs to manage your accounting

If any of these apply to you, visit the Entrance Requirements page to enroll today.

What grads can do

With the accounting and software skills you’ll develop in this certificate program, you’ll prepare to advance into a new career, grow in your current accounting position, or better manage and run your business. Many of our students graduate and work as accounting clerks or bookkeepers immediately upon completion of their certificate and then pursue additional training part-time for even more job opportunities while working in their field.

You’ll also be able to apply the credits earned in this program toward earning additional certificates, a BCIT diploma, or Bachelor of Accounting degree.

Find out more about the opportunities and options available at the Graduating and Jobs page.

Entrance Requirements

About Flexible Learning

Take a single course, or work towards a credential — all at a pace that’s right for you.

Part-time courses are offered in a variety of scheduling formats, including at night or on weekends, flexible daytime delivery, or you can opt for distance or online learning. If you meet the prerequisites and there’s space available, you can register for a course immediately. Courses are offered in each of three terms: Fall (September), Winter (January) and Spring/Summer (April).

To apply to this Flexible Learning program and earn your credential, you simply need to complete a program application. Applications are processed throughout the year.

Application processing

This program is open to applications beginning:

February 1st* for the January intake
May 1st* for the April intake
October 1st* for the September intake

*or next business day

Entrance requirements

Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first-qualified basis.

English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent

International applicants

This program is available to international applicants who currently have a valid status in Canada. A valid 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

Learn more about how to apply

Scheduled Intakes

Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.

Costs & Supplies

Bring your own device

Most courses and programs in the School of Business + Media are BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Please ensure you bring a laptop to every class. Plug-in outlets will be provided at most stations in classrooms, but not in all classrooms, so please ensure you have at least 2 hours of battery life available at the beginning of each class. Check the following recommended computer requirements prior to the start of class. If a program or course does not require you to provide your own device, that information will be provided by your instructor or indicated in the course outline.

For online classes, it is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content.

Tuition fees

Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information on domestic and international tuitions.

Courses

Important Updates to Flexible Learning

English Requirement: Find out more.

In order to best prepare you to manage a small business or work as part of a larger accounting team, you’ll train on the most current, applicable software for business. Through your eight core courses, you’ll develop an understanding of computer terminology, operating systems, accounting software systems, and the most popular office software used in business like Microsoft’s suite of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as Google Spreadsheets, and Keynote. You’ll also get an introduction to cloud computing and enterprise collaboration tools, social media, Web-based collaboration, and publishing and productivity tools such as WordPress, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Please note: part-time programs and courses are open enrolment and although we make every effort to accommodate demand, course registration cannot be guaranteed in every semester. High demand courses fill quickly and may result in students unable to register for a course that semester. Courses may also be cancelled due to low enrolment.

Program matrix

Check current availability of courses for this program.

Required Courses:			Credits
	BSYS 1001	Business Information Systems 1-Microsoft 365 for Windows Computers and information technology are the foundation of business today and an essential tool in the current labour market. This course provides a deep understanding of computer terminology, operating systems, and the most popular software applications used in business. The course discusses up to date technology issues and challenges that affect and impact the business environment. At the end of the course students will become proficient on Microsoft Office applications; specifically, in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Power Point. Students work individually on projects in lab settings and complete a number of individual projects and quizzes /exams. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	3.0
	BSYS 2000	Applied Data Analytics in Excel In an information-based society, every enterprise requires business analytics and decision support systems to enable a competitive advantage. As a result, knowledge workers across all industries increasingly require an understanding of data modelling and advanced data management and analytical techniques. Building off the foundational skills learned in BSYS-1000, this course leverages the Microsoft ecosystem, including Access, Excel and Power Query, Microsoft's data transformation and data preparation engine, to perform complex data management tasks. Advanced formulae, concepts, and data modelling theory will enable students to connect to various types of data to enable the analysis and presentation of data to enable business insight. Prerequisite(s): 50% in BSYS 1000 course outline	4.0
	FMGT 1100	Accounting 1* This course covers the full accounting cycle for individuals with little or no accounting background. Topics include accounting as an information system; introduction to accounting theory; income measure; traditional record keeping; the accounting cycle; cash and financial statements. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	4.0
	FMGT 2100	Accounting 2* This course is the second of two designed to provide first year students with a general understanding of the nature, purpose and general procedures of accounting. The course examines notes and accounts receivables; capital assets; liabilities; partnerships; corporations and consolidations; international transactions; financial statement analysis; and cash flow statements. Prerequisite(s): 50% in FMGT 1100 or 50% in FMGT 1105 course outline	5.5
	FMGT 2701	Management Information Systems This course provides a comprehensive overview and the relevance of management information systems in the accounting sector. Students will gain capabilities that will enable them to analyze information systems within the framework of modern business environments. In addition, the course will examine management information systems and different technologies as enablers and facilitators of business strategy. Different systems, methods, and digital tools will be discussed to set and control performance and improve managerial decision-making. This course meets the requirements set by the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Competency Map. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	3.0
	FMGT 2711	Computerized Accounting A specialist module that introduces students to the Windows operating system, computer-based financial information systems, and comprehensive accounting and record keeping for a small business. Prerequisite(s): 50% in FMGT 1100 or 50% in FMGT 1105 or 50% in FMGT 1110 course outline	3.0
	FMGT 3720	Advanced Computer Applications 1 This course introduces students to Intuit's QuickBooks (online) and Sage 300 ERP accounting software as well as an introduction to Data and Analytics using various tools including Excel, Power BI and Tableau. QuickBooks, is typically used by small businesses and not-for-profit entities while Sage 300 ERP is used by larger organizations. Students are introduced to various commonly used features, including transaction entry, file management master record maintenance and reporting features including printing financial statements. Prerequisite(s): (50% in BSYS 2050 and 50% in BSYS 2060) or (50% in BSYS 2051 and 50% in BSYS 2061) or 50% in FMGT 2100 or 50% in FMGT 2105 and (50% in FMGT 2710 or 50% in FMGT 2711 or 50% in COMP 1255) course outline	4.0
	FMGT 4710	Advanced Computer Applications 2 This course is divided into two parts: One part builds on the learning from FMGT 3720 and continues to develop Data and Analytics skills using various tools including Excel, Power BI and Tableau. In the other part, Excel is used to analyze data and to build a Financial Model. Prerequisite(s): 50% in FMGT 3720 course outline	5.5
and
	FMGT 3210	Cost/Managerial Accounting 1 This course emphasizes the following: role of the management accountant, cost concepts & terminology, job costing, cost-volume- profit- analysis, activity-based costing & activity-based management, budgeting and control, standard costs, variance analysis and income effects of alternative inventory costing methods. Cost and Managerial Accounting 1 will also demonstrate how to use financial information and various decision-making tools to make sound business decisions. Prerequisite(s): 50% in FMGT 2100 or 50% in FMGT 2105 or 60% in ACCG 5110 course outline	4.0
	or
	FMGT 3224	Managerial Accounting (OPMT) Designed to give non-accounting majors an appreciation of the uses and limitations of cost and managerial accounting in the decision-making processes of an organization. Emphasis will be placed on identifying the relevance of this discipline to other functional areas: capital budgeting, production planning, cost minimization, contribution maximization, pricing and marketing policies. Concepts will be related to both manufacturing and knowledge-based, service business environments. Students will study a variety of analytical techniques that can be applied to financial and operational data to support management decisions. Prerequisite(s): 50% in FMGT 2100 or 50% in FMGT 2105 course outline	4.0
*Students intending to proceed to the Accounting, Finance or Financial Planning diploma programs must achieve a final grade of 70% or greater in FMGT 1100 and FMGT 2100.

Total Credits:			36.0

Check current availability of courses for this program.

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

The Associate Certificate in Computerized Accounting program is designed to help small business owners and people new to accounting develop the computer skills necessary for basic accounting and bookkeeping.

The courses in this program, all developed and taught by working professionals, give you the most up-to-date information with hands-on learning for the usable skills you’ll need with business’s most necessary programs like Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Google Documents, WordPress, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Program delivery

Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.

Courses are scheduled in a classroom delivery format at the Burnaby and Downtown campuses. Some courses are also offered through distance and online learning.

Program location

Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC

Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC

Courses are also offered through online learning.

Continue your education

Graduates can advance their studies through a BCIT certificate, diploma, and degree programs, or pursue any of the three bookkeeper certifications and accreditations available in Canada, specifically, Registered Professional Bookkeeper (RPB), Certified Bookkeeper (CB), and Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB).

Graduating & Jobs

In this program, you’ll develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary for developing your career. The specific focus on applicable learning gives you the computer savvy to produce accounting and bookkeeping documents and prepares you for additional study in accounting and finance if you choose.

Some opportunities include:

Small business management
Accounting Clerk
Bookkeeper

Plus, when you complete your Associate Certificate in Computerized Accounting, you’ll have the option to transfer your course credits toward further study through BCIT’s other programs, including certificates, diplomas, or the Bachelor of Accounting to propel your career even further.

Graduate employment outcomes

The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.

To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.

Computerized Accounting

Apply for graduation

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.

Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.

All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.

Contact Us

For program related inquiries, please reach out to:
fmgtpts@bcit.ca

Deacon Devlin
Flexible Learning Coordinator – Accounting, Finance, and Insurance
604-412-7453 | Deacon_Devlin@bcit.ca

Contact a Flexible Learning Program Advisor with the BCIT program name in the subject line if you have a question about:

Course selection and program planning
Declaring your program
Making changes to your approved program plan
Applying for transfer credit and advanced placement
Laddering options
Job placement and graduate outcomes
Student life

Questions or comments?

Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.