Overview
The part-time Professional Accounting Certificate is tailored for working professionals seeking up-to-date, job-relevant skills in accounting and finance for today’s economy. You can learn at your own pace and fit courses into your schedule with flexibility, offered at different times and locations. Program courses are transferable to CPABC.
Are you ready to begin or accelerate an accounting career but unsure how? The Professional Accounting certificate program is an excellent place to start—by learning the basics of accounting, you’ll learn to prepare and analyze financial statements, create strategies to reduce corporate and personal income tax, and generate financial forecasts.
And by learning from working professionals in the field, you’ll gain the most current, job-relevant skills in accounting and finance to make sure you’re ready for today’s economy. Additionally, you’ll be able to work at your own pace and around your own schedule with flexible courses available at different times, at two locations, or online. Program courses are also transferable to the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC).
About the program
- Part-time certificate program
- Flexible training with in-person and online courses
- Build a solid foundation of accounting skills necessary to begin your career
Learn more about how you can prepare for a rewarding career in accounting at the Program Details.
Who should complete the Professional Accounting Certificate?
This program might be right for you if:
- You already have business skills but need accounting skills
- You’re ready to explore a range of accounting opportunities
- You’re interested in obtaining work in a variety of industries
- You’re good with numbers and analysis
Whether you’re currently working and hoping to transition into a new career or have a degree and hope to gain additional skills to better your job prospects, you can begin working toward your accounting career by enrolling today at the Entrance Requirements page!
What grads can do
You might apply your new skills to advance your current position in accounts payable or more effectively run your small business. Or you might use your certificate to help you find work in entry-level accounting or finance and administration. Either way, the job-relevant skills you earn through this program help prepare you both for a rewarding career and also for further professional development if you choose to pursue a diploma or degree.
Every single industry relies on effective accounting, and so your opportunities here in BC and worldwide are many. Visit the Graduating and Jobs page to learn more.
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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 day time 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 submit an 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
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
- 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
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
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
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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.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
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- Next up Courses
Courses
Important Updates to Flexible Learning
English Requirement: Find out more.
Combining small class size with working industry professionals as instructors, these courses give you personal attention and the most current, job-relevant skills you need in accounting. You’ll build an essential foundation of skills for a range of accounting positions by studying topics like taxation, financial accounting, business mathematics and more.
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.
1. Required Courses: | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
COMM 1103 | Introduction to Business and Technical Communication | 3.0 | |
FMGT 1100 | Accounting 1* | 4.0 | |
FMGT 2100 | Accounting 2* | 5.5 | |
FMGT 3110 | Financial Accounting 1 | 5.0 | |
FMGT 3210 | Cost/Managerial Accounting 1 | 4.0 | |
FMGT 3410 | Taxation 1 | 4.0 | |
FMGT 4110 | Financial Accounting 2 | 5.5 | |
FMGT 4210 | Cost and Managerial Accounting 2 | 5.5 | |
FMGT 4410 | Taxation 2 | 5.5 | |
OPMT 1110 | Business Mathematics | 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 |
|||
2. Complete a minimum of 4.0 credits from the following list of electives: | Credits | ||
ECON 2200 | Macroeconomics | 4.0 | |
OPMT 1130 | Business Statistics | 5.5 | |
ORGB 1105 | Organizational Behaviour | 4.0 | |
3. Complete the following computer related course: | Credits | ||
FMGT 2711 | Computerized Accounting | 3.0 | |
4. Complete a minimum of 4.5 credits from the following: | Credits | ||
Financial Management courses or other technologies in Business. Please submit an Application for Program Approval to BCIT Student Records for processing. Elective courses may include: |
|||
BLAW 3100 | Business Law | 4.0 | |
BSUS 1110 | Introduction to Sustainable Business Management | 4.0 | |
BSYS 1001 | Business Information Systems 1-Microsoft 365 for Windows | 3.0 | |
BSYS 2000 | Applied Data Analytics in Excel | 4.0 | |
BUSA 2005 | Principles of Management | 4.0 | |
BUSA 4705 | Leading People and Teams Across Cultures | 4.0 | |
BUSA 5030 | Independent Business Studies 1 | 3.0 | |
COMM 2202 | Business and Technical Correspondence | 3.0 | |
COMM 2203 | Business and Technical Reports | 3.0 | |
ECON 2100 | Microeconomics | 3.0 | |
ECON 2200 | Macroeconomics | 4.0 | |
FMGT 1540 | Credit and Collections | 3.0 | |
FMGT 2701 | Management Information Systems | 3.0 | |
FMGT 2820 | Investment and Risk Management | 3.0 | |
FMGT 3310 | Auditing 1 | 3.0 | |
FMGT 3720 | Advanced Computer Applications 1 | 4.0 | |
FMGT 4310 | Auditing 2 | 5.5 | |
FMGT 4710 | Advanced Computer Applications 2 | 5.5 | |
FMGT 4915 | Payroll Essentials | 2.5 | |
FMGT 7121 | Advanced Accounting | 3.0 | |
MKTG 1102 | Essentials of Marketing | 3.0 | |
MKTG 1323 | Effective Presentation Skills | 3.0 | |
OPMT 1130 | Business Statistics | 5.5 | |
OPMT 3197 | Management Science | 4.0 | |
ORGB 1105 | Organizational Behaviour | 4.0 | |
Total Credits: | 57.5 |
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.
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Program Details
This program is designed to give you a flexible, accommodating way to train for a successful career in accounting. Courses in the program are offered at multiple times every term with options for classroom and online study to best suit your needs.
With courses that give you a comprehensive overview of accounting and finance, you’ll quickly develop the usable skills, knowledge, and confidence that you need to find, secure, and excel in many entry-level accounting positions.
Program delivery
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
Courses are also offered through online learning.
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- Next up Graduating & Jobs
Graduating & Jobs
By earning your certificate, you’ll be gaining the practical, job-related skills you need for day-to-day responsibilities in many entry-level accounting positions. And whether you use your training in your current position to better manage your small business, advance your current career, or begin a new one, this program will give you the necessary skills for success.
Some job opportunities include:
- Accounting Clerk
- Accounts Payable Generalist
- Financial Auditor
- Bookkeeper
- Insurance Clerk
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.
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.
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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?
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