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Accounting Technician Diploma
The Accounting Technician Diploma is a two-year program designed to prepare graduates for positions as para-professionals that serve alongside professional accountants in industry, public practice, and government doing much of the support work. Graduates find employment with public accounting firms working on files and basic tax returns; as payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, or general accounting clerks in larger organizations; or as bookkeepers with smaller businesses.
Those who complete just the first year will be awarded a Business Foundations Certificate. This qualifies graduates for some entry-level positions, but they are encouraged to continue their education part-time or online if possible.
If you enjoy working with people and have good communication and problem solving skills, this program could be for you.
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this program, students are able to:
- Prepare effective business documents including memorandums and short reports.
- Solve business problems using complex quantitative techniques.
- Describe the environment that businesses operating in, the functions of management, and the role of different management disciplines.
- Maintain the financial records of a small- and intermediate-sized business using computerized accounting software.
- Utilize spreadsheet and other application software in day-to-day work activities.
- Explain how effective management information systems can contribute to an organization’s success.
- Discuss how human and interpersonal behaviour theory can be applied to maximize organizational efficiency.
- Collect and analyze complex information to assist management in making more effective operational decisions.
- Compute the income taxes payables for an individual or corporation applying effective tax planning strategies.
- Manage an organization’s operating and fixed assets effectively and fund those assets with an optimal mix of debt and equity financing.
- Apply the basic principles of contract, tort, employment and other areas of business law to decision making.
Admission requirements
- B.C. Grade 12 or mature student status.
- Foundations Math 12 or Pre-Calculus Math 12 with a minimum C+ or equivalent.
- English 12/English 12 First Peoples with a minimum of 73 per cent or equivalent.
Students may commence their studies while they upgrade their English and Mathematics.
Program requirements
First year
MATH 1070 Mathematics for Business and Economics (3,1.5,0)(recommended)MATH 1070 Mathematics for Business and Economics (3,1.5,0)Credits: 3 credits This course is designed for Business and Economics students. Topics include linear and non-linear functions and models applied to cost, revenue, profit, demand and supply, systems of equations (linear and nonlinear), matrices, linear programming, difference equations, and mathematics of finance (including simple and compound interest, annuities, mortgages, and loans).
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MATH 1100 Finite Math with Applications 1 (3, 1.5, 0)MATH 1100 Finite Math with Applications 1 (3, 1.5, 0)Credits: 3 credits This course is intended primarily for Liberal Arts or Tourism students. Students solve problems that have direct relevance in the “real world." Topics to be covered include sets, counting, probability, matrices, linear programming, and math of finance.
Prerequisites: Foundations of Math 11 with a minimum grade of 67% (C+) or Pre-Calculus 11 with a minimum grade of 67% (C+) or Foundations of Math 12 with a minimum grade of 60% (C) or MATH 0510 with a minimum grade of C- or MATH 0520 with a minimum grade of C- or MATH 0523 with a minimum grade of C- or MATH 0650 with a minimum grade of C-
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ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing (3,0,0)ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students explore the practices of reading and writing in scholarly contexts by investigating a chosen topic or issue. Students read, critically analyze, and synthesize information and ideas found in appropriate secondary sources and coming from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. They also develop their abilities to communicate knowledge by composing in the genres and sub-genres of scholarly writing, including the incorporation of research and documentation while using a clear, persuasive, grammatically-correct style.
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MNGT 1710 Introduction to Business (3,0,0)MNGT 1710 Introduction to Business (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This course introduces students to the fundamentals of many business disciplines such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resource management, supply chain management, and entrepreneurship. Students will engage with community business experts for example guest speakers, who will share their business experience dealing with a wide range of issues. Students will simulate, adapt, and respond to a variety of business challenges, expanding their knowledge of business. Throughout the course students will be encouraged to set goals, reflect on their learning and plan for their futures. Topics include multiple perspectives on business, management functions, forms of business ownership, the importance of entrepreneurship, and Indigenous business.
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ECON 1220 Introduction to Basic Economics (3,0,0)ECON 1220 Introduction to Basic Economics (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students develop a basic understanding of economic principles, which allows for and encourages informed discussion of media-covered issues. Topics include contrasting macroeconomics and microeconomics; gross domestic product; economic growth and business cycles; unemployment and inflation; aggregate supply and demand; scarcity, opportunity costs, globalization and trade; law of supply and demand; accounting versus economic profits; money and exchange rates; government choices, markets, efficiency, and equity; monopoly and competition; externalities, public goods, and free riders.
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ECON 1900 Principles of Microeconomics (3,0,0)(recommended)ECON 1900 Principles of Microeconomics (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the interactions between individuals and firms in various types of markets. Topics include a definition of economics; demand and supply analysis; consumer theory; production and cost; market structure including perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly; market efficiency and market failure; resource markets; and international trade.
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ACCT 2210 Financial Accounting (3,0,0)ACCT 2210 Financial Accounting (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students develop the skills necessary to prepare and analyze the financial statements of a public corporation. Topics include the conceptual framework; accounting standards; the accounting cycle; financial statements; internal control, cash and bank reconciliations; short-term investments and receivables; inventory; long-term assets including intangibles; liabilities including bonds payable; shareholders' equity, dividends, and share repurchases; comprehensive income and the statement of shareholders' equity; statement of cash flows; and financial statement analysis.
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ECON 1900 Principles of Microeconomics (3,0,0)ECON 1900 Principles of Microeconomics (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the interactions between individuals and firms in various types of markets. Topics include a definition of economics; demand and supply analysis; consumer theory; production and cost; market structure including perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly; market efficiency and market failure; resource markets; and international trade.
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ECON 1950 Principles of Macroeconomics (3,0,0)(recommended)ECON 1950 Principles of Macroeconomics (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine economic behaviour at the aggregate level, and the measurement and determination of national income. Topics include an introduction to economics; measuring macroeconomic variables including gross domestic product, unemployment, and inflation; the Keynesian model; aggregate demand and supply; money and banking; the money market; fiscal policy; monetary policy and the central bank; exchange rates and the balance of payments; and economic growth.
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CMNS 1290 Introduction to Professional Writing (3,0,0)CMNS 1290 Introduction to Professional Writing (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students study the theories and practice of professional organizational communication, learning the importance of effective communication to meeting goals, developing and maintaining relationships and the overall facilitation of work. Students develop skills in evaluating communication scenarios, designing communication strategies that meet goals and audience need, including requests, information sharing and persuasion. In addition, students learn to employ writing techniques and editorial skills relevant to professional communication contexts.
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ACCT 2280 Accounting Software Systems (3,0,0)ACCT 2280 Accounting Software Systems (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn to maintain the financial records of a small business using Sage 50 accounting and business management software. It enables detailed tracking, reporting and analysis of business transactions. Topics include general ledger; accounts payable; accounts receivable; payables and receivables setup; payroll journal and setup; inventory transactions; orders, quotes and deposits; currency and remittances; reconciliations and deposits; and comprehensive setup.
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MIST 2610 Management Information Systems (3,0,0)MIST 2610 Management Information Systems (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students acquire the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize information systems and technology in support of organizational strategy. Topics include an introduction to information systems; information systems strategy; ethics, privacy, and policy; data security; data and knowledge management; networks and communications technologies; wireless and mobile computing; e-business and e-commerce; Web 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and social networks; systems development and managing information systems projects; and personal productivity software, including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
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ORGB 2810 Organizational Behaviour (3,0,0)ORGB 2810 Organizational Behaviour (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the behavior of individuals and how they interact with each other in different workplace organizations. Topics include defining organizational behavior; perception, personality and emotions; values, attitudes and their effects in the workplace; motivating self and others; working in teams; communication, conflict and negotiation; power and politics; leadership; decision making, creativity and ethics; and organizational culture and change.
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Second year
ACCT 2250 Management Accounting (3,0,0)ACCT 2250 Management Accounting (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students develop the skills necessary to collect, analyze, and communicate quantitative and non-quantitative information to assist management in making more effective planning and control decisions. Topics include the role of managerial accounting; basic cost management concepts; job, process, hybrid and activity-based costing; cost behaviour and estimation; cost-volume-profit analysis; profit planning and activity-based budgeting; standard costing, flexible budgeting and variance analysis; cost management tools including the balanced scorecard, benchmarking and reengineering; and relevant costs for decision making such as make or buy, special orders, joint products and outsourcing.
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ECON 2320 Economics and Business Statistics 1 (3,0,0)(recommended)ECON 2320 Economics and Business Statistics 1 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students are introduced to statistics with an emphasis on its applications in business and economics. Topics include descriptive statistics and numerical measures; an introduction to probability; discrete and continuous probability distributions; sampling and sampling distributions; interval estimations; and testing hypotheses and statistical inferences.
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STAT 1200 Introduction to Statistics (3,1.5,0)STAT 1200 Introduction to Statistics (3,1.5,0)Credits: 3 credits Students are introduced to statistical reasoning in this course. Students will learn to interpret quantities relating to descriptive statistics; correlation; regression; probability; and probability distributions including the binomial and normal. Students will learn different facets of sampling and experimental design. Students will learn to make appropriate inferences from confidence intervals and hypothesis tests including analysis of variance.
Prerequisites: Foundations of Mathematics 11 or Pre-calculus 11 ,Foundations of Math 12 or MATH 0510 or MATH 0523 or equivalent. MATH 1100 or MATH 1101 is recommended.
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MKTG 2430 Introduction to Marketing (3,0,0)MKTG 2430 Introduction to Marketing (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students receive an overall view of the marketing function, the role of marketing in society and its application within organizations. Topics include an overview of marketing; developing a marketing plan and strategies; analyzing the marketing environment; consumer behaviour; segmentation, targeting, and positioning; developing new products; product, branding, and packaging decisions; pricing concepts and strategies; distribution strategies; and integrated marketing communications.
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HRMN 2820 Human Resource Management (3,0,0)HRMN 2820 Human Resource Management (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students are introduced to the management of an organization's workforce through the design and implementation of effective human resource policies and procedures. Current Canadian issues and practices are emphasized. The topics include the strategic role of human resources management; human resources planning; job analysis and design; recruitment and selection; employment equity; compensation; training and development; performance appraisal; occupational health and safety; and employee and industrial relations.
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ACCT 3200 Intermediate Financial Accounting 1 (3,0,0)ACCT 3200 Intermediate Financial Accounting 1 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn to prepare the income statement, statement of retained earnings, and asset side of the statement of financial position. Topics include the Canadian reporting environment; the conceptual framework; the income statement including irregular items and comprehensive income; overview of the statement of financial position and statement of cash flows; revenue recognition; cash and receivables; inventory; long-term and short-term investments; property plant and equipment including depreciation, impairment, and disposition; and intangible assets including impairment and goodwill. Instruction is based on International Financial Reporting Standards.
Prerequisites:
ACCT 1000 minimum B- or ACCT 1211 minimum B-
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ACCT 1221 minimum B- or ACCT 2210 or equivalent with a minimum B-
CMNS 1290 or equivalent minimum C-
Exclusion Requisites:
ACCT 3201, BBUS 3200, BBUS 3201 |
ACCT 3220 Income Taxation 1 (3,0,0)ACCT 3220 Income Taxation 1 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the conceptual structure of the Income Tax Act and the application of its rules to practical situations. Topics include an introduction to federal taxation; procedures and administration; income or loss from office, employment, business, or property; capital cost allowances and cumulative eligible capital; capital gains and losses; other income and deductions; and calculation of taxable income and tax payable for individuals.
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FNCE 2120 Financial Management (3,0,0)FNCE 2120 Financial Management (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students develop a basic understanding of business finance, which deals with how organizations effectively manage their operating and fixed assets and fund them with an optimal mix of debt and equity financing. Topics include the role of the financial manager; goals of the firm; financial statement analysis; time value of money; risk and return including beta and the capital asset pricing model; common and preferred share valuation; bond valuation and interest rates; capital budgeting; cost of capital; and optimal capital structure.
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BLAW 2910 Commercial Law (3,0,0)BLAW 2910 Commercial Law (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the legal environment in which businesses operate and how common law and different provincial and federal government statutes influence decision making. Topics include origins of Canadian law; resolving disputes and navigating the court system; tort law, contract law; sales of goods and consumer protection; methods of carrying on business; workplace law; property law; and creditor law.
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ACCT 3210 Intermediate Financial Accounting 2 (3,0,0)ACCT 3210 Intermediate Financial Accounting 2 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Building on ACCT 3200: Intermediate Financial Accounting 1, students learn to prepare the current liabilities, long-term liabilities, and shareholders' equity sections of the statement of financial position and the cash flow statement. Topics include current liabilities and contingencies; long-term liabilities; advanced shareholders' equity; complex financial instruments and earnings per share; income taxes; pensions and other employee future benefits; leases; accounting changes and error analysis; statement of cash flows; and other measurement and disclosure issues. Instruction is based on International Financial Reporting Standards.
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ACCT 3220 Income Taxation 1 (3,0,0)ACCT 3220 Income Taxation 1 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the conceptual structure of the Income Tax Act and the application of its rules to practical situations. Topics include an introduction to federal taxation; procedures and administration; income or loss from office, employment, business, or property; capital cost allowances and cumulative eligible capital; capital gains and losses; other income and deductions; and calculation of taxable income and tax payable for individuals.
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ACCT 3250 Intermediate Management Accounting (3,0,0)ACCT 3250 Intermediate Management Accounting (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Building on ACCT 2250: Management Accounting, students further develop their ability to use quantitative and non-quantitative information to make effective planning and control decisions. Topics include an in-depth study of the balanced scorecard and profitability analysis; interdepartmental cost allocation; cost allocation for joint products and byproducts; revenue and customer profitability analysis; process costing including spoilage, rework and scrap; cost management and the theory of constraints; capital budgeting; and transfer pricing and multinational management control systems.
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Students must achieve a grade of C- or better in all courses to graduate. Those who plan on pursuing the Bachelor of Business Administration are recommended to take MATH 1070, ECON 1900, ECON 1950, and ECON 2320.
