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Business – Accounting 

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Accounting is more than filing taxes and bookkeeping. It’s about understanding a business from the ground up and guiding it through sound financial practice. Whether in manufacturing, services, travel, art, health, fashion, real estate or sports, the options are endless.

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Home / Learn / Programs List / Business – Accounting 
Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
Four semesters
Start Date(s)
January (Winter)
September (Fall)
Locations
Belleville
Open to
Domestic Students
CIP Code
52.0305

Find your career

Accounting skills are in demand in virtually every field: 

  • You could work as a financial analyst, accountant, budget officer, account manager, financial planner, payroll officer or external auditor. 
  • There are opportunities in arts and entertainment, news media, marketing, manufacturing, education, health and wellness, service industries and sports organizations. 
  • Find the right fit – employers include large and small enterprises, the government, as well as not-for-profit agencies – or start your own business. 
  • With third-year studies in Canadian public sector financial management, advanced diploma graduates are uniquely positioned to take advantage of growing opportunities in the public and not-for-profit sectors. 
  • Create the career you want working part-time, full-time, in an office, remotely, locally, nationally or internationally. 
  • Visit ontransfer.ca for additional information on transferring your college diploma to universities in Ontario.  
  • Start at Loyalist and put your career on track to become a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with advanced standing towards a university degree. Visit cpaontario.ca for more details. 

Our grads get great jobs

  • Accountant, Quinte Conservation 
  • Accountant, Wilkinson & Company, LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants 
  • Accounting Manager – Closson Chase Vineyards Inc. 
  • Accounts Payable Associate, Stream Global Services 
  • Auditor, Canada Revenue Agency 
  • Financial Analyst, Corrections Canada 
  • Financial Analyst, Amer Sports Canada Inc. 
  • Junior Accountant, Welch LLP, Chartered Accountants 
  • Office Manager – CBI Health 
  • Personal Banking Officer, Bank of Nova Scotia 
  • Accountant, Habitat for Humanity, Prince Edward Hastings 
  • Accountant, The Children’s Foundation

Is it for you?

People who thrive in accounting have an eye for detail while being able to see the big picture. This may be a good fit if you have skills in: 

  • Written and oral communication 
  • Organization and attention to detail 
  • Analysis and problem-solving 
  • Time management 
  • Systems analysis 
  • Mathematical and deductive reasoning 
  • Critical thinking 
  • Active learning 
  • Clerical knowledge 
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
  • Commitment to excellence 
Loyalist College Business Accounting student, Abraham de Vries, is smiling directly to the camera.

At Loyalist College, classes provide a productive learning environment. The student-instructor relationship is both personal and professional, with instructors readily available to support your success.

Abraham, Business – Accounting

How you'll learn

Experiential learning 

This program delivers concrete, marketable skills with a dual focus on financial and management accounting: 

  • Develop managerial skills in budgeting, product costing and price setting, eliminating financial waste and finding operating efficiencies. 
  • Access opportunities to gain certification in industry-leading software such as MS Excel, Sage 50 Accounting and QuickBooks. 

Outstanding faculty make the difference 

Learn with enthusiastic Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) who take teaching beyond textbooks and into the real world: 

  • Faculty include MBAs and former CFOs with extensive business experience in manufacturing, retail, public and not-for-profit sectors, aviation, transportation, real estate development, corporate acquisitions, business analysis and internal audit. 
  • Professors have worked with high-profile accounting firms including KPMG, Wilkinson & Company and Price Waterhouse Coopers, along with experience in the corporate, public and charitable sectors. 

Courses

COMP1021 Business Computer Applications - Excel

Organizations of varying sizes and in various sectors benefit from the use of spreadsheets. As such, individuals who have highly developed spreadsheet skills using tools such as Microsoft Excel are able to assist these organizations with their functional activities. This course explores skills such as formatting cells and worksheets; using formulas and functions; analyzing and organizing data; and presenting data visually. Upon successful completion of this course, you will have covered the components and related tasks and skills needed to prepare for the MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) certification exam for Excel.

COMP1022 Business Computer Applications 1

This course develops the skills required for success in the business community. Emphasis is placed on writing for the workplace to facilitate the design, creation and delivery of business communications. You will use email, letter and memorandum writing, formal report writing, and internal and external communications to create focused messages with appropriately sourced facts, for a variety of business audiences.

MATH1033 Business Math

Students practice the foundational skills required to comprehend the essentials of business mathematics. Topics students will engage in include an arithmetic and algebra review, percentages, ratios, commercial mathematics, and simple and compound interest.

COMM1083 Effective Business Communication

Effective Business Communications prepares students for the various types of formats used to professionally communicate in the workplace, including emails, memos, letters, reports and presentations. Students apply critical thinking principles and brainstorm solutions to situations and problems in order to develop creative and innovative solutions. Students learn of effective strategies to professionally communicate ideas to a variety of audiences. Students also learn elements of writing and grammar that will enhance communication skills to succeed both academically and in the workplace.

ACCT1000 Financial Accounting 1

Students learn fundamental accounting principles and how to apply them in real-world business scenarios. This course covers the accounting cycle, from recording transactions and preparing financial statements to analyzing adjusting entries and inventory valuation methods. Through hands-on exercises, students develop essential skills to record and communicate financial data and make informed business decisions. This course provides a strong foundation for further accounting studies and practical application in the workplace.

BUSI1016 Introduction to Business

Students learn the fundamentals of business within a Canadian and global context, exploring how businesses operate and the interconnected nature of key organizational functions and concepts. As a foundational course, students develop business acumen to help them achieve success in future courses and in their career as a business professional.

BUSI2027 Advanced Excel Functions

Students learn Excel at an advanced level using key functions to display and organize large sets of data.

ECON2000 Economics

Students explore the impact of micro-economic and macro-economic factors on business opportunities. Through the analysis of current events, students gain an understanding of supply and demand, fiscal and monetary policies, population dynamics, and emerging markets. Students also learn of the growing influence of developing nations, political and economic instability, inflation, fluctuating currencies, protectionism, outsourcing, and regional trading blocs. By the end of the course, students are equipped with the knowledge to analyze and respond to economic changes in the business environment.

ACCT1013 Financial Accounting 2

Students build on foundational accounting skills by exploring internal controls, cash management, and financial reporting for various assets and liabilities. This course covers receivables, property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, and current liabilities, including payroll and sales taxes. Students also examine the characteristics of partnerships and apply accounting principles to partnership transactions. Through practical exercises, students develop the ability to analyze financial data and ensure accurate financial reporting. Prerequisite: ACCT 1000

BUSI2002 Operations Management

Students learn key concepts and functions of operations management. Students explore topics such as quality control, quality assurance, reliability and maintenance principles, forecasting, capacity management, and scheduling. Additionally, students explore benchmarking, documentation, and the design of products and services. Students gain an understanding of how effective operations management contributes to organizational success and efficiency.

MATH1053 Statistics

In this course, you will be introduced to statistics. The course teaches quantitative methods used in data analysis and business decision making with a focus on the use and applications of contemporary statistical software.

GNED1100 Becoming a Global Changemaker

This Loyalist College graduate attributes course will help shape your perspectives, broaden your understanding of important issues affecting our societies today, and equip you with invaluable knowledge and skills that will inform your ability to influence your community in a meaningful and impactful way. By exploring topics such as cultural competency, Indigenous education, entrepreneurship, sustainability, health and wellness, and ecological literacy, you'll be equipped with a powerful toolkit that extends far beyond the classroom.

ACCT2003 Corporate Financial Management 1

Students learn how financial decisions help organizations meet their goals. The course covers key topics such as discounted cash flow analysis, capital budgeting, project risk, and sources of financing like debt, equity, and leasing. Students also explore how capital markets work and the role of investment banks. Learning focuses on applying financial tools to support practical, real-world decision-making in business settings. Prerequisite: MATH 1033

ACCT2025 Financial Accounting 3

Students deepen their understanding of financial accounting by analyzing equity transactions, long-term liabilities, and cash flow statements using the indirect method. This course emphasizes financial statement analysis, data analytics, and the completion of the accounting cycle using a manual accounting system. Through hands-on practice, students develop the skills to interpret financial data and apply accounting principles to complex business scenarios. Prerequisite: ACCT 1013

ACCT2024 Management Accounting 1

Students explore the role of management accounting in business decision-making, focusing on cost concepts, classifications, and behaviour. This course introduces job order costing, cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis, and budgeting for profit-driven businesses. Through practical applications, students learn to analyze financial data and apply management accounting techniques to support strategic planning and operational efficiency. Prerequisite: ACCT 1013

ACCT2026 Payroll Administration

Students develop the knowledge and skills required to manage payroll processes in compliance with employment standards and tax regulations. This course covers employee classification, payroll methods, statutory and non-statutory deductions, and employer responsibilities for remittances. Students calculate net pay, vacation and overtime liabilities, and complete payroll journal entries. The hiring and termination process, along with year-end reporting to employees, the CRA, and WSIB, are also explored. Through practical exercises, students gain hands-on experience in payroll calculations and compliance. Prerequisite: ACCT 1013

ACCT2029 Taxation 1 Personal

Students gain practical skills in identifying tax liabilities, determining income, and understanding the administration of the income tax system. They learn to calculate income from employment and business, tax treatment for depreciable property, and the tax implications of income from property. The course covers the calculation of capital gains and losses, net income for tax purposes, and various deductions and special rules. Students also acquire the skills to compute basic taxable income and tax payable. The approach focuses on applying real-world scenarios to develop tax-related problem-solving techniques. Prerequisite: ACCT 1013

GNED General Education Elective

General Education Courses

ACCT2027 Accounting Applications

Students develop practical accounting skills by performing essential tasks such as creating a company setup, recording transactions, and managing inventory. The course covers the preparation of financial statements, trial balances, journal entries, and period-end procedures, including payroll remittances and bank reconciliations. Students learn to manage sales, expenses, customer payments, vendor transactions, and inventory, while also completing monthly and annual reporting tasks. Emphasis is placed on hands-on applications of accounting principles to ensure students are equipped to handle real-world accounting challenges effectively. Prerequisite: ACCT 2025

ACCT3007 Accounting Information Systems

Students explore the role of accounting as an information system, focusing on risk management, internal controls, and business processes. This course examines the impact of fraud, ethics, and privacy concerns, as well as the role of internal and external auditing. Through problem-solving and analytical exercises, students learn to evaluate information, document business processes, and apply technology to support decision-making in accounting systems. Prerequisite: ACCT 1013

LAWS2017 Business Law & Ethics

Students explore the Canadian legal system, focusing on dispute resolution, civil courts, and key areas of law such as tort, contract, and property law. The course emphasizes the importance of ethics in business and defines key ethical stakeholders, including society, the environment, and government. Students examine the influence of culture and time on business ethics and evaluate ethical considerations in financial reporting and decision-making. The course also emphasizes applying professional codes of conduct within the accounting profession to ensure responsible and ethical practices.

ACCT2028 Intermediate Accounting 1

Students expand their financial accounting knowledge by exploring the advanced conceptual framework underlying financial reporting. This course emphasizes the preparation and presentation of financial statements, including financial performance, position, and cash flows, using various reporting and disclosure methods. Students apply revenue recognition principles, account for cash and receivables, and complete the accounting cycle with advanced journal entries. Through analytical exercises and case studies, students develop the skills to navigate complex financial reporting scenarios. Prerequisite: ACCT 2025

ACCT2002 Management Accounting 2

Students build on foundational management accounting principles to explore advanced cost management techniques. They learn to differentiate between absorption and variable costing methods and apply traditional standard cost systems for direct materials, labour, and factory overhead. The course covers variance analysis, responsibility accounting, and prepares students to create segmented income statements and control reports. Students also gain the skills to identify relevant costs for decision-making, compute selling prices, and determine target costs. Practical application of these techniques enhances students’ ability to make informed financial decisions in organizational settings. Prerequisite: ACCT 2024

GNED General Education Elective

General Education Courses

*Courses subject to change.

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Admission requirements

Required academic preparation 

  • OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U) or (M) level, and 
  • Grade 12 English (C) level or equivalent 

OR 

Recommended academic preparation 

  • Grade 12 Mathematics (C) level or equivalent  

Academic upgrading

Are you missing admission requirements? Discover how Career and College Prep at Loyalist can help you get started on your journey.

Costs

Approximate costs (2025 – 26, two semesters at full-time student status)* 

  • Domestic Tuition: $2,722.08 
  • Full-Time Ancillary Fees: $1,595.26 
  • Total: $4,317.34

Additional student-purchased costs may include textbooks, supplies, software, and other resources. Additional expenses related to off-campus experiential learning activities may also be incurred.

 

*All fees are subject to change. Fees for programs shorter or longer than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. In addition to the costs listed above, some programs also have program ancillary fees based on their specific requirements. For a detailed breakdown of tuition and ancillary fees – including any program-specific charges – please visit the Tuition and fee schedule 2025–26.

Paying for college 

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs, resources and donor-supported awards. Explore paying for college.

Further study

Pursue a professional designation

Students can elect to take third-party certification examinations (at their own cost) in software platforms such as Excel, Sage 50, and QuickBooks. They can also use their credits towards the completion of other professional designations such as the Canadian Payroll Association. 

Pathways and university transfer

What’s next? Build on the knowledge and skills you learned at Loyalist by continuing your academic journey. Return to Loyalist to complete a second diploma or a post-graduate program in as little as a year, or receive credit recognition for your Loyalist studies when pursuing a degree at a university. Explore pathway opportunities.

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