*Previously called “Business Management Diploma – Accounting Option”
Northern Lights College Diploma in Accounting program provides foundational and advanced-level accounting and business management courses to students who aspire to become well-equipped business professionals. Whether your ultimate goal is to pursue the CPA designation or to enter the workplace after completing the Accounting diploma, this two-year recognized program offers industry-standard training in a dynamic field with numerous career opportunities.
The Accounting Diploma program courses are recognized by the CPA Western School of Business, which provides students with seamless transfer for further study at many post-secondary institutions and includes a clear pathway to a CPA designation or a degree.
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. (Download a PDF of the Program Completion Guide, effective September 2025).
Career Prospects
Careers and opportunities in such areas as finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, general management, marketing, and logistics.
Intakes
| Location | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chetwynd | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Dawson Creek | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Fort St John | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Length
60 credits (915 hours), minimum.
This is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Part-time studies will take longer. Students in this program select course loads and course schedules that fit their needs and course availability. Registration is completed semester-by-semester.
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 3,653.03 | $ 152.76 | $ 52.88 | $ 3,858.67 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,726.09 | $ 155.81 | $ 0.00 | $ 3,881.90 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 11,580.00 | $ 149.76 | $ 51.84 | $ 828.00 | $ 12,609.60 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 12,300.00 | $ 152.75 | $ 51.84 | $ 828.00 | $ 13,332.59 |
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.ca if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are outside of Canada
- academic-chair@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
A. Domestic students and students from countries that practice Standard Written English (see Appendix A) must have official transcripts demonstrating that they have met the English Requirements: One of the following with a “C” grade or higher: English 12 or English Literature 12 or English First Peoples 12, ENGL 050, or ENGL 099. Alternatively, any university-level English course with a “C” grade or higher. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
B. International students who do not meet the requirement A. above, and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or another language, must show that they have met the NLC English requirement: see Appendix A (General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements)
plus,
C. Math Requirement: One of the following with a ‘C’ grade (60%) or higher: Precalculus 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Math 11, MATH 040; or equivalent; alternatively, readiness for MATH 050 as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.
Note that some course options have specific prerequisites. Meeting the program entrance requirements does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses
Important Notes
- This program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit Student Aid BC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students and International students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- Student must provide a financial calculator. Students are required to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements.
- Subject to appropriate prerequisite qualifications and available space, block transfer agreements may allow diploma graduates to transfer directly into the third year of degree programs at the University of Northern British Columbia, North Island College, Okanagan College, and Royal Roads University.
- Northern Lights College Diploma in Accounting courses are recognized by the CPA Western school of Business.
- Course transfer agreements allow students to receive course-by-course transfer to other colleges, universities, and institutes in BC, as indicated in the BC Transfer Guide.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 25% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College Note that a minimum 60% or ‘C’ grade is required for courses to be considered for transfer into this program. The date of course completion, 10 years for theoretical course and 3 years for technological course, will also be considered in course transfer. |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); D grade (50%) minimum in all courses |
*Please note the following semester break down is based on a student beginning their program in the Fall semester. Students starting in other semesters should consult with the course catalogue in Borealis and with a Program Advisor when selecting courses.
Core Required Courses:
- CPSC 101 – Introduction to Computing (3.0 credits)
- ECON 101 – Principles of Economics (Micro) (3.0 credits) *
AND ECON 102 – Principles of Economics (Macro) (3.0 credits) *;
OR ECON 105 – Principles of Economics (3.0 credits) * - ENGL 110 – Introduction to Workplace Communications (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 103 – Foundations in Financial Accounting Level 1 (3.0 credits) **
AND MGMT 109 – Foundations in Financial Accounting Level 2 (3.0 credits) **
OR MGMT 120 – Financial Accounting (3.0 credits) ** - MGMT 104 – Principles of Management (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 107 – Fundamentals of Marketing (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 150 – Business Mathematics (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 201 – Intermediate Financial Accounting I (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 202 – Intermediate Financial Accounting II (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 204 – Human Resource Management (Personnel) (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 221 – Managerial Accounting (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 225 – Strategic Management (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 228 – Business Law: Principles and Applications (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 260 – Principles of Corporate Finance I (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 290 – Quantitative Methods for Business (3.0 credits)
* ECON 101 and ECON 102 are recommended for students planning to transfer into degree programs. However, students may substitute these courses for ECON 105 and another elective.
** Students may substitute MGMT 120 and another elective in favour of MGMT 103 and MGMT 109.
Elective Options
(3 to 5 courses (9.0-15.0 credits) except as otherwise noted:
Recommended Electives:
- ENGL 100 – Academic Writing (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 111 – Finite Mathematics (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 203 – Taxation (3.0 credits)***
- MGMT 302 – Business Sustainability and The Environment (3.0 credits)***
***MGMT 217, MGMT 261, MGMT 203, and MGMT 302 may also provide exemption from Chartered Professional Accountants PEP modules. Learn how NLC courses are recognized by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia.
Additional Electives:
- COMM 301 – Organizational Communications (3.0 credits)
- FNST 100 – Indigenous Peoples of Canada (3.0 credits)
OR FNST 102 – Treaties and Aboriginal Rights (3.0 credits) - ITEC 150 – Small Computer Systems: Organization And Architecture (3.0 credits)
- ITEC 240 – Server Management (3.0 credits)
- ITEC 250 – Network Infrastructure (3.0 credits)
- ITEC 320 – Virtual Software Systems (3.0 credits)
- MATH 115 – Introductory Discrete Mathematics I (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 210 – Advertising and Promotion (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 219 – Entrepreneurship: Start Up (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 280 – Safety Management (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 295 – Management Science (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 301 – Management Skills for Supervisors (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 303 – Non-Profit Management (3.0 credits)
OR ECED 201 – Non-Profit Management (3.0 credits) - MGMT 430 – Business Ethics and Social Responsibility (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 450 – Principles of Project Management (3.0 credits)
- PHIL 110 – Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking (3.0 credits)
- POLI 100 – Politics and Government (3.0 credits)
OR POLI 101 – The Government of Canada (3.0 credits) - POLI 200 – Politics and Pipelines (3.0 credits)
- PSYC 224 – Organizational Behavior (3.0 credits)
- MATH 101 – Calculus (3.0 credits)****
OR MATH 105 – Calculus for Social and Biological Sciences I (3.0 credits)****
****A maximum of three calculus credits is permitted; Principles of Math 12 is required for
students enrolling in MATH 101 or MATH 105.
Credential
Diploma in Accounting