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Accounting Diploma

Location(s): ​Fort St. John

*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.

Career Prospects

Careers and opportunities in such areas as finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, general management, marketing, and logistics.

Learn how NLC courses are recognized by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia.


Intakes

LocationStartingType
ChetwyndFallFull-TimePart-Time
WinterFull-TimePart-Time
SpringFull-TimePart-Time
Dawson CreekFallFull-TimePart-Time
WinterFull-TimePart-Time
SpringFull-TimePart-Time
Fort St JohnFallFull-TimePart-Time
WinterFull-TimePart-Time
SpringFull-TimePart-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

 TuitionStudent FeesInstruction-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

 TuitionStudent FeesInstruction-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

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Admission Requirements

English Requirement

For applicants from countries that practice Standard Written English, one of the following:

  • English Studies 12 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
  • English First Peoples 12 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
  • ENGL 050 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
  • ENGL 099 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
  • Any university-level English course with a grade of C or higher
  • NLC Writing Assessment with placement at the college level (100)

For all other applicants, one of the following:

  • IELTS result with an overall score of 6.0 or higher with no band less than 6.0*
  • TOEFL iBT of 78
  • Canadian Academic English Assessment (CAEL) 60 overall band
  • Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) 8 in each section
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) 57
  • Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) 76
  • Cambridge-Michigan Language Assessment (CaMLA) 69 plus NLC’s Writing Assessment
  • A post-secondary level credential with equivalent English language requirements
  • Two years of full-time secondary school education in English in Canada and completion of English 12, English Studies 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, or equivalent with a minimum grade of B.
  • Completion of the Citation in English for Academic Purposes Level 060

The General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements  outline more details of the academic English requirements.

Students with a writing band of 6.0 or less are required to complete ENGL 099with a B grade or higher before or during the first semester of their program.

Math Requirement

One of the following:

  • Pre-calculus 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
  • Principles of Mathematics 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
  • Foundations of Math 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
  • MATH 040 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
  • Readiness for MATH 050 as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.

Note

Elective courses may have specific prerequisites. Meeting entrance requirements for the program does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses.


Important Notes

  1. 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.
  2. Student must provide a finanical calculator. Students are required to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements.
  3. 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.
  4. Northern Lights College Diploma in Accounting courses are recognized by the CPA Western school of Business.
  5. Northern Lights College courses are also recognized by professional associations such as the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of BC, the Canadian Bankers Institute, and others.

Program Requirements

Residency Requirement25% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College
Minimum Grade Requirements2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); D grade (50%) minimum in all courses
Additional RequirementsA minimum of three courses (9 credits in total) must be selected as electives and up to five (15 credits).A maximum of three calculus credits is permitted.

*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.

Semester One

All of:

Semester Two

All of:

Semester Three

All of:

And one of:

Semester Four

All of:

Business (Accounting) Electives

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.
***MGMT 217, MGMT 261, MGMT 203, and MGMT 302 may also provide exemption from Chartered Professional Accountants PEP modules. Visit the CPA website Transfer Credit Guide.

Select from:

Or one of:

Or one of:

Or one of:


Credential

Diploma in Accounting