Domestic Applications Available
Winter 2023: Currently accepting applications
Summer 2023: Currently accepting applications
Fall 2023: Applications open Oct 3, 2022
Program
Accounting (Bachelor of Business Administration)
Department
Credits
121.50
Length of Program
Eight semesters
Credential Type
Bachelor's Degree
Campus
New Westminster
Learning Format
Full-time
Part-time
Admission Type
Open Enrolment - Additional Admission Requirements
Offered
Fall
Summer
Winter
Overview
Launch an exciting career in Canada’s growing financial industry with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. This program’s applied curriculum and work-experience component provide you with the necessary skills to secure intermediate-level accounting positions once you graduate.
You’ll be qualified to work in the areas of financial reporting, taxation, management accounting and auditing. We offer year-round day and evening courses to both part-time and full-time students and provide you with flexibility while earning your credential.
This program satisfies the entrance requirements of the Chartered Professional Accountant’s (CPA) Professional Education Program (PEP). Additionally, courses offered in the BBA in Accounting are recognized by Aboriginal Financial Officers (AFOA) Canada towards the Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) designation.
Specialize your degree
Focus your education on one of four specializations:
Taxation, Not-For-Profit & Public Sector Accounting, Public Accounting, and Data Analytics in Accounting. You can also select concentrations in Economics, Business Law and Management.
Work experience while you study
Put your skills to work by joining the optional Co-operative (Co-op) Education Program, which alternates semesters of study with paid, full-time work in your field. You’ll earn money while gaining experience, building your resume and getting an employer reference, all before you graduate. To participate in Co-op you need to plan two semesters in advance, so we strongly recommend contacting the Co-op Office at the start of your program.
In order to graduate from the program, you must complete BUSN 4500, the capstone course, which requires you to have 500 hours of Canadian work experience that is documented and signed off by your supervisor. Hours worked in the Co-operative Education Program, the Douglas College Business Association tax-clinic, and volunteer positions may be used to satisfy the work-experience component. Full details of BUSN 4500 are included in the Career and Portfolio Development Handbook.
It is strongly recommended that you begin your work experience requirement as soon as you are accepted to the program in order to avoid delays with completing your degree.
Get valuable work experience through the Business Internship program
In the Business Internship Program, you’ll apply the theory and knowledge you’ve learned in class into a real-world business setting. During your unpaid part-time internship, you’ll be assigned tasks and projects that junior management, marketing, business, administrative and/or sales employees complete in the modern workplace.
To be accepted into the internship program, you must contact the Career Centre early in your studies at Douglas College.
Job opportunities
Surveys show that 83 percent of our Accounting degree graduates are working in the field after graduation. (Source: B.C. Student Outcomes). Over 11,000 accounting and financial auditor job openings are expected in B.C. for the next ten years. You can also expect a median salary of $60,000 once you graduate.
Program Requirements
Curriculum Framework
Graduation Requirements:
- Successful completion of 121.50 credits.
- A minimum of 45 credits must be upper level courses, e.g. at the 3000 or 4000 level. The 45 credits may include both required courses and electives. Please keep this in mind when choosing your electives.
- A minimum of 70% of upper level credits must be completed at Douglas College.
- A minimum program GPA of 2.00 is required.
- 1000-2000 level courses must be University Transferable (courses that transfer to one of the 5 Research Universities - SFU, UBCV, UBCO, UNBC or UVIC) according to the BC Transfer Guide.
Course Requirements:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|
Required Courses: |
||
|
Principles of Accounting I (or ACCT 1235, see note 1) |
3.00 |
|
|
Principles of Accounting II |
3.00 |
|
|
Computer Applications for Accounting |
3.00 |
|
|
Introductory Management Accounting |
3.00 |
|
|
Intermediate Accounting I |
3.00 |
|
|
Income Tax I |
3.00 |
|
|
Intermediate Accounting II |
3.00 |
|
|
Intermediate Management Accounting |
3.00 |
|
|
Income Tax II |
3.00 |
|
|
Data Analytics for Managers |
3.00 |
|
|
Advanced Financial Accounting |
3.00 |
|
|
Advanced Management Accounting |
3.00 |
|
|
Auditing |
3.00 |
|
|
Management Essentials |
3.00 |
|
|
Introductory Business Law |
3.00 |
|
|
Business Statistics II |
3.00 |
|
|
Business Strategy and Competitive Analysis |
3.00 |
|
|
Career and Portfolio Development. This is a capstone course that requires 500 hours Canadian work experience. |
1.50 |
|
|
Practical writing |
3.00 |
|
|
Excel for Business |
3.00 |
|
|
Systems Analysis and Design |
3.00 |
|
|
Principles of Microeconomics |
3.00 |
|
|
Principles of Macroeconomics |
3.00 |
|
|
Corporate Finance |
3.00 |
|
|
Introductory Marketing |
3.00 |
|
| Open electives |
Seven 1000 - 4000 level electives. 1000 and 2000 level electives must be university transferable. |
21.00 |
|
Open electives |
Five 3000-4000 level electives. |
15.00 |
|
Select one course from the following two options:3 |
||
| Business Mathematics | 3.00 | |
| Calculus for the Social Sciences | 3.00 | |
|
Select one course from the following two options:3 |
||
|
Business Statistics I |
3.00 |
|
| MATH 1160 | Introduction to Statistics | 3.00 |
| Select one course from the following three options: | ||
| PHIL 1102 | Values and Contemporary Issues | 3.00 |
| PHIL 1122 | Business Ethics | 3.00 |
| BUSN 4490 | Applied Legal and Ethical Decision Making for Managers, Professionals and Executives | 3.00 |
| Select one course from the following two options: | ||
|
Advanced Practical Writing |
3.00 |
|
| ENGL 1130 | Academic Writing | 3.00 |
|
Total Credits |
121.50 |
|
Notes:
1. Students may take ACCT 1235 instead of ACCT 1110 and ACCT 1210. When ACCT 1235 is taken, students must take another 1000-4000 elective offered by the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration.
2. There is a significant amount of work required to successfully complete BUSN 4500. Students who do not have the 500 hours of related work experience required to complete the course are strongly encouraged to seek this experience early in the program.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
- General College Admission Requirements
- Pre-Calculus 11, or Foundations of Mathematics 11, or approved substitute with a minimum grade of "C"
Cost
You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page.
Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.
Career Pathways
Job opportunities include:
- Accountant
- Account and/or Billing Coordinator
- Business or Cost Administrator
- Billing Administrator
- Compensation Advisor
- Credit Loans Officer or Credit (Risk) Analyst
- Financial Controller or Analyst
- Financial Investment Advisor
- Management Trainee
- Mortgage Underwriter
- Payroll Administrator
Program Guidelines
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Specializations
These specializations are available for Bachelor’s degree students at Douglas College:
Not-For-Profit & Public Sector
Economics: Theory and Quantitative Methods
Economics: Policy Analysis and Management
FAQs
The BBA degree granted by Douglas College is given under a license granted to us by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, British Columbia Government, and as such it is an accredited post-secondary degree.
Most BBA courses are transferable to other post secondary institutions. Granting credit for work done at Douglas is entirely up to the receiving institutions. For first and second year courses, most colleges and universities follow the BC Transfer Guide for course transfers.
For 3rd and 4th year courses which are normally subject specialty courses, the receiving institution may grant credit provides such courses are compatible both in content and coverage with the courses at their institution.
This degree is open to all students meeting the admission requirements. Students who have previously earned another credential may be eligible to use this coursework to partially satisfy the BBA in Accounting curriculum requirements. Refer to the “Multiple Credentials” section of the Douglas College Credentials Policy for further information.
We offer 3 intakes per year: in the Fall, Winter and Summer semesters. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the seats are assigned on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis. Applications must be submitted online and you may forward your official transcripts by mail. Apply online here.
International applicants are encouraged to apply. Douglas College International is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of our international students. Please direct your inquiries to cie@douglascollege.ca.
Yes, you may. In such cases, applicants are classified as "pre-BBA" and will be required to complete all the prerequisite courses whether from high school or lower level college prerequisites. Douglas College offers math upgrading and English upgrading for those applicants who may be missing high school level courses. As well, students may also upgrade for business programs with specific courses.
Yes, we can. Please contact the BBA Coordinators for a personal meeting. We will be pleased to sit down, assess your current educational needs and try to find a program that may best fit your future educational goals and expectation. Get contact info.
The focus of the degree is to equip you with relevant, applied skills in the field of professional accounting. You take a diverse set of courses, many of which include a "hands-on" component enabling you to practice and master skills that will be very relevant at the workplace. The design of the curriculum provides a seamless transition from the classroom to the work environment.
You can choose from three specialties: Accounting, Financial Services or Management.
Accounting is ideal if you plan to earn your Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation or enter the field of accounting.
Financial Services will prepare you for wealth planning and securities positions, plus designations such as CFP, PFP, CIM, FMA, CFA, and Mutual Fund Licensing.
Management will prepare you for the management-level roles in an industry of your choice with the combination of the Chartered Management Program (CMP) designation and industry-specific skills in such fields as financial services, international business, supply chain, hospitality and project or trades management. Plus, earn an additional industry-specific designation for your chosen concentration.
All classes are offered in the day and evening on a rotational basis to accommodate employment and family commitments.
It will take 2-4 years for full-time students to complete this degree (durations for part-time students vary), depending on your level of business education.