Accounting Studies (Post-Degree Diploma)

Campus
New Westminster
Learning Format
Full-time
Part-time
Admission Type
Open Enrolment - Additional Admission Requirements
Offered
Fall
Winter
Summer

Overview

Get the skills and knowledge you need to kick start a career in accounting with the Accounting Studies Post-Degree Diploma. This program is for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than commerce or business administration.

Graduate job-ready with the Career Boost program 

Designed for post-degree students, the Career Boost program prepares you for part-time paid or volunteer positions that complement your studies. You’ll participate in career-building workshops, one-on-one coaching sessions, career fairs, networking with employers, peer-led leadership meetings and more. Once you graduate, you’ll get the continued support, skills and knowledge you need to find a full-time job in your field.

Steps after graduation

Graduates gain the skills to secure junior- to intermediate-level accounting positions in fields including financial accounting, cost accounting and financial management. Students interested in pursuing further education can transfer seamlessly into Douglas College’s Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting program, opening up doors to more senior employment opportunities.

The Post-Degree Diploma in Accounting Studies partially satisfies the entrance requirements of the Chartered Professional Accountant’s (CPA) Professional Education Program (PEP).

Flexible studies

Day and evening courses, offered year-round to both part-time and full-time students, provide individuals with flexibility while earning their post-degree diploma.

Students whose degree is in commerce or business administration should apply for entrance into the Post-Degree Diploma in Accounting program.

Program Requirements

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements:

  • Successful completion of 30 credits
  • 50% (15 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
  • 3 courses (9 credits) or upper level (3000/4000) courses must be completed at Douglas College in the Accounting department
  • Courses used towards a previously received credential can be used to meet program requirements, but additional courses will need to be taken to replace these credits.

  • A minimum program GPA of 2.00 is required

Course Requirements:

Course Number Course Title Credits
Select one option from the following two options:

ACCT 1235

Principles of Accounting I and II

3.00

ACCT 1110 and

ACCT 12101

Principles of Accounting I and

Principles of Accounting II

3.00

3.00
Select one course from the following two courses:

BUSN 2429

Business Statistics I

 3.00

MATH 1160

Introduction to Statistics

 3.00
Required Courses:  
ACCT 2320 Introductory Management Accounting 3.00
ACCT 33102 Intermediate Accounting I 3.00
ACCT 34102 Intermediate Accounting II 3.00
ACCT 3880 Data Analytics for Managers 3.00
ECON 1150 Principles of Micro Economics 3.00
ECON 1250 Principles of Macro Economics 3.00
BUSN 3431 Business Statistics II 3.00
Elective Open elective at the 3000/4000 level 3.00
Total Credits   30.00

1Taking ACCT 1110 and ACCT 1210 instead of ACCT 1235 requires successful completion of 33 credits for graduation.

2For ACCT 3310 and ACCT 3410 a minimum grade of "C" is required.

 

 

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

  • General College Admission Requirements
  • Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada or an equivalent credential from an approved institution of a different country. Any applicant who earned their credential in a language other than English must meet the Douglas College English language proficiency requirement.

This program is intended for students with degrees in areas other than Business. Applicants whose undergraduate degree is in business administration should look at the Post-Degree Diploma in Accounting program to determine if this is a more suitable program.

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

Career opportunities include:

  • Controller
  • Audit and Compliance
  • Director
  • Tax Auditor
  • International or Exchange Auditor

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.

(Current)

FAQs

This program was specifically created to satisfy the entrance requirements of the CPA PEP program.  However, the CPA governs entrance to their program and students are encouraged to have their transcripts evaluated by CPA to identify any gaps and structure their studies accordingly.

Yes.  International students are encouraged to apply.  Please contact Douglas College International for more information.

  1. Apply to the Accounting Studies program.
  2. Send your transcripts to CPA Western School of Business or CPAWSB for evaluation.
  3. Register in courses at Douglas that you know CPA will not grant you prior standing.
  4. Upon receipt of your CPA evaluation, submit it to the Registrar's Office.  You will be exempted from taking courses for which CPA has granted standing.

Yes.  You may opt to complete a co-op placement in this program.

When you submit CPA's evaluation to the Registrar's Office, they will grant you an exemption for all courses recognized by CPA.  You do not need to take these courses at Douglas College.  Please note that you must still satisfy the program's 70% residency requirement.

Yes. This program is fully eligible for loan funding.

Students registering in this program receive priority registration.  This means that you will have an earlier registration time than many other programs.  As a post-degree diploma student, many of your course prerequisites will also be waived.

The residency requirement means that you must complete a minimum of 14 courses at Douglas College to graduate from this program.

No.  This program does not have a work experience requirement.  Nor is work experience required to enter the CPA PEP program.

The CPA PEP program does have a work experience requirement that must be completed before you earn your certification.  Questions regarding this requirement should be directed to CPA-BC.