Business Administration - Accounting BAA2

Holland Code: E (Enterprising)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see the website for details.

Arts & Literacy High school courses in Business Studies, Accounting or Business and Technological Communication would be beneficial.

Math & Science Prospective students should enjoy math and have a solid high school background in math. Grade 12 high school Math would be beneficial, but grade 11 math is accepted.

Applicants who do not have a math background should consider the one-year Business Fundamentals program. This program is recommended for students who require or desire academic upgrading, particularly in Mathematics and English, before pursuing a business diploma program.

Technology Basic computer skills required (Microsoft Office, email, Internet).

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• Work independently on routine tasks
• Take a methodical and logical approach to their work
• Work with numbers quickly and accurately
• Enjoy data analysis and proofreading
• Willing and able to keep up to date with evolving technology
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good negotiation skills and the ability to work with many different people
• Customer service skills
• The ability to adapt to a changing environment
• Concentrate for extended periods and pay close attention to detail but also switch back and forth between tasks
• Able to keep the information confidential
• Able to work well under pressure and consistently meet deadlines

Useful background experience for this program would be

Experience in a secondary school business club or Junior Achievement.

What kind of work could will I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become a

Staff accountant, junior accountant, intermediate accountant, accounting specialist, cost accountant, project accountant, assistant controller, accounts payable and receivable supervisor, or tax accountant.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• Usually, work regular weekday hours in a comfortable office environment
• Overtime may be required around specific periods (for example, accounting period, tax filing deadlines)

Places you may find yourself employed include

Industry, banks and other financial institutions, public accounting firms, federal, provincial, and municipal government offices or self-employment.

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

• Calculate, prepare and issue documents related to accounts such as bills, invoices, inventory reports, account statements and other financial statements using computerized and manual systems
• Code, total, batch, enter, verify and reconcile transactions such as accounts payable and receivable, payroll, purchase orders, cheques, invoices, cheque requisitions, and bank statements in a ledger or computer system
• Compile budget data and documents based on estimated revenues and expenses and previous budgets
• Prepare period or cost statements or reports
• Calculate costs of materials, overhead and other expenses based on estimates, quotations, and price-lists
• Respond to customer inquiries, maintain good customer relations and solve problems
• Keep financial records and establish, maintain and balance various accounts using manual and computerized bookkeeping systems
• Post journal entries and reconcile accounts, prepare trial balance of books, maintain general ledgers and prepare financial statements
• Calculate and prepare cheques for payrolls and utility, tax and other bills
• Complete and submit tax remittance forms, workers' compensation forms, pension contribution forms and other government documents
• Prepare tax returns and perform other personal bookkeeping services
• Prepare other statistical, financial and accounting reports

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

Opportunities for further development or education

• Graduates may be eligible for a one-semester bridging program into the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting.
• Graduates may apply to one of the following Fanshawe graduate certificate programs
  • International Business Management
  • Human Resources Management
  • Professional Financial Services
  • Project Management
  • Marketing Management
• Course work may be used as a basis of university admission or credits may transfer to a university degree. More information online.

Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.

Last Modified: August 21, 2024