Bookkeeping Certificate
| Type | Part Time Full Time |
|---|---|
| Length | 1 year |
| Campus | All Campuses |
| Delivery | In Class |
| Fees* |
Check fee schedule
*All fees are an estimate. |
| Starting Semesters | Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Spring 2026 |
Overview
Are you organized, trust worthy, and detail oriented? Prepare yourself for a career in bookkeeping by obtaining a Bookkeeping Certificate. Upon completion, you will become an essential component to just about every industry.
Working as a Bookkeeper, you can find yourself tracking and processing all of the pertinent financial information for a company or institution.
Careers
Bookkeeping graduates might perform a variety of administrative and finance-related duties for small businesses or non-profits. Other graduates might have specific roles in larger companies, such as managing payroll or processing accounts receivable/payable.
Some potential bookkeeping careers include:
- Assistant Bookkeeper
- Entry Level Bookkeeper
- Senior Bookkeeper
- Administrative Assistant
- Auditing Clerk
- Bookkeeping Clerk
- Office Manager
- Executive Director
- Program/Finance Assistant
- Accounts Receivable/Payable
- Payroll Administrator
Bookkeeping graduates might also be self-employed, with the option to work part-time or keep books for several small businesses.
What you will learn
CNC's Bookkeeping Certificate will provide you with a well-rounded understanding of the complete bookkeeping cycle. You will learn bookkeeping essentials covering the whole business cycle:
- Setting up a company's books
- Updating and adjusting balance sheets
- Managing payroll
- Canadian tax rules (HST and GST)
- Preparing year-end financial statements and "closing the books"
- Using accounting software to track inventory, budgets, projects and more
- Communication and management skills
Instruction covers both manual and computerized accounting systems.
Courses
Required BOOK courses
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie, Prince George, Quesnel |
Description
This course introduces students to the bookkeeping profession and will focus on theory and practical application. Students will be provided with learning experiences for developing skills to understand how a company's financial records are set up. Students are introduced to the accounting cycle, beginning with basic concepts including the accounting equation and terminology. They will then advance to analyzing transactions, journalizing and posting to special journals and general ledgers.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie, Prince George, Quesnel |
| Requisites |
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Description
This course continues the accounting cycle, taking the student through the cash section of the balance sheets, including petty cash transactions and bank reconciliations. We then explore the intricate workings of the payroll system, starting with basic gross wage calculations, statutory deductions and concluding with the journalizing and posting of the payroll transactions. The student then moves on to the statutory tax section detailing the rules and regulations involved with the collection and remittance of GST/HST. The inter-provincial rules for GST/HST as well as the potential PST issues will also be addressed.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie, Prince George, Quesnel |
| Requisites |
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Description
Advanced Bookkeeping continues with a focus on adjusting the balance sheet to accurately reflect balance at the fiscal year end. To accomplish this, the student will learn how to calculate the required adjustments for bad debts, prepaid expenses, depreciation on fixed assets, inventory valuations and unearned rent. The student will then prepare an eight column worksheet and post all the yearend adjustments, thereby creating the adjusted balances which are used to prepare the yearend financial statements. Once completed, they will then review the procedures for closing the books at yearend.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie, Prince George, Quesnel |
| Requisites |
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Description
Excel is a powerful tool that is perfectly designed to facilitate the accounting function for small businesses. The synoptic journal is an effective option for small businesses without too many transactions. In this course you will learn to use a synoptic journal that replaces the general journal and all the special journals. It is similar to an accounting worksheet and is ideal for an Excel environment. Through the use of a case study this course will take the student through the full accounting cycle from the inception of a business to the yearend financial statement.Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie, Prince George, Quesnel |
| Requisites |
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Description
This course features a full Hands-on lab where students will learn how to use accounting software. Modules discussed include General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Banking and Reporting.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie, Prince George, Quesnel |
| Requisites |
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Description
This course follows Level 1 and features a full hands-on lab where students will learn how to use accounting software. Modules and features discussed include Payroll, Inventory, Time & Billing, Budgeting, Projects, and Departments, advanced reporting, multicurrency, year end, security and database maintenance.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie, Prince George, Quesnel |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course takes an in-depth look at payroll concepts and builds on the payroll knowledge gained in Intermediate Bookkeeping. The rules and regulations regarding payroll are very detailed and prescriptive. The students will learn how to account for various pay structures as well as how to deal with special deductions for RRSP, pension, family maintenance and employee benefits. The course will also cover the detailed statutory regulations regarding taxable benefits and year end compliance reporting.Required CE course
Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Burns Lake, Mackenzie, Vanderhoof, Prince George, Quesnel |
Description
In this course, you will learn how to give and receive effective feedback that will help resolve even the most difficult situations. You will also learn how to create a supportive communication climate for one-to-one problem solving discussions, whether it's with a fellow employee, colleague, or boss. Topics of discussion will focus on identification and prevention of win/lose situations before they begin; six rules to developing a supportive work climate; three essential skills to help resolve all interpersonal conflict; understanding why people do the things they do; how you can turn all conflict into co-operation. (26 hours)Entry Requirements
Applicants require proof of successful completion of the following:
- English 11 or
- Workplace Math 10, or Accounting 11, or
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Candidates whose first language is not English must meet the English requirements and provide proof of English language proficiency as outlined in CNC’s .
NOTE: Applicants may be able to write the Student Readiness Assessment (SRA) to meet the admission requirements.
Recommended skills
- 20 NWPM
- Strong working knowledge of personal computer applications
Need help meeting these requirements? Check out our Academic Upgrading options.
Previous Coursework Credit
Students with previous work experience and/or have taken similar courses through other post-secondary institutions may be eligible to receive advance course credit up to a maximum of 4 courses. Students looking to investigate these options should consult an Academic Advisor to initiate a review by the appropriate Education Administrator.
Advance Course Credit
As a value-add for students in CNC’s ABT and Bookkeeping programs, the following advance course credits have been established.
Students with:
- ABTA-100 will be given credit for BOOK-101 and BOOK-103.
- ABTA-150 will be given credit for BOOK-113 and BOOK-114.
- ABTA-125 will be given credit for BOOK 108.
- BOOK-101 and BOOK-103 will be given credit for ABTA-100.
- BOOK-113 and BOOK-114 will be given credit for ABTA-150.
Limited admission
This program has a limited number of seats per intake. Admission is granted on a “first qualified, first admitted” basis.
Program Tools
Many courses in this program use online learning tools. Students will need
- A reliable internet connection,
- A compatible PC computer, and
- A financial/scientific calculator.
Students are encouraged to review historical syllabi or discuss with a recruiter, an advisor, or a faculty member to identify their technological needs.
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Invest in your future
The estimated cost for this program is $4700
Tuition and fees for the Bookkeeping Certificate Program will be charged on a semester basis and not course-by-course. Check the for more details.
A $300 seat deposit will be required upon acceptance to the program. For the second semester, students must pay all remaining tuition and student fees by the semester .
Books for this program can be purchased from the bookstore.
Note: This program is not eligible for student loan funding through StudentAid BC.
Salaries and employment
Looking for a job? Check the student employment opportunities board.
