Professional Accounting Practice
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Program Overview
This post-graduate accounting program is designed for university and college graduates seeking a career in professional accounting. Courses will be enriched with hands-on integrated technology applications and case studies based on real-world scenarios. Further real-world industry exposure will be maximized with guest speakers and hands-on projects. The program is designed to integrate all course topics and develop students' critical thinking, research, and decision-making skills. The courses offered through this program are aligned with CPA Ontario’s seven specific qualifying courses and eight additional eligible business course requirements. Therefore, successful graduates of this program may be able to bypass the CPA Knowledge Assessment, subject to meeting all applicable CPA admission requirements, including the degree component and 70% overall GPA requirements.
Program Details
Program Code
PAC3
Credential:
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Duration
45 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
Your Learning Experience
Professional Accounting Practice is a one-year, fully online Ontario College Graduate Certificate program designed to strengthen your accounting and business knowledge. Learn from experience faculty while building practical skills and refreshing your knowledge in key accounting areas.
Not only will you develop specialized skills and knowledge of core accounting principles, but you will also gain hands-on experience using Microsoft Excel and other industry-standard accounting software. You’ll graduate prepared to produce financial information for management decision-making, calculate performance measures, prepare budgets and forecasts, monitor accounting procedures and more.
This Ontario College Graduate Certificate is recognized by CPA Ontario and supports your pathway toward the CPA designation. The program provides relevant accounting and business education for the new CPA Professional Program starting January 2027 and may allow eligible graduates to bypass the CPA Knowledge Assessment (subject to CPA Ontario requirements).
Available in a 100% online format with a September admission with part-time online study options.
Laptop requirements
Please note that a laptop is recommended for this program. It is recommended that students use a PC laptop vs. a Mac laptop, as Windows is required to be able to load program-specific software. For more information on preferred requirements, visit the Laptop Requirements page on the Fanshawe CONNECTED website.
Career Information
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Professional Accounting program will have employment opportunities in many organizations, including public accounting firms, government offices, not-for-profit organizations, public and private corporations, small businesses and financial institutions. Self-employment is also an option.
Graduates will be able to:
- prepare financial information to support management decision-making;
- prepare financial statements and related disclosures;
- calculate and report on financial and non-financial performance measures;
- support the development and maintenance of the organization’s management control and risk management systems;
- monitor and recommend improvements to accounting procedures, accounting information systems and internal controls;
- monitor cash flow and cash flow requirements;
- prepare budgets and forecasts;
- prepare information for external auditors;
- support the auditor in planning and executing the audit; and
- help prepare tax filings and comply with remittance requirements.
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario? Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Professional Accounting program:
Accounting Clerk
Responsible for matching invoices to purchase orders, performing data entry and reconciling bank statements with the general ledger.
Accounts Payable Clerk
Responsible for processing invoices and cheque requisitions for payment.
Bookkeeper
Assist with payroll, contractors, accounts receivable, accounts payable, internal manufacturing projects, fiscal year-end, HST/GST return preparation and subsidy applications using commercial software.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
1. Analyze, verify, and apply financial transaction data to recommend solutions for various entities in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
2. Evaluate and interpret financial documents to support strategic decision-making and financial performance analysis.
3. Develop and implement financial strategies to optimize organizational performance and drive strategic business initiatives.
4. Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for individuals and organizations to optimize tax efficiency and support long-term financial planning.
5. Evaluate and optimize the interdependence of functional areas within an organization to enhance financial outcomes, operational efficiency, and establish strategies for continuous improvement.
6. Develop and implement comprehensive policies and strategies to address economic, social, legal, ethical, technological, environmental and regulatory factors influencing long-term sustainability and corporate responsibility.
7. Evaluate and optimize control systems, risk management strategies and operational efficiency to uphold financial integrity while ensuring regulatory compliance.
8. Facilitate and lead professional, ethical, and collaborative communication with internal and external members to achieve organizational goals and drive team performance.
9. Develop, manage, and evaluate accounting projects to drive organizational growth and innovation.
Related Programs
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Academic School
Program Coordinator:
Senada Glavas, MBA, CPA, CPA (Aust.)
Academic Advisor:
Katie Payne
Pathways
Admission Requirements
One of:
A Two- or Three-Year College Diploma, or a
Degree
- OR -
Acceptable combination of related work experience and
post-secondary education as judged by the College*
- OR -
Five years of work experience in the accounting field as
judged by the College to be equivalent*
NOTE:
*Applicants may be required to submit a resume and cover
letter that includes details of work experience.
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the following methods:
- A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English credit from an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on the program's Admission Requirements
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a minimum score of 88 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test with an overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years. SDS Program Requirements.
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with an overall score of 70 with no score less than 60 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 59, with test results within the last two years
- A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 176 with no language skill less than 169, with test results within the last two years
- An English Language Evaluation (ELE) at Fanshawe College with a minimum score of 75% in all sections of the test, with test results within the last two years
- Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9 or 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 10
Recommended Academic Preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
It is highly recommended that students be proficient in the
following areas before entry into the program:
Mathematics
Business Communication
Computer applications, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and
PowerPoint
Recommended Personal Preparation
Recommended Personal Preparation
Students are advised to prepare for a very rigorous and intensive program of study.Advanced Standing
Advanced Standing
- Applicants may apply for advanced standing on the basis of previous academic achievement at another institution and/or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). Advanced standing qualifies the applicant for direct entry to a second or higher level of the program.
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of program eligible applicants exceeds
available spaces, the Applicant Selection Criteria for this program
will be:
Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date,
Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come,
first-served basis until the program is full)
Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| ACCT-6001 | Financial Accounting-Intro | 5 | ||
| This is an introductory accounting course that will give students an overview of the accounting cycle and the preparation of financial statements. Topics include basic accounting concepts, recording transactions, adjusting entries, preparing and analyzing financial statements. Students will also be introduced to accounting for certain asset and liability accounts. | ||||
| ECON-6004 | Economics | 3 | ||
| This course will utilize cases to examine key economic concepts. Topics will include both microeconomic and macroeconomic issues. Emphasis will ensure that students are able to evaluate the economic concepts to be applied to a business situation. | ||||
| METH-6013 | Quantitative Methods | 5 | ||
| The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the field of statistics and its many applications in business and commerce. Students will learn and apply statistical knowledge, tools, and techniques, which will allow students to approach problems logically, investigate issues scientifically, and understand and analyze the impact of decisions on business. Topics include: presentation and description of data, probability, probability and sampling distributions, statistical inference, regression analysis, time series, and statistical quality control. | ||||
| LAWS-6038 | Business Law | 3 | ||
| This course is an introductory survey of Canadian Business Law and in particular the law in Ontario. Topics covered include: the constitution and court system, alternative dispute resolution, torts (particularly negligence and professional responsibility), contracts, sale of goods and consumer protection legislation, property (personal, real, and intellectual), security interests, agency, forms of business organization, the legal aspects of credit, and employment law. The purpose of the course is to enhance the students' decision-making ability with respect to various business transactions and, with regard to ethical considerations, help identify, manage and control legal issues that arise in a business setting. | ||||
| FINA-6038 | Finance | 4 | ||
| This course introduces students to finance concepts and provides the essential knowledge of various tools used in corporate finance. Students will examine the corporate finance environment and its impact on decision making; introductory finance concepts including time value of money, net present value, investing and risk management. Additional topics include capital budgeting techniques and cost of capital and capital structure for short, medium and long-term financing decisions. | ||||
Tuition Summary
Online
[1] Total program costs are approximate and subject to change. They do not include additional fees such as the health and dental plan, bus pass, or general expenses. Learn more about ancillary and additional fees.