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Computing accounting skills are valued in nearly every type of business and industry and graduates with a Computer Accounting Assistant certificate can find employment in a range of areas.
As a graduate of this program, you will be able to track accounts, work comfortably in an office environment and process a variety of business transactions expediently and efficiently. You will possess the skills required to work as an accounts receivable/payable and payroll clerk or general for a variety of small, medium and large companies.
During the program, you are given an introduction to manual accounting, with particular attention paid to fundamental accounting principles and their application in day-to-day situations. You will learn common accounting systems, including sales, purchases, taxes and payroll.
You will also develop skills in computerized accounting and will learn software commonly used in this field. You will gain hands-on practice converting a manual accounting system to a computerized system.
The program also explores the diverse uses of spreadsheets in the office environment. You will learn to use the fundamental and advanced features of Microsoft Excel with ease. You will perform calculations with advanced formulas and functions, link to Excel data for mail merge and develop a custom Excel application.
You will be introduced to the Microsoft Access data management system and will learn to confidently use PowerPoint presentation software. You will also develop skills in effective job searching in today’s competitive and changing employment market, exploring self-assessment, networking, résumés, interviews, portfolios and career planning.
About Online Learning
Online learning is the most rapidly expanding mode of teaching and learning on the planet. Online is ideal for students who wish to learn in their own environment using the Internet. Online learning allows you to learn, while also connecting with others. Office Administration (OAD) course materials are available through the BC Campus portal and the technology is used to communicate with peers and instructors, and to submit assignments. The courses are delivered by a collaborative of North Island College and other post-secondary OAD instructors to students around the province.
Working in an online class in the Office Administration online program is much the same as working in a face-to- face class. Interacting with peers in class discussions, and completing course work are accomplished in your time and place. Online learning provides access to the best course content and to qualified online instructors. Flexibility in the time taken to complete online courses is important to learners. You can attend your virtual classes when and where it is most convenient for you.
Planning and managing your time are keys to success in online learning. It is important to decide how much time you want to spend online and on which days. You must dedicate the required hours per week, but you choose the time (anytime during the day or night - 24 hours a day, seven days a week) to participate in your online course and meet deadlines. If you are a self-motivated, self-disciplined, and organized person - online learning will offer many benefits.
Your online instructor is available to assist you with guiding your learning, reviewing course content and assisting with any learning difficulties. You have the course materials, online instructor resource, online course progress, online web tools and your online class peers available to you for learner-centred activities. Your online instructors are available to answer questions and assist you with assignments through the pager, LiveRoom Chat, discussion, and email components of every course. OAD online courses may include chat sessions, messaging, course mail, a public bulletin board for class discussions, calendars, study tips, and online assistance, as well as web-based course materials, quizzes, glossaries and links to other websites and resources. Online learning and research enables you to expand your educational experience to advance your career.
Transfer Credit & Credit For Prior Learning
If you are transferring from other colleges or institutions, you may be given transfer credit for course work upon presentation of transcripts provided the course credit was awarded no more than three years prior to the application for transfer credit to a maximum of 50 per cent of the certificate’s required courses. If you are a recent high school graduate, it is recommended that you meet with an advisor to determine if any of your high school credits are eligible for transfer credit. If you have prior office work experience and wish to enter a certificate program, contact the department chair to determine your eligibility and program planning needs.
To Be Successful
- Contact an educational advisor to help to create an education plan that meets your goals within the available time needed to complete the program.
- You will need access to a personal computer (as software in a number of Office Administration courses is Windows only - making a Mac computer is not recommended/not supported, nor is a mobile phone or tablet suitable for this program. Additionally, Chromebook (from Google) and Surface Go (from Microsoft with “S” mode) are laptops that both come with a ‘stripped down’ operating system are also not recommended/not supported), the Internet and access to email. Office Administration programs require a minimum operating system of Windows 10 and Office 365, Office 2016 or Office 2019 (Note: Office 365 is available to NIC students through the Library Learning Commons. Additional software, supplies or equipment may be required for some courses).
Career Opportunities
As a Computing Accounting Assistant certificate graduate, you will qualify to work for a diverse range of businesses from proprietorships to large corporations as a bookkeeping assistant, data entry clerks, financial assistant, payroll support personnel and computer-related positions. The Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping supports NIC graduates by allowing transfer credit for specific course equivalencies.
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