ACCOUNTING AND PAYROLL ADMINISTRATION
START YOUR NEW CAREER IN BUSINESS IN ONLY 55 WEEKS
BECOMING AN ACCOUNTANT OR PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR
Improve your prospects in the business world with Heritage College’s Accounting and Payroll Administration diploma. This comprehensive one-year program equips you with the practical skills necessary to thrive as an accountant, payroll administrator, or tax specialist.
Throughout the program’s duration, you will gain the knowledge and expertise to handle the daily challenges faced by accounting professionals. From managing payroll and expenses to drafting fiscal year documentation, you will learn crucial skills to effectively communicate with stakeholders and navigate provincial and federal payroll laws. Additionally, the program covers essential topics such as accounts payable and receivable, bookkeeping, cash analysis, financial statements, and accounting for partnerships and corporations.
To ensure you are well-prepared for the job market, our program provides hands-on experience with leading accounting and payroll software, including QuickBooks Online, ProFile Professional Tax, and Sage 50cloud. This technical training empowers you with real-world knowledge that can be applied from day one on the job.
Furthermore, Heritage College’s Accounting and Payroll Administration program includes a valuable three-week work experience opportunity in a local business or financial institution. This hands-on experience allows you to apply your skills in a professional setting and gain practical insights into the industry. As a graduate of our program, you will receive ongoing support from Heritage College’s Career Services department, offering assistance with job searches, resume and LinkedIn profile reviews, and interview preparation.
Launch your successful business career today with Heritage College’s one-year Accounting and Payroll Administration program.
Heritage College’s Accounting & Payroll Administration diploma goes beyond equipping students with essential skills. It also prepares them for professional recognition as National Payroll Institute-designated Payroll Compliance Professionals.
By successfully completing this program, students fulfill part of the educational requirements necessary to obtain their Payroll Compliance Professional designation from the NPI, and will have the opportunity to challenge the 3 PCP payroll exams. It’s important to note that graduates will need to pass the 3 PCP payroll exams, and will also need to obtain one year of work experience in the payroll field to qualify for their designation.
To learn more about this program and the pathway to becoming a Payroll Compliance Professional, please contact us at 403-800-8221. Our team will be happy to provide you with further information and answer any questions you may have.
Course Overview
Upon completion of Heritage College’s Accounting and Payroll Administration program, graduates acquire the necessary bookkeeping and financial knowledge to tackle the daily challenges encountered by accounting professionals. Throughout this comprehensive one-year program, you will:
- Gain expertise in industry-standard accounting software, including QuickBooks, Sage 50cloud, and ProFile Professional Tax.
- Fulfill the educational requirements essential to obtaining your Payroll Compliance Professional designation from the National Payroll Institute (NPI).
- Study key aspects such as human resources, payroll regulations, taxation, and accounting, preparing you for diverse roles within today’s dynamic business environment.
- Explore the wide range of business roles that accounting professionals can fulfill, including bookkeeping, financial analysis, personal accounting, and tax preparation.
- Acquire a thorough understanding of the regulations and laws governing accounting and payroll practices across Canada.
By enrolling in Heritage College’s Accounting and Payroll Administration program, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the field of accounting, payroll, and bookkeeping and human resources.
How You'll Learn
Heritage College’s Accounting and Payroll Administration diploma has two delivery methods:
- In-Class: Three days a week at Heritage College’s Northeast Calgary campus.
- Online: Lectures and theory delivered online, including online assessment.
This program combines lectures, visual aides, hands-on learning via practical exercises, projects, exams and group discussions into an accessible learning experience. Validation of knowledge is done through through exams, practical tests, projects, and practicum evaluation.
YOUR FUTURE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The demand for skilled accounting professionals is high across various industries. Upon graduating from Heritage College’s Accounting and Payroll Administration program, you will have access to a wide range of employment opportunities. Companies of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises, consistently seek junior accountants, bookkeepers, accounts payable and accounts receivable clerks, and office managers to support their financial operations.
The accounting field offers substantial potential for growth, and graduates of this program can seize numerous opportunities for further training and career advancement. Additional certifications can be pursued, enabling graduates to progress from entry-level positions to managerial roles within the public, private, or non-profit sectors.
To learn more about the rewarding career of a payroll administrator, please visit the payroll administrator career information page on the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website.
Upcoming Start Dates
+ Dec 3, 2024 - Morning Online
+ Dec 6, 2024 - Weekend Online
+ Jan 14, 24 - Evening In-Class
+ Jan 24, 2025 - Weekend Online
+ Feb 4, 2025 - Morning Online
Course Length
55 Weeks
1155 Total Hours
1035 Theory | 120 Practicum
Course Offered
In-Class
100% Online
FIND OUT MORE
Fill out the form below for your FREE information package.
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COURSE OUTLINE
- Introduction to Microsoft Office
- Business Communication
- Human Resources Management
- Accounting Fundamentals
- Financial Accounting I
- Financial Accounting II
- Payroll Procedures I - Employees Perspective
- Payroll Procedures II - Employers Perspective
- Canadian Payroll Regulations
- Personal & Corporate Taxation
- QuickBooks Online
- Sage 50cloud Accounting
- Employment Preparation Workshop
Why Heritage?
- One of Alberta's most affordable payroll diplomas
- Prepare to become an NPI-designated Payroll Compliance Professional
- Flexible, affordable classes offered on evenings and weekends, so it fits your schedule.
- Small class sizes, providing you the opportunity for real, hands-on learning.
- Expert instructors with decades of experience in accounting, payroll and human resources.
- Guaranteed work placement practicums in a business in your hometown.
- Access to our Career Services Department, who will work with you at all steps of your job search.
- A variety of financial aid options for those students who require it.
MAKING YOUR EDUCATION AFFORDABLE
Your education is one of the most important decisions you make in your life. It’s an investment in your future, and it can pay you back in dividends.
At Heritage College, we work with you to ensure you can afford the education you need to transform your life. We have helped many students get financial aid, and our team is ready to help you make the right decisions for your future as well.
Our admissions team will work with you to determine the options that best fit your own personal financial needs and situation. This program is eligible for Canada Student Loans, other forms of government funding, and scholarships. We can advise you on Provincial Student Aid, personal lines of credit, RESPs, and our own in-house student financing. We work with you to ensure you are securely funded before you start your program, so you start your program confident you will be able to see it through to the end.
You can visit our Tuition and Financial Aid page for more information on how we can help you afford your education. Please also visit our Scholarships and Grants Page for information about current financial aid opportunities exclusive to Heritage College students.
Heritage College’s Accounting & Payroll Administration diploma is eligible for government funding and student loans in:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Quebec
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Northwest Territories
The Accounting and Payroll Administration diploma program at Heritage College is an approved Vocational Program licensed by Alberta Advanced Education.
No high school diploma? No problem!
Heritage College does not require a high school diploma for our mature admissions pathway.
Standard admission is for students who have graduated from high school or another educational institute within the past one (1) year.
Students must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age (for residents of Alberta and Saskatchewan) or 19 years of age (for residents of British Columbia and Manitoba) when they submit their application.
- Applicants must demonstrate minimum academic achievements by submitting one of the following:
- an Alberta high school diploma, verified by transcript
- a non-Alberta high school transcript from another province in Canada
- a General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.)
- Applicants must have a current (completed within the previous three months) Police Information Check (PIC). This check must be submitted before admittance to the program. The existence of a criminal record may postpone or prevent fieldwork placements, therefore subsequently affecting a potential student’s successful completion of the program.
- Applicants must successfully complete an interview with the Program Lead, which will determine a potential student’s personal suitability to the program goals and outcomes.
- Applicants must demonstrate a minimum level of computer knowledge and skills.
Mature admission is for students who are returning to education after spending at least one (1) year in the workforce, and who are applying to our standard diploma or certificate programs.
Applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age (for residents of Alberta and Saskatchewan) or 19 years of age (for residents of British Columbia and Manitoba) when they submit their application.
- Applicants must have been out of school for at minimum of one (1) year
- Applicants must successfully complete an interview with the Program Lead, which will determine a potential student’s personal suitability to the program goals and outcomes.
- Applicants must successfully pass our Wonderlic Skills Test
- Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by either:
- the successful completion of English 30-1 and Math 30-1 through transcripts
- CLB level 6 minimum
- A score of 4.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS)
- A score of at least 32 on the Test of English Language Fluency (TOEFL)
- Applicants must submit a current (completed within the previous three months) Police Information Check (PIC). This check must be submitted before admittance to the program. The existence of a criminal record may postpone or prevent fieldwork placements, therefore subsequently affecting a potential student’s successful completion of the program.
- Applicants must demonstrate a minimum level of computer knowledge and skills.
You can find additional information about our admission requirements on our Admissions Page.
Practicum Requirements
Accounting and Payroll Administration diploma program students complete their education with 120 hours of practicum experience at a partner institution. To participate in the practicum, students must satisfy the following prerequisites.
- Police Information Check (Clearance) of Criminal Record
- Achieve a minimum mark of 60% across all of the theory module assignments and exams
- Your account must be in good standing with Heritage College
Graduation Requirements
To successfully graduate from the Accounting and Payroll Administration diploma program, students must:
- Achieve a minimum mark of 60% across all of the module assignments, exams and practicum assessment
- Successfully complete all 120 practicum hours
- Your account must be in good standing with Heritage College
Amazing college! The teachers are incredibly intelligent and caring to the students. The class sizes are small, so it's easy to connect with your teachers and fellow classmates.
Amazing school, with amazing teachers who put their interest in helping you be successful and ensure you are prepared for the rest of your career.
I'm glad I made the right choice to join the class. Best teachers, good class size, hands-on experience... very good!
APPLY ONLINE
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ACCOUNTING AND PAYROLLADMINISTRATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
This is only an outline of our Accounting and Payroll Administration program. For more information about our curriculum, please contact our admissions advisers.
MO-1: Introduction to Microsoft Office
This course will introduce students to the basic principles of the Microsoft Office Suite.
This course is split into different modules, which students can complete individually. The
modules are as follows:
- Windows Introduction
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
BAM-1: Business Communication
This course will cover the various topics needed to strengthen the student’s ability to communicate effectively in a professional workplace environment. Students will learn how to improve the written and verbal communication skills required by various business matters. Students will examine business writing and compose multiple letters and memos in a corporate context. Students will further practice their communication skills by analyzing persuasive and effective business writing, executive summaries, and oral presentations.
BAM-03: Human Resources Management
This course covers the strategic importance of human resources management, including job analysis and job design, human resource planning, the legal requirements of hiring, diversity in the workplace, recruitment, selection, orientation training, development and career planning, performance appraisal, compensation management, employee benefits, health and safety in the workplace, managing employee relations, and union-management framework.
APA-01: Accounting Fundamentals
In this course, students learn basic accounting concepts and procedures. Topics covered include business classifications, ratios, percentages, proportions, marketing math, simple and compound interest, assets and liabilities, equity accounts, trial balance, annuities, loans, and mortgages. Students will also learn essential accounting concepts and procedures, including basic and expanded accounting equations, adjusting and closing entries, and the complete accounting cycle.
FACC-1: Financial Accounting I
Financial Accounting I introduces students to financial accounting from the perspective of someone who makes financial and accounting decisions based on financial information. The course includes an introduction to the accounting framework, generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements.
Students in this course learn financial accounting principles using GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), accounts receivable, sales and inventories, cash flow statements, and analysis of financial statements.
FACC-2: Financial Accounting II
This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the accounting cycle and its many facets. This course helps students rationally apply the financial accounting topics covered in Financial Accounting I. The topics of this course include accounting for partnerships and corporations, stocks and dividends, retained earnings, merchandise inventory, and property, plant, equipment and intangible asset evaluation.
PRL-1: Canadian Payroll Regulations
This course covers payroll and its compliance environment, federal legislation relating to accounting and payroll, CPP & EI requirements, income tax, labour standards and employment standards, unionized workplaces, and provincial and territorial legislation.
PRL-2: Payroll Procedures 1 - Employees Perspective
Over the length of this course, students learn new employment information, the calculating of regular income-earnings, the CRA Payroll Deductions Online Calculator (PDOC), allowances, benefits, expenses, non-regular payments, non-statutory deductions, termination of employment, return on equity (ROE) and commission payments.
PRL-3: Payroll Procedures 2 - Employers Perspective
In this course, students cover the calculation of organizational remittances to the Canadian Revenue Agency (online or via the PD7A form), provincial remittances, and Worker Compensation Board (WCB) compensation remittances.
APA-02: Personal & Corporate Taxation
APS-01: QuickBooks Online
APS-02: Sage 50cloud Accounting
This course is a thorough introduction to the Sage 50cloud accounting software and its layouts, including setting up a company, the A/P and A/R modules and the payroll module.
EPW-01: Employment Preparation Workshops
This course teaches job search skills and helps students understand the labour market. It includes coaching in writing effective resumes and cover letters. Students also participate in mock interviews to correct and refine skills, increasing employment readiness.
Topics include:
- Portfolios
- Job search strategies
- Resume and cover letter writing
- Mock interviews and retrospective reviews
- The role of social media in job hunting
