Accounting Courses Online: Accounting & Payroll Administrator Diploma

Accounting is an exciting and rewarding career, and it’s not just for number-lovers! If you’re looking to learn more about online accounting courses and their content, look no further. 

We’ve put together a list of online accounting courses and some of the traits that could help you succeed in this mathematical field. Whether you want to start as an accounting technician or pursue a degree, there’s an online course for you! 

Online accounting courses

Here are seven online accounting courses in Canada that will help you start a meaningful career, advance your current one or help you specialize your skills. 

1. Accounting & Payroll Administrator Diploma with Robertson Online

We offer a 50-week Accounting & Payroll Administrator Diploma program through our Robertson Online campus. This program includes a 4-week practicum and is recognized by The Canadian Payroll Association. Students will gain a basic understanding of office procedures, bookkeeping, Sage and Quickbooks computerized accounting as well as corporate and financial accounting and payroll administration. 

When you study with Robertson Online, you’ll be using Brightspace, our online learning hub. You’ll be able to study anytime, anywhere, as long as you meet your weekly goals. Brightspace is where you’ll access course materials, submit assignments and connect with instructors and peers. 

If you’re ready to apply, reach out to a Student Admissions Advisor to get started!

2. University Certificate in Accounting at Athabasca University

Athabasca University’s online certificate is a great starting point if you want to pursue an Advanced Certificate in Accounting or a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting. This program can be completed in one year of full-time study but there’s no time limit.

Students will gain a basic understanding of financial accounting, cost analysis, microeconomics, macroeconomics, commercial law, and statistics. Many of these certificate courses cover the prerequisites needed to become a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). This is a great starting point for anyone wanting to pursue their CPA designation.

3. Accounting Career Diploma at ICS Canada

ICS Canada is a hub for online study and certifications. This course is designed to help individuals learn new skills, refine their existing knowledge or learn to improve businesses. Students will learn introductory and intermediate accounting practices, principles of management as well as payroll and cost accounting. The course can be taken anywhere and students can work at their own pace, making it a great option for anyone with a busy schedule. 

4. Financial Fundamentals at the University of Winnipeg

This course is designed to help managers understand financial principles and financial management tools, even if they aren’t working in a financial management role. This is a great course if you’re a manager looking to learn more about accounting, financial reporting, and budgeting. In a short 36 hours, you can bring these new skills to your current role and field.

5. Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at Yorkville University 

This business degree is fully online and students can graduate in as few as two and a half years. Students will gain specialized knowledge in accounting policy, analytical tools and learn how finances and budgeting affect business performance. This degree prepares students to obtain their Chartered Professional Accountants designation.

6. Bookkeeping Certificate at Centennial College

Centennial’s bookkeeping program gives students the skills to complete bookkeeping functions including accounts receivables, payables, inventory, and payroll processing. They’ll learn to prepare tax returns, use spreadsheet and database programs, and create reports for business analysis and planning. This program is a great starting point for students who want to pursue an accounting program or simply start a career in bookkeeping. 

7. Accounting Technician Diploma with Robertson Online

At Robertson Online, we also offer a 32-week Accounting Technician Diploma program that gives students a basic understanding of administrative office procedures, manual bookkeeping and budgeting, as well as business communication skills. Students will be prepared to find work as an Administrative Assistant, Bookkeeper, or Accounting Assistant. 

If you’re ready to apply, reach out to a Student Admissions Advisor to get started!

Top accountant traits 

As you now know, there are plenty of accounting programs out there. But how do you know if it’s the career path for you? 

We’ve put together a list of the top accountant traits and how they apply to the field. See which ones apply to you!

• Detail-oriented. Accountants deal with finances and when it comes to most organizations, they want their finances to be in order. Accounts must be detail-oriented, precise, and accurate when it comes to the numbers. If you’re organized and keep on top of your work, you’d likely succeed in this field. 
• Analytical. Accountants must be problem-solvers and able to analyze and investigate problems. When the numbers don’t add up, it’s up to accountants to figure out what went wrong and create a plan to fix the problem. 
• Strong communicator. Accounting isn’t just about the numbers. You’ll likely be working as part of a team and other people will depend on you to bring findings and insights to the table. Accountants need to be able to communicate and present financial data, business projections and express ideas and solutions for growth and business advancement. Numbers are a part of it, but accountants must be able to speak about the numbers in a clear way. 
• Manages stress well. The accounting role can be a stressful one. If things go wrong, people often look to accountants for answers. Especially in the business world, numbers are important, so accountants need to be prepared to answer tough questions and handle stressful situations. 
• Honest. Accountants handle private documents that contain a lot of confidential information. If something seems off or doesn’t look right, it’s up to the accountant to bring the issue to light – even if it introduces a difficult conversation. 
• Self-motivated. A lot of accountant work is routine-driven and may seem monotonous after doing the same tasks on a monthly or quarterly basis. Accountants must keep themselves motivated and on track, even if their work is repetitive. 
• Constant learner. Accounting is a career that requires frequent upskilling and learning in order to maintain your certification. To stay up-to-date with industry standards and knowledge, you’ll likely have to take some courses to keep up with trends and changes.

To explore your personality traits, take this career quiz and see how they relate to the world of accounting. 

If you’ve decided accounting is for you, we hope to see you at Robertson!

If you have any questions about virtual learning and our online programs, reach out to our Student Admissions Advisors. Simply fill out the form with your question and they’ll reach out to you with the information you need to help you get started on your career journey.