Explore This Program
Program Overview
Robertson College’s Accounting and Payroll Administrator program is designed to give you a basic understanding of office procedures, bookkeeping, Sage and Quickbooks computerized accounting, corporate, and financial accounting, and payroll administration.
This program is affiliated by the National Payroll Institute. The contents of this program meets the academic requirements needed to challenge the Payroll Compliance Practitioner designation exam.
This program is licensed under Alberta’s Private Vocational Training Act (PVTA) and Manitoba’s Private Vocational Institutions Act (PVIA).
- Be introduced to facets of corporate accounting, including corporate financial statements preparation and analysis, cash flow analysis and reporting, capital assets and liabilities
- Develop an understanding of basic financial accounting principles and practices according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Learn bookkeeping basics and how to perform day-to-day financial transactions, including general journal entries, accounts payable and receivables and the operation of petty cash
- Learn payroll-related legislation and payroll fundamentals (National Payroll Institute curriculum)
- Transition the concepts of manual bookkeeping to a computerized accounting environment (Sage and Quickbooks will be covered)
- Gain basic knowledge of office procedures and develop professional business skills necessary to communicate in a dynamic workplace
- Learn proper typing techniques and improve your keyboarding accuracy
- Learn to perform functions common to all Microsoft Windows applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Students must meet a 65% passing grade for NPI courses to be eligible to challenge the exam for the Payroll Compliance Practitioner designation.
Program Delivery
Online Learning
- Study on your own schedule with the option to attend live lectures throughout the week to connect with your instructor.
- Remote learning doesn't mean you're doing it on your own! You will always have the support of your instructors and education team through video calls, discussion boards and more.
- Brightspace helps you stay on track and hold you accountable while giving you flexibility.
Visit our Online Learning to learn more about this delivery format.
Program Details
Admission Requirements
Our admissions agents can work with you to ensure you meet the program’s criteria. Need advice? A Student Admissions Advisor is here to support you.
Contact AdmissionsProgram Affiliation
National Payroll Institute
Career Opportunities
Graduates will find employment in businesses of all sizes, across a variety of sectors.
- Accounting Clerk
- Accounts Payables / Receivables Clerk
- Administrative Assistant
- Bookkeeping Clerk
- Office Manager
- Payroll Administrator
- Tax Clerk
- Payroll Analyst
You could be earning in less than a year
Lifetime Career Services
Even though you’ll leave Robertson once you graduate, we will support you throughout your career. Our team will help you with resume building, job hunting and interview preparation and will continue to guide you as you advance in your role.
Before you graduate, you’ll be paired with a career specialist in your field who will help you find a meaningful place to start your career. As a graduate, you’ll have lifelong access to student services that are committed to your success and helping you thrive.
Learn more about Lifetime Career Services.
Next Start Dates
Online on your own time with 3 real-time optional sessions per week with your instructor.
New start dates are being released all the time. Contact us for more dates.
Topics of Study
Quickbooks - 60 Hours
This course introduces students to one of the most commonly used accounting software – QuickBooks. This course utilizes a diversity of companies, business situations and realistic source documents to simulate real-life accounting transactions.
Sage Accounting - 60 Hours
This course introduces students to one of the most common accounting tools used – Sage 50. By the end of the course, students should be able to navigate Sage 50 and use it for accounting applications.
Bookkeeping - 60 Hours
This course introduces basic bookkeeping practices and procedures. Students will gain experience with typical bookkeeping functions including recording journal entries, posting to ledgers, and preparing a variety of statements. The course emphasizes a hands-on approach to manual bookkeeping, and students will complete a variety of chapter exercises along with an ongoing case study.
Business Math - 20 Hours
This course introduces students to the business mathematics used within the accounting profession. Students will review simple calculations and perform more complex calculations including decimals, fractions, percentages, and ratios. Students will use business math to calculate currency conversion, compound interest, trade discounts, markups and markdowns, break-even, and other business calculations.
Business Taxation - 40 Hours
This course introduces students to Goods and Service Tax (GST) principles and regulations. Students will develop the skills to complete accurate tax returns, develop the skills to correct tax errors and omissions, and understand the implication of GST reporting errors on an organization.
Career Preparation - 40 Hours
This course provides students with an overview of searching for employment opportunities, creating professional and targeted resumes and cover letters, and preparing for an interview. Students will learn about job hunting online, the application process for job aggregators, and discover the potential benefits of networking to help secure a job in their field.
Business Communications - 60 Hours
This course teaches students the essential skills for basic business writing and professional interaction. This course also emphasizes the role technology plays in the work place to enhance communication.
Microsoft Office Applications - 80 Hours
This course will prepare students to perform functions common to all Microsoft Windows applications. Elements include the ability to create and manipulate Word, Excel, or PowerPoint applications, modify the display of toolbars and other on-screen elements, use online help, and perform file management, editing, formatting and printing functions common to most Windows applications.
Elements of Costing - 40 Hours
This course introduces students to the importance of costing as a source of information for organizational decision-making. Students will develop skills in performing costing systems which include labor, material, overhead, and other variables. They will learn how to report on costing and provide information on organizational performance.
Financial Transactions - 40 Hours
This course introduces students to financial transactions. Students will develop the skills to process customer and supplier transactions and record these using cash books and ledgers. They will develop the skills to identify the accuracy of customer and supplier documents and learn to deal with outstanding debt.
Intermediate Accounting - 80 Hours
This course introduces students to the basic elements of double-entry bookkeeping and the standards used to process and report financial information to users. Students will develop an understanding of how to draft financial documents related to the purchase and disposal of assets, depreciation, and period-end adjustments.
Internal Controls - 40 Hours
This course introduces students to the importance of the accounting cycle and implementing internal controls within the profession. Students will explore different methods of internal controls such as documentation, the use of regulations, policies, and requirements. They will also become familiar with the external audit process. Students will develop the skills to identify unethical and illegal acts and to report these behaviors.
Personal Taxation - 40 Hours
This course introduces students to personal taxation principles and regulations. Students will develop an understanding of deductions, capital gains, losses and taxable income. They will develop the skills to prepare and submit personal tax returns.
Payroll Compliance Legislation - 80 Hours
Students will understand how to calculate basic net pays in compliance with all of Canada’s jurisdictional bodies. You will also have an understanding of the processes of provincially regulated organizations, such as the WCB, as well as the creation process and guidelines to be followed when working with Unions.
Payroll Fundamentals 1 - 100 Hours
Students will be able to calculate regular and non-regular payments, from gross pay through to net pay. You will also understand how to properly calculate commonly utilized allowances and benefits, and communicate appropriately with governmental agencies as well as internal stakeholders.
Payroll Fundamentals 2 - 80 Hours
Students will be able to calculate regular and non-regular payments, from gross pay through to net pay. You will also understand how to properly calculate commonly utilized allowances and benefits, and communicate appropriately with governmental agencies as well as internal stakeholders.
Practicum - 160 Hours
The practicum or practical project component of the program is required for students in order to gain and apply the knowledge and skills learned throughout all other courses in the program. Students will gain confidence in skills as they progress.
Learning Experience
Classes
Have the flexibility to live your life while going to school with our half-day classes. Our flexible start dates and small class sizes give you plenty of opportunities to learn when it’s best for you and gain the hands-on skills to succeed in any industry.
Industry-Leading Instructors
Learn from industry professionals who bring real-life experience into the classroom. You can book office hours or get virtual support from your instructors through Brightspace, where you can schedule video appointments and use instant messenger to ask questions.
Lifelong Career Services
Connect with a career specialist in your field who will help you find a meaningful place to start your career. As a graduate, you’ll have lifelong access to student services that will help you with resume building, interview preparation and networking.
How It Works
Getting Started
Our flexible start dates give you plenty of opportunities to plan for school and live your life around it.
Taking the Course
All Robertson Online courses are hosted on Brightspace, an online platform designed to give you everything you need to succeed in remote learning.
Entering the Workforce
Our programs set you up to adapt to industry changes and thrive in our modern digital workforce.
Visit the How It Works page to learn more about our online student experience. To learn more about how Brightspace gives you everything you need to succeed in your online courses, click here.
Financial Assistance and Funding
Robertson offers a variety of financial aid opportunities to ease students’ stress and allow them to focus on their studies. If you need extra support, we have flexible funding to accommodate all our students, no matter their financial situation. Our dedicated Financial Aid Officers will help you every step of the way.
Questions about tuition and funding?
Contact Admissions
Work Experience Practicum
The practicum is an essential part of a learner’s program. It is both a graduation requirement and an extension of in-class learning. The practicum asks you to apply the skills, theories, and concepts that you learned in your classes in an entry-level work experience situation.
Practicum must begin and end within the dates outlined in your program schedule and enrolment contract. Practicum is a full-time, unpaid commitment, and is jointly-procured — where you work directly with our Practicum team to obtain a training-related placement. Your active participation with our Practicum team in the search for your practicum placement will enhance your career development skills, industry networking opportunities, and professional communication skills.
Your Path to Becoming a Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP)
The National Payroll Institute’s PCP designation is the foundation for a successful career in payroll. The PCP courses will help you gain an in-depth understanding of the legislative requirements to keep your organization compliant throughout the annual payroll cycle. When you achieve the designation, you join a growing community of supportive professionals and gain access to the resources you need to stay current and compliant.
The PCP designation requires three core payroll courses, an Introduction to Accounting course transfer credit and one year of weighted payroll work experience:
| 1. | Payroll Compliance Legislation |
| 2. | Payroll Fundamentals 1 (Pre-requisite: Payroll Compliance Legislation) |
| 3. | Payroll Fundamentals 2 (Pre-requisite: Payroll Compliance Legislation and Payroll Fundamentals 1) |
| 4. | Introduction to Accounting (must be completed at a post-secondary institution) |
| 5. | PCP Work Experience Requirement Application of minimum of one year weighted payroll work experience. |
All PCP courses, including the Introduction to Accounting transfer credit course, require a passing grade of 65%.
Let's Get Started
Simply fill out the form below and one of our Student Advisors will provide any extra information you need and get your account activated as early as today.
Program Availability
This program is neither available on campus or via Robertson Online.