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Ministry-approved title: Business Administration – Accounting
Accounting is widely recognized as the universal language of business, and Durham College’s Accounting – Business diploma program provides a strong foundation for a successful career in the field. Taught by industry-experienced faculty, the program emphasizes practical, hands-on learning with the latest tools and technologies. Students gain proficiency in leading accounting and tax software, including QuickBooks Online, Xero, Sage 50, and Profile. The curriculum also integrates opportunities to earn Microsoft Office Specialist certifications, further enhancing your professional credentials. With a focus on real-world application and in-demand skills, this accounting diploma program prepares graduates to meet the evolving needs of employers across the accounting industry.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s), i.e. Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 Math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
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The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals.
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A diploma in business administration accounting from Durham College prepares graduates for a variety of in-demand roles in the accounting field. With skills gained from comprehensive accounting courses and hands-on experience using industry-standard tools like QuickBooks and Sage 50, you’ll be ready to pursue career opportunities in financial analysis, payroll, taxation and auditing.
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Used in a variety of organizations, accounting involves measuring business activities, processing information into financial reports and statements, and communicating information to the appropriate decision-makers. This field plays a critical role in ensuring organizations maintain financial accuracy, transparency, and compliance with regulations. From small businesses to global corporations, skilled accounting professionals are essential to tracking performance, managing budgets, and driving strategic decisions. To meet the wide range of accounting employment opportunities, Durham College incorporates a variety of simulations into business accounting courses to help prepare students for the workplace. These hands-on simulations provide students with practical experience in real-world scenarios, enabling them to develop the confidence and skills employers value. Students will be exposed to QuickBooks Online, Xero, Sage 50, and Profile. Proficiency in these tools ensures graduates are ready to handle financial processes such as payroll, invoicing, tax preparation, and reporting with efficiency and accuracy.
Business accounting courses include:
Graduates of Durham College’s Accounting advanced diploma program are well-positioned to pursue employment in roles such as financial analyst, payroll administrator, tax preparer, or accountant in a wide range of industries. Whether working in small firms or large corporations, the skills gained from these business accounting courses ensure they are prepared for success in Ontario’s competitive job market.
Please note:
Students can earn the following globally recognized certificates by taking Microsoft Office Specialist exams as part of their computer courses:
Students who successfully pass all three exams can earn an extra certificate that recognizes their accomplishment with the Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate (Office 365 and Office 2019) certificate. DC students are provided access to Microsoft Office 365 through the college’s Microsoft Office account. See more details about this opportunity.
CCI Learning is the exclusive Canadian partner of Certiport. Our partnership with them enables us to bring Certiport’s Microsoft Office Specialist certifications to our students.
Students entering their first year of studies in a Faculty of Business and Information Technology program will receive a membership to all of Durham Region’s Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade for the duration of their studies, plus an additional year following graduation. As one of the only colleges in Ontario with this offering, DC is proud to provide students with access to local businesses at a regional level.
The Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade include:
Membership benefits:
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC. Students are responsible to ensure they are not duplicating their GNED or FNMI selections as per their diploma requirements. For a successful program completion, students must have successfully completed three unique elective courses as per their program of study.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
This program contains a co-op option. Click here for information on program costs for co-op students.
Graduates of the Accounting - Business Administration program are equipped with the knowledge and practical experience needed to excel in a wide range of accounting careers. With training in financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, and auditing, as well as proficiency in tools such as QuickBooks Online, Xero, Sage 50, and Profile, you’ll have the technical expertise to meet the needs of employers across various industries. Whether you’re interested in roles like financial analyst, payroll administrator, tax preparer, or auditor, this accounting program ensures you are prepared to handle the demands of today’s accounting landscape. Additionally, your exposure to critical thinking, ethics, and project management will allow you to approach complex financial challenges with professionalism and confidence.
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
Students completing a field placement will participate in a four-week component in their final semester, giving them practical accounting experience and the opportunity to apply the theories and concepts they have learned. Students who have field placement in the third year of the program, historically, have found it valuable in gaining practical experience. We also believe it gives them a competitive edge in seeking full-time employment.
You will have the opportunity to obtain the technical course requirement to pursue an Advanced Certificate in Accounting and Finance (www.gocpaontario.ca). Subject to additional education and training requirements, you may also be eligible to apply your credits towards other related certificates, including:
Graduates with a minimum of cumulative grade point average of 3.5, can apply directly to the third year of the Bachelor of Commerce program at the Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech) or the Bachelor of Business Administration program at Trent University.
You may also be eligible to apply your academic credits towards further study through Durham College’s graduate certificate programs or through the college’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities, including:
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop.
*Mac Computers
Students will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first year of study. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students enrolled in the co-op option are required to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third years of their program.
Supports are available through the Experiential Learning office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Experiential Learning office is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions. Upon completing the work term, co-op students return to campus to complete their final two academic semesters of the accounting program before graduating.
September intake:
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.
Once transferred to the co-op option of this program, students will have a co-op administrative fee of $475 assessed to their accounts during the academic semester(s) prior to scheduled work term(s). The administrative fee goes to support the broad array of support services provided to co-op students. These services are dedicated to support student success.
Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op student.
Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op employer.
E: co-op@durhamcollege.ca
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