Accounting Technology Certificate

Looking for a one year accounting program in Hinton? The Accounting Technology Certificate will help you develop your accounting knowledge and get you out into the workforce after eight months.

The Accounting Technology Certificate program is a full-time program consisting of 10 courses completed over a one year period (September to April). Students complete the program through a combination of classroom delivered courses and on-line studies. Selected courses may be videoconferenced from Hinton to Edson, Jasper and Grande Cache. Students have the flexibility to take the program either full-time or on a part-time basis. The program is well suited to students seeking a career in accounting.

MacEwan's Accounting and Strategic Measurement Program is training tomorrow's business leaders. Students in the program learn about more than numbers: they're learning about the people side of business. The Accounting Technology Certificate is designed to provide students with practical, marketable skills for today's business market.

Success in today's business world depends on sound decisions based on timely, accurate and well-directed financial information. Successful accounting students are self-motivated, have good analytical skills, and the ability to work in a team environment. In addition, they need effective oral and written communication skills for success.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Graduates develop competence in the following areas:

ACCT 111 Financial Accounting l*
ACCT 161 Financial Accounting ll*
MCSP 131 Business Computing*
ACCT 162 Practical Tax Applications*
ACCT 164 Information Technology ll*
ENGL 111 Communications*
ENGL 211 Business Communications*
ACCT218 Management Accounting I*
LEGL 210 Business Law l*
MGMT 131 Marketing (elective)
*courses required for entry into the Bachelor of Applied Business Administration - Accounting

FULL-TIME COURSE SCHEDULE HINTON

September 2009
ACCT 111
MCSP 131
ENGL 111
ACCT 162
MGMT 131 (elective)

January 2010
ACCT 161
ACCT 164
ACCT 218
LEGL 210
ENGL 211

• Subject to funding approval and availability

LENGTH OF TIME TO COMPLETE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

A student who is admitted to this program has 4 years to complete all graduation requirements to be eligible for a credential (refer to Policy C2075)

CAREER POTENTIAL

With skills in accounting and computing, graduates of this program may pursue careers in administrative or financial positions in a variety of environments, such as government, industry, accounting firms, financial institutions, hospitals, and consulting firms. Students completing this certificate typically find entry-level positions as:

• accounting technicians
• accounting clerks
• bookkeepers

TRANSFERABILITY

The Accounting and Strategic Measurement program provides multiple opportunities to enter or exit the program or progress to more advanced studies. Students have the option of working towards either the one-year Accounting Technology Certificate, a two year diploma or an applied degree.

• After successfully completing the Accounting Technology Certificate program, students can continue on to the second year of the Accounting and Strategic Measurement diploma program. (Must transfer to MacEwan campus in Edmonton for diploma level and degree level studies).
• Students also have the opportunity to apply their diploma towards the first two years of the Bachelor of Applied Business Administration - Accounting. (Must transfer to MacEwan Edmonton campus).
• Students completing the certificate program may also apply for exemption with the Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping (CIB).
• Time restrictions may apply when transferring courses. Check with the receiving institution. 

• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta (CA)
• Certified General Accountants of Alberta (CGA)
• Society of Management Accountants of Alberta (CMA)

For more information on transferring to various post-secondary institutions, please see the MacEwan calendar, CGA or CMA websites or refer to the Alberta Transfer Guide at www.acat.gov.ab.ca

FEES 2009/2010 Academic Year

• Application for Admission Fee (increase to $70 Oct. 1, 2009 for Fall 2010 intake) $50.00
• Study Skills Appraisal Fee (if required) $50.00
• Part-time Tuition $566.00 (per 3-credit course)
• Full-time Tuition (sliding scale) $1627.00 (per semester - 15 credits)
• Student I.D. card $10.00
• Registrarial Service Fee Full-time $13.00 Part-time $6.50
• Global Education Fee (fall/winter terms only) $3.60 per term taking 9 or more credits
• Technology Fee for On-line courses - $25/per course
•  Information Technology Fee for 3 credit course $6.00
• ($2 per credit to maximum of $30 per term, 15 credits)

Program registered and accepted students use sliding tuition scale

Sliding tuition scale applies to classroom delivered courses in Hinton

Plus material fees where applicable

Plus textbooks (approximately $110 per course)

For further information, please contact MacEwan School of Business Hinton:
Yvonne Lockert - Outreach Assistant
(780) 865-5195 (Direct line)
(780) 865-7666 (Main office)

CATEGORIES OF ADMISSION
Applicants may be admitted to one of the following:  

Regular admission - an Alberta high school diploma or equivalent. To be evaluated through the Office of the Registrar. OR
Mature Admission - applicant must be 20 years of age or older, and out of full-time high school at least one year by the beginning of the intake term. To be evaluated through the office of the Registrar. Applicants must only complete the skills appraisal if they do not present the English or Math requirements.

Applicable to all admission categories:

• Identified skills appraisal requirements must be completed by the beginning of the intake term.

ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS

All applicants must meet ONE of the following English requirements with a minimum final grade of:

• 65 percent or higher in ELA30-1 (or English 30 Alberta) OR
• 75 percent or higher in ELA30-2 (or English 33 Alberta) OR
• A post-secondary English course (to be evaluated by the Registrar's Office) OR
• Successful completion of MacEwan’s Skills Appraisal exam: English, Writing, and Reading portions. If exam results show the need for developmental work, this must be completed with a minimum grade of D before you start this program.

MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT

All applicants must meet ONE of the following math requirements with a final grade of:

• 65 percent or higher in Pure Math 30 or Applied Math 30 (or Math 33Alberta) OR
• Successful completion: Math portion of MacEwan’s Skills Appraisal exam. If exam results show the need for developmental work, this must be completed with a minimum grade of C- before you start this program.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

To be evaluated through the Office of the Registrar. Applicable to all admission categories. The university expects all applicants to meet an acceptable level of English language proficiency. We will require official documents such as high school or post-secondary transcripts or proof of successful completion of standardized language evaluation. Full details are available in the MacEwan's full-time calendar or online at www.MacEwan.ca 

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply to this program submit to the business programs Hinton:

• Your application for admission form and $50 Application for admission fee (non-refundable)
• One official high school transcript
• Two post-secondary transcripts (if applicable)
• Meet all admission requirements by the beginning of the intake term
• Remit all necessary fees and documents

Note:

• There is a non-refundable $50 fee for the Skills Appraisal test. Test results are not released until the fee is paid.
• You must apply to and be accepted into the program to graduate with a certificate or diploma
• Upon completion of the certificate -level courses, students submit a formal “Application to Graduate” and are then awarded the certificate.
• We urge you to apply and register early in order to expedite the application process

IS THIS PROGRAM FOR YOU?

Is there a proven skill set that defines a good accountant? This is one problem no formula can solve. Still, we feel there are some qualities we think will help you enjoy a satisfying career after graduation:

• GOOD COMMUNICATOR (oral or written). You might be on the phone with a bank clerk reconciling a statement. Processing someone’s pay. Helping them with their accounting software. The common thread: you will be working with people, and you’ll need to be very clear about what you’re saying. Your good communication skills can directly affect the quality of your work.
• That ties in nicely with this next characteristic: TEAM PLAYER, Accountants often work in teams, so your ability to work with all types of people will come in handy, and your team might change from project to project, so the ability to COPE WELL WITH CHANGE also proves to be a valuable asset.
• ANALYTICAL. There’s not much to say here. Accounting is about problem solving.
• SELF-MOTIVATED TO WORK. In a small operation, you might be doing any number of accounting-related tasks, and you might find yourself working for people with less accounting know-how. Showing your employers what you can do with your accounting skills will build value for what you do while you are helping build value for the organization.
• TECH SAVVY. This program prepares you to work in accounting using computers. Sounds simple enough, but getting to a level at which you are really comfortable with technology takes practice. That’s why we’re here.

Make MacEwan School of Business in Hinton your first choice. Call or visit our program staff for more information on this Grant MacEwan University program offered at the Yellowhead Region Educational Consortium in Hinton.

HINTON - SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2009 COURSE OFFERINGS

ACCT111 - Financial Accounting l

This course provides an introduction to accounting principles, concepts, and techniques. It provides an overview of the accounting cycle from the initial recording of transactions through to the preparation of financial statements. Transferable: * (U A, Other. See the Alberta Transfer Guide for further transferability).

Prerequisites: none

MCSP 131 - Business Computing

This course explores PC-compatible business software applications in the computer lab. Topics covered will include industry standard word processing, spreadsheet and database programs for the Windows environment, using Windows XP Pro, MS Office XP Pro, Word, Excel, and Access . *(See the Alberta Transfer Guide for transferability, other).

Prerequisites: none

ENGL111 Communications

This course aims to help students improve all their communication skills: writing, reading, speaking, and listening. The main emphasis, however, is on writing skills. Students will write an expository and a persuasive essay, summarize written text and apply principles of clear and correct writing to their own compositions. Students will learn research and documentation strategies and will strengthen and expand their writing skills so that they can write more effectively for a variety of audiences and purposes. *(Transferable to: In combination with ENGL211, transfers to Athabasca University ENGL255, other)

Prerequisite: Students must meet one of the following:

• A minimum grade of 65 per cent in English 30 or a minimum grade of 75 per cent in English 33 OR
• Successful completion of the Skills Appraisal or ENGL0089, OR
• Acceptance into a college program. Business Program accepted students ELA Eng. 30-1 (or English 30) with a minimum grade of 50 per cent or ELA 30 -2 (or English 33) with a minimum grade of 75 per cent OR successful completion of the MacEwan skills appraisal test

ACCT162 Practical Tax Applications

This course is designed to be a hands-on course introducing the student to the preparation of the personal tax returns (T1) and corporate tax returns (T2), including the documentation and schedules related to T1 and T2 preparation. Students will gain an understanding of the concepts underlying income tax legislation. This course also provides a brief introduction to the Goods and Service Tax (GST). The explicit use of taxation software technology is expected in this course.

Transferable: *(other)

Prerequisite: ACCT111.

MGMT 131 - Marketing (elective)

In this course students examine basic decisions made by business in development, promotion, distribution and sale of goods and services. Students learn to analyze buyer decision processes and to convert this information into reasonable marketing strategies. Through discussion of cases and readings and through various projects, students acquire some knowledge of the methods available for solving marketing problems. *(Transferable to: CMA, UC, UL, AU, AUC, CU, KUC, CUC)

Prerequisite: none

HINTON - JANUARY TO APRIL 2010 COURSE OFFERINGS

ACCT161 Financial Accounting ll

This course provides an introductory overview of accounting for various legal forms of business organizations, aspects of corporate reporting, and analysis of financial statements. Transferable:

*(other)

Prerequisites: ACCT111 or equivalent

ACCT 164 - Information Technology 11

This course covers intermediate level use of selected desktop tools, groupware, and communications technology. Students will work with selected accounting software. (Simply Accounting) The use of technology is expected in this course. *(AU)

Prerequisite: ACCT 114

ACCT 218 - Management Accounting 1

The objective of this course is to introduce the student to the role that management accounting plays in determining an appropriate cost for goods and services in a number of different business contexts. In addition, the successful student will be able to articulate the importance of analyzing and managing costs and the importance of costing to the decision making process. *(other)

Prerequisite: ACCT111 or equivalent

LEGL 210 - Business Law l

This course offers an introduction to various substantive areas of law that are of special interest to the business student. Topics of study include tort, contract, agency, partnership and corporation. The student will acquire a general knowledge of some of the basic principles of business law and will be able to apply them to everyday business situations. In addition, students will acquire a better understanding of the Canadian legal system. *(Transferable to: CGA, CMA, UA, AU, AUC, CU, KUC, UL, Other)

Prerequisite: none

ENGL211 Business Communications - (On-line course MacEwan)

The course focuses on effective problem-solving approaches in business writing situations. Letter, memos, emails, and reports, often presented in case study formats, aid in developing expertise in gathering and analyzing data, writing with a clear sense of purpose and writing with a reader's needs clearly in mind. Although the principles of clear, concise business communications are covered, the main emphasis is on practical applications of these concepts. Note: this course, in combination with ENGL111, transfers to Athabasca University ENGL255.

Prerequisite: ENGL111 

HINTON COURSES - SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2009

Special Note: Students planning to transfer to Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton and continue in the Accounting & Strategic Measurement Diploma may take the following courses: 

ACCT111 - Financial Accounting l

This course provides an introduction to accounting principles, concepts, and techniques. It provides an overview of the accounting cycle from the initial recording of transactions through to the preparation of financial statements. Transferable: * (U A, Other. See the Alberta Transfer Guide for further transferability).

Prerequisites: none

ACCT162 Practical Tax Applications

This course is designed to be a hands-on course introducing the student to the preparation of the personal tax returns (T1) and corporate tax returns (T2), including the documentation and schedules related to T1 and T2 preparation. Students will gain an understanding of the concepts underlying income tax legislation. This course also provides a brief introduction to the Goods and Service Tax (GST). The explicit use of taxation software technology is expected in this course.

Transferable: *(other)

Prerequisite: ACCT111

ENGL111 Communications

This course aims to help students improve all their communication skills: writing, reading, speaking, and listening. The main emphasis, however, is on writing skills. Students will write an expository and a persuasive essay, summarize written text and apply principles of clear and correct writing to their own compositions. Students will learn research and documentation strategies and will strengthen and expand their writing skills so that they can write more effectively for a variety of audiences and purposes. *(Transferable to: In combination with ENGL211, transfers to Athabasca University ENGL255, other)

Prerequisite: Students must meet one of the following:

• A minimum grade of 65 per cent in Eng. 30 or a minimum grade of 75 per cent in Eng. 33 OR
• Successful completion of the Skills Appraisal or ENGL0089, OR
• Acceptance into a college program that requires a minimum of 50 per cent in Eng. 30.
• Business Program accepted students Eng. 30 with 50% pass or Eng. 33 with 75% pass or successful completion of the MacEwan skills appraisal test

MCSP 131 - Business Computing

This course explores PC-compatible business software applications in the computer lab. Topics covered will include industry standard word processing, spreadsheet and database programs for he Windows environment, using Windows XP Pro, MS Office XP Pro, Word, Excel, and Access . *(See the Alberta Transfer Guide for transferability, other).

Prerequisites: none

MGMT 131 - Marketing * (elective) - (On-line course MacEwan)

In this course students examine basic decisions made by business in development, promotion, distribution and sale of goods and services. Students learn to analyze buyer decision processes and to convert this information into reasonable marketing strategies. Through discussion of cases and readings and through various projects, students acquire some knowledge of the methods available for solving marketing problems. *(Transferable to: CMA, UC, UL, AU, AUC, CU, KUC, CUC)

(* course required for entry into the Bachelor of Applied Business Administration)

Prerequisite: none

ACCOUNTING & STRATEGIC MEASUREMENT DIPLOMA

HINTON COURSES - JANUARY TO APRIL 2009

ACCT161 Financial Accounting ll

This course provides an introductory overview of accounting for various legal forms of business organizations, aspects of corporate reporting, and analysis of financial statements. *(transferable to: other)

Prerequisites: ACCT111 or equivalent.

ACCT 164 - Information Technology 11

This course covers intermediate level use of selected desktop tools, groupware, and communications technology. Students will work with selected accounting software. (Simply Accounting) The use of technology is expected in this course. *(AU)

Prerequisite: ACCT 114

ACCT 218 - Management Accounting 1

The objective of this course is to introduce the student to the role that management accounting plays in determining an appropriate cost for goods and services in a number of different business contexts. In addition, the successful student will be able to articulate the importance of analyzing and managing costs and the importance of costing to the decision making process. *(other)

Prerequisite: ACCT111 or equivalent

LEGL210 - Business Law l

This course offers an introduction to various substantive areas of law that are of special interest to the business student. Topics of study include tort, contract, agency, partnership and corporation. The student will acquire a general knowledge of some of the basic principles of business law and will be able to apply them to everyday business situations. In addition, students will acquire a better understanding of the Canadian legal system. *(transferable to: CGA, CMA, UA, AU, AUC, CU, KUC, UL, Other)

Prerequisite: none

MGMT 122 - Organizational Behaviour

This course examines the impact of individuals and groups on behaviour within organizations. Students will work individually and in groups to explore topics including personality and perception, diversity, motivation, small group dynamics, communication, change, and leadership within the organizational context. *(Transferable to: UA, AU, AUC, CU, KUC, CUC, Other)

Prerequisite: none

ECON 100 - Elementary Business Economics (elective, on-line)

This course provides an introduction to the principal ideas of economics designed to give students a basic understanding of economic theories and their application to Canadian policy and business practice. Course content combines both micro and macro concepts including supply and demand, market failure and elasticity, national income accounting, national income determination, fiscal and monetary policy, international trade and the foreign exchange market. 

Prerequisites: Students with credit in ACCT155 or ECON101 or ECON102 or ECON203 will not receive credit in ECON100. (Students needing credit in ECON100 should take the on-line course available through eCampus Alberta SAIT ECON240)

ENGL211 Business Communications - (On-line course MacEwan)

The course focuses on effective problem-solving approaches in business writing situations. Letter, memos, emails, and reports, often presented in case study formats, aid in developing expertise in gathering and analyzing data, writing with a clear sense of purpose and writing with a reader's needs clearly in mind. Although the principles of clear, concise business communications are covered, the main emphasis is on practical applications of these concepts. Note: this course, in combination with ENGL111, transfers to Athabasca University ENGL255.

Prerequisite: ENGL111  

COURSES REQUIRED TO COMPLETE CERTIFICATE 

• ENGL111 Communications
• ACCT111 Financial Accounting l
• ACCT161 Financial Accounting ll
• ACCT162 Practical Tax Applications
• ACCT164 Information Technology ll
• ACCT166 Presentation and Communications or ENGL211
• ACCT218 Management Accounting l
• LEGL210 Business Law l
• MCSP131 Business Computing
• MGMT131 Marketing (Elective)

SEPTEMBER 2009

ACCT111*
Financial Accounting 1

ACCT162*
Practical Tax Applications

JANUARY 2010

ACCT161*
Financial Accounting ll

ACCT218*
Management Accounting l

LEGL210
Business Law I 

Online eCampus Alberta Courses available both Fall and Winter terms (some are offered in spring and summer terms as well, ENGL211 is only offered in the winter term).

• ENGL111 Communications (MacEwan)
• ENGL211 Business Communications (MacEwan)
• MCSP131 Business Computing (MacEwan)
• MGMT131 Marketing (Elective) (MacEwan)
• LEGL210 Business Law 1 (take on-site in Hinton or use BLAW 200 from SAIT)

Hinton:
Yvonne
865-5195 (direct line)
865-7666 (main office)

Edson:
Lorrie
723-5206

Jasper:
Janice
852-2101

Grande Cache:
Lauren
827-4340