Career Pathway Canada

Bookkeeping certificate

Bookkeeping Certificate

Part of the route toBookkeeper·Certificate

A five to ten-month applied college program teaching double-entry bookkeeping, payroll compliance, QuickBooks, and sales taxes.

How long
5–8 Months
Cost
Not published
Schools
5 in BC

THE ROUTE

How this program works, step by step

Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.

The route (8 steps)

BC Route
1Grade 11 Preparation
2Grade 12 Graduation
3Admissions & Prerequisites
4Application Process
5Program Curriculum
6Where to Take It
7Licensing & Certification
8Career Destination

For the best view, open the map full screen.

STEP BY STEP

Step by step

The same route as the map, as a list.

1

Step 1 of 8

Grade 11

1 School Year
  • Foundations of Math 11 or Workplace Math 11 with a minimum grade of C
  • Workplace Mathematics 11 or higher with a minimum of 60%
2

Step 2 of 8

Grade 12

1 School Year
  • BC High School Graduation (Dogwood Diploma). Requirement varies by school (Vancouver Community College, Douglas College, Langara College, and 1 others). Strictest requirement: standard completion.
  • English Studies 12. Requirement varies by school (Langara College, University of the Fraser Valley, Okanagan College). Strictest requirement: C.
3

Step 3 of 8

What you need to get in

  • Basic computer keyboarding and digital spreadsheet literacy
  • Public college offering; no official regulator list exists in BC not yet verified
  • Basic computer keyboarding and digital literacy proficiency
  • Basic numeric literacy and comfort with spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel)
  • Keyboarding speed of 35 wpm
4

Step 4 of 8

How to apply

  • Apply online via EducationPlannerBC or directly through college admissions portals
  • Submit high school transcripts verifying English and mathematics prerequisites
  • Intakes offered in Fall (September), Winter (January), and Spring (May)
  • Arrange access to personal Windows PC or laptop suitable for accounting desktop software
5

Step 5 of 8

Bookkeeping certificate

5–8 Months
  • 5 to 10 months of coursework in applied bookkeeping, accounting cycles, and financial statements
  • Hands-on computerized accounting using Intuit QuickBooks Online and Sage 50
  • Canadian payroll legislation, CPP, EI, income tax withholdings, and Record of Employment filings
  • Provincial sales tax (PST) and goods and services tax (GST/HST) remittances to Canada Revenue Agency
  • Year-end working paper files, bank reconciliations, accounts receivable aging, and internal controls
6

Step 6 of 8

Where to take it

5 schools in BC
  • Douglas College — 1 year (Not published)
  • Langara College — 6–12 months (Not published)
  • Okanagan College — 8 months (Not published)
  • University of the Fraser Valley — 10 months (Not published)
  • Vancouver Community College — 5 months (Not published)
7

Step 7 of 8

Exams and registration after

  • Optional: CPB Canada National Certified Professional Bookkeeper Examination
8

Step 8 of 8

Leads to: Bookkeeper

  • Explore Bookkeeper wages, job outlook, and career pathways

SCHOOLS

Where you can take this(5 schools)

Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.

📚
Public College

Douglas College

New Westminster & Coquitlam

Duration1 year
TuitionNot published
DeliveryHybrid
Practical 30-credit college credential delivering core accounting, financial reporting, computerized accounting software, and Canadian taxation fundamentals.
🌿
Public College

Langara College

Vancouver

Duration6–12 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryOnline / Distance
Flexible continuing studies certificate covering full-cycle bookkeeping, reconciliations, QuickBooks, and financial statement preparation.
🏔️
Public College

Okanagan College

Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon & Salmon Arm

Duration8 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryHybrid
Interior public college certificate program delivering practical double-entry bookkeeping, computerized payroll, and accounting spreadsheet skills.
🏛️
University

University of the Fraser Valley

Chilliwack & Abbotsford

Duration10 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryHybrid
Fraser Valley public university certificate preparing graduates for bookkeeping, automated ledger management, and small business accounting.
🩺
Public College

Vancouver Community College

Vancouver (Downtown & Broadway)

Duration5 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryHybrid
Full-time public college certificate program covering financial accounting, Sage 50, QuickBooks, and payroll administration.

Official Sources

Last verified · September 2026