Program Overview
The University of Lethbridge's Post-Bachelor Certificates in Accounting (CPA Bridging) provide accelerated pathways to accounting careers and prepare students for the CPA Professional Education Program. The certificates offer flexible study options, experiential learning opportunities, and are taught by award-winning PhD- and CPA-qualified faculty. Graduates are eligible for a range of accounting roles with strong employment prospects and competitive salaries.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Program Overview:
The University of Lethbridge's Post-Bachelor Certificates in Accounting (CPA Bridging) provide accelerated pathways to accounting careers and prepare students for entry into the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP). The certificates allow students with diverse undergraduate backgrounds to build on their existing knowledge and prepare for advanced-level accounting roles.
Objectives:
- Provide students with the necessary academic background for entry into the CPA Professional Education Program.
- Develop students' business skills in accounting.
- Offer flexible study options to accommodate various student schedules.
- Provide experiential learning opportunities through co-operative education.
Program Description:
The CPA Bridging certificates include three options:
- Post-Bachelor Certificate in Accounting Fundamentals: Designed for students with non-accounting backgrounds who wish to advance their careers in accounting or pursue CPA certification. The 10-course certificate can be completed in one year (full-time) or part-time while working.
- Post-Bachelor Certificate in Advanced Accounting: Suitable for students with accounting backgrounds who need to update or enhance their skills. The 6-course certificate can be completed in eight months (full-time) or part-time.
- Post-Bachelor Combined Certificates in Accounting: Combines the Post-Bachelor Certificate in Accounting Fundamentals and the Post-Bachelor Certificate in Advanced Accounting. The 16-course combined certificates take two years to complete on a full-time basis and provide eligibility for co-operative education. All courses in the CPA Bridging certificates are recognized for entry into the CPA Professional Education Program and are taught by award-winning PhD- and CPA-qualified faculty.
Outline:
Course Content and Structure:
The following courses are included in the Post-Bachelor Certificates in Accounting (CPA Bridging):
Post-Bachelor Certificate in Accounting Fundamentals:
- Accounting Information Systems and Data Analytics
- Business Law
- Introduction to Microeconomics
- Introduction to Tax
- Intermediate Accounting I
- Intermediate Accounting II
- Financial Accounting
- Management Accounting
- Auditing and Assurance
- Corporate Finance
Post-Bachelor Certificate in Advanced Accounting:
- Corporate Finance
- Advanced Managerial Accounting
- Auditing
- Analyzing Cases in Accounting
- Accounting for Income Taxes
- Accounting for Not-for-Profit Organizations
Post-Bachelor Combined Certificates in Accounting:
Faculty:
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
Graduates of the CPA Bridging certificates are prepared for a range of accounting roles, including:
- Financial analyst
- Accountant
- Financial controller
- Corporate Controller
- Accounting manager
Other Possible Careers:
- Auditor
- Budget director
- Business valuator
- Chief financial officer
- Forensic accountant
- Tax planner
Employment Statistics:
- Job Postings in the Last 12 Months:
- Canada: 22,651
- Alberta: 2,807
- Average Salary:
- Canada (zero to five years experience): $72,600
- Canada (six years of experience or more): $108,800
- Alberta (zero to five years experience): $82,800
- Alberta (six years of experience or more): $121,100
Top Employers:
- Canada:
- TD Bank
- Ernst & Young
- BMO Harris Bank
- Deloitte
- CivicInfo BC
- Alberta:
- Ernst & Young
- Government of Alberta
- Nutrien
- Canadian Natural Resources
- Deloitte
Entry Requirements:
Post-Bachelor Certificate in Accounting Fundamentals
- An approved undergraduate degree is required.
- Applicants with non-accounting degrees with substantial accounting courses may be considered for the 6-course advanced certificate program on a case-by-case basis.
Post-Bachelor Certificate in Advanced Accounting
- An approved undergraduate degree with an Accounting major or substantially similar background is required.
- Applicants without an Accounting Degree will be offered admission to the Post-Bachelor Certificate in Accounting Fundamentals program or the combined Post-Bachelor Certificates in Accounting program.
Combined Post-Bachelor Certificates in Accounting
- An approved undergraduate degree is required.
