Business
Accounting and Payroll Administrator
Become essential to any organization. Gain the skills you need to excel in every aspect of accounting. This program thoroughly covers accounting and payroll principles and includes a 10-week field placement.
Type
Diploma
Duration
60 Weeks
Internship
10 Weeks
About The Program
The Accounting and Payroll Administrator diploma program in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick offers a 10-week field placement to gain hands-on experience in the field. Graduates will also be eligible to pursue their Payroll Compliance Practitioner designation from the National Payroll Institute.
Career Opportunities
Accounting and Payroll Administrators are in demand, often working across disciplines in finance, human resources, data management and information management. These roles can be both client-facing, and behind the scenes ensuring finance-based operations run smoothly.
As an Accounting and Payroll Administrator, you will qualify for positions such as: Accounts Clerk, Payroll Administrator, and Pay and Benefits Administrator.
Employers Who Have Hired Eastern Grads
- ADP Canada
- Research Productivity Council
- Wood Motors Ford
- RBC
- Social Development
- ABC Tax and Accounting
Salary
100
%
Employment Rate*
$
24
Average Wage/hr**
$
34
High Wage/hr**
*Employment Rate based on 2021 contactable Eastern graduates employed in a related field within 12 months.
Source: workingincanada.gc.ca
NOC Code: 1311, 1431, 1432 - **Wage data based on NOC Code 1432 and rounded down to the nearest dollar based on Nova Scotia data. Average wage doesn't reflect the starting salary but represents the middle value between lowest to highest wages. Local (or regional) income may vary. Last updated in Dec 2022.
Program Details
Are you interested in learning the core principles of accounting and becoming an administrator in the field? If so, the Accounting and Payroll Administrator diploma program is just what you need to kick start your new career.
In this 60-week program, you will learn everything from accounts payable and accounts receivable to cash flows and balance sheets. You will take courses in finance, business, and bookkeeping to help set you up for a successful career in this industry. These skills are vital to fulfill the need of hundreds of organizations around the globe and a diploma in the right course will help you fill that demand. Our payroll administrator courses are focused on business expenses associated with employees. This includes employee compensation, employee benefit payments, contributions, and payroll taxes. You will have the content and skills to effectively communicate all aspects of the individual pay calculation process to external and internal stakeholders.
Successful graduates can pursue the National Payroll Institute’s Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification. The certification will help graduates gain an in-depth understanding of the legislative requirements to keep their organization compliant throughout the annual payroll cycle. Once certified, graduates can join a growing community of supportive professionals and gain access to the resources needed to stay current and compliant.
PCP designation requires three core payroll courses, an Introduction to Accounting course transfer credit, and one year of weighted payroll work experience:
- Payroll Compliance Legislation
- Payroll Fundamentals 1 – Prerequisite: Payroll Compliance Legislation
- Payroll Fundamentals 2 – Prerequisites: Payroll Compliance Legislation and Payroll Fundamentals 1
- Introduction to Accounting – must be completed at a post-secondary institution
- PCP Work Experience Requirement Application (WERA) – a 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%.
For more information visit www.payroll.ca
Course Listings: New Brunswick 
Course Listings: Nova Scotia
Bookkeeping Level I and II
Emphasis is placed on analyzing and recording business transactions using the rules of double-entry bookkeeping. Adjusting journal entries are recorded and basic financial statements prepared. Preparation and posting of journal entries for a merchandising business are examined, coupled with preparation of cost of goods sold, cash and trade discounts, closing entries, and the use of special journals and subsidiary ledgers. Students will learn fundamental accounting principles, understand the classification of assets, liabilities, equities, utilize the double-entry system and a general ledger chart of accounts, post entries to those accounts, and prepare trial balances and the three financial statements. The complete accounting cycle is examined through closing entries, worksheets and the post-closing trial balance.
Bookkeeping Level I and II
Emphasis is placed on analyzing and recording business transactions using the rules of double-entry bookkeeping. Adjusting journal entries are recorded and basic financial statements prepared. Preparation and posting of journal entries for a merchandising business are examined, coupled with preparation of cost of goods sold, cash and trade discounts, closing entries, and the use of special journals and subsidiary ledgers. Students will learn fundamental accounting principles, understand the classification of assets, liabilities, equities, utilize the double-entry system and a general ledger chart of accounts, post entries to those accounts, and prepare trial balances and the three financial statements. The complete accounting cycle is examined through closing entries, worksheets and the post-closing trial balance.
Business English
In this course, you will develop professional communication skills in a business setting using MS Office including Word and Outlook. You will apply proper grammar to create and review appropriate business documents such as emails, memos, letters, reports, text messages, and social media posts for company websites, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. You will practice grammar, spelling, and error correction while developing clear and concise writing skills. You will rewrite and edit professional documents while demonstrating spelling accuracy, proper capitalization, and punctuation. You will recognize and correct commonly misspelled words. Furthermore, you will explore sentence elements such as modifiers, connectors, and sequencers to write brief and jargon-free business messages. You will distinguish active and passive voice to write effective sentences. You will also review and incorporate inclusive language to avoid biases and discrimination. Using a range of grammatical structures, you will adopt and follow modern business communication standards.
Business Math
This course reviews and introduces basic and intermediate math concepts including the relationships between the following operations: addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and decimals, percentages, and fractions. You will complete a variety of textbook readings, LinkedIn Learning and Khan Academy videos, worksheets, word problems, as well as two in-class assignments and two tests to ensure you are able to apply these math concepts to complete a variety of common business math operations. The first week focuses on a brief review of basic operations, fractions, and decimals while learning to decipher and complete word problems. The second week then looks at percentages, ratios, equations, and graphs to provide a robust review of key operations, word problems, and common business math requirements. This includes calculating costs, interest, budgets, and measurements, with a focus on transportation, nutrition, and costing. Throughout the course, you will complete work with and without a calculator to ensure you have mastered concepts and can complete operations efficiently and accurately in a work environment.
Career Planning & Preparation - Level I
This module will introduce you to and provide practice in using the tools required for a successful job search. The concepts covered in this module will help you maintain a career-focused approach throughout your studies so that you are better prepared to conduct a job search after graduating. Specifically, you will learn how to identify your soft and hard skills and how to articulate your abilities in a clear and concise Elevator Pitch that will appeal to employers and resonate with industry contacts. You will learn about the job search resources available to you including using career websites, creating Linked In profiles, accessing the “hidden” job market, and networking. You will examine sample resumes and cover letters and begin the process of creating your own professional resumes and cover letters that align with current conventions for content, organization, and formatting. You will also learn about the role of references, thank you letters, workplace philosophies, and strategies for success including maintaining a professional image and using proper etiquette when communicating with potential employers and industry contacts.
An introduction to Occupational Health and Safety is also provided with specific focus on employees’ rights and responsibilities, workplace health and safety policy and programs, hazard identification and control, and safety training options such as WHIMIS and First Aid.
Career Planning & Preparation - Level II
This module builds on concepts and skills introduced in the Career Planning and Preparation Level 1 prerequisite module. In this subsequent module, you will update and refine your resume and Linked In Profile. You will continue writing cover letters and learn the value of customizing cover letters to specific job postings. You will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge as you conduct a job search and write a cover letter tailored to an ideal job post. Through research, you will create a list of top employers and target current industry opportunities. You will learn about current methods for applying to job postings using technology. You will also gain an understanding of the job interview process, typical interview questions and possible responses, and expectations of both the interviewer and interviewee. In addition, you will engage in practical application of the interview process through role-plays. Topics such as negotiating salary, self-management, and on-the-job success for placements and post-graduate employment will be also covered.
Digital Literacy for Professionals
This course has four units that introduces you to the fundamental concepts and principles of learning and working in a digital environment. The first unit introduces you to using devices and handling information with topics on operating systems (Windows, MAC, and Linux), computer organization (folder management and naming conventions), cloud storage (including Microsoft OneDrive), types of web browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari), and fundamental troubleshooting. In the second unit, you will become familiar with creating and editing information through learning about file formats (pdf, mp4, docx), productivity (including iWork and Microsoft Office Suite) and creativity (Adobe, Canva, iMovie) platforms, and basic introduction to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The third unit on communicating and collaborating will introduce you to web conferencing applications (Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams), mail applications (including Microsoft Outlook and Gmail,), project management tools (Trello, Asana), and time management tools (including Todoist, Outlook Calendar, and iCal), and building rapport virtually. In the final unit, you will gain an understanding on netiquette, cybersecurity, and digital wellness. After completing this course, you will have enhanced digital literacy skills as a professional in the working and learning environment.
Finance
Management of the financial transactions of a business is absolutely critical to its survival. This introduction to finance will examine the analysis of changes in financial statements and interpretation of financial statements through ratio analysis, budgeting and profit planning, business plans, the cost of capital, and forms of financing, management of capital structure and capital investment decisions, working capital management and the time value of money, along with business valuation concerns.
Finance
This course will introduce students to financial decision making for students with no previous exposure to finance principles. Topics covered will enable students to master the language and concepts to succeed in an accounting or business environment with an emphasis on budgeting and obtaining business financing.
Field Placement - Accounting and Payroll Administrator
On successful completion of the classroom hours of this program, students will be placed on field placement at an outside organization. Students will have the opportunity to apply their newly developed knowledge and skills in a real-world environment.
Image Development
This module teaches the student how to develop and manage a professional image. Topics include: appearance-visual and verbal, interpersonal interaction, business etiquette, and networking skills. At the end of the module, students will have an appreciation and understanding of the importance of a professional image in the business environment.
Intermediate & Management Accounting
Focusing on internal business processes, this module examines the different methods of depreciation (amortization), accounting for asset disposal, revision of depreciation along with departmental/responsibility accounting and job order cost accounting. Additionally, bank reconciliations, cash control, temporary investments and the monitoring of accounts receivable are examined, as well as accounting for cost of goods sold, techniques for inventory control, along with payroll accounting procedures.
Intermediate & Management Accounting
Focusing on internal business processes, this module examines the different methods of depreciation (amortization), accounting for asset disposal, revision of depreciation along with departmental/responsibility accounting and job order cost accounting. Additionally, bank reconciliations, cash control, temporary investments and the monitoring of accounts receivable are examined, as well as accounting for cost of goods sold, techniques for inventory control, along with payroll accounting procedures.
Internal Control
In this course, students will consolidate and enhance their previous accounting training and apply it to real-world scenarios. The students will review and further develop understanding in GAAP and GAAS. Students will gain a better understanding of auditing, audit preparation, and the concept of audit trails. This will be accomplished through the detailed creation and filing of source documents. Students will complete source documents, input data, create financial statements, and electronically file all materials in the cloud environment using a state-of-the-art cloud-based training package.
Internal Control
In this course, students will consolidate and enhance their previous accounting training and apply it to real-world scenarios. The students will review and further develop understanding in GAAP and GAAS. Students will gain a better understanding of auditing, audit preparation, and the concept of audit trails. This will be accomplished through the detailed creation and filing of source documents. Students will complete source documents, input data, create financial statements, and electronically file all materials in the cloud environment using a state-of-the-art cloud-based training package.
Payroll Compliance Legislation
Students who complete this module will understand compliance responsibilities that affect organizations, be able to comprehend legislation, and be able to effectively communicate these to all stakeholders. This course will provide students with the payroll-related legislation affecting organizations, as well as the tools to find information and apply that information to different scenarios in relation to individual pay. Specific skills include: describing payroll’s objectives and stakeholders; identifying an employee relationship; applying federal and provincial legislation to payroll including: Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, Income Tax, Employment Standards Legislation, Workers’ Compensation Acts, and Quebec-specific legislation; and communicating payroll compliance requirements to various stakeholders.
Payroll Fundamentals I
Students who complete this module will be able to apply payroll legislation and calculate individual pay. This includes all components of individual pay from remuneration, through deductions, to net pay for both regular and non-regular situations. Students will have the content and skills to effectively communicate all aspects of the individual pay calculation process to external and internal stakeholders. Specific skills include: calculating regular individual net pay including allowances, expenses and benefits; calculating non-regular individual net pay including bonus and vacation payments; calculating termination payments; calculating commission payments; completing a Record of Employment; and communicating all aspects of individual pay requirements to various stakeholders.
Payroll Fundamentals II
Students who complete this module will be able to calculate and report government and third party remittances, year end requirements and accounting for payroll at the compliance level for the organization. Students will be able to effectively communicate these organizational processes and requirements to internal and external stakeholders. Specific skills include: calculating organizational remittances to federal, provincial and third party stakeholders; preparing and accounting documentation for payroll; completing federal year end documentation; completing year end documentation for the province of Quebec; and communicating all aspects of organizational remittance, accounting and year end requirements to various stakeholders.
QuickBooks
This course will introduce the accounting cycle in QuickBooks and further the student’s knowledge of accounting procedures in payroll, collections, payables, cash management, and bank reconciliations. Topics covered include inventory management and adjustment procedures with an overall emphasis on accurate documentation and procedures in QuickBooks.
Computerized Accounting with Sage 300
In this course, students will learn to set up banking and taxes service modules in Sage 300. Students will also learn to set up vendor and customer records and process transactions in the accounts payable and accounts receivable modules of Sage 300.
Computerized Accounting with Sage 300
Accounting procedures in a corporate type computerized environment are examined using the General Ledger, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable modules of Sage 300. Students learn and practice essential Sage 300 skills including company, general ledger, accounts receivable and accounts payable setup, creating and posting transaction batches including invoice, cash and adjustment batches, general ledger reports and procedures, month end and year end procedures, accounts receivable and accounts payable reports and procedures and processing of both manual and system cheques.
Computerized Accounting with Sage 50
Accounting procedures in a small business style computerized environment will be examined using the general, payables, receivables, payroll, and inventory modules of Sage 50. Students practice complete setup procedures including general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and inventory to record a wide variety of business transactions using Sage 50. Period end procedures, financial statement design, graphing and reports, and multi-currency situations are also explored.
Software Lab - Database Management
This software lab module will use a simulation-based program called MindTap that consists of online trainings and assessments in Microsoft Access. You will learn how to create and build a database (including basic database concepts and terms, using Backstage view, starting and exiting Access, Datasheet view and Design view, copy and paste records from another Access database, and so forth). You will gain an understanding on how to build a database and define table relationships, covering sub-topics such as setting fields properties, importing data from Excel and an existing table structure, and more. You will acquire the skill of maintaining and querying a database (such as find, modify, and delete records in a table, work in the Query window in Design view, run queries, sort data with Filter data, and so on). You will discover how to create forms and reports (using Form Wizard, apply themes to a form, add pictures to a form, change color of text on a form, and more). You will understand how to create advanced queries and enhance table design (using naming standards, AutoFilter, parameter query, lookup fields, input masks, and so forth).
Software Lab - Presentations
This software lab module will use a simulation-based program called MindTap that consists of online trainings and assessments in Microsoft PowerPoint. You will learn a comprehensive set of skills centered on creating a presentation (create title slide, slide with lists, format text, duplicate, rearrange, and delete slides, change a theme, and so on). You will learn how to effectively add media and special effects (apply theme used in another presentation, insert shapes and pictures, rotate objects, create a table, and more). You will apply advanced formatting and animation to objects (including inserting SmartArt graphic, audio clips, and WordArt style). You will be able to distribute presentations and integration PowerPoint with other Microsoft Office programs, such as Word and Excel. You will learn how to customize presentations and become familiar with the PowerPoint environment, (how to work in a Slide Master View, work with comments, save a custom theme, and so on).
Software Lab - Word Processing
This software lab module will use a simulation-based program called MindTap that consists of online trainings and assessments in Microsoft Word. It builds on the skills introduced in Digital Literacy for Professionals course. You will learn a comprehensive set of skills, with coverage including creating and editing a document (this includes saving a document, using AutoComplete and AutoCorrect, undo and redo actions, paragraph spacing, and more), formatting a document (covering topics like addressing comments in documents, using drag and drop, as well as cut, copy and paste). This course will also introduce you to how to create tables and a multipage report (including options found in the Navigation pane, formatting a table, merging cells and adding a formula, using SmartArt graphic, and more). You will acquire skills in editing text or content for layout and appearance (wrap text, WordArt, cropping a picture, and so on). Additionally, you will work with templates, themes, and styles (creating a new document from a template, using thesaurus, saving a custom theme, customizing a style, and so on). This course concludes with the mail merge feature (such as inserting mail merge fields into a document, complete a mail merge, and more).
Admission Requirements
Software Lab - Spreadsheets
"This software lab module will use a simulation-based program called MindTap that consists of online trainings and assessments in Microsoft Excel. You will learn the fundamentals of excel, such as opening and closing a workbook, entering formulas, modifying worksheet views, and so on. You will acquire skill in formatting workbook text and data (change fonts, font style, and font colour, format dates and times, merge, use the AVERAGE function, and more). This course will also introduce you to the skill of performing calculations with formula and functions, including sub-topics such as extend data and formulas with AutoFill, calculate statistics, and so forth. You will also be able to analyze and chart financial data using available excel charts, such as pie chart, line char, chart legends, data bar, and so on. This course will conclude with you learning how to generate reports from multiple worksheets and workbooks (such as copy worksheets between workbooks, organize worksheets in a worksheet group, hyperlink to a document, create a workbook template, and more).
Student Success Strategies
In this orientation module, you will focus on achieving success from day one. You will develop non-technical skills to enhance your personal, academic, and career success. You will explore learning styles, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning. You will also enhance your practical study skills, such as memory, reading, note- and test-taking techniques. Personal exercises will focus on teamwork, decision-making and problem-solving skills, setting SMART goals, and maintaining a positive attitude. You will also explore techniques for managing change, stress, and conflict.
Admission Requirements
High school completion or equivalent. If a student does not have Grade 12 or equivalent, they must be 19 years of age or older and demonstrate academic potential via the successful completion of a literacy/numeracy admission test. The student must achieve a score of 14 on the Wonderlic Test. Please refer to the Program Outline at the top of this page or speak to your Education Consultant.
Career Quiz
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