Business
Accounting Technician
Gain the accounting and business skills you need to move forward, fast. In just 49 weeks, including an 8-week internship, you’ll be ready to step into the professional world with confidence.
Type
Diploma
Duration
49 Weeks
Internship
8 Weeks
Program Outline
View Outline
About The Program
The Accounting Technician program at is designed for those who are detail-oriented, organized, and ready to build a career in finance. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your skills, this comprehensive program prepares you to support accounting and business operations in a wide range of industries.
With hands-on training in leading software like QuickBooks, Sage 50, and Microsoft Office, you’ll learn how to manage transactions, process payroll, analyze financial data, and support small business operations. Small class sizes and supportive instructors help you build real-world confidence in a focused, career-driven learning environment.
This program is also ideal for students interested in practical, job-ready training that leads to long-term growth. From your first day to your final internship, you’ll receive career-focused support to help you achieve your goals.
Career Opportunities
As an Accounting Technician graduate, you will qualify for positions such as: Accounting Clerk, Accounts Payable Clerk, Accounts Receivable Clerk, and Accounting Assistant.
Employers Who Have Hired Eastern Grads
- On Task Property Management
- Roadway Systems Limited
- Nordia
- Universal Staffing
Salary
100
%
Employment Rate*
$
23
Average Wage/hr**
$
38
High Wage/hr**
*Employment Rate based on 2022 contactable Eastern graduates employed in a related field within 12 months.
Source: workingincanada.gc.ca
NOC Code: 14200, 12200 -**Wage data based on NOC code 12200 rounded down to the nearest dollar and based on New Brunswick 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: December 2024.
Program Details
At Eastern College, we understand the importance of balancing education with real life. That’s why our Accounting Technician program is offered in a flexible format, with half-day classes four days per week—making it easier to manage school alongside work, family, or other responsibilities.
You’ll begin by developing essential communication, digital literacy, and career planning skills. As the program progresses, you’ll build a strong foundation in accounting principles, learning how to track expenses, manage budgets, and maintain accurate records through hands-on training in QuickBooks and Sage 50. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of tax preparation, financial planning, and reporting practices.
The curriculum goes beyond numbers. Courses in business communications, interpersonal skills, client relations, and workplace diversity prepare you to thrive in any team-based environment. You’ll learn to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues, manage expectations, and work efficiently in today’s diverse and fast-paced business world.
Your learning experience will culminate in a 200-hour internship, where you’ll apply your skills in a real workplace, build valuable industry connections, and gain the confidence that comes from hands-on experience. Career services like resume help, LinkedIn coaching, and job search strategies are available throughout the program so you’re supported every step of the way.
With this diploma, you’ll graduate job-ready and equipped with the skills employers look for in accounting, administration, and finance roles.
Course Listings: New Brunswick
Introduction to Accounting with Quickbooks
This course introduces basic accounting concepts and procedures. This course addresses double-entry accounting, analysis of source information, classes of transactions, and the accounting cycle. Using these critical concepts, accounting skills are applied and integrated to record transactions using proper procedures and forms in both a manual and computerized accounting system, QuickBooks.
Intermediate Accounting with Sage 50
This course continues the exploration of accounting procedures in payroll, petty cash, and bank reconciliations. Central to this course is the merchandising firm and its accounting cycle, appropriate valuation of inventory, and cost of goods sold calculations. This material will be applied in both a manual and computerized accounting system, Sage 50.
Accounting Technician Internship
On successful completion of the classroom hours of this program, you will be placed in a 200-hour internship at an outside organization. You will have the opportunity to apply their newly developed knowledge and skills in a real-world environment.
Advanced Accounting
In this course, you will build on principles learned in the intermediate accounting courses. You will be introduced to more advanced concepts regarding assets and liabilities including accounting for bad debt, depreciation and long-term assets, cash flow analysis, and temporary and long-term investments. In addition, you will learn how to record the effects of partnership and corporate activity and analyze financial statements for decision-making.
Business Communication
This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of communication skills in business environments. Focus will be placed on both written and spoken communications. You will review the basic writing process with emphasis on the mechanics of writing. You will also learn the importance of effective spoken communication, deliver an oral presentation, and participate in a mock meeting.
Client Relations
In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of how a strong relationship with clients is developed and maintained. Professionalism, the importance of living up to obligations, and the various forms of prompt and attentive communication are discussed. The course will also provide you with the skills you need to articulate organization image and how to identify and adapt to specific client behavior styles and how to measure and take corrective actions to provide client satisfaction and ensure positive relations. The course also introduces practical techniques needed to deal with clients that are angry and upset and explains the significance of maintaining and encouraging the loyalty of clients.
Career Planning and Preparation - Level 1
This course will introduce you to and provide practice in using the tools required for a successful job search. The concepts covered in this course 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 LinkedIn profiles, accessing the “hidden” job market, and networking. You will examine sample résumés and cover letters and begin the process of creating your own professional résumés 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.
Career Planning and Preparation – Level 2
This course builds on concepts and skills introduced in the Career Planning and Preparation Level 1 course. In this subsequent course, you will update and refine your résumé and LinkedIn 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-play. 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 introduces the fundamental concepts and principles of learning and working in a digital environment. This course will cover the following elements: using devices and handling information, creating and editing information, communicating and collaborating, and being safe and responsible online.
Diversity in the Workplace
This course introduces diversity and its strengths in the workplace. Among the topics covered are the strengths of diversity, its occasional challenges, how to manage diversity in the workplace, and the value of diversity training. Diversity in group dynamics is also addressed, with an emphasis on the strengths of a heterogeneous group and types of diversity.
Microsoft Excel
This Microsoft Office Excel course is created to help you build and validate the skills needed to succeed in today's economy. It will also provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to use Microsoft Office Excel effectively in all aspects of your personal and professional lives. Excel is the world's most popular spreadsheet software. Whether you are managing a household or running a small business, Excel will help you develop useful techniques to help business processes. This course is computer intensive and demands basic computer proficiency and a basic understanding of spreadsheet software. You are expected to make arrangements to meet proficiency needs as necessary.
Interpersonal Communication
Effective interpersonal communication is vital for the success of any organization. It impacts working relationships, productivity, and a variety of other business activities. This course introduces the concepts of effective interpersonal communication in the workplace, considering internal and external professional relationships. You will also will learn about telephone etiquette, which will prepare you to answer calls with confidence and professionalism, respond to customer/client inquiries effectively, and handle customer/client complaints. You will leave the course prepared to navigate the complexities of interpersonal communication with colleagues and clients.
Introduction to Business
This course builds understanding of the competitive business environment and the strategies businesses employ to succeed amidst changes in the dynamic business landscape. You will gain insights into ethical issues and economic challenges, the role of leadership, and the importance of enterprise in any business structure. You will also engage in HRM systems and identify factors that motivate and demotivate workers. You will learn the importance of focusing on customer needs to develop a marketing mix that effectively appeals to target customers.
Microsoft Outlook
This Microsoft Outlook course builds and validates the skills businesses need to succeed in today's information economy. It will also provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to use to effectively manage emails, contacts, calendars, and tasks. Outlook has become the corporate standard electronic personal organizer. These are the foundational skills needed to communicate using Outlook in a variety of positions within an organization. This course is computer intensive and demands basic computer proficiency and a basic understanding of email software. You are expected to make arrangements to meet proficiency needs.
Microsoft PowerPoint
This course will show you how to create and modify basic presentations by using Microsoft Office PowerPoint. You will explore the PowerPoint environment and create a presentation; you will format text on slides to enhance clarity and visual appeal; and you will also add and modify graphical objects in order to finalize and deliver a presentation. This course is computer intensive and demands basic computer proficiency and a basic understanding of PowerPoint software. You are expected to ensure you meet proficiency requirements for working in this environment.
Student Success Strategies
This course stresses the importance of developing non-technical skills to enhance personal, academic, and career success. The course will address strategies that are important for all adult learners, such as managing finances, maintaining health and wellness, understanding learning styles, setting goals, and honing practical study skills (such as memory, reading, and test-taking techniques). In addition, this course emphasizes strategies needed to succeed in your program, such as navigating technology efficiently, interacting and engaging with peers and facilitators/instructors, and managing learning time and space.
Microsoft Word
This Microsoft Office Word course is created for you to build and validate the skills businesses need to succeed in today's information economy. It also provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to use Microsoft Office Word effectively in all aspects of your personal and professional lives. Word is the world's most popular word processing software. Learning how to create, edit, format and print documents, enhance work with formatting, use bullets and numbering, add simple borders, tables, headers/footers, organizing data columns, and styles, are the foundational skills needed to perform in many positions. This course is computer intensive and demands basic computer proficiency and a basic understanding of word processing software. The course combines Theory/demonstration by an instructor with readings, trainings, projects, and a final exam for you to work on in a simulation-based environment. You are expected to ensure you meet proficiency requirements for working in this environment.
Financial Planning Essentials
You will develop vital mathematical skills applicable to financial planning. You will gain a practical understanding of economic and political concepts relevant to financial planning, enhancing your proficiency in effective business writing techniques. The course explores administrative aspects of financial plans and the regulated process of financial planning in Canada, fostering your comprehension of their future roles as successful financial planners.
Foundations of Small Business
This course introduces the contemporary management skills required to manage small businesses. Students will examine the role of management, identify effective management, and explore techniques aimed at improving management skills in an ever-changing business environment.
Managerial Accounting
In this course, you will learn how to effectively use the accounting information that is required by managers to plan, direct, and control the operations of their business organization. You will gain an understanding of managerial accounting data pertaining to cost systems, cost behaviour, cost-volume-profit relationships, decision-making, and budgeting.
Course Listings: Nova Scotia
Personal Income Tax
The course examines contemporary income tax policies, rules, and legislation concerning individual taxation. You will apply your foundational understanding of income taxation principles and practices, gaining hands-on experience in preparing tax returns. Practical application of the law to real-world issues is emphasized through exercises, problems, cases, and tax preparation software.
Course Listings: Nova Scotia
Bookkeeping Level I and II
This course will introduce the analysis and recording of business transactions using the rules of double-entry accounting. Adjusting journal entries are recorded and basic financial statements are prepared. Preparation and posting of journal entries for a 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 along with the appropriate 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 and Preparation - Level 1
This course will introduce you to and provide practice in using the tools required for a successful job search. The concepts covered in this course 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 LinkedIn profiles, accessing the “hidden” job market, and networking. You will examine sample résumés and cover letters and begin the process of creating your own professional résumés 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, and hazard identification and control.
Career Planning and Preparation – Level 2
This course builds on concepts and skills introduced in the Career Planning and Preparation Level 1 course. In this subsequent course, you will update and refine your résumé and LinkedIn 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-play. 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 etiquette, 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
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 Technician
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.
Intermediate & Management Accounting
This course focuses on internal business processes and examines the different methods of depreciation, accounting for fixed asset disposal, revision of depreciation, management responsibility, and cost accounting. Topics covered include bank reconciliations, cash flow and control, long term notes, monitoring of accounts receivable, accounting for cost of goods sold, financial analysis, and techniques for inventory control.
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.
Personal Income Tax
The course examines contemporary income tax policies, rules, and legislation concerning individual taxation. You will apply your foundational understanding of income taxation principles and practices, gaining hands-on experience in preparing tax returns. Practical application of the law to real-world issues is emphasized through exercises, problems, cases, and tax preparation software.
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 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 - Microsoft Access
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 - Microsoft PowerPoint
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 - Microsoft Word
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 - Microsoft Excel
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
- Student has Grade 12 or equivalent or meets criteria for Mature Student Status.
- Mature students must be 19 years of age, pass a qualifying test, and provide a Letter of Intent OR resume that supports their skills and aptitudes to be successful in the program.
- The approved qualifying test for this program is the Wonderlic test. A passing score for this program is 14.
Career Quiz
Take a quick and easy quiz to find out more about yourself, your goals, and identify your strengths and social style. This quiz gives you suggestions for what career areas you might consider based on your likes and preferences. Give it a try now!