The Accounting Assistant Course That Makes You the Numbers Person
CanScribe College's 22-week Accounting Assistant Course teaches the accounting fundamentals, bookkeeping skills, and office software that employers test for: QuickBooks Online, Microsoft Excel, and financial record-keeping. No high school math prerequisite, no multi-year degree.
What an Accounting Assistant Course Covers
The CanScribe Accounting Assistant Course covers the accounting fundamentals, bookkeeping skills, and office software tools that employers test for when hiring for entry-level accounting positions. Graduates finish with training in Microsoft Excel for accounting, QuickBooks Online, and financial record-keeping, the three areas that appear most consistently in job postings for accounting assistants. Bookkeeping is taught both manually and in QuickBooks Online, so you understand the underlying accounting logic rather than only the software interface.
Most employers posting entry-level accounting positions specify QuickBooks Online, Microsoft Excel, and computerized accounting software as minimum requirements, not preferred qualifications. Candidates who can demonstrate those skills through an accounting assistant certificate start job applications from a stronger position than candidates listing only general office experience. See the accounting assistant career opportunities available after graduation, review the admissions FAQ, or compare it against other options in our Faculty of Commerce.
An Accounting Assistant Course Built From Employer Demand
The Accounting Assistant Course was designed and built because of demand from the industry. Employers need certified accounting assistants who have the tangible skills to perform the job, and this program was designed according to requirements from industry experts so new graduates can successfully enter the workforce. One of the greatest advantages of accounting work is that every organization that handles money needs someone to record, track, and reconcile those transactions, in every industry.
- Study 100% online, on-site in Kelowna, or blended. Whatever works best for you, works for us
- No high school math prerequisite: be 19+ or hold a high school diploma, type 30 wpm, and pass a grammar assessment
- Prepares you for entry into mid-level accounting positions immediately after graduation
- Qualify for more than one job title: accounting or billing clerk, bookkeeping assistant, or accounts payable/receivable clerk
- Fast-tracked graduation available, so you can complete the program in as little as 3 months
Software Employers Actually Ask For
QuickBooks Online is taught at both basic and intermediate levels, alongside Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook. QuickBooks handles accounts payable and receivable, payroll, bank reconciliation, and financial statements for millions of Canadian businesses, so graduates who know it can perform those tasks without extra on-the-job training.
Practice Before You're Hired
The program ends with Simulated Practical Training, where you report to a supervisor and perform the duties an employer expects of an Accounting Assistant. You graduate having already done the job, not just studied it. And if you already know a topic, attempt the quiz and move ahead.
Made for Career Changers, Not Accountants
This course suits adults with no prior accounting experience who want job-ready accounting skills without committing to a multi-year degree. Career changers from administrative, retail, customer service, or general office roles bring transferable skills in organization, data entry, and client communication that apply directly to accounting assistant work.
It fits people at a specific career crossroads: you want an office-based or remote accounting role, you need a credential that signals competency to employers, and you cannot commit to a two-year or four-year program. Adults re-entering the workforce after a break and people looking to increase their earning potential in administrative roles are who this program serves best. The self-paced structure lets you complete coursework around existing job or family schedules.
Accounting Assistant Course Details, Curriculum & Tuition
What You Will Learn in the Accounting Assistant Course
Students are able to take this program online, on-site, or blended. Students in the Accounting Assistant program will learn to:
- Demonstrate competency in Microsoft products: Word, Excel, Outlook
- Demonstrate accurate and thorough basic bookkeeping and accounting skills, manually and with QuickBooks Online
- Demonstrate accurate and thorough intermediate bookkeeping and accounting skills, manually and with QuickBooks Online
- Analyze and solve mathematical calculations encountered in business
- Identify correct ergonomic factors in a workstation and office environment
- Perform a variety of office procedures and operate current office equipment
- Apply time management techniques to solve problems in a timely fashion
- Identify legal and ethical standards
- Identify a correct records management program
- Develop effective communication skills
- Recognize and plan all aspects of setting and holding meetings
- Identify the importance of Accounting Assistant roles within an organization
- Apply grammatical skills to produce proper business and legal documents
- List proper administrative terminology
- Create a professional resume and cover letter and identify effective interview techniques
- Develop strategies for job searching
This Accounting Assistant Course has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.
Accounting Assistant Course Curriculum: 16 Courses, Start to Finish
Accounting Assistant Course Tuition & Fees
The CanScribe Career College Accounting Assistant Course tuition includes everything you need to launch a career as an Accounting Assistant. This even includes unlimited, lifetime graduate support! The cost of the program is only $3,400.00. There are several different payment plans to choose from. We also accept Visa, MasterCard, certified cheques, and money orders.
| Application Fee | $250.00 |
| Tuition Fee | $1,898.00 |
| Course Materials | $752.00 |
| Administration | $250.00 |
| Assessment Fee | $250.00 |
| Total | $3,400.00 |
| Application Fee | $250.00 |
| Tuition Fee | $1,898.00 |
| Course Materials | $752.00 |
| Administration | $250.00 |
| Assessment Fee | $250.00 |
| eBook Upgrade | $500.00 |
| All-in-One Discount | −$200.00 |
| Total | $3,700.00 |
Optional Upgrade
eBook Upgrade
A digital version of the Accounting Assistant Course that you keep forever. Study offline when you do not have internet access, and use it as reference material during quizzes and after you graduate and start working.
Payment Plans & Funding
Spread your tuition over interest-free monthly payments, apply for government student loans and grants, or explore scholarship options before you enroll.
Enroll at the same time as a friend and you will both receive a 5% discount on tuition costs. Contact an Admissions Representative for current payment plan and funding details, or review financial assistance options.
How This Accounting Assistant Course Compares
Most bookkeeping training either takes a full year and requires Math 11 to get in, or costs very little and leaves you without a Canadian credential. Here is where a 22‑week, provincially approved certificate sits.
↔ Scroll the table sideways to see every option
| What Matters | No Math Prerequisite CanScribe Accounting Assistant Course Designated career college, BC | Public College Bookkeeping CertificatesOne- to two-year college programs | US Distance Career SchoolsLow-cost online career diplomas | Software Certifications & Self-StudyQuickBooks badges, video courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who can enrolEntry requirements | No high school math required. Be 19+ or hold a high school diploma, type 30 wpm, and pass a grammar assessment. | Typically requires both English 11 and Math 11, or passing entrance tests in each | Very open entry, often age 16 and Grade 8 | Open to anyone |
| Total costWhat you actually pay | $3,400 All-inclusive: application, tuition, course materials, assessment and administration. | ~$5,300–$6,750 Domestic rate. A comparable BC college certificate is listed at $5,341. | ~$790–$1,040 USD Cheapest option, plus tax and currency conversion. | $0–a few hundred QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification is free. |
| Program lengthTime to finish | 22 weeks at a standard pace, or as little as 3 months on the fast track | One year full-time is typical; part-time routes can run 20 months | 6 months fast-track, around 12 months on average | A weekend to a few weeks |
| Learn on your own schedulePace and start date | Self-paced with no fixed class times. Already know a topic? Attempt the quiz and move ahead. | Distance options exist, but there are minimum grades and set registration windows | Self-paced | Self-paced, with no structure or accountability |
| How you can studyDelivery options | Online, on campus, or blended. Your choice | Distance or on campus, depending on the college | Online only | Online only |
| Sales tax on tuitionGST / PST | No tax on tuition | No tax on tuition | Taxes may be added depending on where you live | Usually taxable when paid |
| Tuition tax creditOfficial tax receipt | Yes: claim your tuition and reduce what you owe at tax time | Yes | Generally not available for a non-Canadian career school | No |
| Student loan eligibleFederal and provincial funding | Because the program is PTIRU-approved, Canadian students may qualify for federal and provincial student loan funding | Yes for on-campus study, but distance delivery is often excluded | No Canadian student loan funding | Not applicable |
| Regulatory oversightWho stands behind the credential | Approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training | Publicly funded and provincially governed | US accreditation, with no Canadian provincial designation | None: issued by the software vendor or course platform |
| Software you learnWhat employers ask for | QuickBooks Online at both basic and intermediate levels, plus Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook | Accounting software and spreadsheet courses included | Varies; often taught to US accounting conventions | Deep on one product, nothing else |
| Manual bookkeeping taught alongsideUnderstanding the why, not just the buttons | Yes: two full accounting courses cover the accounting cycle, journals, ledgers and financial statements by hand before and alongside the software | Yes, across multiple accounting courses | Covered, though at a lighter depth | No: software interface only |
| Practice before you are hiredDoing the actual job | A full Simulated Practical Training course where you report to a supervisor and perform the duties an employer expects | Capstone simulation plus a work practicum | Coursework and exams only | None |
| Support after you graduateResume, cover letters, job search | Unlimited and for life: resume and cover letter help whether you come back in 2 years or 20 | Campus career centre and a job search course, typically time-limited | Career services included, oriented to the US market | None |
| Payment plans & fundingSpreading the cost | 3- and 6-month payment plans, a scholarship finder, and a 5% discount when you and a friend enrol together | Loans, grants and pay-per-course options | Low monthly plans | Not applicable |
Job-ready accounting skills in 22 weeks, for $3,400 all in
Talk to an Admissions Representative about start dates, payment plans, and whether the fast-track option is right for you.
About this comparison: The three comparison columns describe general categories of bookkeeping and accounting training, not any single named provider. Cost and length ranges were researched in July 2026 from publicly listed programs and reflect what was advertised at that time; individual programs vary and change their pricing often. Public college figures are domestic rates. Tax treatment and student loan eligibility depend on your personal situation, so confirm with the Canada Revenue Agency, StudentAid BC, or your tax preparer. CanScribe tuition of $3,400 is the all-inclusive standard total; see the full tuition breakdown.
Admissions Requirements
Students must have a minimum typing speed of 30 net-words-per-minute and pass an entry-level grammar assessment. Students must also be a mature student, 19+, or have a high school diploma. There is no high school math prerequisite.
English Requirements
Prior to admission, applicants must meet at least one English language proficiency requirement:
Education: three years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8 to 12), or two years if the grades are 10, 11, or 12, completed where English is the principal language of instruction; or two years of full-time post-secondary education where English is the principal language of instruction.
Assessment: a recognized standardized test, including Duolingo English Test (95), IELTS Academic (5.5), TOEFL iBT (46), CAEL (40), CELPIP (Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, Writing 5), PTE Academic (43), Cambridge B2 First (160 or C), Cambridge Linguaskill (B2), LANGUAGECERT Academic (B2), or the Michigan English Test (B2).
Technical Requirements
If you take the Accounting Assistant Course on campus, everything is provided.
For distance learning, we recommend a Windows PC. Apple computers are compatible; however, Microsoft Office training is taught from the point of view of a Windows computer. You are required to have the Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, and Excel) installed, along with a computer with speakers.
Indeed estimates that the Canadian national average salary for an Accounting Assistant is approximately $51,000 per year. Earnings vary with experience, industry, and location, so we recommend verifying current figures for your region.
No. Unlike many college bookkeeping certificates, there is no Math 11 or prior accounting experience required. The Business Math course inside the program teaches the calculations you'll actually use, and Accounting 1 and 2 build your bookkeeping knowledge from the ground up, manually and in QuickBooks Online.
Graduates qualify for a wider range of job titles than the program name suggests: accounting assistant, accounts payable clerk, accounts receivable clerk, billing clerk, bookkeeping assistant, and accounting clerk all appear regularly in job postings matching the skills this program covers. These roles exist in every industry, because every organization that handles money needs someone to record, track, and reconcile transactions.
We are very proud to offer unlimited resume and cover letter assistance to our Accounting Assistant graduates. Whether you come back to us 2, 5, 10, or 20 years after graduation, we will be here to help. Unlimited truly means for life!
CanScribe follows the tuition refund requirements set for designated institutions in British Columbia, covering withdrawal before and after the contract start date, dismissal, distance education programs, and study permit refusals for international students. Refunds owed are paid within 30 days. Read the full refund policy here.
Accounting Assistant Course Career Paths
Job-ready accounting skills transfer across sectors, so graduates are not limited to a single industry or employer type. These entry-level accounting positions exist everywhere money changes hands.
Roles You'll Qualify For
- Accounting Assistant
- Accounts Payable Clerk
- Accounts Receivable Clerk
- Billing Clerk
- Bookkeeping Assistant
Why These Skills Travel
- Work in any industry, from construction to healthcare to non-profits
- Office-based or remote, depending on the employer
- QuickBooks and Excel proficiency shortens your onboarding, which employers notice
Is an Accounting Assistant Career Right for You?
Take the CanScribe College Career Training Readiness Quiz. It is important that you discover whether or not the Accounting Assistant Course is right for you before you apply.
What Our Students Say About the Accounting Assistant Course
Train Online for an Accounting Career with Lots of Flexibility
A helpful CanScribe College Admissions Representative will be happy to answer any questions, from career paths to financial aid.
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