Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
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Program Overview
Fanshawe’s bachelor’s degree in accounting will provide you with many valuable and transferable skills including financial accounting, cost accounting, management accounting, business finance, auditing and taxation in addition to a variety of general business management concepts including business strategy, marketing and human resources. You’ll be dynamic, with the power to continue a journey of life-long learning.
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Program Details
Program Code
BCA1
Credential:
Degree
Duration
120 weeks
Canadian Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 September
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed
Part Time Offerings
International Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 September
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed
Your Learning Experience
A requirement for graduation is the completion of a paid co-operative education work term. This process combines your studies with paid, related work experience. Fanshawe will be there to help you find the right business fit for your dream. You’ll have access to consultants who will deliver classes, counsel and advise you as you move from the classroom to the real business world. This bachelor’s degree in accounting will satisfy the requirements for all accounting professional bodies and will be closely aligned with the requirements for the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).
Upon graduating from this accounting degree, you may be eligible to complete a Master’s degree program at many other post-secondary institutions or complement your degree with a graduate certificate offered by Fanshawe. You may also have the required knowledge to pursue industry designation(s). Professional designations often require two or more years of relevant work experience, or the writing of an exam, in addition to completing your academic studies. You may be eligible for the Project Management Institute educational component for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certificate.
Available in a traditional in-class format with September admission. A part-time, online (asynchronous) degree completion option is also available for students who have completed an advanced diploma in accounting.
The Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree is one of four areas of specialization including Digital Marketing, Human Resources and Management. Students will be asked to select a specialization when applying to their first year on the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS). Please note that the degree program has a common first year of study. Therefore, students will have the option to change their specialization prior to their second year of study, without extending the length of their program, if they choose to.
Laptop requirements
Please note, this program requires a laptop. It is recommended that students use a PC laptop vs. a Mac laptop, as Windows is required to be able to load program-specific software. For more information on specific requirements, visit the Laptop Requirements page on the Fanshawe CONNECTED website.
Co-op Opportunities & Career Information
Co-op Opportunities
The Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) program offers a cooperative education component, which provides students with the opportunity to gain invaluable first-hand work experience in their chosen field. Here are some of the co-op jobs that have kick-started the careers of some Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) students before even graduating!
Staff Accountant - review and audit financial statements, develop cash flows and prepare personal and corporate tax returns.
Treasury Assistant - work on a variety of accounting-related functions and assist with special projects.
Accounting Assistant - participate and assist in month-end processes such as account reconciliations, journal entries, account verification, and report preparation.
For more information regarding co-op, please check out our co-op site or contact the Co-op Office at coop@fanshawec.ca to connect with a consultant.
Career Information
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) program will be well prepared to continue to the next levels of the CPA program. If successful, students will then be able to write certification examinations for the CPA designation. Graduates of the program pursue rewarding careers such as:
- accountant
- auditor (internal and external)
- analyst
- controller
- financial analyst
- taxation specialist
- treasurer
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduate employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) program:
Cost Accountant
Provide general counsel, advice, and guidance on business and financial matters.
Financial Analyst
Handle expense reporting, budgeting and planning, financial reporting and treasury functions.
Budget Analyst
Responsible for the analysis, processing and reconciliation of corporate budget information and adjustments related to both capital and operating budgets.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Identify the functional areas of business (e.g., management, marketing, human resources, accounting) and recognize how each area contributes to the successful operation of an organization
- Identify and assess the performance of an organization by collecting and interpreting data, and preparing and analyzing financial statements as well as other reports
- Identify and examine interrelated (internal and external) factors that influence organizational culture and employee behaviours and performance
- Define and assess the business environment and objectives of an organization to plan marketing initiatives based on core marketing principles
- Plan, implement, and evaluate projects and programs, using project planning principles and tools
- Recognize and adhere to the legal, ethical, economic, social, and professional frameworks within which an individual and organization operates
- Analyze and evaluate the role of sectors, organizational structures and sizes, and the interdependence of functional areas in the development and implementation of strategies supporting organizational objectives
- Develop a comprehensive business plan based on relevant research that integrates business principles, best practices, and environmental considerations
- Apply social intelligence to build and nurture mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate in an inclusive, diverse, globalized business culture
- Research, analyze, and critically evaluate qualitative and quantitative data from appropriate sources to support strategic and operational decisions
- Evaluate and describe the purpose of existing and emerging technologies and leverage systems [that collect, organize, analyze, and communicate information] to support the achievement of organizational objectives
- Evaluate and implement risk management strategies and processes to support individual and organizational performance and success
- Set goals and adopt strategies to engage in life-long learning and personal professional development that promotes currency and innovation with emerging trends and technologies
- Evaluate financial information for decision-making purposes including the assessment of the financial performance, risk management and valuation of a project and entity
- Research and apply accounting standards and theoretical frameworks to prepare, analyze, and interpret financial statements
- Prepare, analyze, and interpret individual and corporate tax returns in accordance with relevant legislation and regulations
- Apply tax principles and concepts, including tax planning, to complex tax situations of individuals, partnerships, corporations, and trusts
- Support management decision-making in planning, controlling, forecasting, cost and revenue management, and performance measurement
- Plan, perform, and report on assurance and other engagements based on client needs and in accordance with applicable frameworks and standards
Related Programs
Academic School
Program Coordinator:
Prof. Laura De Luca, MBA, CPA, CGA, CIA, CISA
Academic Advisor:
Katie Helmeczy
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent,
or
mature applicant with the following courses
- Grade 12 English (U) - minimum final grade of 65
- Grade 12 Mathematics (U) - minimum final grade of 65
- Four additional Grade 12 U of M level courses
- Final minimum average of 65% based on the highest six Grade
12 (U or M) courses required
Applicants with Post-secondary
Education
- Applicants who have successfully completed a two-year
diploma at an accredited college with an overall GPA of 2.5 will be
considered as having met the admission requirements if they also
have grade 12 (or equivalent) U level Math and English
courses.
- Applicants applying from a university with a minimum average
of 65% in the last ten full credit or full credit equivalent
courses will be considered as having met the admission requirements
if they also have grade 12 (or equivalent) U level Math and English
courses.
Students missing the required courses may want to consider
starting with our
Business Fundamentals certificate or Business
Accounting diploma program and later transferring to the degree
program.
Note: Qualifying graduates of the
Business Accounting diploma or
Business Administration - Accounting advanced diploma programs
may choose to transfer into this degree program after completing
the
bridging requirements.
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the following methods:
- A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English credit from an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on the program's Admission Requirements
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a minimum score of 88 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test with an overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with an overall score of 70, with test results within the last two years
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 59, with test results within the last two years
- A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 176 with no language skill less than 169, with test results within the last two years
- An English Language Evaluation (ELE) at Fanshawe College with a minimum score of 75% in all sections of the test, with test results within the last two years
- Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9 or 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 10
Recommended Academic Preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
- In addition to required mathematics courses in secondary school, students are encouraged to take additional mathematics and accounting courses.
Recommended Personal Preparation
Recommended Personal Preparation
- Students are encouraged to strengthen their critical thinking, problem solving and time management skills prior to entering the program
Advanced Standing
Advanced Standing
- Applicants with a Fanshawe College Diploma in Business - Accounting with a minimum GPA of 3.5 can apply to Level 4 of the Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) Degree.
- Applicants with a Fanshawe College Advanced Diploma in Business Administration - Accounting with a minimum GPA of 3.0 can apply to Level 6 of the Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) Degree.
- Applicants applying for individual course credits from Canadian universities must provide a detailed course content of theory and laboratory exercises (if appropriate).
- International applicants may apply for course credit achieved at the post-secondary level. Detailed course content of theory and laboratory exercises from the international institution must be included with a transcript as part of the request (official documents provided to the Office of the Registrar in a sealed envelope). If translation of the documents into English is necessary this must be performed by a recognized service.
- Based on the guidelines established by the Postsecondary Quality Assessment Board for Honours Degree Programs, credits for advanced standing cannot exceed 50% of the program's total.
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
- Achievement in Post-Secondary Studies* (if applicable)
- *Applicants currently enrolled in a university or who have previously attended university or other post-secondary institutions and are applying to transfer into the Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) program are considered on the basis of their post-secondary standing. Specifically, applicants currently enrolled in a university or who have previously attended university must maintain a minimum average of 65.0% on the last ten full credit or full credit equivalent courses in order to be considered for admission. Applicants with less than ten full credit courses must maintain a minimum average of 65.0% on all courses in order to be considered for admission.
Ministry Consent and Accreditation
President: P.
Devlin, CMM, MSC, CD, HBA, MSS
Senior Vice-President Academic Services: G. Lima,
MA
Vice-President Student Services: M. Beaudoin, BA,
MLS
Dean, Faculty of Business: M. Pierce,
B.A., M.A (Ed)
Associate Dean, Lawrence Kinlin School of
Business: D. Johnson, BSc, MSc, MBA
Faculty:
S. Ngan, BBA, MSc, LLB,
PhD
K. Said, BA, MBA, PhD
A. Fahmy, BSc, MSc,
PhD
A. Agbodovie BA, AACSB
D. Johnson, BSc, MSc, MBA
S. Deakin, MAcc, CPA
H. Otten, MAcc, CPA
Within the program, breadth courses are taught by a variety of
faculty with graduate credentials in Social Sciences, Humanities
and Sciences.
Fanshawe College has been granted a consent by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer this degree program for a seven-year term starting January 2024. The College shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.
Courses
| Core Courses | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory (Core) Courses: The Minimum Cumulative GPA for Core Courses is 2.5 < (Students who complete BAC Level 4 and enter Level 5 of the BCA program must also complete COMM-7021, LIBS-7001, MGMT-7008, METH-7023, MGMT-7006, MGMT-7007 and a General Education Elective course from previous levels of the program) < (Students who complete BAA Level 6 and enter Level 7 of the BCA program must also complete COMM-7021, LIBS-7001, MGMT-7008, FINA-7003, ACCT-7009, MGMT-7007 and 2 General Education Elective courses from previous levels of the program) < | ||||
Group 1 | ||||
| LEVEL 1 | ||||
| MATH-7007 | Mathematics for Decision Making | 4 | ||
| In this course, students will study the fundamental mathematical concepts required to understand and analyze a variety of business-related applications. These applications include: mathematics of merchandising, cost-volume-profit analysis, simple and compound interest, annuities, debt retirement through amortization or sinking funds, bonds, net present value, and internal rate of return. | ||||
| ACCT-7002 | Accounting 1-Intro | 4 | ||
| This introductory course in financial accounting gives students an overview of accounting concepts, the accounting cycle and the preparation of financial statements for various forms (proprietorship, partnership and corporation) and types (service and merchandising) of business. Other topics include: recording merchandising transactions using a perpetual vs. periodic inventory system, owner investments/withdrawals including shareholder equity transactions, cash flow and financial statement analysis. | ||||
| COMP-7012 | Computer Applications for Business | 3 | ||
| This is an introductory course where students will learn to use the major elements of the Microsoft Office application suite, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The training is provided in a hands-on lab and entails the completion of weekly assignments pertaining to each of the application areas. Emphasis will be placed on developing analytical skills in Excel at intermedia level. This course will prepare students to take an active role as knowledge workers. | ||||
| MGMT-7006 | Management Fundamentals | 3 | ||
| MGMT 7006 is a foundation course in the principles and practices of managing people and organizations. Structured around four functions of management-namely, leading, planning, organizing and controlling, the course looks at the challenges managers face in modern organizations. Topics include analysis of environmental constraints and the development of internal resources in relation to leading and planning and the role of structure, process and controls in organizing and controlling. | ||||
| COMM-7018 | Professional Comm. in a Diverse World | 3 | ||
| This course teaches students the fundamentals of intercultural and diverse communication; topics examined include identity, ethics, and multiculturalism issues, and are studied in the form of case studies and thematic readings. Students learn how to craft effective communications (written, nonverbal and verbal) that are sensitive to issues involving geographic, cultural, gender and ability diversity. These issues are examined through the lens of professional communications. Assessments in this course encompass both written assignments and presentations (individual and group). | ||||
Tuition Summary
London
Online
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.