JR Shaw School of Business

Business Administration - Accounting

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Accounting is the foundation for business, ensuring profitability and a source for strategic decisions. If you’re someone that enjoys detail-oriented, analytical work, this field will provide a challenging career.

In this program you’ll learn financial theory and develop technical expertise in accounting. In our hands-on classroom environment, we will teach manual accounting techniques as well as current software applications so you can stay competitive in an ever-in-demand industry. You’ll also benefit from managerial courses that will expand your knowledge and prepare you to work in supervisory positions.

Are you up for the challenge? Pursue a career that’s driven by data and critical to the success of business.

Quick Facts

Credential: Diploma

Diplomas are credit programs that take 2 to 3 years and lead to government approved and industry-recognized credentials.

Campus: Main

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Main Campus in Edmonton. View map

Delivery Options:

  • On-Campus Day - Your course activity is done in-person Monday - Friday in the daytime.
  • On-Campus Evening and/or Weekend - Your course activity is done in-person on weekdays in the evening, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Day - Your course activity is done online Monday - Friday in the daytime.
  • Online Evening and/or Weekend - Your course activity is done online on weekdays in the evening, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Flexible Delivery - Your course activity is not scheduled and therefore you can determine when to do the coursework.

Length: 2 Years

With a typical full-time course load, this program will take 2 Years to complete.

Open Studies: Available

This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in. View courses

International Students: Accepted

This program accepts international students, however, program availability may be limited. Check program availability for this term. This program also meets the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program. Each student is responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

Grad Employment Rate

Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.

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Median Starting Salary: $44,000

Salaries are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and are not a guarantee of future income.

View Career Outcomes

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills

In the first year of the program, all business students take the same 10 foundational courses in order to gain core business knowledge. In the second year of studies, you will take the required courses to get a specialized accounting diploma upon graduation. 

We foster skill development in personal and corporate taxation, external auditing and accounting information systems with an understanding of quantitative analysis techniques and creating connections to financial data.

Our accounting diploma program focuses on: 

  • financial accounting
  • internal and external auditing 
  • data analysis 
  • taxation 
  • managerial accounting 
  • budgeting 

Hands-on learning

We immerse students in a combination of classroom teaching, industry-relevant case work, simulations and networking. You will develop an understanding of modern business dynamics and learn to work well within culturally diverse organizations.

Classroom & study hours

On average, you can expect to spend:

  • 20 hours per week attending classes over the course of each semester
  • An additional 20-30 hours per week studying, completing assignments, doing research, reading, etc.
Greta Wierenga

“I enjoy going into the office every day. I enjoy the challenge of accounting. It’s a great career.”

Greta Wierenga, Business Administration – Accounting  '08

JR Shaw School of Business

The JR Shaw School of Business harnesses the power of a polytechnic providing relevant, multi-disciplinary business education integrated with industry partnerships and applied learning.

JRSSB Infographic Pathways

Diploma Specialization

In the business diploma program, you will declare an area of specialization in your first year, shortly after you have been accepted into the program.

All business students then take the same 10 foundational courses in order to gain core business knowledge. This allows students to experience a variety of business fields. In the second year of studies, you will take the required courses to get a specialized Accounting diploma upon graduation.

How to apply

Students applying to any business administration diploma program will choose Business Administration - General when selecting the program on the Alberta Post-Secondary Application System (APAS). More information can be found under How to Apply.

JRSSB Infographic Pathways

Diploma Specialization

In the business diploma program, you will declare an area of specialization in your first year, shortly after you have been accepted into the program.

All business students then take the same 10 foundational courses in order to gain core business knowledge. This allows students to experience a variety of business fields. In the second year of studies, you will take the required courses to get a specialized Accounting diploma upon graduation.

How to apply

Students applying to any business administration diploma program will choose Business Administration - General when selecting the program on the Alberta Post-Secondary Application System (APAS). More information can be found under How to Apply.

Career Outcomes

As a graduate of the NAIT Business Administration – Accounting Diploma, you’ll apply your knowledge and skills in specialist roles, then work to advance as supervisors in related areas.

Work Experience Placements

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 10 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of D in the course(s) or program

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Courses

Expand each course below to see details about credits, requisites, scheduling, and more.

Tuition & Fees

Scholarships & Awards

The following scholarships and/or bursaries are available to you as a student in this program. To access your opportunities, visit the Student Portal.

Admission Requirements

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. If you are a current or recently admitted student you can find program and course information as well as contact details for your program on the My Program page on the MyNAIT Portal.

General inquiries

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Program-specific questions

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal



The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

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Learn how to register through Alberta Post-Secondary Application System (APAS) or begin the application process.

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