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Training and preparation for accounting careers

Do I need post-secondary training or a degree to do accounting?
As with every industry these days, individuals with additional education will have the opportunity to advance further. Most accounting designations, such as CMA, CA and CGA, require a bachelors degree or equivalent. It can take a few years to complete your professional designation program to become a CA, CGA or CMA. Some accounting-related positions are open to people with diplomas and certificates, but pay and responsibility are much higher for people with accounting designations.
Where can I get additional training?
If you would like to prepare for a professional accounting designation, check with the professional bodies first:
•    Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia
www.cga-bc.org

•    Certified Management Accountants, British Columbia
www.cmabc.com

•    Chartered Accountants of Canada
www.cica.ca

For information on degrees and programs that can help you prepare for an accounting career, check out:

•    BC Institute of Technology (BCIT) – Bachelor of Technology, Diploma in Financial Management, Diploma of Technology, Forensic Investigation and other business and accounting courses.
www.bcit.bc.ca

•    Capilano College – Accounting Assistant Program, Accounting Support Program, Accounting Fundamentals Certificate, Advanced Accounting Diploma, Bachelor of Business Administration and other business and accounting courses.
www.capcollege.bc.ca

•    Douglas College – Accounting Certificate, Accounting Management Diploma, Bachelor of Business Administration and other accounting and business courses.
www.douglas.bc.ca

•    Kwantlen University College – Accounting Certificate, Accounting Diploma, Bachelor of Business Administration and other accounting and business courses.
www.kwantlen.bc.ca

•    Langara College – Financial Management Diploma, Bachelor of Business Administration transfer program and other accounting and business courses.
www.langara.bc.ca

•    Malaspina University-College – Bachelor of Business Administration, Diploma in Business Administration, Accounting Assistant Certificate, Applied Business Technology program and other accounting and business courses.  
www.mala.bc.ca

•    Thompson Rivers University – Bachelor of Commerce, Diploma in Management Studies, Certificate in Business Skills, Certificate in Management Studies and other accounting and business courses.
www.tru.ca

•    Simon Fraser University – Bachelor of Business Administration and other accounting and business courses.
www.sfu.ca

•    University College of the Fraser Valley (UCFV) – Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting Certificate and other accounting and business courses.
www.ucfv.bc.ca

•    University of British Columbia (UBC) – various courses and programs in commerce, business administration and accounting
www.ubc.ca

•    University of Victoria (UVic) – Bachelor of Commerce and other accounting and business courses.
www.uvic.ca