Bookkeeping Specialty
Bookkeepers are vital contributors to the success of a business. Responsible for recording the day-to-day financial transactions, it is important for a bookkeeper to have an appreciation for details and enjoy working with numbers . If this sounds like you, you may want to consider the Office Administration Bookkeeping Specialty.
Program Overview
The Bookkeeping Specialty introduces you to both manual and computerized bookkeeping systems while also developing your spreadsheet, database, and file management skills. You can expect to produce ‘real-world’ business documents and become familiar with a full year business cycle while also gaining the skills you need to work in offices requiring a variety of functions.
To receive a Bookkeeping Specialty Certificate, students must complete all courses listed in the Office Administration Certificate and the Bookkeeping Specialty.
To complete the Bookkeeping Specialty, you should be prepared to use Microsoft Office software extensively.
Why Choose Bookkeeping Specialty as a Career?
- Employment is available in both the private and public sectors. Bookkeepers may also choose to be self-employed.
- Due to the need to replace retiring workers, there is anticipated to be over 8,100 job openings for Bookkeepers in the next 10 years. An additional 2,550 new openings are projected due to economic growth.
- Opportunity exists to progress into a professional accounting occupation through additional training.
Program Duration:
- Office Administration Certificate – 22 weeks
- Bookkeeping Specialty Certificate – 15 weeks
Note: You have up to 5 years to complete the Bookkeeping Specialty certificate.
Program Start Dates:
You can start the program in September or January or on the first Monday of any month from September to April, provided spaces are available.
Classes:
Online Classes:
- Office Administration online courses are accessible from September to early June. Online instructional support is available during scheduled hours Monday through Friday. Course web sites are accessible 24/7 except during scheduled breaks.
Face-to-face Instructor Support:
- If you live in the Cranbrook area, there is a dedicated Office Administration computer lab to work in, located at the Cranbrook campus available Monday – Friday from September to early June during regular College of the Rockies hours.
Bookkeeping Specialty Certificate Requirements:
Course | Title | Hours | Weeks | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
OFAD 172 | Bookkeeping 2 | 45 | 3 | 1.5 |
OFAD 275 | Bookkeeping 3 | 105 | 7 | 3 |
OFAD 178 | Computerized Bookkeeping | 135 | 9 | 3.5 |
OFAD 182 | MS Access 1 | 45 | 3 | 1.5 |
OFAD 281 | MS Excel 2 | 45 | 3 | 1.5 |
OFAD 285 | MS Excel 3 | 60 | 4 | 1.5 |
435 | 29 | 12.5 | ||
14.5 Weeks | Full time |
Course Descriptions
The Bookkeeping Specialty covers a working knowledge of both manual and computerized bookkeeping systems as well as the development of skills in spreadsheet, database, and file management. Students are expected to establish employable skills for working in offices where they may perform a variety of functions.
To receive a Bookkeeping Specialty Certificate, students must complete all courses listed in the Office Administration Certificate, and the Bookkeeping Specialty as follows:
Office Administration Certificate Courses
OFAD-155 – Keyboarding 1
This course is designed to develop students’ keyboarding skills. Accuracy and keyboarding speed are emphasized, during the course. In each lesson, students are shown correct touch typing techniques and review the alpha-numeric keyboard. This course also introduces timings of various durations. The speed objective is 30 wpm in three minute timings with three or fewer errors.
- Minimum Credits: 2
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites: None
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $175.76
- Course Outline
OFAD-133 – Business Communications I
Business Communications 1 covers language skills necessary for written business communications. Topics include spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and number usage.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 180 hours
- Prerequisites: None
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $351.12
- Course Outline
OFAD-135 – Administrative Procedures 1
Administrative Procedures 1 incorporates practical and professional approaches to learning office skills. Students solve on-the-job situations to encourage critical thinking. Ethics cases presented to students promote thoughtful discussions. Students also research new ideas and learn to work independently.
- Minimum Credits: 2.5
- Length: 75 hours
- Prerequisites: OFAD 155 or current keyboarding speed of 25 gwam, OFAD 158, OFAD 160
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $292.60
- Course Outline
OFAD-157 – Business Math and Calculators
OFAD 157 Business Math and Calculators covers the basic skill of using the 10-key touch keypad for numeric calculations. Students apply the use of memory functions to cross check totals and use the multiplication function to calculate percents, discounts, and taxable amounts. Frequent skill assessments promote accuracy and speed in the use of the desktop calculators. Students will learn basic business math skills including estimating, problem solving, and the metric system.
- Minimum Credits: 1.5
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites: None
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $175.76
- Course Outline
OFAD-158 – Windows, Outlook, & File Management
Students learn terminology of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Outlook, and Internet Explorer. Managing electronic files, scheduling, and privacy are also covered.
- Minimum Credits: 1
- Length: 30 hours
- Prerequisites: None
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $117.04
- Course Outline
OFAD-160 – Word Processing 1
Word Processing 1 introduces students to word processing in a Windows environment. Students learn the main software features of MS Word and improve their keying speed and accuracy. Document formatting is presented during the course and students produce basic business documents using business formatting skills. Business standards in all documents are promoted throughout the course. The speed objective is 35 gross words a minute (gwam) in five-minute timings with five or fewer errors.
- Minimum Credits: 1.5
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites: OFAD 155 or current typing speed of 25 gwam, OFAD 158.
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $175.76
- Course Outline
OFAD-165 – Word Processing 2
Word Processing 2 is a progression beyond Word Processing 1. Students continue to learn the main software features of MS Word and improve their keying speed and accuracy. Students produce basic business documents using business formatting skills. Business standards in all documents are promoted throughout the course. The speed objective is 45 gwam in a five-minute timing with five or fewer errors.
- Minimum Credits: 2
- Length: 60 hours
- Prerequisites: OFAD 155 or current keyboarding speed of 25 gwam, OFAD 158, OFAD 160
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $234.08
- Course Outline
OFAD-170 – Bookkeeping 1
Bookkeeping 1 covers basic bookkeeping skills learning the nine steps of the manual accounting cycle including recognizing source documents, recording journal entries, posting to the general ledger, preparing a trial balance and worksheet, preparing financial statements to a professional level, recording adjusting and closing entries, preparing a post-closing trial balance, and the basics of banking procedures and control of cash.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 120 hours
- Prerequisites: OFAD 157, OFAD 158, and OFAD 181; strong reading and writing abilities. OFAD 155 or current typing speed of 25 gwam.
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $351.12
- Course Outline
OFAD-150 – Employability Skills
This course gives students the skills defined in the Office Administration and Applied Business Technology Provincial Curricula. These skills are considered to be essential requirements for today’s workforce. Employees need to be adaptable and capable of meeting the challenges of change in today’s economy, advances in technology, and changes in the way work is organized. This course uses an office simulation activity for students to practice job-ready skills in the use of technology and to hone their organizational and time management skills. The course also covers basic employment skills such as developing an effective resume and cover letter, and emphasizes professionalism, decision making, ethics, and communication skills.
- Minimum Credits: 1.5
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites: OFAD 133, OFAD 135, OFAD 181
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $175.76
- Course Outline
OFAD-181 – MS Excel 1
Introduction to Spreadsheets: MS Excel 1 is designed to introduce students to the concepts of spreadsheets, formulas, graphs, and database features within spreadsheets.
- Minimum Credits: 1.5
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites: OFAD 157 and OFAD 158 OFAD 155 or current typing speed of 25 gwam.
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $175.56
- Course Outline
Bookkeeping Specialty Certificate Courses
OFAD-172 – Bookkeeping 2
OFAD 172 Bookkeeping 2 is an introduction to processing a company’s payroll. It covers calculating employees’ earnings and deductions, calculating employer payroll expenses, journalizing and posting the payroll, and disbursing payroll liabilities.
- Minimum Credits: 1.5
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites: OFAD 157, OFAD 158, OFAD 170 with a minimum 85% course grade
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $175.56
- Course Outline
OFAD-275 – Bookkeeping 3
OFAD 275 Bookkeeping 3 is a continuation of both Bookkeeping 1 and Bookkeeping 2. It covers bookkeeping activities for service and merchandising businesses, how to analyze and record purchases and sales, handle cash receipts and cash payments, maintain and reconcile subsidiary ledgers, record taxes in special journals, and prepare formal financial statements.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 105 hours
- Prerequisites: OFAD 157, OFAD 158, OFAD 181, OFAD 170, and OFAD 172
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $351.12
- Course Outline
OFAD-178 – Computerized Bookkeeping
OFAD 178 provides training opportunities using Sage 50 for Windows. The course includes study of the General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Payroll and Inventory. Company setup and account linking are included.
- Minimum Credits: 3.5
- Length: 150 hours
- Prerequisites: OFAD 155 or keyboarding assessment, OFAD 157, OFAD 158, OFAD 170, OFAD 172, OFAD 181, OFAD 275
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $351.12
- Course Outline
OFAD-182 – MS Access 1
The Microsoft Access OFAD 182 course covers introductory database functions to create and process data in a Windows environment. The student creates and modifies useful databases using tables and forms. The student creates and modifies professional quality reports and queries for the databases.
- Minimum Credits: 1.5
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites: OFAD 155 or current typing speed of 25 gwam, OFAD 157, OFAD 158 and OFAD 181
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $175.56
- Course Outline
OFAD-281 – MS Excel 2
This course covers advanced applications in using financial functions, data tables, amortization schedules, and hyperlinks; creating, sorting and querying a worksheet database; and creating templates and working with multiple worksheets and workbooks.
- Minimum Credits: 1.5
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites: OFAD 181, OFAD 155 or current typing speed of 25 gwam, OFAD 157, OFAD 158
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $175.56
- Course Outline
OFAD-285 – MS Excel 3
This course covers advanced applications for working with large amounts of data through analyzing, validating, formula auditing, complex problem solving, automating and collaborating. PivotTables and PivotCharts are covered, as are trendlines, Solver, Scenario Manager, Visual Basic for Applications code, macros, controls, and the Compare and Merge Workbooks feature.
- Minimum Credits: 1.5
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites: OFAD 155 or keyboarding placement assessment, OFAD 157, OFAD 158, OFAD 181, OFAD 281
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $175.56
- Course Outline
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements:
- Successful completion of the Office Administration certificate within the last 5 years.
- Transfer credit for an Office Administration certificate program taken at other institutions may be available.
Your Costs
Tuition and Fees:
Tuition: | $3,511.20 |
Application Fee: | $30.00 |
Student Association Fee: | $103.50 |
Total | $3,645.70 |
*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.
Textbooks and Supplies
Textbooks and supplies are available at the College Bookstore.
Online students must have a PC with Microsoft Office 2016 or Office 365 and Windows 10 for all OFAD courses. Registered students are eligible to acquire MS Office 365 for free. Details are provided after registration.
Note: Mac computers are not supported in the OFAD program.
Program Details
Delivery Method:?
Online
Credential:
Certificate
Categories:
Administrative & Accounting, Business, Finance & Accounting
Interests:
Get in, Get out, Get a Job, Office, Start or Run Your Own Business
Contact Details
Cranbrook
2700 College Way,
Box 8500, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 5L7
Phone: 250-489-2751
Toll-free: 1-877-489-2687
Email: info@cotr.bc.ca