Overview
Work toward your CPA or RPA designation with our flexible online accounting courses
Whether you are pursuing a career in managerial or financial accounting or working towards your RPA or CPA designation, our Accounting program can help. Gain the in-demand skills you need to succeed in this rewarding profession.
- Developed in collaboration with top industry experts and McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business
- Gain the skills, tools and knowledge of the latest accounting best practices and standards
- Courses can be taken individually or as part of an accounting certificate or diploma
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Program highlights Learn More
- RPA and CPA approved courses
- Taught by accounting experts
- Earn a certificate or diploma
Accounting program features:
- Approved courses for admission to RPA or CPA designation programs
- Convenient virtual classroom, online self-study or online course options
- Learn from instructors with industry expertise
- Network with professionals from various disciplines

Learning outcomes Learn More
- Knowledge and in-demand skills
- Professional accounting standards
- Ethical practices
Through our Accounting program, you’ll learn to:
- Demonstrate awareness of organizational structure, professional standards, ethical practices and the role of accounting within an organization
- Research, calculate, analyze and evaluate accounting information appropriate to financial contexts
- Propose creative and critical options and solutions that align with accounting best practices
- Recognize the impact of current economic, political and professional rules and regulations on accounting practices
- Develop knowledge and skills to pursue accounting professional designations such as CPA or RPA
Learn more about the Accounting program
- Professionals working in the accounting or finance field
- Professionals interested in entering the accounting field
- Anyone interested in pursuing an RPA or CPA professional designation
- Anyone looking to reinvent their business career
Earning an Accounting Diploma or a Certificate in Advanced Accounting opens doors to a wide range of rewarding careers including:
- General or Management Accountant
- Finance or Non-Profit Executive Director
- Portfolio Accountant
- Controller
- Financial Analyst
- Chief Financial or Executive Officer
- Auditor or Senior Financial Auditor
- Strategic Management Consultant or Advisor
With the financial expertise, strategic thinking, business insight and management skills you’ll gain as part of becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), this sought-after designation is your ticket to a world of opportunities in accounting and finance.
To learn more about the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, please visit CPA Ontario.
Academic Prerequisites for Admission to the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP)
Before entering the CPA Professional Education Program, you must complete a degree and cover specific subject areas. Specific subject areas may be covered during a university program, or through additional degree-credit courses offered by post-secondary institutions such as McMaster Continuing Education, academic institutions in another country or through the CPA Ontario preparatory courses.
McMaster University Continuing Education offers specific subject courses through flexible and convenient online self-study and virtual classroom learning formats. Please refer to CPA Ontario Approved Pre-requisite Courses for approved McMaster Continuing Education courses.
*If you’re interested in pursuing a CPA designation or registering for individual courses to use toward the CPA PEP, please visit or contact CPA Ontario for further program details such as admission applications, course requirements and membership details.
Learn more about CPA in this video:
If you’re interested in pursuing a McMaster University Certificate or Diploma either on its own or in conjunction with a professional designation, please contact accounting@mcmaster.ca. If you’re interested in pursuing degree studies at McMaster University, you may be eligible for undergraduate academic credit based on completion of our Diploma in Accounting or Advanced Certificate in Accounting.
Becoming a Registered Professional Accountant is a great professional choice. RPAs are leaders in a multitude of companies and industries and some have even taken entrepreneurial routes and opened accounting practices. With McMaster’s RPA-accredited suite of accounting and finance courses, you can earn your RPA professional designation and set yourself apart in today’s competitive job market.
To learn more about the Society of Professional Accountants Canada (SPAC) and RPA, please visit RPA Canada.
Academic Prerequisites for Entry to the RPA Professional Review Program
To become an RPA, you must successfully complete the course prerequisites aligned to SPAC’s 5 educational pillars, in conjunction with a degree or diploma from a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution such as McMaster Continuing Education. Completion of all course prerequisites is required to participate in the Professional Review Program and attempt the final Mandatory Professional Exam.
McMaster Continuing Education’s suite of courses has been approved by the Society of Professional Accountants of Canada (SPAC). Course prerequisites are offered through flexible and convenient online self-study and virtual classroom learning formats. Get more information on the RPA-accredited suite of accounting and finance courses.
*If you are interested in pursuing an RPA designation, please visit RPA Canada for further details.
Learn more about RPA in this video:
If you’re interested in pursuing a McMaster University Certificate or Diploma either on its own or in conjunction with a professional designation, please contact accounting@mcmaster.ca. If you’re interested in pursuing degree studies at McMaster University, you may be eligible for undergraduate academic credit based on completion of our Diploma in Accounting or Advanced Certificate in Accounting.
Check out our latest Business Program Preview video to learn more about the Accounting program
What Our Recent Graduates Say

Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing graduate
“The instructors worked in the marketing field and taught us real-life experiences.”
Obtaining an education with McMaster Continuing Education helped me reinvent my career. I was a former banker and I wanted a career in marketing. Through this program, I was able to bridge that gap and get into the career that I wanted. The instructors were working in the marketing field, teaching us real-life experiences and that was very valuable to me.
Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing graduate

Adam
Business Administration graduate
“I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.”
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career. I found that the Business Administration program was really the best fit for me, because the learning that I was able to take in through this program was really cutting edge and current to the labour market. The learning that I took on is something I use every day.
Adam
Business Administration graduate
“The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work.”
The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work. Our field in data is continuously changing. I found that sweet balance in terms of the focus of the course. It’s a life cycle of how the data is coming in all the way to make it a service or a product. The course gives you that 360 spectrum.
Zaki
Big Data graduate
“The instructors worked in the marketing field and taught us real-life experiences.”
Obtaining an education with McMaster Continuing Education helped me reinvent my career. I was a former banker and I wanted a career in marketing. Through this program, I was able to bridge that gap and get into the career that I wanted. The instructors were working in the marketing field, teaching us real-life experiences and that was very valuable to me.
Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing graduate
“I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.”
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career. I found that the Business Administration program was really the best fit for me, because the learning that I was able to take in through this program was really cutting edge and current to the labour market. The learning that I took on is something I use every day.
Adam
Business Administration graduate
“The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work.”
The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work. Our field in data is continuously changing. I found that sweet balance in terms of the focus of the course. It’s a life cycle of how the data is coming in all the way to make it a service or a product. The course gives you that 360 spectrum.
Zaki
Big Data graduate
Other programs you may be interested in
Certificate in Accounting
Certificate in Advanced Accounting
Pursue your Certificate in Advanced Accounting with McMaster Continuing Education
Explore the requirements below and register today!
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Certificate in Advanced Accounting
Earn the Certificate in Advanced Accounting by completing any six specialist courses listed below.
Certificate in Advanced Accounting Requirements
Academic Credit – 18 Units
- Open to individuals with post-secondary education who have completed introductory and intermediate level financial and management accounting courses (equivalent to ACC 925, ACC 926, ACC 927, ACC 928 and ACC 929) outside of McMaster Continuing Education prior to beginning the Certificate.
- Students pursuing an external designation may take any number of basic courses to satisfy external program requirements.
Note: Graduates of the Diploma in Accounting are not eligible for the Certificate in Advanced Accounting.
Future Degree Studies
Students who successfully graduate from the Certificate in Advanced Accounting program, and who wish to pursue degree studies at McMaster University may be eligible to receive up to 18 units of undergraduate academic credit, as determined by the Faculty to which they are applying. The student must be accepted into the Faculty before this advanced standing is granted.
For application information for degree studies, visit the Registrar’s website: http://registrar.mcmaster.ca.
Students applying to the Bachelor of Commerce program after completing their certificate must be aware of the following criteria for advanced credit:
- The certificate must be completed with an overall average of B- or better
- A mark of B- or better must be obtained in each course that is to be used for advanced standing
- Only courses completed within the last 5 years will be considered for advanced standing
- Students with a failing grade will not be admissible to a Bachelor of Commerce program (even if they repeat the course)
Microsoft Excel
Accounting requires varying degrees of proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel is recommended to be successful in the courses. Excel course modules are available through LinkedIn Learning, free of charge, to all active McMaster University students. Please visit LinkedIn Learning for more information.
Specialist Courses (Complete any 6)
3.0 UNITS
ACC 934
Advanced Financial Accounting
3.0 UNITS
ACC 930
Advanced Management Accounting
3.0 UNITS
ACC 931
Auditing
3.0 UNITS
ACC 933
Financial Management
3.0 UNITS
ACC 932
Management Information Systems
3.0 UNITS
ACC 937
Taxation I
3.0 UNITS
ACC 938
Taxation II
Basic Courses (optional)
3.0 UNITS
ACC 818
Economics
3.0 UNITS
BUS 825
Business Foundations
1.5 UNITS
ACC 829
Preparatory Mathematics
1.5 UNITS
ACC 830
Basic Bookkeeping
3.0 UNITS
ACC 855
Business Statistics
3.0 UNITS
BUS 436
Business Law
3.0 UNITS
BUS 850
Business Communications
3.0 UNITS
BUS 852
Business Strategy
3.0 UNITS
HRM 821
Organizational Behaviour
Diploma in Accounting
Diploma in Accounting
Pursue your Diploma in Accounting with McMaster Continuing Education
Explore the requirements below and register today!
Information Box Group

Diploma in Accounting
Earn the Diploma in Accounting by completing the five core courses and any six specialist courses listed below.
Diploma in Accounting Requirements
Academic Credit – 33 Units
- The McMaster Accounting Diploma program is divided into three areas: core, specialist and basic.
- To qualify for the diploma, students must complete five (5) core courses and any six (6) specialist courses.
- Students who do not have post-secondary education must also complete Effective Communication and Organizational Behaviour courses in order to qualify for the Diploma.
- Students pursuing an external designation may take any number of basic courses to satisfy their external program requirements.
Future Degree Studies
Students who successfully graduate from the Accounting Diploma program and wish to pursue degree studies at McMaster University may be eligible to receive up to 33 units of undergraduate academic credit, as determined by the Faculty to which they are applying. The student must be accepted into the Faculty before this advanced standing is granted.
For application information for degree studies, visit the Registrar’s website: http://registrar.mcmaster.ca.
Students applying to the Bachelor of Commerce program after completing their diploma must be aware of the following criteria for advanced credit:
- The diploma must be completed with an overall average of B- or better
- A mark of B- or better must be obtained in each course that is to be used for advanced standing
- Only courses completed within the last 5 years will be considered for advanced standing
- Students will be permitted up to 6 units of failure
- Students who receive advanced standing for ACC 925 Introductory Financial Accounting and MKT 819 Marketing may be required to complete Economics 1BB3 and Economics 1B03
- The DeGroote School of Business requires the completion of two of the following math courses to be considered for admission: Advanced Functions (MHF4U), Introductory, Calculus & Vectors (MCV4U) and Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U)
The DeGroote School of Business does not accept students who have previously earned a degree.
Students intending to pursue this option are strongly encouraged to contact us for detailed information.
Microsoft Excel
Accounting requires varying degrees of proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel is recommended to be successful in the courses. Excel course modules are available through LinkedIn Learning, free of charge, to all active McMaster University students. Please visit LinkedIn Learning for more information.
Diploma in Accounting FAST TRACK Option
- Finish your Diploma in Accounting in less than a year
- Virtual Classroom format
- Final examinations are held online via Examity
- Students pursuing a professional designation may take additional courses to satisfy external program requirements
Required Core Courses
3.0 UNITS
ACC 925
Introductory Financial Accounting
Specialist Courses (Complete any 6)
3.0 UNITS
ACC 930
Advanced Management Accounting
3.0 UNITS
ACC 931
Auditing
3.0 UNITS
ACC 932
Management Information Systems
3.0 UNITS
ACC 933
Financial Management
3.0 UNITS
ACC 934
Advanced Financial Accounting
3.0 UNITS
ACC 937
Taxation I
3.0 UNITS
ACC 938
Taxation II
Basic Courses (optional)
3.0 UNITS
ACC 818
Economics
1.5 UNITS
ACC 829
Preparatory Mathematics
1.5 UNITS
ACC 830
Basic Bookkeeping
3.0 UNITS
ACC 855
Business Statistics
3.0 UNITS
BUS 436
Business Law
3.0 UNITS
BUS 825
Business Foundations
3.0 UNITS
BUS 850
Business Communications
3.0 UNITS
BUS 852
Business Strategy
3.0 UNITS
HRM 821
Organizational Behaviour
Accounting Courses
Core Courses
3.0 UNITS
ACC 925
Introductory Financial Accounting
Specialist Courses
3.0 UNITS
ACC 934
Advanced Financial Accounting
3.0 UNITS
ACC 930
Advanced Management Accounting
3.0 UNITS
ACC 931
Auditing
3.0 UNITS
ACC 933
Financial Management
3.0 UNITS
ACC 932
Management Information Systems
3.0 UNITS
ACC 937
Taxation I
3.0 UNITS
ACC 938
Taxation II
Basic Elective Courses
1.5 UNITS
ACC 830
Basic Bookkeeping
3.0 UNITS
BUS 825
Business Foundations
3.0 UNITS
BUS 436
Business Law
3.0 UNITS
ACC 855
Business Statistics
3.0 UNITS
BUS 852
Business Strategy
3.0 UNITS
ACC 818
Economics
3.0 UNITS
HRM 821
Organizational Behaviour
1.5 UNITS
ACC 829
Preparatory Mathematics
3.0 UNITS
BUS 850
Business Communications
CPA Ontario Approved Courses
Non-Core Prerequisites:
3.0 UNITS
ACC 818
Economics
3.0 UNITS
ACC 855
Business Statistics
3.0 UNITS
ACC 925
Introductory Financial Accounting
3.0 UNITS
ACC 932
Management Information Systems
3.0 UNITS
BUS 436
Business Law
Core Prerequisites:
3.0 UNITS
ACC 930
Advanced Management Accounting
3.0 UNITS
ACC 931
Auditing
3.0 UNITS
ACC 933
Financial Management
3.0 UNITS
ACC 934
Advanced Financial Accounting
3.0 UNITS
ACC 937
Taxation I
3.0 UNITS
BUS 852
Business Strategy
RPA Approved PREREQUISITE Courses
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3.0 UNITS
ACC 925
Introductory Financial Accounting
3.0 UNITS
ACC 930
Advanced Management Accounting
3.0 UNITS
ACC 931
Auditing
3.0 UNITS
ACC 932
Management Information Systems
3.0 UNITS
ACC 933
Financial Management
3.0 UNITS
ACC 934
Advanced Financial Accounting
3.0 UNITS
ACC 937
Taxation I
3.0 UNITS
ACC 938
Taxation II
3.0 UNITS
BUS 436
Business Law
3.0 UNITS
BUS 490
Financial Modeling & Analysis
3.0 UNITS