Accounting Program

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 CPA or RPA designation, our Accounting programs 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

McMaster Continuing Education Business Program Highlights

Program highlights Learn More

CPA and RPA approved courses
Taught by accounting experts
Earn a Certificate or Diploma
Some final examinations are held online via Examity
Open enrolment program

McMaster Continuing Education Business Learning Outcomes

What you'll learn Learn More

Knowledge and in-demand skills
Professional accounting standards
Ethical practices

Learn More About Our Accounting Programs

Who should take this 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

What are the career opportunities?

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

Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation

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.

Registered Professional Accountant (RPA) designation

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:

ElevateYourSkills option for McMaster undergraduate students

Are you a current McMaster University undergraduate student?

Explore the ElevateYourSkills option to learn how you can earn an Accounting certificate or diploma as part of your degree.

Use your electives to earn a professional certificate or diploma
Fully online courses that you can fit into your schedule
Providing you with real-life career skills and experience before you graduate

Learn more here.

Check out our latest Business Program Preview video to learn more about our Accounting programs

What our recent graduates say

↗︎

I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better.

Judelyn '23
Business Administration with a concentration in Finance/Accounting

I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better.

My family migrated to Canada in 2006 from the Philippines (Asia). I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting from my home country.

Although challenging, I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given. I started my journey in Canada with temporary junior accounting jobs. It allowed me to integrate myself into the Canadian workforce and culture. After gaining more Canadian work experience, I landed a permanent job. Currently, I work as Treasury Analyst in a HydroElectric Generation company.

Despite the obstacles, I was determined to gain Canadian credentials. The pandemic made it more challenging, but I persisted. I balance work, study, and family.

In December 2019, I enrolled at McMaster University. Later earned a Diploma in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance and completed a Diploma in Accounting.

While studying at McMaster University, I developed my self-discipline and changed how I perceive things, which is priceless. I have to experience it to learn and discover it. I am self-motivated. I noticed I enjoyed studying – understanding in depth and not memorizing, which I usually did when I was younger.

The McMaster University courses were challenging to be honest, and my teachers taught me to be a critical thinker. I began thinking outside the box. The good thing is that if I had an idea or answered a question, they let me explain why I came up with that answer – that, for me, was so engaging for a student to understand more and strive to improve rather than simply dismissing a student’s incorrect answer.

From personal experience, the teaching style of McMaster University is different, and I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better. Until now, I have applied the ways and self-discipline I had gained even with this Treasury Designation exam I took recently. I want to thank and let McMaster know the influence/the lessons they had instilled in me that changed my outlook and mindset, making me better and excel in what I want to be.

↗︎

The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work.

Zaki
Big Data graduate

↗︎

I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.

Adam
Business Administration graduate

I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better.

My family migrated to Canada in 2006 from the Philippines (Asia). I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting from my home country.

Despite the obstacles, I was determined to gain Canadian credentials. The pandemic made it more challenging, but I persisted. I balance work, study, and family.

In December 2019, I enrolled at McMaster University. Later earned a Diploma in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance and completed a Diploma in Accounting.

Other programs you may be interested in

Business Administration Program

Privacy Management Program

McMaster Continuing Education Caregiving Essentials Program

Retirement Community Management Program

Discover more Business programs

Contact Us

Learn More

Have a question? Our team of Student Information Specialists is happy to help!

Microsoft Excel: 7 reasons why this 40-year-old software is more important than ever

Business

November 3, 2022

There are no results to display

Certificate in Advanced Accounting

ACC 937
Taxation I

$737.60

3.0 UNITS

ACC 938
Taxation II

$737.60

Have a question? Our team of Student Information Specialists is happy to help!

Diplima in Accounting

Pursue your Diploma in Accounting with McMaster Continuing Education

Explore the requirements below and register today!

McMaster Continuing Education Accounting Diploma

Diploma in Accounting

Earn the Diploma in Accounting by completing the five core courses and any six specialist courses listed below.

Learn More

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

$737.60

3.0 UNITS

ACC 938
Taxation II

$737.60

Have a question? Our team of Student Information Specialists is happy to help!

Accounting Courses

Advance your career with online Accounting courses

Explore course options including CPA and RPA approved courses. Register today!

Before enrolling for Accounting courses, please ensure you have completed any course prerequisites or equivalencies.

Learn More

Core Courses

3.0 UNITS

ACC 925
Introductory Financial Accounting

$737.60

3.0 UNITS

ACC 928
Introductory Management Accounting

$737.60

3.0 UNITS

ACC 926
Intermediate Financial Accounting I

$737.60

3.0 UNITS

ACC 927
Intermediate Financial Accounting II

$737.60

3.0 UNITS

ACC 929
Intermediate Management Accounting

$737.60

$737.60

3.0 UNITS

ACC 938
Taxation II

$737.60

$479.54

3.0 UNITS

BUS 850
Business Communications

$730.85

CPA Ontario Approved Courses

Please refer to the CPA Ontario Approved Pre-requisite Courses for Entry into the CPA PEP for more information.

Non-Core Prerequisites:

3.0 UNITS

ACC 818
Economics

$737.60

3.0 UNITS

ACC 855
Business Statistics

$737.60

3.0 UNITS

ACC 925
Introductory Financial Accounting

$737.60

3.0 UNITS

ACC 928
Introductory Management Accounting

$737.60

3.0 UNITS

BUS 436
Business Law

(Currently Not Available)

$737.60

3.0 UNITS

BUS 852
Business Strategy

(Currently Not Available)

$744.08

**Some courses use Examity Online Proctoring for final examinations. Please check the course outline for more information.

Learn More

Have a question? Our team of Student Information Specialists is happy to help!

Accounting Schedule

This schedule table displays courses planned to be offered this year and is a guide to planning your courses for the academic year. Please note: Spring term registration opens mid-March and Fall/Winter term registration opens mid-July. The schedule table is subject to change. Please visit the course pages to browse classes currently available for registration and the latest cost information. The cost for Accounting courses is $479.54 – $772.00 per course.

Learning format definitions:

VC = Virtual Classroom learning format
O = Online learning format
OSS = Online Self-Study learning format

For more information about our learning formats and to choose a format that works best for you, please visit our Learning Formats page.

Accounting Schedule
Course Name (Course Code)	Winter 2023	Spring 2023
Introductory Financial Accounting (ACC 925)	Date: Thu, Jan 12 – Apr 6 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC	Date: Wed, May 3 – Jul 26 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC
	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15 Format: OSS
Intermediate Financial Accounting I (ACC 926)	Date: Thu, Jan 12 – Apr 6 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC	Date: Thu, May 4 – Jul 27 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC
	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15 Format: OSS
Intermediate Financial Accounting II (ACC 927)	Date: Mon & Thu, Jan 9 – Feb 27 Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Format: VC	Date: Tue, May 2 – Jul 25 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC
	Date: Sat, Jan 14 – Apr 22 Time: 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Format: VC	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS
Introductory Management Accounting (ACC 928)	Date: Thu, Jan 12 – Apr 6 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC	Date: Mon, May 1 – Aug 14 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC
	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15 Format: OSS
Intermediate Management Accounting (ACC 929)	Date: Mon & Thu, Jan 9 – Feb 27 Time: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Format: VC	Date: Thu, May 4 – Jul 27 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC
	Date: Thu, Jan 12 – Apr 6 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS
Advanced Management Accounting (ACC 930)	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: Thu, May 4 – Jul 27 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC
	Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
		Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15 Format: OSS
Auditing (ACC 931)	Date: Wed, Jan 11 – Apr 5 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC	Date: Tue, May 2 – Jul 25 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC
	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15 Format: OSS
Management Information Systems (ACC 932)	Date: Sat, Jan 14 – Apr 22 Time: 9 am – 12:15 p.m. Format: VC	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS
Financial Management (ACC 933)	Date: Mon & Thu, Mar 6 – Apr 20 Time: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Format: VC	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS
Advanced Financial Accounting (ACC 934)	Date: Sat, Jan 14 – Apr 22 Time: 9 am – 12:15 p.m. Format: VC	Date: Wed, May 3 – Jul 26 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC
	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15 Format: OSS
Taxation I (ACC 937)	Date: Sat, Jan 14 – Apr 22 Time: 9 am – 12:15 p.m. Format: VC	Date: Tue, May 2 – Jul 25 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC
	Date: Mon & Thu, Mar 6– Apr 20 Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Format: VC	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS
Taxation II (ACC 938)	Date: Thu, Jan 12 – Apr 13 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC	Date: Tue, May 2 – Aug 1 Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC
	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
	Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15 Format: OSS
Economics (ACC 818)	Date: Sat, Jan 14 – Apr 22 Time: 9 am – 12:00 p.m. Format: VC	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
Economics (ACC 818)	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS
Preparatory Mathematics (ACC 829)	Date: Jan 15 – Apr 15 Format: OSS	Date: May 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS
Preparatory Mathematics (ACC 829)	Date: Jan 15 – Apr 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
Basic Bookkeeping (ACC 830)	Date: Jan 15 – Apr 15 Format: OSS	Date: May 15 – Aug 15 Format: OSS
Basic Bookkeeping (ACC 830)	Date: Jan 15 – Apr 15 Format: OSS	Date: Jul 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
Business Statistics (ACC 855)	Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15 Format: OSS	Date: May 15 – Oct 15 Format: OSS
Business Foundations (BUS 825)	Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16 Format: O	Date: May 8 – Aug 6 Format: O
Business Foundations (BUS 825)	Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16 Format: O	Date: Jun 19 – Sept 17 Format: O
Business Law (BUS 436)	Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16 Format: O	Date: May 8 – Aug 6 Format: O
Business Strategy (BUS 852)	Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16 Format: O	Date: May 8 – Aug 6 Format: O
Organizational Behaviour (HRM 821)	Date: Jan 16 – Apr 9 Format: O	Date: May 8 – Jul 30 Format: O
Organizational Behaviour (HRM 821)	Date: Feb 13 – May 7 Format: O	Date: Jun 19 – Sep 10 Format: O
Business Communications (BUS 850)	Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16 Format: O	Date: May 8 – Aug 6 Format: O
	Date: Feb 13 – May 14 Format: O	Date: Jun 19 – Sept 17 Format: O

Accounting

Overview

Work toward your CPA or RPA designation with our flexible online Accounting courses

Information Box Group

Learn More About Our Accounting Programs

Check out our latest Business Program Preview video to learn more about our Accounting programs

What our recent graduates say

Other programs you may be interested in

Certificate in Accounting

Certificate in Advanced Accounting

Pursue your Certificate in Advanced Accounting with McMaster Continuing Education

Information Box Group

Certificate in Advanced Accounting

Specialist Courses (complete any 6)

Basic Courses (optional)

Diploma in Accounting

Diplima in Accounting

Pursue your Diploma in Accounting with McMaster Continuing Education

Information Box Group

Diploma in Accounting

Diploma in Accounting FAST TRACK Option

Required Core Courses

Specialist Courses (complete any 6)

Basic Courses (optional)

Accounting Courses

Accounting Courses

Advance your career with online Accounting courses

Before enrolling for Accounting courses, please ensure you have completed any course prerequisites or equivalencies.

Core Courses

Specialist Courses

Basic Elective Courses

CPA Ontario Approved Courses

Non-Core Prerequisites:

Core Prerequisites: