Business Fundamentals
Ontario College Certificate
2 Semesters / 1 Year
Douglas A. Smith Family School of Business
Key Details
Program Start Dates
January 2025
May 2025
September 2025
January 2026
May 2026
Please visit Ontario College Application Service to learn more about start dates.
Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Program Duration
4 Semesters / 2 YearsProgram Contacts
Praveen Rathee
Program Coordinator (Year 1)
praveen.rathee@cambriancollege.ca
Chris Morin, CPA
Program Coordinator (Year 2)
chris.morin@cambriancollege.ca
International Admissions
mailboxadmissions@cambriancollege.ca
Program Overview
Set your foundation for a career in accounting
Develop the skills and hands-on accounting experience you need to get your foot in the door and gain entry-level positions within non-profits, corporations, and other organizations.
Your first year follows a common curriculum shared by all accounting and business students. After that, you’re in the deep end, immersed in accounting principles and bookkeeping practices with an eye towards a degree. Successful grads can enter directly into the third year of Cambrian’s Bachelor of Business Administration or Honours Bachelor of Business Administration programs to build advanced skills and knowledge.
Program Highlights
Program highlights
- Gain real-world experience through a placement
- Designed for students working towards a degree or entry into professional programs
Admissions
Admission requirements
For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:
- Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
- Any grade 11 mathematics (C), (U), or (M)
International Student Admissions
Are you an international student? Learn more about additional requirements.
Learn moreAdditional admission requirements
Recommendations
- Computer competency in relevant software
Academic Upgrading
Are you missing admission requirements? Strengthen your academic skills for free at your own pace through Academic Upgrading!
Program delivery
Program delivery
2024-2025
Winter term start
- Semester 1: Winter 2025
- Semester 2: Spring 2025
- Semester 3: Fall 2025
- Semester 4: Winter 2026
Spring term start
- Semester 1: Spring 2025
- Semester 2: Fall 2025
- Semester 3: Winter 2026
- Semester 4: Spring 2026
2025-2026
Fall term start
- Semester 1: Fall 2025
- Semester 2: Winter 2026
- Semester 3: Fall 2026
- Semester 4: Winter 2027
Winter term start
- Semester 1: Winter 2026
- Semester 2: Spring 2026
- Semester 3: Fall 2026
- Semester 4: Winter 2027
Spring term start
- Semester 1: Spring 2026
- Semester 2: Fall 2026
- Semester 3: Winter 2027
- Semester 4: Spring 2027
Program of Study
Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 1045 | Introduction to Accounting | 3 |
| BUS 1125 | Business Professionalism | 3 |
| BUS 1146 | Introduction to Business Management | 3 |
| BUS 1211 | Business Mathematics | 3 |
| ECN 1101 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| ENG 1002 | College Communications | 3 |
| ISP 3026 | Spreadsheets for Business | 3 |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ACC 1050 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUS 1111 | Business Research Methods | 3 |
| BUS 1153 | CSR and Ethics | 3 |
| BUS 1212 | Financial Mathematics | 3 |
| ECN 1202 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MKT 1204 | Foundations of Marketing | 3 |
| One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| ACC 1028 | Intermediate Accounting I | 4 |
| ACC 2321 | Introduction to Management Accounting | 4 |
| ACC 1060 | Accounting Applications | 3 |
| BUS 1233 | Statistics | 3 |
| BUS 2320 | Business Law | 3 |
| One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 20 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| ACC 3502 | Introduction to Audit | 4 |
| ACC 1027 | Personal Taxation | 4 |
| ACC 1029 | Intermediate Accounting II | 4 |
| FIN 1016 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| IND 1011 | Indigenous Business and Economics | 3 |
| One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 83 | |
- 1
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For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.
Fees
Tuition Cost
Important Notice
Fees presented are estimates based on projections for future academic year(s) of study. Actual fees charged may differ from what is published here. A full detailed listing of all fees is available in myCambrian and updated annually no later than May 1 for the following academic year. Students in Academic Upgrading are responsible for any fees listed on their invoice each term.
Tuition and ancillary fees
Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.
Books and supplies
Books and supplies may be required at the course level over and above what is estimated above. Please consult your professor/instructor for further information.
College may be more affordable than you think!
Have you said, “school can wait another year”? Don’t sacrifice your future any longer – you can do it!
Whether it’s fear, financial reasons, or something else that is impacting your decision to start school, we’re here to listen to you and help in any way we can!
Work-integrated learning (WIL)
Take your education beyond the classroom!
Cambrian programs blend academic learning, hands-on training, and community involvement opportunities to help you achieve your ultimate goal – your dream career. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios within and outside of the classroom through work-integrated learning. Whether it be a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement, you’ll benefit from a practical, job-related experience before you graduate.
Work-integrated learning (WIL) resources
Your program may give you the opportunity to gain practical work experience through a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement. Before starting your program it’s important to understand the differences between the opportunities as well as the requirements.
Field of Study
Douglas A. Smith Family School of Business
Cambrian’s Douglas A. Smith Family School of Business offers a wide range of programs designed to ignite your potential. Create your own narrative with programs that combine classroom knowledge with real-world experience. Cambrian gives you the tools to succeed in the compelling and fast-paced business sector.
Specific program pathways
Honours Bachelor of Business Administration – advanced standing opportunity
Graduates from this program (or equivalent) meeting a 2.5 GPA requirement are eligible for advanced standing in the Bachelor of Business Administration or Honours Bachelor of Business Administration programs and will receive direct entry into year three.
College or university degree opportunities
If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian’s college and university agreement details for further information
Career Outcomes
Need a career coach?
Explore how this program can lead to a great career! Cambrian’s Career Coach platform is a user-friendly, online tool that provides up-to-date and comprehensive labour market data to help you explore career options, salary expectations for the Greater Sudbury region, and more!
See where you'll be learning!
Minimum technology requirements
Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.
Minimum technology requirements
- Regular access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection
- Webcam and headset
- Personal computer
- PC with operating system Windows 10 or 11 (preferred), with 64-bit Intel or AMD multicore processor, Intel i5 OR
- AMD equivalent at minimum
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics – Intel HD Graphics 400
- RAM: 8 GB or 16 GB (preferred)
- Storage: 16 GB – 32 GB SSD, 100 GB free with 10 GB minimum for software installs
System requirements for assistive technology
To access the widest range of assistive technology (AT), a Windows-based computer is recommended.
- Recommended OS: Windows 10 or newer
- Recommended CPU: Intel or AMD multicore processor
- Recommended RAM: 8 GB
- Recommended storage for assistive technology: 8 GB of available hard drive of solid state drive space (please note this is not the total drive size and refers specifically to available space needed for assistive technology)
- Recommended audio: Speakers or headphones for text-to-speech and microphone for speech input.
While Apple computers can provide many AT options, some specialized software may not be available/compatible with this platform. Please consult with the Glenn Crombie Centre for further details.
Bring your own device (BYOD)
Cambrian College has implemented a BYOD principle to both enrich the student learning experience in and out of the classroom and to ensure flexibility!
Ready to take the first step?
Start gaining the highest level of skills at Cambrian now – and you’ll be ready to take advantage of the many career opportunities waiting for you just around the corner. The future is yours!
Have Questions? We are here to help.
If you have any questions about programs, funding, OSAP, deadlines, student services, or anything else, reach out to our support team and we are happy to help!
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