Payroll and Bookkeeping (Optional Co-op)

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Courses - January 2023

Level 1

Course details

Introductory Financial Accounting I
ACCT1030

Description: This course introduces ASPE, IFRS, accounting terminology, the accounting equation, the double-entry system of bookkeeping, the accrual basis of accounting, financial statements and the ledgers and journals making up a basic accounting system for both sole proprietorship and corporation forms of businesses.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Personal Tax Returns
ACCT1520

Description: This introductory course is designed to provide the knowledge required to prepare Canadian Income Tax Returns (T1). We will cover sources of income, deductions, credits and the calculation of tax. Successful completion of this course will allow you to be employed as a tax preparer for income tax specialty firms or prepare your own tax return.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Organizational Behaviour
BUS1021

Description: This course is a study of workplace behaviour at the individual, team and organizational level. The course explores theories of motivation, perceptions, emotions, team effectiveness, decision making, leadership, power, culture, and change. The concepts and application explored will guide students in their application of best practices to strengthen organizations and their overall effectiveness as global citizens.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Description: This course introduces students to the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed for academic and workplace success. Students will analyse a variety of texts and apply the steps of planning, writing, and revising to produce writing that meets the expectations of selected audiences and purposes. The course prepares students for college-level writing tasks, research, and documentation by asking them to produce clear, informed, and purposeful documents relevant to both academic and professional contexts.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Business Computing Applications I
COMP1056

Description:

During this course, the student will learn to effectively use Windows operating system, apply word processing techniques, create basic business presentations, and explore the power of spreadsheets . Students will also learn the skills necessary to operate effectively within the Conestoga College computing environment. An emphasis will be placed on the development of solutions to business problems using commonly available microcomputer tools.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.
  • Hours: 1
  • Credits: 0
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Payroll Compliance Legislation
CPAY1000

Description: This course will provide students with the payroll related legislation affecting organizations, as well as the tools to find information and apply that information to different scenarios in relation to individual pay. Topics include CPP, EI, Income Tax, Worker’s Compensation, Labour Standards, Quebec Legislation
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Business Mathematics I
MATH1010

Description: The purpose of the course is to provide the student with a mathematical basis for personal and business financial decisions through four instructional modules. The course stresses business applications using arithmetic, algebra, ratio-proportion and graphing. Applications include payroll, cost-volume-profit analysis and merchandising mathematics. This course stresses logical reasoning and problem solving skills. A Texas Instrument BAII “Plus” calculator is required for the course.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Introductory Financial Accounting II
ACCT1040

Description:

This course teaches introductory information on principles and methods used in accounting for current assets, long-term assets, long-term liabilities and equity accounts for both partnership and corporate business structures.

  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites: ACCT1030
  • CoRequisites:

Excel in Accounting
ACCT1345

Description: This course provides students with the intermediate level topics required for The Microsoft Office Specialist exam; Excel Expert: Interpreting Data for Insights. Excel is an essential accounting tool. The material covered in this course will enhance the ability of the student to create and streamline accounting workbooks for optimal control, ease of use, and report design.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: COMP1056 OR COMP1923
  • CoRequisites:

Advanced Personal Tax Returns
ACCT1550

Description:

This advanced level course will expand on the topics presented in Personal Tax Returns. Topics covered will include tax treatment of capital gains and losses; self-employment income and expenses; rental income and expenses; employment expenses and various types of investments, including foreign property.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: ACCT1520
  • CoRequisites:

Accounting Applications I
ACCT2225

Description: Through the use of Sage 50 (formerly known as Simply Accounting) and QuickBooks Online (QBO), students will learn how to use two popular accounting software packages for use in small and medium sized businesses. In the Sage 50 component of the course, they will become familiar with computer accounting for applications such as Chart of Accounts, General Journal, General Ledger, Sales, Purchases, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Payments, Receipts, Reconciliations, Payroll Inventory, Vendor files, Customer files, Employee files and company setup. In the QuickBooks Online (QBO) component of the course they will become familiar with computer accounting for applications such as Chart of Accounts, Writing Cheques, Sales Receipts, Customers, Suppliers, General Journal, General Ledger, and company setup.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites: ACCT1030
  • CoRequisites:

Applied Managerial Accounting
ACCT2460

Description:

This is an introductory course in Managerial Accounting for non-accounting students. The course provides the student with an understanding of the types and behaviours of costs used by managers in the planning, decision-making and budgeting processes.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: ACCT1025 OR ACCT1030
  • CoRequisites:

Payroll Fundamentals I
CPAY1010

Description: Students who complete this course will be able to apply payroll legislation and calculate individual pay. This includes all components of individual pay from remuneration through deductions to net pay for both regular and non-regular situations.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Level 3

Course details

Accounting Applications II
ACCT3150

Description: Students will be introduced to alternative computerized accounting systems with an emphasis in determining a suitable computerized accounting system for a company's needs. A computerized batch processing accounting software package will be used in illustrating the application of its functions to particular tasks.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: ACCT2220 OR ACCT2225
  • CoRequisites:

Career Success
CDEV1830

Description: This course focuses on the skills needed to conduct a successful job search. Students will explore the labour market and identify trends that may impact their future careers. They will develop skills for an effective job search including networking, self-marketing documents and tools as well as interview skills. Mock interviews will provide the opportunity for practice, feedback and reflection as students prepare for future interviews. Students will develop a personalized job search plan to support their future careers.
  • Hours: 28
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Co-op and Career Preparation
CEPR1020

Description: This series of modules will prepare students for job searching for their co-op work terms with the guidance of a Coop Advisor. Students will familiarize themselves with the co-operative education policies and procedures and will learn the expectations, rules, and regulations that apply in the workplace regarding social, organizational, ethical, and safety issues while developing an awareness of self-reflective practices. Students will reflect on their skills, attitudes, and expectations and examine available opportunities in the workplace. Successful completion of these modules is a requirement for co-op eligibility.
  • Hours: 14
  • Credits: 1
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Payroll Fundamentals II
CPAY2000

Description: Students who complete this course will be able to calculate and report government and third-party remittances, year-end requirements and accounting for payroll at the compliance level of the organization. Students will be able to effectively communicate these organizational processes and requirements to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Client Communications and Entrepreneurship
ENTR2090

Description: In this course, students will demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and convincingly with clients, employees and co-workers. While monitoring their non-verbal communication, they will learn how to listen actively to ensure accurate information gathering. Students will deliver oral presentations in a variety of settings including on-on-one and small groups, with a view to building confidence and professionalism. Students will also be introduced to the option of business ownership, how a business operates, forms of business and the role of government in small business. Established business practices and ethics will be explored using case studies. Students will create the various components of a business plan.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Compensation
HRM1050

Description: The major objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the process, issues and techniques involved in developing and administering a compensation system. Students will acquire knowledge about theoretical and applied aspects of the compensation function, an understanding of the linkage between the compensation function and organizational management process, and familiarity with the compensation system design necessary to attract, retain and motivate employees.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Employment Law
HRM1090

Description:

Providing a working knowledge of labour and employment legislation, this course studies topics ranging from Employment Standards and Human Rights to the impact of these Acts on items such as hiring, termination, union certification and union decertification. A brief overview of elements on Employment contracts and Collective Labour Agreement will also be included.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 4

Course details

Co-op Work Term (Payroll and Bookkeeping)
COOP2530

Description: This co-op work term will provide students with college-approved work experience in an authentic, professionally relevant work environment. Students will be provided the opportunity to connect theory and practice by leveraging their academic training to develop a broad base of vocational skills. The practical applications of this work term will promote students’ awareness of key concepts and terminology in their field, cultivate their problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, encourage their development of professional autonomy and collaboration, and enhance their capacity to analyze and reflect on their demonstrated abilities in the workplace.
  • Hours: 420
  • Credits: 14
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Level 5

Course details

Advanced Excel In Accounting
ACCT3135

Description: Students will use Microsoft Excel as a data analytics tool to create workbooks that use advanced functions in to analyze financial and non-financial data. This includes the retrieval, synthesis, and analysis of large datasets. Understanding end-user requirements will be a primary consideration to ensure the objectives of analysis are satisfied while using best practices regarding data management to ensure data integrity. Students will have an opportunity to prepare financial statements, perform trend analysis, use pivot tables, chart financial data, use business intelligence tools, and develop an Excel application. The material covered in this course, including macro creation, will enhance the ability of the student to create and streamline accounting workbooks for optimal control, ease of use, and report design. As part of this course students will have covered all topics for the Microsoft Office Specialist Exam: “Excel Expert: Interpreting data for Insights.”
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites: ACCT1340 OR ACCT1345
  • CoRequisites:

Payroll Practicum
CPAY2010

Description: The purpose of the course is to provide students with an extensive hands-on, practical knowledge of accounting and payroll applications using technology as a tool. Using source documents, students will use appropriate technology to complete a comprehensive case study on both the accounting and payroll cycles. Students will experience payroll and accounting systems and the source standards for industry-standard payroll and accounting systems for both in-house and outsourced payroll.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Fundamentals of Employee Benefits Program
HRM1110

Description:

The focus of this course is on designing, administering and funding company benefit plans including life, short term disability, long term disability, major medical, dental and pension plans. Current trends in the insurance industry in the group benefits area will be reviewed. Students will also have an opportunity to explore the linkages which exist between government sponsored plans and company sponsored plans. Current approaches to benefit design will be reviewed and students will explore alternative design types and critique their suitability for differing employee needs. Cost and price issues will also be reviewed along with some of the major pieces of legislation impacting on this area.

  • Hours: 36
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: HRM1050
  • CoRequisites:

Human Resources Management
HRM2040

Description:

The primary focus of this introductory course is to offer the student an overview of the Human Resource (HR) Management function and each of its disciplines. The course emphasis is on the application of the skills and techniques commonly used today by HR professionals in each discipline area, and on understanding how they are related to the organization's overall strategy and objectives. Pertinent legislation is studied in detail. A section of the course is devoted to developing effective job search skills and to presenting oneself effectively in interviews.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Introduction to Management for Payroll Professionals
MGMT1495

Description:

This course provides an introduction to the management and supervision skills specific to payroll administrators. Topics include payroll best practices, benchmarking working with various government agencies and organizations, complex issues related to payroll administration and payroll planning to support organizational planning.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: CPAY0040 OR CPAY1000 AND CPAY0050 OR CPAY1010 AND CPAY0060 OR CPAY2000
  • CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Program outcomes

  1. Prepare accurate financial reports for analysis and control purposes in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
  2. Plan, direct and apply controls to an enterprise in accordance with industry standards.
  3. Prepare payroll remittances, T4’s, basic personal tax returns, HST/GST and other required filings ensuring compliance with relevant Canadian legislation and regulations.
  4. Support the financial management of a business organization to make evidence-informed decisions that align with business goals and objectives
  5. Perform payroll and accounting tasks in various computerized systems in accordance with legislative and government requirements
  6. Support the investigation of and response to payroll queries within the operational structure of an organization and in accordance with organizational customer service standards.
  7. Complete all work in accordance with ethical business practices that foster corporate responsibility within the context of the Canadian business environment.
  8. Communicate professionally with vendors, clients and other stakeholders to foster successful business relationships.
  9. Develop a plan for personal professional development to enhance knowledge of industry trends and best practices relating to the payroll profession.