Accounting Concentration

Goodman School of Business




Accounting Concentration

 
In this guide:
 
A concentration in accounting provides you with the knowledge of business and  management,  as well as technical accounting skills.  Accountants  engage  in  a  wide  variety of  activities  such  as preparing,  analyzing, and interpreting  internal  accounting  information  required  to plan  and  make decisions about business activities. 
*Please note: The BAcc program is designed for students intending to pursue a professional accounting designation, while the BBA program (Accounting concentration) provides a broader managerial degree with a more limited focus in accounting. The BAcc degree includes all university courses required by the professional accounting organizations in Ontario representing CAs, CMAs and CGAs. The BBA program meets some, but not all, of these requirements.
 
Nature of work & types of jobs: 
  • Cost Accounting 
  • Financial Accounting 
  • Financial Auditing 
  • Forensic Accounting 
  • Tax Accounting
Positions of Recent Grads: 
  • Junior Accountant 
  • Senior Accountant
  • Audit Officer
  • Accounts Payable Clerk 
  • Account Executive
  • Payroll Accountant 
  • Commodity Tax Analyst 
  • Accountant‐Assurance & Business Advisory
 
Public Accounting
Public accounting is the business of expressing independent assurance on financial statements and other financial information of enterprises of every size, to ensure that the information truly reflects their financial condition. Large and small investors, financial institutions and other third parties then use that assurance to help them make informed investment and lending decisions. Many of those decisions involve investments in RSPs, mutual or pension funds – making the practice of public accounting relevant to nearly all Canadians.
 
Accounting in Private Sector & Government
Private sector represents, small, mid‐sized, and large organizations that operate on a for‐profit basis and are not controlled by the province in which they operate.  Government sector represents local, provincial, and federal government offices, including hospitals and educational institutions. 
 
CAs are the professionals Canada's business leaders trust to help make financial, strategic and leadership decisions. Public accounting is a core CA activity and always will be. However, some two‐thirds of Ontario’s 34,000 CAs now practice outside public accounting in positions in businesses of every size in government, academe or the not‐for‐profit sector. 
 
CGAs are highly skilled accounting professionals who provide forward‐thinking financial management and business expertise. They are financial professionals occupying key positions within every sector of the economy –  Corporate, Education, Government, IT, Not‐for‐Profit, and Public Practice. 
 
CMAs are strategic and financial management professionals who combine accounting expertise with professional management skills to provide leadership, innovation, and an integrating perspective to organizational decision‐making. 
 
Brock’s Bachelor of Accounting (BAcc) program has a national reputation for excellence and graduates of this program will have attained the highest level of prerequisite credits toward professional accounting designations. The courses you take will depend on the professional designation you choose. Upper‐year courses offered at Brock include:
  • ACTG 4P11‐Accounting Theory
  • ACTG 4P12‐Integration & Problem Solving
  • ACTG 4P34‐Accounting for External Reporting
  • ACTG 4P40‐Tax Strategies for Planning & Decision Making
  • ACTG 4P41‐Taxation

You can also put your accounting knowledge to practice by participating in accounting case competitions hosted by various universities such as the University of Waterloo, Ryerson University, and Brock University.

Both paid and volunteer experience can help you gain the necessary skills to get a job in the accounting field.
 
Recommended Clubs on Campus:
Associations and Prominent Firms:
The BCDO provides various services and hosts different events to help prepare students for the job search process. Check out our workshops or book an appointment with our office. You are also encouraged to attend the following 
events, hosted by the BCDO: 
  1. How To Get A Job In Accounting – meet alumni and industry professionals
  2. CA Day – meet recruiters from large and mid‐sized accounting firms
Did You Know… 
The BCDO hires a volunteer Trend Analyst Assistant to assist with statistical tracking and program planning in our office.  The position is posted in February each year on our job board.
 
  • Problem Solving
  • Demonstrate Initiative
  • Adaptability to Change
  • Communication Skills (verbal and written)
  • Detail-Oriented
  • Interpersonl and Relationship Management Skills
  • Analytical Skills
  • Work Independently and in a Team
  • Leadership
  • Techological Proficiency
  • Time Management
  • Ability to Self-Manage

 

Neil Bourque, BBA Accounting student

I have had many diverse experiences as a Brock business student, which I contribute to the development of both my personal and professional business skills. By taking advantage of the co-op program at Brock, I have had the opportunity to work at two career developing positions in accounting at both Walker Industries Holdings Limited and Research In Motion. The hands on experience mixed with the accounting foundation built in the classroom, and the support of my coop advisors have allowed me to experience aspects of the business world that transcend the classroom and textbook. This combination of knowledge will enhance my marketability when looking to begin my career, as well as jump-start my studies when trying to complete my CMA designation. By taking advantage of the exchange program that Brock offers, I am looking forward to understanding international accounting practices coupled with experiencing the European culture firsthand.

-Neil Bourque, BBA Accounting student