Accounting and Business Admin Courses From An Aboriginal Perspective

With Centennial College being recognized as one of the most culturally diverse post-secondary institutions in Canada with almost 100 ethno-cultural groups represented and 80 languages spoken on campus, it’s no surprise this institution offers business accounting college courses geared specifically towards Aboriginal students. These courses are offered in Business Administration – Accounting (Aboriginal Stream), which was created specifically to address the community’s need for individuals with a strong accounting foundation and understanding of Aboriginal business needs. It is completed in three years and offers students an Ontario College Advanced Diploma.

To apply for this program, students must have completed the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or have mature student status (19 years or older). They must also have completed the English Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent or take the Centennial College English Skills Assessment for Admission; and Mathematics Grade 11 or 12 C, M or U, or equivalent or take a Centennial College Math Skills Assessment for Admission.

So what makes this offering different than other business accounting Toronto courses? Firstly, the program has a partnership with the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada (AFOA), which guarantees that the course material addresses the needs of the Aboriginal business community. As such, students attend business, basic accounting, finance, and business communications courses alongside Aboriginal business ethics and practices courses. Secondly, students who identify as Aboriginal are eligible to apply for the Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) from the AFOA, a designation which signals they are up-to-date on the latest Aboriginal financial management practices. Thirdly, students have a strong support system in that Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organizations provide them with mentoring and networking opportunities.

Among the specific Aboriginal studies courses within this offering are: Aboriginal Identity, Aboriginal Relationships, Aboriginal Governance and Sovereignty, Aboriginal Strategy and Decisions, Values and Ethics in the Aboriginal Workplace, Aboriginal History and Developments, Aboriginal Challenges and Advocacy, and Aboriginal Human and Fiscal Issues. Meanwhile, accounting and business admin courses include: Financial Accounting, Microcomputer Applications Software, Taxation, Advanced Business Communications, Management Accounting, Corporate Finance, Auditing and more.

Once they graduate, students are prepared for employment in a very wide range of positions, among which are: bank teller, mortgage specialist, bookkeeper, purchasing clerk, insurance broker, account manager, accounting clerk and entrepreneur.

Should they, however, want to pursue more accounting courses Toronto-based programs, grads may be eligible for substantial transfer credits. These credits can be used to pursue the Certified General Accountants of Ontario (CGA) designation. Qualified graduates may also be eligible to participate in articulated programs with selected universities, institutes and professional associations such as Algoma University, Laurentian University, Nipissing University, University of New Brunswick and University of Windsor.