Skip to content 
Accounting and Payroll Certificate
About Program
*Program has been approved for delivery by top level of industry specialists.
The Accounting and Payroll Professional Certificate is a comprehensive, career-focused program at Sterling College designed to help students master the financial systems and compliance processes that keep organizations running efficiently. From bookkeeping fundamentals to payroll processing, this course prepares students to handle real-world accounting scenarios with confidence.
Throughout the program, students will gain hands-on experience using industry-standard tools such as QuickBooks, Excel, Wave, and Gusto. You’ll learn how to record transactions, manage budgets, generate reports, and calculate payroll accurately — all while staying compliant with government regulations.
Whether you’re entering the field, upgrading your skills, or supporting a small business, this program empowers you with the practical knowledge and software experience to succeed in both local and global financial environments. Graduates will receive a Professional Certificate in Accounting and Payroll and be ready to step into entry-level accounting roles, payroll administration, or freelance bookkeeping opportunities.
Program Details
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be positioned to enter careers such as Payroll Administrator, Bookkeeper, Accounting Assistant, Finance Clerk, and many more!
Program Name
Accounting and Payroll
Start Date
Fall, Winter, Summer
Program Cost
$2000
Program Format
Online / Onsite
Program Length
40 hrs
Credential
Certificate
Program Outline
Accounting Principles & Terminologies
Double-entry System & Journal Entries
Ledger, Trial Balance, and Chart of Accounts
Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow
Mini Project: Prepare basic financial statements for a sample business
Introduction to QuickBooks and Wave
Creating Chart of Accounts, Clients & Vendors
Recording Expenses, Income, and Bank Transactions
Bank Reconciliation and Financial Reports
Mini Project: Record 1 month of transactions using QuickBooks
Introduction to Payroll (Terminology, Compliance)
Employee Setup: Salary, Benefits, and Deductions
Payroll Taxes, Withholdings, and Reporting
Using Payroll Software (e.g., Gusto, Zoho Payroll, or Excel-based)
Mini Project: Run a payroll cycle and generate payslips
GST/VAT/PST Concepts & Filing Basics
Year-End Reports, Invoicing, and Budgeting
Freelancing/Remote Job Skills for Accountants
Final Project: End-to-end bookkeeping + payroll setup for a business
Certificate of Completion + Resume/GitHub setup
Program Requirements
All students are required to meet the following admissions requirements:
- Graduation from Grade 12 or equivalent (B.C. high school diploma, B.C. Adult Graduation Diploma, General Educational Development) or an equivalent secondary school completion from another jurisdiction; or
- Mature student status (19 years of age or older before the start of classes). Mature students will be interviewed by the Program Administrator to determine if the student has the appropriate level of literacy, numeracy, comprehension and/or written skills to enable successful completion of the program. Applicants may be required to submit a resume, school transcripts and/or letters of recommendation.
- If English is not the first language, students are requested to have one of the following to qualify for enrolment to this program
- IELTS score of 6.0 or an equivalent English language benchmark verified by the institution
- For domestic students, Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status is required. International students are required to possess a valid study visa, for programs longer than six months and prior to the program start date. International students are also required to have sufficient accident and medical insurance coverage to cover any injuries or illnesses that may occur during the educational term.
How to Apply
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be positioned to enter careers such as Payroll Administrator, Bookkeeper, Accounting Assistant, Finance Clerk, and many more!
- Copy of High School Diploma or GED
- Please review and download a copy of the sterling college student handbook
Tuition And Fees
| Program Name | First Year | Second Year | Diploma in Network Administration (1 Year) | Tuition Fee: $25,000 | NA |
| Diploma in Network Administration with Co-Op ( 2 year) | Tuition Fee: 1st Year $ 19,000 | 2nd Year $15,000 |
Tuition fees are pending approval and subject to change.
All Programs* An additional college application fee of $200 for domestic students and $300 for international students will be payable at the time of registration.
International Students: There is an additional fee of $635 for health insurance required for all international students.
For full details on program fees and tuition please visit our program fees page.
Our Process
Complete our online application form
We will review your application.
Once accepted, we will send you an offer later and payment details.
Once we receive payment, we will send you a letter of acceptance.
If you are an international student you can now apply for a study permit.
You are now ready to start your program!
