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Diploma Program

Accounting and Payroll Administration

Diploma

43 weeks

Qualified Instructors

This program can be offered at the campus(es) below. Please contact the campus of your choosing for program availability and delivery methods.

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In Person (On Campus)

Distance

Distance (Online)

Combined

Combined

Average Wage

$32 /hour

*alis.alberta.ca; 2026

Work Anywhere With Accounting and Payroll Administration

This comprehensive program provides a solid foundation in general office skills, bookkeeping, computerized accounting systems, and payroll. You'll gain practical expertise in journal entries, financial statement analysis, and account adjustments - ensuring you're job-ready from day one!

  • SAGE 50 SOFTWARE
  • BUSINESS WRITING
  • ACCOUNTING FUNDAMENTALS
  • QUICKBOOKS
  • HUMAN RESOURCES
  • PAYROLL PROCESSING
  • PAYROLL REMITTANCE AND REPORTING
  • INCOME TAX FUNDAMENTALS
  • PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION AND PRESENTATION
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Licensed Program

CDI College Alberta programs are licensed under the Private Vocational Training Act in the province of Alberta.

Program Intro Background

Program Courses

Student Success Strategies [SSS4]

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This course equips students with the knowledge, skills, and study strategies needed to support effective learning and a positive educational experience. It explores learning theories and their application to individual study methods, helping students develop approaches that are both effective and efficient. Key topics include study habits, note-taking, goal setting, values, time management, task prioritization, and stress management through learner-centered activities. The course also introduces fundamental concepts of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including its applications, limitations, and ethical, social, and moral implications. In addition, students will start a series of financial training modules to develop financial literacy skills related to budgeting, saving, credit, and debt and gain practical money management skills to effectively manage their financial well-being.

Microsoft Outlook [MOT4]

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This course explores information management using Microsoft Outlook 365. It will present the Microsoft Outlook application interface, tools and features. You will learn about the fundamentals of an e-mail application, scheduling and calendars, contact lists, creating forwarding and managing messages. This course relies heavily on hands-on practical activities that allow you to learn the concepts by practicing them on a regular basis.

Microsoft Word [MSW4]

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This course introduces word processing using Microsoft 365: Word 2021 through a hands-on, skills-based approach with simulations, training, and assessments. Students begin with an overview of Microsoft 365, including common Office features and file management fundamentals. The course focuses on core Word skills, including document formatting, organization, and editing using ribbon tools. It then progresses to advanced features such as tables, lists, objects, templates, footnotes, endnotes, and mail merge. Students also learn collaboration features, including track changes, sharing, reviewing, and using OneDrive for document collaboration.
Additional focus is placed on using AI-assisted tools to support document creation, improve writing quality, automate formatting tasks, and enhance productivity through intelligent suggestions and content generation.
 

Microsoft Excel [MSE4]

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This course introduces spreadsheets using Microsoft 365: Excel 2021 through a hands-on, skills-based approach incorporating simulations, training, and assessments. Students begin with an overview of spreadsheets and key Excel features and functions. They develop skills in entering, formatting, and managing data, and in using formulas and functions to organize and manipulate information.The course then advances to quantitative analysis using logical, lookup, mathematical, and financial functions. Students learn to visualize data by creating a variety of charts based on spreadsheet data. They also develop skills in managing large datasets using tables and structured data tools. Additional emphasis is placed on using AI-assisted tools to generate complex formulas, troubleshoot spreadsheet logic errors, and extract insights from large datasets, enhancing efficiency and supporting data-driven decision-making in professional contexts.

Microsoft Access [MSA4]

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This course introduces the students to relational databases with Microsoft Access. The course starts with an overview of Microsoft Access and databases in general. Students will learn the fundamental features of relational database and how databases are used to store related information and query the information. After learning how to create and modify a database and work with records, students will learn to sort data and filter to a database. Students will then explore the different ways to query a database and extract the information based on different criteria. Subsequent to working with multi-table databases, students will then learn to work with different types of functions to manipulate data, forms to input data into a database and reports to display data.

Professional Skills [PSK4]

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This course examines key skills associated with professionalism in the workplace, including self-awareness, effective communication, rapport building, teamwork, and 
leadership. Students will begin by evaluating their personal and professional strengths and identifying areas for growth. They will explore the characteristics of professional communication and strategies for interacting effectively in workplace settings. Students will use (AI) as a reflective tool to support leadership development and identify potential blind spots. In addition, the course explores approaches for building and maintaining professional relationships, collaborating effectively within teams, and resolving workplace conflict. By the end of the course, students will have a stronger understanding of professional behaviour and the skills required to contribute effectively in professional environments.

Effective Business Writing [EBW4]

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This module is a study of written and oral communication in the workplace and teaches students the skills required for effective business communication. The different types and aspects of communication are discussed, including writing, speaking, listening and non-verbal. Students learn the process and procedures for planning, creating, and delivering various types of written messages and oral presentations. Throughout the course, students are engaged in practical exercises aimed at developing and perfecting their business writing skills with particular emphasis on grammar. This course covers traditional business communication while also including Generative AI for drafting, editing, and improving professional messages, with an emphasis on ethical and responsible AI usage.

Accounting Fundamentals I [AFA4]

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This course is an introduction to the fundamental principles and practices of accounting as a device for reporting business activity. It provides the student with an understanding of the underlying theory and principles of accounting. The construction of financial statements as they evolve from business transactions and records is emphasized using the rules of double-entry bookkeeping. In addition, adjusting journal entries and everyday transactions for both service and retail businesses are recorded coupled with the preparation of basic financial statements. Introduction to Accounting; Financial Statements and Accounting Transactions; Analyzing and Recording Transactions; Adjusting Accounts for Financial Statements; Completing the Accounting Cycle and Classifying Accounts.

Accounting Fundamentals II [AFB4]

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The focus of the level 2 course is on the Merchandising sales, Inventories and Cost of Sales, Accounting Information Systems, Receivables and Payroll. The use of special journals and subsidiary ledgers in an accounting system coupled with methods of recording and managing retail inventories are examined. Journalizing of payroll entries is included along with recording the purchase and amortization (depreciation) of fixed assets, as well as intangible assets.

Computerized Accounting with Sage 50 Level I [CAA4]

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Students transfer their knowledge from Accounting Fundamentals and learn how to apply these concepts in a computerized environment using Sage 50. Some topics covered in this module include setting up a computerized accounting system, computerized journals and ledgers, income statements and balance sheets, as well as customer accounts.

Computerized Accounting II with Sage 50 [CAB4]

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This course is a continuation of Computerized Accounting with Sage 50 Level 1. Students learn how to set up for Payroll and Inventory, record payroll and inventory, set up budgets, and reconcile accounts by working with a variety of business simulations.

Computerized Accounting III with QuickBooks [B1068O]

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In this module, students continue to build their knowledge and skills in computerized accounting systems, learning QuickBooks, an easy-to-use and powerful system. Students will learn to set up a new QuickBooks company and manage customer accounts. Students also review and consolidate their understanding of Excel and Word by exporting QuickBooks data into these programs. QuickBooks payroll features are also covered.

Human Resources [HRE4]

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In this course, you will learn the aspects of effective management of human resources in today’s business environment. The strategic role and importance of human 
resources management is explored with emphasis on employment law, job design, planning, recruitment and selection. Employee training is also covered as well as 
performance management and appraisal. This course covers standard HR concepts as well as AI applications that improve planning, hiring, training, and evaluation, while also discussing the legal and ethical concerns of AI through case studies and simulations.

Payroll Basics [PRL1]

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By the end of this course, students will understand the compulsory aspects of payroll and its objectives. They will know the difference between independent/self-employed compared to business employer/employee relationships based on CRA guidelines. Major emphasis will be placed on the mandatory aspects of payroll such as calculating statutory deductions for federal and provincial governments. Students will understand the role of government agencies (CRA, Service Canada, and ESDC) that control payroll rules and regulations governing all stakeholders.

Payroll Processing [PRL2]

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By the end of this course, students will be able to interpret their own pay stub. They will be able to accurately calculate normal/regular payroll cycles. They will understand different aspects of income and statutory requirements pertaining to areas such as earnings, benefits, allowances, and expense reimbursements. Students will be able to calculate statutory and non-statutory deductions, and they will be able to accurately process special payments including bonuses, retroactive pay, vacation pay, director fees, and employment termination amounts. Exposure to ROE (Record of Employment) will be provided.

Payroll Remittance and Reporting [PRL3]

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Upon completion of this course, students will be able to calculate and know the deadlines and procedures associated with remitting statutory deductions to CRA and RQ (Quebec Provincial Ministry). They will understand the repercussions of not submitting remittances, or of submitting late remittances. Students will learn provincial requirements of payroll tax levies, and they will receive exposure to nongovernment (unions, private pensions, garnishments and WCB calculations) deduction amounts. A detailed exposure will be given to T4/T4A, RL-1, and other annual required reports. At the end of the course, students will understand the accounting aspects of payroll, its remittances, and payroll accruals.

Income Tax Fundementals [ITFO]

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This course is an introduction to the basic structure of only Personal Income taxes in Canada. Students will learn how it constitutes the majority of the annual revenues of the Government of Canada, and of the governments of the Provinces of Canada. The Canadian income tax system is a self-assessment regime. Taxpayers assess their tax liability by filing a return with the CRA by the required filing deadline. Income tax is a tax levied on the income of individuals. This course does not cover Business or Corporate tax. AI-assisted research is used to locate complex tax rules, emphasizing the critical skill of verifying automated outputs against official government documentation.

Career & Employment Strategies [CES4]

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This course builds on the skills learned in the Student Success Strategies course or its equivalent. It provides information on how to use communication skills to make 
successful presentations to prospective employers, uncover the hidden job market, and identify employment opportunities. Students engage in self-assessment to identify transferable skills and learn how to effectively communicate these to employers. The course also introduces the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a career support tool. Students apply AI to assist with resume and cover letter development, job searching, and interview preparation, while maintaining their own authentic voice and critically evaluating AI-generated content. Students may be videotaped during a mock interview and will participate in the analysis of their performance in the interview.

Practicum [AB-APA199]

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Students will be placed in actual work places related to their field of study and will be expected to act as a regular employee in order to gain the valuable real world experience that so many employers seek. Students are encouraged to find their own work experience placement; however, once placed, continuation in that placement is mandatory.

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Admission

Benefits of this program

Employment Opportunities

  • Standard Admission
    • Alberta high school diploma or equivalent verified by transcript.
    • Proof of English Language Proficiency

Students who have received their high school diploma outside of Canada must have their transcripts evaluated through International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or World Education Services (WES) to be eligible for admission to the program.

 

  • Mature Admission
    • Be at least 18 years of age prior to admission (19 for out-of-province)
    • Successful completion of the CDI College admissions test
    • Proof of English Language Proficiency
  • Practicum offers real-world experience
  • Train on the most popular industry software
  • Available at six campuses in Alberta
  • Graduates can work in almost any industry
  • Accounting Clerk
  • Accounts Payable Clerk
  • Accounts Receivable Clerk
  • Tax Return Preparer
  • Benefits Officer
  • Pay and Benefits Clerk
  • Payroll Officer
  • Standard Admission
    • Alberta high school diploma or equivalent verified by transcript.
    • Proof of English Language Proficiency

Students who have received their high school diploma outside of Canada must have their transcripts evaluated through International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or World Education Services (WES) to be eligible for admission to the program.

 

  • Mature Admission
    • Be at least 18 years of age prior to admission (19 for out-of-province)
    • Successful completion of the CDI College admissions test
    • Proof of English Language Proficiency
  • Practicum offers real-world experience
  • Train on the most popular industry software
  • Available at six campuses in Alberta
  • Graduates can work in almost any industry
  • Accounting Clerk
  • Accounts Payable Clerk
  • Accounts Receivable Clerk
  • Tax Return Preparer
  • Benefits Officer
  • Pay and Benefits Clerk
  • Payroll Officer
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Industry Certifications

Gain a distinct advantage by earning industry-recognized certifications that validate your expertise and skills in key areas such as digital marketing, project management, and CRM. Our program prepares you to succeed, whether you're advancing, switching careers, or starting your own business. Invest in yourself and join a community of certified professionals shaping the digital economy.

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Industry Leading Employers

Our extensive network and reputation for excellence ensure that graduates are in high demand in today's competitive job market. Prepare to excel in sought-after roles with renowned companies and unlock limitless career opportunities. Elevate your career trajectory and secure your future with our program tailored to meet the demands of industry leaders.

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Hear From Our Graduates

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I have had an amazing experience with CDI College. Great staff and Great support!
The staff were very supportive and attentive, answering all my inquiries and concerns. Thank you so much!

Girlie M.

Accounting and Payroll Administration Graduate

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CDI has provided a wonderful experience. I have been provided with wonderful instructors, and along the way, a few other staff members who provided a wonderful support system. I have always wanted to go back to school, but confidence was something I struggled with. I think anyone would be lucky to have such an experience with a great team supporting you all the way.

 

Kyla C.

Accounting and Payroll Administration Graduate

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