Degree Information
Carleton’s Accounting degree builds on the Sprott School of Business’s legacy of accounting excellence and leadership in accounting education. The degree is designed for students who want a focused accounting degree with strong professional preparation, advanced accounting knowledge and a clear pathway toward CPA designation after graduation.
In Carleton’s Accounting degree, you will learn through:
- Coursework in accounting and business
- Co-op and career-focused learning opportunities
- A fourth-year experiential capstone project
- Professional preparation connected to the CPA pathway
- Streams and electives that can complement your degree and career interests
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Why Accounting at Carleton University?
What makes Carleton's Accounting degree different?
- The program is designed to prepare students for successful careers in professional accounting and provides a streamlined pathway toward the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation
- Students build advanced and in-depth knowledge of accounting theory and practices in a program shaped by current and emerging areas of the field.
- Sprott accounting faculty are leaders in their field, and many are CPAs who are involved in the CPA accreditation process
- Graduates are eligible for enrolment in Sprott’s Master of Accounting, a CPA-accredited graduate program that provides a fast track to the CPA Common Final Exam
- Students can complement their degree with optional streams, student organizations and hands-on opportunities through the broader Sprott experience
How to Apply
Admission requirements to the Accounting degree depend on your educational background and where you studied. Applicants should review the official admission requirements that relate to them before applying.
Application overview
Canadian students should follow general application steps and international students should follow international application steps.
Courses & Curriculum
Carleton’s Accounting curriculum is designed to help students build strong technical accounting knowledge alongside broader business foundations, professional skills and applied learning. Across the degree, students move from core business and accounting courses into intermediate and advanced accounting study, then into senior-level professional preparation and fourth-year Capstone experience.
Courses cover advanced topics in accounting as well as emerging areas such as data analytics, equity, diversity and inclusion, sustainability and new technologies. Students can also pursue optional streams that complement the degree and support different career interests.
How is the Accounting degree structured?
The degree combines required core courses in accounting and business with a small number of free electives, senior-level accounting study and experiential learning. Check out the undergraduate calendar for the detailed curriculum for the Accounting program.
Sample Courses
BUSI 1011 - Financial Accounting for Business Students
Introduction to accounting for business organizations. The student will be introduced to the accounting process and the preparation and analysis of the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.
BUSI 3014 - Exploring Sustainability in Accounting
Exploration of the application of how sustainability (including Environmental, Social and Governance) plays a role in accounting.
Tuition & Scholarships
Careers & Outcomes
Carleton’s Accounting degree is designed to help students build technical accounting knowledge, professional judgment and transferable skills that can support a range of career paths in accounting and related fields.
What can the Accounting degree lead to?
The Accounting degree can support many different pathways.
Featured Stories
The Bachelor of Accounting (BAcc) was designed not only to meet the CPA prerequisite requirements, but also to meet the needs of accounting student employers. We consulted with many employers to understand their needs and designed the program to ensure graduates have the advanced knowledge, skills and experience to thrive in their professional accounting careers. BAcc students are eligible for admission to Sprott’s Master of Accounting program, which is accredited by CPA Canada and fast tracks students to the Common Final Exam.
FAQs
Why study Accounting at Carleton?
Carleton’s Accounting degree combines advanced accounting study, faculty expertise, applied learning, optional co-op and a streamlined pathway toward the CPA designation. Students also benefit from the wider Sprott community, including student organizations and hands-on learning opportunities.
What streams can I explore in the Accounting degree?
Students can choose a stream that complements their Accounting degree, including Business Analytics, Corporate Finance, Entrepreneurship, Financial Planning, Information Systems, International Business, International Management, Investments, Marketing, Supply Chain Management and Sustainability.
What kinds of work experiences are available?
Co-op is an option for Accounting students and can help students test career paths, build their network, strengthen their resume and earn money while studying. Students can also gain hands-on experience through the fourth-year experiential capstone project and through student-run initiatives such as the Sprott Student Consulting Group, Sprott Student Investment Fund, Sprott Competes and the Innovation Hub.
What is the Employability Passport?
Sprott’s Employability Passport is a development program that equips students with job-ready skills and self-awareness to find meaningful employment and career success.
What support services are available for Accounting students?
Students in the Accounting degree can access Sprott business career services, including an exclusive job portal, career advising, workshops and employer events. Sprott’s Employability Passport also supports career development throughout the degree. Students can also use Carleton’s broader Career Services for career exploration, job search support and networking resources.
What can I do with the Accounting degree?
Carleton’s Accounting degree can support career paths in accounting, assurance, auditing, forensic accounting, internal audit, risk advisory services, sustainability accounting, taxation, administration and more.
Can I continue to graduate study after completing the Accounting degree?
Yes, graduates from the Accounting degree are eligible for enrolment in Sprott’s Master of Accounting, a CPA-accredited program that provides a fast track to the CPA Common Final Exam.
Does this degree support the CPA pathway?
Yes, Carleton’s Accounting degree is designed to prepare students to pursue the CPA designation after graduation. Co-op hours in an approved placement can count toward CPA practical experience requirements.
Can international students apply to the Accounting degree?
Yes, international students can apply to Carleton’s undergraduate programs and should review academic requirements, English language requirements and study permit guidance early in the process. Check this out through the International Undergraduate Admissions website.
Do I need to meet English language requirements for the Accounting degree?
The language of instruction at Carleton is English. To be admitted, applicants must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency for academic success. Applicants can demonstrate their English language proficiency in one of the following ways:
- Proof of English Language Education
- English Language Test Results/Qualifications
Detailed accepted tests, score requirements and exemption criteria can be found on the official English language requirements website.
How do I track my Accounting application?
After you apply, you can track your application through Carleton360. For more information on how to set this up, check out the steps to track your application.