Accounting Program
Why study Accounting?
A career in accounting appeals to students with wide-ranging interests and good communication skills. Ultimately, accounting is about information. Sound management of financial resources can capture not only how a person or organization is doing, but also where they are going. This information is crucial for decision-making in business, government and also for personal finances. Learn how to prepare financial and related information, and how to interpret what it means.
The Saint Mary’s approach
Accounting at the Sobey School of Business provides students with a comprehensive and respected degree from one of Canada’s leading business schools. World-class faculty with professional experience combine with excellent scholarship opportunities and co-op options to make the Sobey School of Business the right choice to prepare students for a successful career as accounting professionals.
Along with preparing students to be financially literate for any role in business, the Accounting major at Saint Mary’s is tailored to meet the requirements of the newly merged Canadian CPA designation. Sobey School of Business Accounting alumni are employed with major accounting firms, industry, government and non-profit organizations around the world. There are many opportunities for academic awards and exchanges with universities in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
Hands-on learning
Accounting students have many opportunities to put their classroom learning into practice. Our students volunteer with Revenue Canada’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, compete in annual business competitions including Saint Mary’s and ICBC case competitions, and plan and host the Accounting Society’s Annual Etiquette Dinner. They are eligible to receive the Samuel H. Jopling, Dr. Harold G. Beazley, KPMG and Sobey Accounting Achievement Awards.
Sample courses offered:
- Financial Accounting Foundations: You will prepare for the demands of the Accounting Major by further developing your understanding of the accounting model, manual and electronic financial statement preparation, and the effects of business transactions on financial statements and user decisions. The course is grounded in concepts underlying ASPE and IFRS GAAP and the requirements of the Canadian accounting profession.
- Managerial Accounting: You will focus on topics related to the identification, classification, and evaluation of costs, various cost measurement systems (e.g., job order costing, process costing, activity-based costing, and cost estimation), and the evaluation of performance and business processes (e.g., cost variance analysis, revenue variance analysis, budgeting, and cost management).
- Co-operative Business Enterprises: Gain insight into how co-operative business enterprises are structured and operate, as well as an understanding of the role that co-operatives play in the global economy. Students will study the various types of co-operatives, how co-operatives meet the needs of stakeholders, and the economic and social impact of co-operatives. In particular, students will study a variety of financial reporting approaches, sustainability measures, and the overall evaluation of financial and sustainable health of co-operatives.
- Taxation: You will be introduced to the fundamental principles of taxation (the theory), the compliance aspects of the law (the practice), and the rationale for specific tax provisions (the policy). Students also examine the effect of taxation law on the investment decisions of individuals and corporations. Both personal and corporate income taxation are covered.
Future career opportunities:
- Public Accountant
- Finance or tax professional
- Business analyst
- Business owner
- Internal auditor
- Controller
What our students and professors are saying:
“The best thing about the accounting program is the mix of instruction from academics as well as professionals from the industry. You get real- world experience, practical insight and know what to expect when you’re out of school when performance is based on more than just marks.”
- Nicolette Fader BComm'11, Accounting graduate
“The accounting program at Saint Mary’s is respected nationally not only for the active research program of the faculty but also for the long standing links between the Sobey School and the profession and the excellent success of our graduates in many different careers.”
- Dr. Jeffrey Power, Chair Department of Accounting