TORONTO, July 19, 2016 /CNW/ - Students can develop the professional and leadership competencies employers demand through York University's School of Continuing Studies' post-graduate accounting certificates offering courses approved by the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) of Ontario. It helps prepare students to thrive in a profession that is undergoing significant change and can also boost opportunities for high-performing graduates to gain advanced standing in the highly-competitive Schulich School of Business Masters of Accounting.
With two certificates and the opportunity to continue on to earn a master's and/or professional designation, students are able to tailor their education to their career goals whether that includes a front-line position in a financial department or eventually assuming a senior leadership position.
"Accounting is a dynamic profession that has evolved to perform a variety of roles in organizations; it's not just about numbers, but has become more about integrated and strategic functions in many facets of business," says Lina Perrone, program manager.
"Preparing for such a dynamic industry necessitates a dynamic program of study. This is why we have included professional competencies and applied capstone courses in each of the certificates. This design embraces the reality that the world of accountants is much broader and diverse than people tend to think."
The School's Advisory Council of senior accounting executives from many of Canada's leading organizations has helped to identify the skills that employers covet. Graduates of the certificates will gain an additional competitive advantage with certificate courses recognized as prerequisites for entry to the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP). In addition, it offers opportunities for deliberate practice of leadership skills, including emotional intelligence, problem solving, verbal and written communication, critical thinking, decision making, and business acumen.
"We have worked in partnership with CPA Ontario to ensure the design of our program not only meets the specific knowledge requirements for entry to the CPA PEP, but that we provide an exceptional competency-based learning experience for our students," says Tracey Taylor-O'Reilly, Assistant Vice-President for Continuing Studies.
"The field has undergone significant changes in recent years and we are proud to officially be part of what is a growing and evolving landscape. This program takes learning to another level that is more integrated and comprehensive within a rigorous program that better prepares students for the CPA track. Our goal isn't just to position our graduates to get hired, but to be able to demonstrate that they have what it takes to do more and to get promoted. That includes preparing our graduates for success in academic programs that they will likely take to get to the later stages of their career. Additionally, high performing graduates of the accounting certificate programs at York University's School of Continuing Studies will gain a competitive advantage in their application to and advanced standing in the Master of Accounting (MAcc) program at Schulich School of Business.
The Post-Graduate Certificate in Accounting is offered full-time on-campus, part-time online, or through a blend of online and on-campus study beginning September 2016. The Post-Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Accounting will begin in September 2017.
The York University School of Continuing Studies offers professional education certificates, English academic preparation and a degree pathway for mature, working students.
York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York U's unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A YorkU degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre, YorkU is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York U's 11 faculties and 24 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 280 leading universities worldwide. York U's community is strong− 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 275,000 alumni.
As a result of the unification of the CA, CGA, and CMA bodies under the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation, there are now over 200,000 CPAs in Canada and around the world, with CPA Ontario having more than 80,000 members and 23,000 students. Accountants attaining the CPA designation are well suited for various professional roles in business, finance, and accounting. The designation opens many doors, with CPAs in high demand. Attaining the Certificate in Accounting is the first step towards gaining admission to the CPA PEP and, ultimately, attaining the CPA designation. For more information on the CPA certification program, click here.
SOURCE York University
Image with caption: "Tracey Taylor-O'Reilly, Assistant Vice-President for Continuing Studies, York University (CNW Group/York University)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160719_C8941_PHOTO_EN_735513.jpg
Media Contact: Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, School of Continuing Studies, York University, 416-736-5449, [email protected]
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