Business

Accounting and Payroll Specialist

Get the skills and knowledge for this always-in-demand career for only 49 weeks with this accounting and payroll program. Take advantage of an 8-week internship to obtain the real-world, hands-on experience that employers look for.

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Type

Diploma

Duration

49 Weeks

Internship

8 Weeks

Program Outline

View Outline

About The Program

The Accounting and Payroll Specialist Diploma is designed to prepare students for careers in one of the most consistently in-demand fields. With a focus on financial accounting, payroll compliance, and the latest business software, this intensive program gives you the tools and confidence to thrive in corporate, government, or non-profit settings.

Graduates of the program are eligible to pursue the Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation through the National Payroll Institute (NPI), a credential recognized across Canada that signals deep expertise and compliance knowledge.

Career Opportunities

Upon completing our accounting and payroll courses, you will qualify for positions such as:

Payroll Specialist
Accounts Payable Clerk
Accounts Receivable Clerk
Accounting Assistant

Employers Who Have Hired Our Accounting and Payroll Program Grads

BKC Accounting & Tax Preparation
First Ontario Credit Union
CIBC
Trillium Bookkeeping Services
Royal Bank of Canada
ACI Tax Services
London Tax & Accounting

Salary

80 %

Employment Rate*

$ 30

Average Wage/HR**

$ 43

High Wage/HR**

*Employment Rate based on 2023 contactable triOS graduates employed in a related field within 12 months.

Source: workingincanada.gc.ca

NOC Code: 14200, 13102 - Wage data based on NOC Code 13102 and rounded down to the nearest dollar. Average wage doesn't reflect the starting salary but represents the middle value between lowest to highest wages. Local (or regional) income may vary. Last updated: December 2024.

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Program Details

Whether you’re starting fresh or changing careers, the Accounting and Payroll Diploma equips you with the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to take on administrative roles in both large organizations and small businesses.

You’ll learn how to manage payroll systems, apply payroll legislation, and calculate employee pay accurately, all while ensuring compliance with government regulations. Courses also cover accounting fundamentals like managing assets and liabilities, tracking cash flow, processing transactions, and maintaining financial records.

Hands-on training includes work with industry-standard tools such as Sage 50, where you’ll gain experience setting up banking and tax modules, plus managing ledgers and reporting systems. You’ll also learn how to navigate Microsoft Office applications, preparing you to meet employer expectations with confidence.

While the program is delivered online, triOS College provides campus support at locations including Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, London, Kitchener, Ottawa, and Windsor—giving you access to the support you need, when you need it.

Students in the program receive:

An 8-week internship to build workplace experience and industry connections.
Training on essential accounting software, including Sage 50.
Career services support, including resume development and job search coaching.
Free software access to Microsoft Office and Windows.

Graduates are prepared to pursue the Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation through the NPI. This nationally recognized certification strengthens your expertise in payroll legislation, administration, and compliance.

Whether you’re pursuing your first career or looking to upskill, the Accounting and Payroll Diploma at triOS College offers the focused training and industry-recognized credentials to help you move forward with confidence.

Course Listings

Introduction to Accounting with Quickbooks

This course introduces basic accounting concepts and procedures. This course addresses double-entry accounting, analysis of source information, classes of transactions, and the accounting cycle. Using these critical concepts, accounting skills are applied and integrated to record transactions using proper procedures and forms in both a manual and computerized accounting system, QuickBooks.

Intermediate Accounting with Sage 50

This course continues the exploration of accounting procedures in payroll, petty cash, and bank reconciliations. Central to this course is the merchandising firm and its accounting cycle, appropriate valuation of inventory, and cost of goods sold calculations. This material will be applied in both a manual and computerized accounting system, Sage 50.

Accounting and Payroll Specialist Internship

On successful completion of the classroom hours of this program, you will be placed in a 200-hour internship at an outside organization. You will have the opportunity to apply their newly developed knowledge and skills in a real-world environment.

Business Communication

This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of communication skills in business environments. Focus will be placed on both written and spoken communications. You will review the basic writing process with emphasis on the mechanics of writing. You will also learn the importance of effective spoken communication, deliver an oral presentation, and participate in a mock meeting.

Client Relations

In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of how a strong relationship with clients is developed and maintained. Professionalism, the importance of living up to obligations, and the various forms of prompt and attentive communication are discussed. The course will also provide you with the skills you need to articulate organization image and how to identify and adapt to specific client behavior styles and how to measure and take corrective actions to provide client satisfaction and ensure positive relations. The course also introduces practical techniques needed to deal with clients that are angry and upset and explains the significance of maintaining and encouraging the loyalty of clients.

Career Planning and Preparation - Level 2

This module builds on concepts and skills introduced in the Career Planning and Preparation Level 1 module. In this subsequent module, you will update and refine your résumé and LinkedIn Profile. You will continue writing cover letters and learn the value of customizing cover letters to specific job postings. You will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge as you conduct a job search and write a cover letter tailored to an ideal job post. Through research, you will create a list of top employers and target current industry opportunities. You will learn about current methods for applying to job postings using technology. You will also gain an understanding of the job interview process, typical interview questions and possible responses, and expectations of both the interviewer and interviewee. In addition, you will engage in practical application of the interview process through role-play. Topics such as negotiating salary, self-management, and on-the-job success for placements and post-graduate employment will be also covered.

Digital Literacy for Professionals

This course introduces the fundamental concepts and principles of learning and working in a digital environment. This course will cover the following elements: using devices and handling information, creating and editing information, communicating and collaborating, and being safe and responsible online.

Diversity in the Workplace

This course introduces diversity and its strengths in the workplace. Among the topics covered are the strengths of diversity, its occasional challenges, how to manage diversity in the workplace, and the value of diversity training. Diversity in group dynamics is also addressed, with an emphasis on the strengths of a heterogeneous group and types of diversity.

Microsoft Excel

This Microsoft Office Excel course is created to help you build and validate the skills needed to succeed in today's economy. It will also provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to use Microsoft Office Excel effectively in all aspects of your personal and professional lives. Excel is the world's most popular spreadsheet software. Whether you are managing a household or running a small business, Excel will help you develop useful techniques to help business processes. This course is computer intensive and demands basic computer proficiency and a basic understanding of spreadsheet software. You are expected to make arrangements to meet proficiency needs as necessary.

Interpersonal Communication

Effective interpersonal communication is vital for the success of any organization. It impacts working relationships, productivity, and a variety of other business activities. This course introduces the concepts of effective interpersonal communication in the workplace, considering internal and external professional relationships. You will also will learn about telephone etiquette, which will prepare you to answer calls with confidence and professionalism, respond to customer/client inquiries effectively, and handle customer/client complaints. You will leave the course prepared to navigate the complexities of interpersonal communication with colleagues and clients.

Microsoft Outlook

This Microsoft Outlook course builds and validates the skills businesses need to succeed in today's information economy. It will also provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to use to effectively manage emails, contacts, calendars, and tasks. Outlook has become the corporate standard electronic personal organizer. These are the foundational skills needed to communicate using Outlook in a variety of positions within an organization. This course is computer intensive and demands basic computer proficiency and a basic understanding of email software. You are expected to make arrangements to meet proficiency needs.

Payroll Fundamentals 1

This course asses the methods for paying employees with regular and non-regular earnings. The calculation of allowances, benefits, and commissions and determination of the impact of non-statutory deductions on employee pay are addressed. This course develops understanding of the role of the payroll department in hiring and terminating employees, including the completion of Service Canada's Record of Employment.

Payroll Fundamentals 2

This course focuses on the proper recording of payroll information and using payroll technology; Federal and Non-Statutory remittances and reconciliations; Quebec Tax processes; year-end procedures; and Provincial, Northwest Territories and Nunavut medical and tax premiums; remittances, reconciliations, and Workers Compensation. All of these skills are covered to provide the knowledge required for Payroll Designation by the National Payroll Institute (NPI).

Payroll Compliance Legislation

This course covers compliance responsibilities that affect organizations, comprehending relevant payroll related legislation and effectively communicating this information to all stakeholders. Finding and applying the relevant information to a variety of scenarios for individual pay are integrated into the application of federal and provincial legislation to payroll including the Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, Income Tax, Employment Standards Legislation, Workers’ Compensation Acts, and Quebec-specific legislation.

Microsoft PowerPoint

This course will show you how to create and modify basic presentations by using Microsoft Office PowerPoint. You will explore the PowerPoint environment and create a presentation; you will format text on slides to enhance clarity and visual appeal; and you will also add and modify graphical objects in order to finalize and deliver a presentation. This course is computer intensive and demands basic computer proficiency and a basic understanding of PowerPoint software. You are expected to ensure you meet proficiency requirements for working in this environment.

Student Success Strategies

This course stresses the importance of developing non-technical skills to enhance personal, academic, and career success. The course will address strategies that are important for all adult learners, such as managing finances, maintaining health and wellness, understanding learning styles, setting goals, and honing practical study skills (such as memory, reading, and test-taking techniques). In addition, this course emphasizes strategies needed to succeed in your program, such as navigating technology efficiently, interacting and engaging with peers and facilitators/instructors, and managing learning time and space.

Microsoft Word

This Microsoft Office Word course is created for you to build and validate the skills businesses need to succeed in today's information economy. It also provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to use Microsoft Office Word effectively in all aspects of your personal and professional lives. Word is the world's most popular word processing software. Learning how to create, edit, format and print documents, enhance work with formatting, use bullets and numbering, add simple borders, tables, headers/footers, organizing data columns, and styles, are the foundational skills needed to perform in many positions. This course is computer intensive and demands basic computer proficiency and a basic understanding of word processing software. The course combines Theory/demonstration by an instructor with readings, trainings, projects, and a final exam for you to work on in a simulation-based environment. You are expected to ensure you meet proficiency requirements for working in this environment.

Admission Requirements

1. Student has an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, OR
Is 18 years of age or older on or before the program begins AND can pass a qualifying test that has been approved by the
Superintendent. *

2. The approved qualifying test for this program is the Wonderlic test. A passing score for this program is 15.

*Applicants from other Canadian provinces must be at least 19 years of age and a minimum of 1 year out of high school by the
program start date and successfully pass an academic achievement test.

International Students: Please contact us for more details regarding admissions requirements.

Career Quiz

Take a quick and easy quiz to find out more about yourself, your goals, and identify your strengths and social style. This quiz gives you suggestions for what career areas you might consider based on your likes and preferences. Give it a try now!

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Testimonial

Thank you, triOS College, for giving me the education and tools I needed to get my dream career. I had a full-time job five days out of school, and it feels amazing to be one of the lucky ones to have my dream job.

Rachael R.

Graduate

Successful graduates will have all the education credits necessary to pursue the Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) certification through the National Payroll Institute, which is an in-demand credential for payroll careers.

Amy Pytlowany

Accounting and Payroll Faculty Head, triOS College

How Our Accounting and Payroll Program Can Help You

Discover what triOS College's Accounting and Payroll Program Coordinator David Fox has to say about the program and what else you can expect when you take our accounting courses and payroll courses.

How to Become an Accountant

To become an accountant in Ontario, enroll in an accounting program or a related field, ensuring it's from an accredited institution. Next, work towards the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation, which involves taking preparatory courses, gaining relevant work experience, passing the Common Final Exam (CFE), and fulfilling ethics and practical experience requirements.
Once you've completed the CPA program, register with CPA Ontario and engage in ongoing professional development. With your CPA designation, you can seek employment in various sectors or even establish your own accounting practice. Requirements may evolve, so consult with CPA Ontario for the latest details.

How much do payroll accountants make?

The salary of a payroll accountant in Ontario can vary depending on several factors including experience, education, location, and the specific employer. According to Job Bank, the average hourly rate is $27, which can go up to $38.