Bookkeeping Certificate

Find important dates for the Distance Education offering of the Bookkeeping Certificate here.

2025-2026 Bookkeeping Program Schedule (PDF) 

FAQs (For Distance Education only)

• What is the application/registration process?
  • Apply online through EducationPlannerBC, follow the steps and select Faculty: Continuing Studies. Program: Bookkeeping, and Campus: Distance. You will also select your available program start date. Once you have applied to the program, the admissions department will contact you by email with instructions regarding submitting your admission requirements (see requirements above).
  • Once you accept your offer and are admitted to the program, to register, email registration@okanagan.bc.ca with the Course Registration (CRN) Number(s). These are found by visiting the Continuing Studies ClassFinder. Select your term, Campus: Distance Education, Category: Business to view the available BOOK courses. Most students take one course at a time. However, when starting the program, if you would like to increase your workload you may take BOOK 100 and BOOK 120 concurrently. You must complete BOOK 100 before moving on to BOOK 110.
• When can I start?
  • Distance Education has five intakes (Jan, Mar, May, Sept, Nov).
• Can I take more than one BOOK course at a time?
  • Yes. You can take BOOK 100 and BOOK 120 at the same time. However, BOOK 100 has to be complete before you are permitted to take BOOK 110.
• Can I fast track the Bookkeeping program and complete it early?​​
  • The Distance Education Bookkeeping Certificate is a program that consists of 3 courses (BOOK 100, 110, 120).
  • There are 5 start dates for each course per year (Jan, Mar, May, Sep, Nov). Click on the red "Important Dates (PDF)" box at the top of this FAQ section for the full program schedule.
  • Within the certificate program, BOOK 100 is a pre-requisite for BOOK 110.
  • There are different options for completing the program depending on your schedule. Here are some examples:  
    most students take one course at a time which takes approximately 12 months  
    some students take BOOK 100 & 120 at the same time and then take 110 on its own which takes approximately 8 months  
    for students with enough study time, it’s possible to fast track the program by completing BOOK 100 ahead of schedule and requesting an early exam in order to start BOOK 110 on the next start date (this option results in completion within about 6 months)
  • Please note that there are set final exam periods for each intake so if you choose to complete a course early, you must submit a Request for Out of Time Exam form for approval.
• Can I work at my own pace?
  • Each Distance Education course has set deadlines for assignments and as well as predetermined final exam periods.
• Where do I write my final exams?
  • All final exams are done on your own computer from home. You will need reliable internet access.
• Where do I purchase my textbooks?
  • Once you have been admitted to the program and register for your course, purchase your course materials from the Campus Store. Please ensure you purchase texts associated with the term in which you are registered as textbook editions change periodically.
• Which software is currently being used in the Distance Education Bookkeeping Certificate Program?
  • BOOK 100 - Microsoft Excel 2019/365 Software
  • BOOK 110 - Microsoft Excel 2019/365 Software
  • BOOK 120 – SAGE 50 - please note SAGE 50 is only compatible with the Windows operating system and does not function with Mac or Chromebook.
• How long does it take to complete the program?
  • Students have different options to complete the program depending on your schedule. Since you are permitted to take two of the three modules (BOOK 100 and BOOK 120) at the same time, it is possible to finish the program in two semesters (about 8 months). Many students take one module per semester and finish in three semesters (approximately 12 months).
• Is there any online content and is a computer required?
  • Yes, the entire course requires computer access to Okanagan College’s course management system - Moodle. Even if you are delayed in picking up your materials, please go online right away to get started. You will require your student ID number in order to log into Moodle. Go to myokanagan.bc.ca to log in and then click on the Moodle image. Although you can download the course material to your computer, you will require reliable internet access in order to complete the many online activities, quizzes and especially tests.
• How is the Distance Education Bookkeeping Certificate different than the online versions offered through Vernon, Penticton, and Salmon Arm?
  • Distance Education courses are asynchronous. This means that there is no direct instruction from your teacher. Students are expected to work through the material on their own. Although students work on their own, your Distance Education tutor is available to help you with the course material and answer any questions you may have.
  • The online offerings of the program have direct instruction and students are expected to be online learning with their classmates each week at specific times.
• Who can I contact if I have questions?
  • There is a tutor assigned to your course and their contact information will be provided to you on Moodle when you register for the course. The tutor contact information is in the course CTIG (Couse and Tutor Information Guide). For any other questions not related to course content, please contact Distance Education.
• Additional important information
  • For further information relating to accessing Moodle, contacting your tutor, exam information, obtaining course material and additional resources at the college, it is important to familiarize yourself with the Distance Education Student Handbook.

Already have experience in this area? This program qualifies for our Recognition of Prior Learning review. If some of your previous experience could apply to this program, please see Recognition of Prior Learning for more information.