Accounting Co-op Information for Employers
Adding Value to Your Team
The Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting Co-op program prepares students with both the academic requirements and on-the-job experience for the postgraduate pursuit of becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant. Students develop the technical, analytical, evaluative and communication skills needed to quickly make a positive impact on your team.
The University of Guelph is a CPA-accredited post-secondary institution. Students are provided with a strong foundation of accounting and general business knowledge, giving them all required transfer credits to cover the CPA’s preparatory courses (formerly known as PREP). Accounting students can also apply their time accrued over a co-op work term towards the Practical Experience requirements needed to obtain a CPA. By gaining the education and experience that can be applied towards obtaining a CPA, hiring an Accounting Co-op student is an economical way to recruit new talent to your organization.
University of Guelph Advantage
University of Guelph students are known for being grounded and highly adaptable, with a strong sense of community and collaboration.
We pay particular attention to the issues facing entrepreneurial and family businesses while also addressing the accounting needs of large organizations. Consequently, students are well prepared for an accounting career in public practice, industry, or government – be it on “Bay Street” or “Main Street”. Approximately two-thirds of our students come from communities outside of the Greater Toronto Area. While many look to work in the GTA, many others are interested in working in smaller communities.
Students complete a total of four co-op work terms, with the first work term commencing after the completion of a minimum of three academic terms. This allows students to gain a solid foundation of accounting knowledge prior to entering their first work term. The final two terms are back-to-back, spanning September to April, allowing employers the flexibility to offer an eight-month work term to upper-year students.
Upon graduation, students can continue their CPA studies at the University of Guelph by enrolling in our Graduate Diploma in Accounting. Completion of this diploma program provides graduates with advanced standing to the CPA Capstone 1 module in the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP).
Student Strengths
Critical Thinking
Students develop their analytical and problem-solving skills through simulations and experiential learning that reflects the work and issues they will encounter in the real world.
Collaboration
Students also gain a strong ability to collaborate effectively in teams, developed as a result of work in group assignments and projects.
Leadership
Effective leadership and communication skills are enhanced, as well, through education, extra-curricular involvement and work experiences.
Accounting Work Term Schedule
| YEAR | FALL | WINTER | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONE | Academic | Academic | Off |
| TWO | Academic | Work | Academic |
| THREE | Academic | Work | Academic |
| FOUR | Work | Work | Off |
| FIVE | Academic | Academic |
Accounting Course Sequencing
Based on the 2023/24 undergraduate calendar. Please see the current undergraduate calendar for more information.
Fall
- Introduction to Business
- Introductory Microeconomics
- Business Mathematics
- Introductory Financial Accounting
Winter
- Applied Financial Accounting
- Introductory Macroeconomics
- Individuals and Groups In Organizations
- Introduction to Co-operative Education
- 2 Electives
Fall
- Management Accounting
- Intermediate Financial Accounting I
- Statistics for Business Decisions Or Economic Statistics
- Introductory Marketing
- 1 Elective
Winter
Work Term OneSummer
- Auditing I
- Intermediate Financial Accounting II
- Taxation
- Information Management
- 1 Elective
Fall
- Introduction to Finance
- Operations Management
- Human Resources Management
- 2 Electives
Winter
Work Term TwoSummer
- Intermediate Management Accounting
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Business and Consumer Law
- Financial Management
- 1 Elective
Fall
Work Term Three
Winter
Work Term FourSummer
Off
Fall
- Advanced Financial Accounting
- Strategic Management
Winter
- Advanced Management Accounting
Fall or Winter
- 5 Electives and Two Of:
- Integrated Cases in Accounting It Auditing and Data Analytics
- Auditing II
- Accounting Theory
- Income Taxation II
About Us
The Experiential Learning Hub is home to experiential learning opportunities on and off-campus, co-op, career education and community engaged learning.