Bachelor of Applied Business Administration

Traits, skills and aptitudes

Those working in the accounting field tend to be methodical, innovative, and directive.  

You need: 

• high ethical standards 
• strong communication skills 
• critical-thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills 
• time-management skills 
• the ability to work independently or as part of a team. 

You should enjoy following rules, working within highly structured processes, and creative problem-solving. You should also be comfortable providing direction to others. 

Academic path

You must have a two-year Business Administration or Accounting diploma or equivalent from an accredited post-secondary institution, with a minimum 2.3 grade-point average (67% or C+) to enter this program.  

Graduates from this program may be eligible to enter year three of the Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting and earn their degree with an additional two years of study. 

Practicum, co-op and work integrated learning opportunities

This program has two directed accounting field studies courses where you’ll find your paid work placement and gain hands-on experience in a real-world setting. 

Accreditations, designations or certifications

This applied degree meets the pre-requisite educational requirements needed to enter the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Professional Education Program. 

Credential

After successfully completing this program, you’ll receive a SAIT Bachelor of Applied Business Administration degree.

Program length

2 years

Accepts international applicants - not-PGWP eligible

This program is open to international applicants; however, program availability may be limited. This program does not meet the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program. 

Not eligible for CAJG

This program is not eligible for the Canada Alberta Job Grant. 

Related careers

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Potential careers (NOC):

• Financial managers (10010)
• Other administrative services managers (10019)
• Banking, credit and other investment managers (10021)
• Payroll administrators (3102)
• Payroll administrators (13102)
• Financial auditors and accountants (11100)
• Financial and investment analysts (11101)
• Supervisors, finance and insurance office workers (12011)
• Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (12200)
• Accounting and related clerks (14200)

Admission requirements - Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet all the following requirements or equivalents:

• a two-year Business Administration or Accounting diploma or equivalent at an accredited post-secondary institution with a minimum 2.3 grade-point average (67% or C+.)

This diploma must include a minimum of 20 courses, or 60 credits, and contain the following coursework:

• Intermediate accounting
• Business communications
• Financial management
• Management accounting
• Systems and marketing.

Admission requirements - Applicants educated outside of Canada

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options. 

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

Application process

If you have graduated from SAIT with a diploma in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting with a minimum GPA of 2.3, you will be offered admission on a first-qualified, first-offered basis. Once the program is full, qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.

Selection criteria

If you do not have a diploma in accounting from SAIT, you will be placed into selection for review. You must demonstrate successful completion of coursework containing similar content to the following SAIT courses:

• ACCT 338: Introductory Management Accounting
• ACCT 350: Intermediate Financial Accounting II
• COMN 220: Communication and Presentation Skills
• FNCE 390: Finance Management
• MKTG 260: Marketing Essentials
• MNGT 322: Information Systems

Applications and proof of the admission requirements must be submitted by August 15 (fall intake) or December 1 (winter intake.)

Program outline

The Bachelor of Applied Business Administration requires 60 credits (12 courses) to complete. You must complete four courses from this program before proceeding to ACWE 500 and 501. 

The program spans two years, with two semesters each year.

Required courses

• ACCT 411 - Personal and Corporate Taxation 3 Credits
• ACCT 415 - Accounting Theory 3 Credits
• ACCT 434 - Advanced Financial Accounting 3 Credits
• ACCT 491 - Advanced Management Accounting 3 Credits
• ACCT 495 - External Auditing 3 Credits
• ACWE 500 - Directed Field Studies - Accounting I 15 Credits
• ACWE 501 - Directed Field Studies -Accounting II 15 Credits
• LDSH 405 - Leadership 3 Credits
• MNGT 405 - Strategic Management 3 Credits

Elective courses

Choose three electives from the list below.

Not all electives are offered during the day. For certain electives, you may have to attend classes in the evening and/or part-time to complete the semester.

• ACCT 413 - Internal Auditing and Controls 3 Credits
• ACCT 416 - Advanced Information Systems 3 Credits
• ACCT 417 - Applied External Audit 3 Credits
• ACCT 418 - Applied Personal and Corporate Taxation 3 Credits
• BFIN 492 - Advanced Corporate Finance 3 Credits
• MNGT 407 - Operations Management 3 Credits

Suggested schedule of study

Progression

You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.

To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure > 

Books and supplies

Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page. 

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore’s website. The booklist will be available closer to your program start date. Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn’t receive a textbook list. Contact your program advisor directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or, if you’re in luck, no textbook purchase is required this term.

Business program advising

For any questions or to set up an advising appointment, please get in touch with our School of Business.

Phone: 403.284.8485
Email: business.advising@sait.ca

Program outcomes

1. Use financial and accounting principles in a business setting.
2. Apply mathematical formulae and statistical calculations to support business functions.
3. Develop appropriate personal skills and professional behaviours to uphold general management practices.
4. Demonstrate responsible leadership within increasingly complex and dynamic environments.
5. Integrate management and financial accounting concepts and practices in a business setting.
6. Apply taxation knowledge to comply with government legislation and accounting standards.
7. Evaluate finance concepts and practices to make recommendations in a business setting.
8. Model the ethical expectations of the accounting profession.
9. Explain key principles of the Canadian legal system and the basic laws governing business ownership and transactions.
10. Explain operations management as an integral component of the business environment.
11. Assess financial and operational results using audit methodologies.
12. Explore Management Information Systems to achieve efficient business practices.
13. Develop an integrative and strategic mindset to enhance business performance in a global environment.
14. Achieve project goals through teamwork within increasingly complex and dynamic environments.
15. Integrate information and communication technology to achieve efficient business practices.
16. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the business discipline and field practice.
17. Demonstrate the capacity to conduct independent research and practice in a supervised context.
18. Critically evaluate qualitative and quantitative information and, where appropriate, use this knowledge in scholarly and creative endeavours.
19. Demonstrate an appreciation of the limits and ambiguity of knowledge.
20. Apply methods of inquiry to solve a problem, create a new work or comment on scholarship.
21. Communicate information, arguments and analysis accurately and reliably, orally and in writing, to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
22. Operate within the boundaries of professional bodies and applicable regulatory requirements.

Graduate outcomes

A. Safety - awareness of safety standards relevant to the workplace.

• Safety awareness

B. Responsible leadership - personal, ethical and respectful behaviour within the workplace and global community.

• Teamwork and multi-disciplinary collaboration
• Self-initiative
• Ethical reasoning and action
• Global awareness
• Sustainability

C. Communication - the exchange of information professionally and effectively.

• Language skills
• Interpersonal skills

D. Information literacy - the strategies used to become informed, from recognizing an information need to accessing and evaluating information and using it effectively and ethically.

• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Quantitative literacy
• Technological literacy

E. Technical knowledge, skills and abilities - technical competence specific to the discipline or industry.

• Specialized technical skill set