Let’s compare some of the best online accounting courses and see what one would be best for you.
Check how we rank these online colleges. Using a few key categories we’ll give each college an overall ranking. For the schools that offer in person classes and online courses we will only be taking their online offerings in to account.
We rank all our schools on a scale of 1-5 in five key categories so we can give you a good idea of what to expect from that school. Those 5 key components are:
Tuition, Length, Pedigree?, Flexibility, Quality
Each different institution will get an overall rating based on how they score in each of those 5 categories. You can use the buttons below to quickly find a specific schools rating. Each of these ranking are for the schools online offerings specifically.
$45,620.00 CAD
4 Years
Degree
Online
Tuition Cost – 2/5 – The total tuition cost for most Canadians who want to take this degree program is $42,620.00 CAD which sounds like a lot but you have to take into account that this is a university degree. Athabasca’s “pay-per-course” model also helps ease the burden of paying a large amount all at once with most 3 credit courses costing around $1,140.50 CAD.
Length of Program – 2/5 – Unfortunately along with the pedigree of this being a degree program comes the longest accounting program featured on this site. From start to finish this program takes 4 years to complete while doing school full time. If you already have the proper credits or diploma program you can upgrade to the degree in only 2 years.
Credentials – 5/5 – Athabasca gets top scores in this category with it being a highly accredited degree program. They are AACSB accredited and is also a recognized pathway towards earning your CPA designation.
Flexibility – 5/5 – AU takes another 5/5 in the flexibility category. Their courses are designed to be as flexible as possible and make your schooling work around a schedule that works for you.
Program Material Quality – 5/5 – The curriculum is quite comprehensive and sets up students well for real world expectations. The program covers all main areas needed for a career in accounting. The online aspect of AU means students may miss out on some networking or collaboration opportunities in person programs could provide.
Overall Rating: 3.8/5
From a reviewer standpoint, this program is best described as a high-quality, flexible, and practical pathway into accounting, particularly suited for non-traditional students. Its biggest strengths are accessibility and adaptability, while its main trade-offs are reduced networking opportunities and slightly lower institutional prestige compared to top universities.
$ 6,290.00 CAD
17 Weeks
Certificate
Online, in class, blended.
Tuition Cost – 3.5/5 – The program is affordable compared to most private college programs, with tuition around $6,290 CAD. This makes it a strong value for a short, career-focused certificate, though minor additional fees prevent a perfect score.
Length of Course – 5/5 – At approximately 17 weeks (about 4 months), the program is extremely fast. It allows quick entry into the workforce, making it one of the shortest pathways into accounting/payroll roles.
Pedigree/Credential – 3.5/5 – The program is strengthened by its PCP designation pathway through the National Payroll Institute, which adds industry relevance. However, as a private college certificate, it carries moderate recognition overall.
Flexibility – 2/5 – The program offers in-class, online, and blended options, improving accessibility. However, it is scheduled and instructor-led, meaning it is not fully self-paced.
Quality of Program Material – 3/5 – The curriculum is practical and job-focused, covering accounting fundamentals, payroll compliance, and real-world tasks. It prepares students for entry-level roles, though it lacks the depth of longer diploma or degree programs.
Overall Rating: 3.4/5
A fast, affordable, and practical certificate program with strong payroll alignment, balanced by moderate credential recognition and structured delivery.
Not listed on website. Inquire for more info.
22 Weeks
Certificate
Online
Tuition Cost – 2.5/5 – The program scores highly due to its low overall cost, making it accessible to a wide range of students. It delivers strong value for a short, career-focused certificate. The slight deduction reflects its status as a private college, where funding options and subsidies may be more limited compared to public institutions.
Length of Course – 5/5 – This program earns a perfect score for its very short completion time, allowing students to enter the workforce quickly. It is ideal for those seeking rapid upskilling or a fast career transition without committing to a multi-year program.
Pedigree/Credential – 3/5 – The credential is suitable for entry-level roles, but carries less weight than diplomas or degrees from public institutions. It lacks alignment with major professional designations, which limits long-term career leverage and results in a moderate score.
Flexibility – 5/5 – Flexibility is a major strength, with self-paced learning and multiple delivery options. This allows students to tailor their schedule around work or other commitments, making it highly accessible and deserving of a top score.
Quality of Program Material – 4.5/5 – The program provides practical, job-ready training in bookkeeping, software, and administrative skills. While the content is relevant and applied, it is not as in-depth as longer diploma or degree programs, which accounts for the slight deduction.
Overall Rating: 4/5
The program scores highest in speed, cost, and flexibility, making it an excellent option for quick workforce entry, while its main limitation lies in the long-term strength of the credential.
$ 9,990.00 CAD
25 Weeks
Certificate
Online
Tuition Cost – 3/5 – $ 9.990.00 CAD. This program is more expensive than many private certificate programs, especially given its short duration. While it includes strong support services and software training, the price is closer to some diploma programs.
Length of Course – 4/5 – At around 6 months, the program offers a strong balance between speed and depth. It is still considered accelerated, allowing relatively quick entry into the workforce, but is slightly longer than the fastest certificate options, which prevents a perfect score.
Pedigree/Credential – 3/5 – The credential benefits from provincial regulatory approval, which adds legitimacy and trust. However, as a private college certificate, it does not carry the same long-term weight as a public college diploma or university degree, leading to a mid-range score.
Flexibility – 5/5 – Flexibility is a key strength, with online, self-paced learning and frequent start dates. This makes the program highly accessible for students balancing work or other commitments, justifying a top score.
Quality of Program Material – 3.5/5 – The curriculum is comprehensive and practical, covering both core accounting concepts and industry software like QuickBooks and Sage. It provides strong job-ready skills, with only a slight limitation in depth compared to longer diploma or degree programs.
Overall Rating: 3.7/5
This program stands out for its strong curriculum and flexibility, but its higher tuition cost and certificate-level credential slightly limit its overall value compared to some competitors.
Not listed on website. Inquire for more info.
40 Weeks
Diploma
Online
Tuition Cost – 2.5/5 – CDI The program is generally considered expensive compared to similar private and public college options. While exact tuition varies by campus, CDI programs are typically priced closer to diploma-level costs despite being under a year in length.
Length of Course – 3.5/5 – Completed in under a year, the program offers a strong balance of speed and depth. It’s faster than traditional diplomas but slightly longer than the quickest certificate programs..
Credential/Pedigree – 4/5 – The diploma is boosted by the PCP designation pathway, adding industry relevance. However, as a private college credential, it carries moderate recognition compared to public institutions.
Flexibility – 3/5 – Multiple delivery options make the program accessible, but it is scheduled and not fully self-paced, limiting flexibility compared to more independent programs.
Quality of Program Material – 4.5/5 – The curriculum is practical and job-focused, with software training and a practicum. It prepares students well for work, though it lacks the depth of a full degree.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
A practical, career-oriented diploma with strong job readiness, balanced by higher cost and moderate credential weight.
Total Costs $ 17,825 CAD
50 Weeks
Diploma
Online
Tuition Cost – 3/5 – The program is relatively expensive for a private diploma, often comparable to public college pricing. While it includes support services and a practicum, the overall value is only moderate.
Length of Program – 3.5/5 – At just under a year, the program offers a good balance between speed and depth. It’s faster than traditional diplomas but not as quick as shorter certificate programs.
Pedigree/Credential – 4/5 – Robertson emphasizes career readiness, this program is also licensed under Alberta’s Private Vocational Training Act (PVTA) and Manitoba’s Private Vocational Institutions Act (PVIA) which adds credibility to this program.
Flexibility – 3/5 – The program offers online, in-person, and hybrid options, making it accessible. However, it follows a set schedule, so it is not fully self-paced.
Quality of Program Material – 4/5 –The curriculum is comprehensive and hands-on, covering accounting, payroll, tax, and software like QuickBooks and Sage, along with a practicum. This results in strong job readiness, though still less in-depth than a full degree.
Overall Rating: 3.8/5
A well-rounded, job-ready diploma with strong practical training, balanced by higher cost and moderate credential recognition.
$ 7,698.60 CAD
1 Year
Certificate
Online or in person
Tuition – 4/5 – The program is reasonably priced for a public institution, with total tuition around $7,700 CAD for domestic students. This makes it more affordable than many private colleges while offering stronger institutional credibility, though still more expensive than very short certificates.
Length of Program – 4.5/5 – Typically completed in about 1 year, the program offers a good balance of speed and depth. It is longer than short certificates but provides more comprehensive training, which justifies a high score.
Pedigree/Credential – 4.5/5 – As a credential from a well-recognized public polytechnic, it carries strong credibility. It is also aligned with CPA preparatory coursework, which adds value for further education and career progression.
Flexibility – 3.5/5 – The program offers online, in-person, and blended delivery options, along with up to five years to complete the certificate. However, it is still somewhat structured, which limits full self-paced flexibility.
Quality of Program Material – 4.5/5 –The curriculum is comprehensive and practical, covering full-cycle accounting, software, and a capstone project with work-integrated learning. This provides strong job readiness, with only slightly less depth than a full diploma or degree.
Overall Rating: 4.1/5
A strong, well-recognized certificate that balances affordability, credibility, and practical training, making it one of the better options among short-term accounting programs.
Not listed on website. Inquire for more info.
43 Weeks
Diploma
Online or in person
Curriculum Quality – 2.5/5 – The program is moderately priced for a private diploma, typically lower than a university but still higher than short certificates. While it is eligible for student aid, the cost is only partially offset by its credential strength, resulting in a mid-range value score.
Length of Program – 4/5 – At approximately 43 weeks plus a practicum, the program offers a strong balance between speed and depth. It is faster than traditional two-year diplomas while still providing more comprehensive training than short-term certificates.
Pedigree/Credential – 2.5/5 – The diploma provides solid entry-level credibility and prepares students for roles like bookkeeping, payroll, and tax preparation. However, as a private college credential, it carries moderate recognition compared to public institutions or degrees
Flexibility – 3.5/5 – The program offers online learning options and accessible scheduling, allowing students to study from anywhere. While flexible, it is still somewhat structured, so it does not reach the level of fully self-paced programs.
Quality of Program Material – 4.5/5 –The curriculum is comprehensive and highly practical, covering accounting, tax, payroll, software training, and including a 5-week practicum for real-world experience or a capstone project for remote students. This strong job-focused approach results in a high score.
Overall Rating: 3.4/5
A well-rounded, career-focused diploma with strong practical training and good flexibility, balanced by moderate cost and credential recognition.