# Applied Business Technology (Financial Assistant) Certificate Starting September 2027 for in-person and January 2028 for online, Northern Lights College will be transitioning to the new Office Administration Program Credentials: Office Administration Certificate, Bookkeeping Assistant Certificate and Office Assistant Certificate. The Applied Business Technology Financial Assistant Certificate prepares students to work in business, government, and industry offices. This program teaches current administrative skills in word processing, keyboarding, and spreadsheets, focusing on accounting and financial services. Students will learn how to use up-to-date Microsoft Office software and office procedures courses to develop the soft skills necessary for success in today's offices. The program has a one-week practicum placement to give students the opportunity to apply their new skills in an office environment. The campus-based intakes are scheduled such that a student is full-time in class during business hours. The online intakes offer a slower-paced version of the program, enabling students to balance studies with other responsibilities. The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. Career Options Graduates with the Financial Assistant Certificate can gain employment in a variety of business settings in the public and private sectors such as: Financial Office Assistant Payroll Assistant Computerized Bookkeeping Assistant Accounts Payable / Receivable Clerk Details Intakes LocationStartingTypeDawson CreekSeptemberCohortFort St JohnSeptemberCohortOnlineSeptemberCohort Length 41 credits (660 hours). The in-person cohort is approximately 9 months long. The online cohort is approximately 12 months long.  Estimated Program Fees Program fee type: Vocational/Career Technical Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load. Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional. Domestic Fees  TuitionStudent FeesInstruction-related FeesTotalYear 1$ 2,467.08$ 153.46$ 290.40$ 2,910.94 International Fees  TuitionStudent FeesInstruction-related FeesInternational Medical InsuranceTotalYear 1$ 9,933.00$ 153.46$ 435.60$ 289.80*$ 10,811.86 *Per four months Still have questions? Contact: info@nlc.bc.ca if you are a domestic student info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are an international student abt@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student Admission Requirements English Requirements Applicants whose first language is English ​Complete one of the following (or higher or equivalent): English Language Arts 11 ENGL 040 Applicants whose first language is not English Complete one of the following: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band less than 6.0. Applicants who have graduated from a Philippine post-secondary institution Complete one of the following: Completion of a four-year Bachelor’s Degree that must include at least one baccalaureate-level English course in which a minimum grade of ‘C’ was obtained IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band less than 6.0. Math Requirements Complete one of the following (or higher or equivalent): Math 10 or higher or equivalent MATH 030 or higher or equivalent Note Applicants should have a basic familiarity with computers and a minimum typing speed of 15 wpm to help ensure that they meet the 45 wpm requirement of the program upon completion. Important Notes This program is not eligible for Canada Student Loans. Program Requirements Residency Requirement25% of courses must be completed at Northern Lights CollegeMinimum Grade Requirements70% minimum in all courses All of: ABTC 111 - Accounting I (3.0 credits) ABTC 112 - Keyboarding 1 (1.0 credits) ABTC 114 - Human Relations and Job Search Skills (3.0 credits) ABTC 119 - Computers and Groupware (3.0 credits) ABTC 120 - Business Math & Calculations (2.0 credits) ABTC 121 - Electronic Spreadsheet I (2.0 credits) ABTC 133 - Word Processing I (4.0 credits) ABTC 151 - Accounting 2 (4.0 credits) ABTC 154 - Administrative Procedures and Records Management (3.0 credits) ABTC 161 - Electronic Spreadsheet II (3.0 credits) ABTC 165 - Business English (6.0 credits) ABTC 182 - Automated Accounting (5.0 credits) ABTC 192 - Practicum (2.0 credits) Credential Certificate in Applied Business Technology (Financial Assistant).