Business Fundamentals – Flexible
Obtain the skills needed for success in business.
Business Fundamentals is designed for individuals who want to develop skills and knowledge appropriate for an entry level position in a business setting.
This one-year Ontario College certificate program covers basic principles of business organization, business communications, business mathematics, accounting, and marketing.
Business Fundamentals is the common first year business program leading into six of Northern College’s two and three year business programs in accounting, human resources management, marketing, and business general studies. Business Fundamentals will prepare you to pursue further studies in other business programs and/or qualify you for entry-level positions in a variety of business-related industries. Courses can also be taken independent of the certificate program.
Once registered into the program, students have two years to complete the program. Only courses taken within the two year period may be applied towards the program certificate.
Course Information
Course descriptions can be found below.
Please note, course information is based on our current offering and is subject to change. Current students can find more information on courses in their student account.
If you have questions or require program information for previous academic years, please contact the Program Coordinator.
Course Costs: Costs vary by individual course. Please see Course Descriptions for more information.
Ontario Learn Equivalency Introduction to Business
Cost
Domestic $367.48
International $859.30
Plus the required textbook to be ordered at www.textnet.ca
Course Description
Students will get a great overview on all the functions of a business and how they interact. This course is designed to help the learner understand the role of business in Canada by focusing on the basics of management, and organizational theory and structure.
Ontario Learn Equivalency Business Math
Cost
Domestic $386.35
International $913.30
Plus the required textbook to be ordered at www.textnet.ca
Course Description
This course provides a review of basic arithmetic and algebra as well as providing students with mathematical tools and concepts needed for other college courses and in future employment. This course is to prepare students for later courses in Business, Finance and Accounting.
Ontario Learn Equivalency Finance and Accounting Math
Cost
Domestic $455.54
International $1111.30
Plus the required textbook to be ordered at www.textnet.ca
Course Description
This course introduces the student to the concepts and procedures of the time value of money calculations used in Mathematics of Finance. It covers topics in simple interest, compound interest, simple and general annuities, bonds and cost-benefit analysis.
Ontario Learn Equivalency Communications I (English 1)
Cost
Domestic $367.48
International $859.30
No textbook required
Course Description
Effective communication is important for building relationships and successful functioning in every part of an organization. Through the different modes of reading, writing, speaking, listening, researching, analyzing, and representing information students develop the skills required for communicating effectively in personal and professional environments. Over the term, students will create a portfolio that includes communication tools and activities related to their chosen career path. An emphasis is placed on developing skills for communicating in digital environments.
Ontario Learn Equivalency Communications II (English 2)
Cost
Domestic $367.48
International $859.30
No textbook required
Course Description
Effective communication is an essential employability skill required for the workplace and attaining a career position. This course focuses on developing and enhancing personal presentation and communication skills required to function in the workplace. Students will research and prepare a variety of standard business documents and correspondence used across industries. An emphasis will be placed on researching and compiling a targeted job search portfolio that includes cover letter, resume, and related documents. Utilizing technologies for the purpose of creating a professional presence in digital environments is introduced.
Ontario Learn Equivalency Computer Applications for Business
Cost
Domestic $386.35
International $913.30
Plus the required textbook to be ordered at www.textnet.ca
Course Description
This is a hands-on computer applications course that provides the student with the basic and intermediate word processing skills to produce professional business documents. Students will also develop expertise in electronic presentation software and spreadsheet applications in order to meet the demands of today’s business industry.
Ontario Learn Equivalency Accounting Basics II
Cost
Domestic $386.35
International $913.30
Plus the required textbook to be ordered at www.textnet.ca
Course Description
In this second of the two introductory accounting courses, students will expand their understanding of accounting principles and concepts while covering specific topics including: capital assets, corporations’ shareholders’ equity, and bonds payable. Preparation of the Statements of Retained Earnings and Cash flows will also be covered. Finally, the students will expand their understanding of the role of financial statement users by studying financial statement analysis.
Cost
Domestic $455.54
International $111.30
Plus the required textbook to be ordered at www.textnet.ca
Course Description
Specific focus is on the factors that affect the overall atmosphere in the workplace and that which contributes to an environment conducive to maximum productivity. Students will be introduced to effective strategies for hiring, motivating, managing, training, and retaining staff. Students will study the following topics: the strategic importance of Human Resources and the role of the HR Manager; competitive challenges facing Human Resources; job analysis and design; Human Resources planning; recruitment and selection; orientation and training; employee relations; performance management; compensation; employee benefits and services; labour relations; health and safety; equity and diversity; and international human resources management. Significant emphasis will be placed on the team approach to creative problem-solving techniques and their application to selected case studies and a project that replicates actual on-the-job activities. Successful completion of this course, with a minimum final grade of 65%, will qualify as an approved credit towards the academic component of either the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) or the Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designations granted by the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA).
Ontario Learn Equivalency Accounting Basics I
Cost
Domestic $386.35
International $913.30
Plus the required textbook to be ordered at www.textnet.ca
Course Description
This course introduces the student to how accounting information is used by, and meets the needs of both internal and external users through effective and efficient communication as well as what accounting information is required by a business concern to reflect clearly the operating results of the enterprise over its operating life. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to generally accepted accounting principles, the interpretation and preparation of financial statements and how this information is recorded in the various business records.
Ontario Learn Equivalency Marketing I
Cost
Domestic $386.35
International $913.30
Plus the required textbook to be ordered at www.textnet.ca
Course Description
Marketing 1 is the first course of a two course Introduction to Marketing designed to provide students with a sound grounding in the field of marketing. Emphasis is placed on the formulation of integrated marketing strategies that play a role in achieving organizational objectives. The course is divided into four segments: marketing process and marketing environments; marketing planning and information collection processes; buyer behaviour and targeting strategies; and marketing mix (two components of the mix are discussed: product and price).
Cost
Domestic $367.48
International $859.30
Plus the required textbook to be ordered at www.textnet.ca
Course Description
You will examine the basis for behaviour and gain an understanding of why people think and act as they do. Topics include the scientific process of research, the human brain and the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning, memory and personality.
Cost
Domestic $386.35
International $913.30
Plus the required textbook to be ordered at www.textnet.ca
Course Description
Marketing 2 is the second course of a two course Introduction to Marketing designed to provide students with a sound grounding in the field of marketing. Emphasis is placed on the formulation of integrated marketing strategies that play a role in achieving organizational objectives. The course is divided into four segments: price strategy and management; distribution management; marketing communications; and emerging directions in marketing. The first three segments of Marketing 2 provides coverage of the remaining components of the marketing mix that was introduced in Marketing 1.
Cost
Domestic $367.48
International $859.30
Plus the required textbook to be ordered at www.textnet.ca
Course Description
Knowledge of contemporary microeconomics issues is essential to understanding the world we live in. Students examine fundamental microeconomic principles with an emphasis on the use of economic models to analyze economic developments accurately and objectively. Students examine the role of prices and competitive markets in the allocation of resources, firm behaviour and market structures, as well as evaluate the effects of government intervention in the economic marketplace.
Ontario Learn Equivalency Introduction to Business Management and Organizational Behaviour
Cost
Domestic $367.48
International $859.30
Plus the required textbook to be ordered at www.textnet.ca
Course Description
This subject is an examination of the contemporary Canadian business environment including the organization, leadership and management decision process which influences the behaviour of individuals and groups. Increased global competition, technological change and the rising expectations of both employees and employers have underlined the need for improved and more effective leadership. This subject provides a better understanding of this process.
Admissions Information & Requirements
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Grade 12 English (C, U)
Grade 11 Math (C, U)
Or equivalent
Additional Requirements for Individual Courses
Register and take individual courses without meeting all program admission requirements if you do not plan to achieve the Ontario College Certificate.
Alternative & Flexible Learning
We have been providing high-quality distance education for over a decade.
Our distance education programs allow you to complete scheduled lectures and discussions live online or complete unscheduled learning exercises and resources at any time convenient to you. This “virtual campus” allows us to provide great support from professors, facilitators, student services, advising and accommodations are all available to you to assist you through your program.
If you are interested in completing post-secondary education, but cannot commit to full time studies, our alternative and flexible learning opportunities through Continuing Education allows you to select from hundreds of courses and programs, with the ability to study on your own time. Some classes are part of full programs, and some are single courses. We also deliver Micro-credentials to help you specialize your expertise.
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