BAF3M
Financial Accounting Fundamentals
This Grade 11 course introduces the fundamental principles and procedures of accounting. Students learn how accounting information is used to make business decisions, complete accounting cycles for service and merchandising businesses, and use spreadsheet and accounting software to connect manual and computerized processes.
Grade
11
Credit
1.0
Delivery
Online
Prerequisite
None
About This Course
This Grade 11 course introduces the fundamental principles and procedures of accounting. Students learn how accounting information is used to make business decisions, complete accounting cycles for service and merchandising businesses, and use spreadsheet and accounting software to connect manual and computerized processes.
What You'll Learn
- Understand the role of accounting and the differences among common forms of business organization.
- Complete the accounting cycle for a service business using source documents, journals, ledgers, trial balances and financial statements.
- Apply accounting procedures for a merchandising business, including inventory, purchases, sales and sales tax.
- Use spreadsheets and teacher-approved accounting software to connect manual and computerized accounting processes.
- Analyze financial statements, ratios and performance measures to support business decisions.
- Examine internal controls, ethics, technology, privacy, security and career opportunities in accounting.
Skills You'll Develop
- Accounting procedures and record keeping
- Financial statement preparation and analysis
- Spreadsheet and computerized accounting
- Accuracy, reconciliation and error checking
- Business decision making and ethical reasoning
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe the discipline of accounting and explain its importance for business.
- Apply the basic accounting cycle for a service business.
- Apply accounting procedures for a merchandising business and sales tax.
- Use accounting practices in a computerized environment.
- Explain internal-control procedures and their role in financial management.
- Evaluate the financial status of a business using financial statements and performance measures.
- Explain how accounting information supports decision making.
- Assess ethical and technological issues in accounting and identify related career pathways.
Course Units
The following reflects the school’s planned organization of the course. Approximate time allocations may be adjusted while all curriculum expectations and required planned learning are maintained.
| Unit | Title / Major Learning Focus | Approx. Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fundamental Accounting Practices | 27 hours |
| 2 | Accounting Cycle for a Service Business | 24 hours |
| 3 | Accounting Cycle for a Merchandising Business | 25 hours |
| 4 | Internal Control, Financial Analysis, Decision Making, Ethics, Technology and Careers | 23 hours |
| Final | Culminating Accounting Case / Computerized Accounting and Financial Analysis Task | 9 hours |
| Exam | Mandatory Written Final Examination | 2 hours |
Assessment
Assessment uses evidence gathered over time from student work, conversations and observations. The final grade for 2026–2027 is determined as follows:
| Component | Weight | How It Is Determined |
|---|---|---|
| Course work throughout the course | 65% | Evaluation evidence gathered throughout the course, with professional judgement applied to the full body of evidence and emphasis on consistent and more recent achievement. |
| Mandatory written final examination | 15% | Written final examination completed during the designated final-evaluation period. |
| Culminating task | 10% | Comprehensive accounting case, computerized accounting task and/or financial analysis assignment completed at or toward the end of the course. |
| Attendance and participation | 10% | Based on meaningful attendance and participation in planned learning; excused absences do not negatively affect this component. |
Examples of Assessment Evidence
Evidence may include accounting exercises, source-document work, journals, ledgers, trial balances, financial statements, spreadsheets, computerized-accounting tasks, tests and final evaluations.
Pathways
Students connect accounting knowledge and work habits to postsecondary and career pathways in accounting, bookkeeping, finance, business administration and related college, university and workplace programs.
The course develops transferable skills — accuracy, analysis, communication and professional practice — applicable across a wide range of academic and career contexts.
Teacher Support
- Students learn through the school's secure online learning environment and receive ongoing support from qualified teachers.
- Teacher-supported conferencing, tutorials and scheduled live support are available as appropriate.
- Teachers model accounting concepts, terminology, procedures and formats before students move to guided and independent practice.
- Worked examples, source documents, journals, ledgers, trial balances and financial statements simulate authentic accounting practice.
- Spreadsheet and accounting-software activities help students connect manual procedures with computerized systems.
- Students receive descriptive feedback, conferencing, self-assessment opportunities and support with error analysis and revision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the course code?
BAF3M — Financial Accounting Fundamentals, Grade 11, University/College Preparation.
How many credits is BAF3M?
The course is worth 1.0 Ontario secondary school credit.
Is there a prerequisite?
No. There is no prerequisite or co-requisite.
Does the course include computerized accounting?
Yes. Students use spreadsheets and teacher-approved accounting applications as part of the course.
How is the final grade calculated?
65% course work, 15% mandatory written final examination, 10% culminating task, and 10% attendance and participation.
How is the course delivered?
The course is delivered through the school’s secure learning management system, primarily asynchronously, with teacher-supported live sessions available as appropriate.
What pathways can this course support?
It supports pathways in accounting, bookkeeping, finance, business administration and related college, university and workplace programs.
Ready to Take This Course?
$549 / Credit
- Provided by CSW — Canadian School of the World
- Ontario Ministry of Education registered
- Delivered fully online
Need Help Deciding?
Not sure if this is the right course? Book a free 30-minute meeting with a CSW advisor.
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