I am studying accounting in University of Ottawa. This is my last semester here. As I know, the first accounting course will be in 2nd year. If you are keen, you can start reading ADM2340 (financial accounting) and ADM2341(managerial accounting) textbooks right now. They will provide you with a basic idea of accounting.
I did a lot of preparation coz I found that textbook was not the only tool to learn accounting well. Accounting requires much professional judgment based on different situations, which cannot be completely covered by the textbook.
If you can have an internship or co-op program in accounting firm, you will have better understanding in courses such as auditing and taxation.
Yes, it's a lot of work and complicate, but it's also a lot of fun. You will learn much more than bookkeeping in Ottawa U. You will feel very confident when you graduate here.