The three-year Finance – Business Administration advanced diploma program and the two-year Finance – Business diploma program have a common first two years of studies. However, the third year provides a unique opportunity for students to complete a four-week placement in their final semester of study, which will give them a practical finance experience and the opportunity to apply the theories and concepts learned throughout the program.

Through the program and field placement, students will gain the skills and knowledge required to work in the field of financial services. In addition to a foundation in business, learning will be focused on a diverse selection of studies including, personal financial management, tax and retirement planning, investments and estate planning. An emphasis placed on training in financial services in various areas including, financial project management, call centre operations, financial analysis, planning and control, and preparation of financial plans.

You will learn how to:

• Keep a simple set of books for small businesses using accounting concepts and practices
• Understand the needs of clients in order to create relevant financial goals that are specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-sensitive
• Examine other countries, businesses and individuals to observe how they tackle the problem of scarce resources in order to satisfy needs and wants
• Efficiently use industry-standard money management software to perform transactions, keep track of sales and expenses and create financial reports.
• Efficiently use Naviplan, an industry financial planning software tool used by advisors to forecast financial scenarios, such as retirement, for different situations or clients.

In the third year, you will learn to:

• Plan, manage, execute and close a finance-based project, taking into consideration all project constraints.
• Identify and utilize statistical methods, some of which include frequency distributions; graphic representation of data; probabilities; and linear correlation and regression making extensive use of the statistical capabilities of Microsoft Excel.
• Recommend appropriate consumer credit products to meet clients’ credit needs and then complete an in-depth analysis, qualifying the customer for the suggested product.

Specifically, this program may prepare students to complete the following exams and certifications:

• Canadian Investment Funds (IFSE) mutual funds licencing exam.
• Canadian Securities Course exams.
• Students will also receive some preparation to write the Life Licence Qualification Program (LLQP) exam certificate required for selling life insurance products.
• QAFP designation offered by FP Canada
• Financial Planning Exam 1 – a required step toward obtaining a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.

Career Options:

• Accounting clerk
• Budget coordinator
• Contact centre associate
• Credit officer
• Financial advisor
• Financial analyst
• Financial planner
• Investment advisor or broker
• Insurance representative
• Mortgage specialist
• Relationship manager
• Security analyst

Co-operative education (co-op)

Students in the Business Administration – Finance Advanced Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first year of study. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students who qualify for co-op will be eligible to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third years of their program.