Program Details
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. For specific hardware and software requirements for this program click here.
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 retirement planning software to forecast retirement scenarios for different situations or clients.
In the third year, you will learn to:
- Plan, manage, execute and close a project, taking into consideration all project constraints
- Create and monitor a project using computer software
- 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.
There are opportunities for graduates to pursue further education qualifications and related licenses.
Specifically, this program may prepare students to complete the following exams and certifications:
- Canadian Securities Course exam.
- Financial Planning Exam 1 – a required step toward obtaining a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.
- Canadian Investment Funds (IFSE) mutual funds licencing exam and
- Students will also receive some preparation to write the Life Licence Qualification Program (LLQP) exam certificate required for selling life insurance products.
Note: The requirements for each designation/certification listed above are set by the granting body, not Durham College. In order to qualify for any of these designations/certifications, students need to follow and meet the required processes.
Successful graduates will be able to:
- Co-ordinate the processing and maintaining of financial records in compliance with relevant policies, procedures and regulations for individuals and/or organizations.
- Co-ordinate the preparation and presentation of financial information in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations for individuals and/or organizations.
- Analyze financial reports and develop and evaluate a financial plan to meet individuals’ and/or organizations’ needs and objectives.
- Develop, implement, evaluate and co-ordinate marketing strategies to promote financial products and services and to enhance customer service.
- Analyze and evaluate within a Canadian context the impact of economic variables, legislation, ethics, technology and the environment on individuals’ and/or organizations’ operations.
