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Finance

Possible Career Options

Banking

Audit Manager:
An auditor’s job is to check the financial statements of corporations and governments to make sure that they have been prepared correctly and accurately. This job requires a good understanding of financial statements and computers.
Suggested Electives: COMM 321.3, COMM 323.3, COMM 421.3, CMPT 275.3

Bank Manager:
A bank manager oversees all of the bank’s operations. The manager will likely have middle managers for each of the different departments working for them. This position requires a number of years of experience.
Suggested Electives: COMM 469.3, COMM 321.3, COMM 323.3

Credit Manager:
A credit manager’s duties include creating guidelines for granting credit and collecting credit. This position requires a good understanding of financial statements and customer service.
Suggested Electives: COMM 321.3, COMM 323.3, COMM 469.3

Financial Analyst:
Financial analysts are generally employed by investment banks. Their duties include the analysis of a company’s position for the purposes of valuation for IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, and other company needs. This job requires someone who is good with numbers, enjoys research, has a broad understanding of finance, and is willing to put in long, demanding hours.
Suggested Electives: COMM 321.3, COMM 323.3, COMM 419.3, COMM 467.3, COMM 469.3

Loans Officer:
A loans officer is in charge of evaluating and approving loans applications. They also counsel borrowers on their financial status and the various methods of payment.
Suggested Electives: COMM 321.3, COMM 323.3, COMM 363.3, COMM 469.3.

Entrepreneurial and Self-Employment Sectors

Appraiser:
An appraiser values properties for the purpose of pricing, investment, or collateral for loans.
Suggested Electives: COMM 429.3, COMM 469.3

Business Analyst:
The business analyst manages both internal data analysis and external market intelligence. They provide interpretations of the findings and implement strategies to enable the company to increase its market share.
Suggested Electives: COMM 446.3

Business Manager:
A business manager oversees everything that takes place in a business and is one of the chief decision-makers. For larger businesses, the manager is usually in charge of a number of lower managers who run specific departments within the organization.
Suggested Electives: COMM 446.3, COMM 447.3

Entrepreneur:
An entrepreneur is someone who manages her/his own business. They organize, manage, and assume the financial risks and rewards of the business.
Suggested Electives: COMM 447.3, COMM 469.3

Financial Planner:
A financial planner studies their clients’ financial position and future goals to determine the tools necessary to reach those goals. They deal with minimizing tax bills, education planning for children, retirement, and sometimes short-term investing. A position of this nature requires someone with strong interpersonal skills.
Suggested Electives: COMM 429.3, COMM 364.3, COMM 419.3, and COMM 467.3

Real Estate Agent/Broker:
A real estate agent sells real estate either to individuals or businesses. This involves the negotiation of the property’s sale price, potential for appreciation, opportunity to rent, and other factors.

Insurance

Actuary:
Actuaries use their analytical skills to assess the probability of events occurring in relation to insurance, such as casualties, health, and property. Actuaries are usually employed by insurance companies, but governments, pension planning organizations, and third-party advisors may also require them. Strong mathematical skills are a necessity for this position.
Suggested Electives: MATH 116.3, MATH 225.3, MATH 226.3, MATH 264.3 or MATH 266.3, STAT 341.3, ECON 311.3, ECON 316.3, ECON 473.3, ECON 474.3, COMM 364.3, COMM 419.3, and COMM 469.3

Claims Adjuster:
A claims adjuster works with people on their insurance claims after they have experienced a loss. It is important that the adjuster settles claims so that they are fair to all involved. Some adjustors work in an office while others work out in the field.
Suggested Electives: COMM 364.3, COMM 469.3

Insurance Agent/Broker:
Insurance jobs exist to help businesses and individuals manage their risk. There are numerous types of insurance, all of which will help minimize the loss if a problem occurs. The insurance agent is the person that actually sells the insurance to those who wish to minimize their risks.
Suggested Electives: COMM 429.3, COMM 364.3

Risk Manager:
A risk manager works for a company to help identify potential risks and to make recommendations for avoiding or dealing with these risks. Methods of minimizing risk vary from the use of insurance to the use of derivative securities.
Suggested Electives: COMM 364.3, COMM 419.3

Investments

Financial Analyst:
Financial analysts are generally employed by investment banks. Their duties include the analysis of a company’s position for the purposes of valuation for IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, and other company needs. This job requires someone who is good with numbers, enjoys research, has a broad understanding of finance, and is willing to put in long, demanding hours.
Suggested Electives: COMM 321.3, COMM 323.3, COMM 419.3, COMM 467.3, COMM 469.3

Foreign Exchange Trader/Manager:
A foreign exchange trader analyzes exchange rate movement to find arbitrage opportunities or to manage foreign exchange risk. If the arbitrage opportunity is large enough, the trader will buy and sell securities in the foreign exchange market to make a profit.
Suggested Electives: COMM 340.3, ECON 354.3, ECON 356.3, COMM 419.3, and COMM 469.3

Mutual Fund Manager:
A mutual fund manager is in charge of choosing the securities included within a mutual fund and then managing them by buying and selling securities so that mutual fund customers get the highest return for their invested money.
Suggested Electives: COMM 467.3, COMM 419.3, and COMM 469.3

Securities Analyst:
The main job of a security analyst is to make buy or sell recommendations to investors about stocks or bonds. It is important that an analyst know the business well so that they can make good, reliable recommendations.
Suggested Electives: COMM 419.3, COMM 467.3, COMM 469.3, ECON 316.3, and ECON 307.3

Stockbroker:
Stockbrokers are in the business of selling stocks, bonds, and other investments to individuals. This is a tough business to get started in, but the rewards to a person with great interpersonal and sales skills are high.
Suggested Electives: COMM 467.3, COMM 419.3, COMM 364.3

Medium and Large Business

Budget Analyst:
A budget analyst is responsible for preparing and managing a company’s financial plan. Budget analysts require good quantitative skills and a good understanding of financial statements.
Suggested Electives: COMM 321.3, COMM 323.3

Business Forecaster:
A business forecaster uses different mathematical and statistical techniques to forecast the financial and business environment, variables such as interest rates, labour costs, raw material costs, and other factors that can impact the affairs of a business. This job requires a good understanding of statistics and econometrics.
Suggested Electives: COMM 395.3, ECON 307.3, ECON 404.3

Credit Manager:
A credit manager’s duties include creating guidelines for granting and collecting credit. This position requires a good understanding of financial statements as well as good customer service skills.
Suggested Electives: COMM 321.3, COMM 323.3, COMM 469.3

Financial Manager:
Almost every firm, government agency, and organization has one or more financial managers who oversee the preparation of financial reports, direct investment activities, and implement cash management strategies. As computers are increasingly used to record and organize data, many financial managers are spending more time developing strategies and implementing the long-term goals of their organization.
Suggested Electives: COMM 446.3, COMM 321.3, COMM 323.3, COMM 419.3

Internal Auditor:
Internal auditors analyze their organization’s financial statements and related documents to check for mismanagement, waste, and fraud. They also review the company operations to evaluate efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with corporate policies and procedures, laws, and government regulations.
Suggested Electives: COMM 321.3, COMM 323.3, COMM 421.3, COMM 419.3, COMM 469.3

Investor Relations Specialist:
An investor relations specialist deals with investors to keep them well informed of the company’s financial actions and performance. This job is challenging and requires good interpersonal and public relation skills.
Suggested Electives: COMM 467.3, COMM 321.3, COMM 323.3, COMM 419.3

Management Accountant:
Management accountants work for companies and help in capital budgeting decisions and business analysis. Major functions include cost analysis, analysis of new contracts, and expense control. Often management accountants work with marketing and finance to develop new business for their company.
Suggested Electives: COMM 308.3, COMM 438.3, COMM 337.3, COMM 321.3, COMM 323.3, COMM 433.3, COMM 406.3, COMM 407.3, COMM 421.3, COMM 419.3

Other Finance Related Job Opportunities

Economist:
An economist’s job is based around research and forecasts. Economists develop ways to collect and analyze data using various statistical and econometric techniques. This analysis is generally used to aid others in understanding changes in the economy and other related events.
Suggested Electives: COMM 395.3, ECON 404.3, STAT 349.3, COMM 419.3, COMM 467.3, and COMM 469.3

International Trade Specialist:
An international trade specialist counsels companies on all aspects of international trade. This includes export financing, foreign exchange risk management, counselling on shipping requirements, export regulations and documentation, import requirements, foreign standards, trade agreements, and many other international issues.
Suggested Electives: COMM 340.3, COMM 364.3, COMM 419.3, COMM 467.3, COMM 469.3, ECON 354.3, and ECON 356.3

Professor:
A professor is generally found in a university setting teaching students at the university or post-grad level. This position requires a PhD. in the professor’s teaching area.

Public Finance:
The market for municipal bonds is very large and calls for analysts, municipal advisors, and traders. Positions in public finance are usually difficult to obtain but offer high rewards. People with previous experience in public administration would be attractive to investment banks in this capacity.
Suggested Electives: COMM 345.3

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Professional Designations

Canadian Securities Course (CSC):
https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/courses/financial/csc.xhtml

The CSC provides a general overview of all aspects of the finance industry. It is offered by correspondence, making it easy to take while still enrolled in university. The CSC is becoming a required designation for more and more careers each year.

Certified Financial Analyst (CFA):
 http://www.cfainstitute.org/cfaprog/

The CFA is offered by correspondence through an organization called AIMR, or The Association for Investment Management and Research. This is an intensive course consisting of 3 levels. The first level cannot be taken before the student’s final year of university. The CFA designation will be awarded after the course and the required work experience is completed. Those students interested in becoming a financial analyst are advised to enrol in this program. For more information, contact Prem Mathew at mathew@edwards.usask.ca.

Professional Financial Planning Course (PFP):
https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/courses/financial/pfpc.xhtml

The PFP is offered through the Canadian Securities Institute. The PFP designation is granted after completing the course work and required practical experience. The course teaches applied financial planning methods and the ability to deal with real-life financial planning situations. This designation is required for anyone who wishes to start a career in financial planning.

Chartered Business Valuators (CBV):
http://www.cica.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/641/la_id/1.htm

The CBV is offered through the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators. This course is valuable for those interested in business valuation, corporate finance, or litigation. A strong background in accounting or finance is strongly encouraged. Once the courses and the required work experience are completed, the CBV designation will be awarded.

Canadian Investment Manager (CIM):
https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/designations/cim.xhtml

The CIM course is the only course in portfolio management offered with a Canadian focus. It is offered through the Canadian Securities Institute by correspondence. This course prepares people for positions in wealth and portfolio management. Some courses are required before enrolment into this program.

Derivatives Market Specialist (DMS):
https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/designations/dms.xhtml

A DMS has specialized training in the area of derivative securities. This designation may help you get a position trading derivative securities or using derivative securities to manage financial risk for a large company.

Financial Management Advisor (FMA):
https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/designations/fma.xhtml

The FMA course is offered through the Canadian Securities Institute. This course offers lessons in wealth management beyond what is learned in the Professional Financial Planning Course. Some courses are required before enrolment into this program.

Institute of Canadian Bankers:
http://www.icb.org

The Institute of Canadian Bankers offers numerous courses, some leading to designations.

Certified Professional Purchaser (C.P.P.):
www.si.pmac.ca

The C.P.P. designation is the most sought-after achievement in supply chain management in Canada – setting the national standard for excellence in the profession.  A comprehensive accreditation program certifies that the C.P.P. has attained the highest level of competency. 

Employers benefit from the C.P.P.’s unique and distinctive competence.  C.P.P.’s are recognized as strategic supply chain management professionals who provide enterprises with innovative leadership to achieve a competitive edge in a global marketplace.

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