Business Administration - Accounting & Financial Planning

Program Description

PLEASE NOTE: The AFP - Accounting and Financial Planning program is now a specialized stream of the ACF - Accounting and Finance Program. The curriculum for the AFP program remains unchanged. Students interested in the AFP program must enrol in ACF and choose Financial Planning as their stream for the final 3 semesters. For more information, please click here.

Seneca’s Business Administration - Accounting and Financial Planning program addresses the growing need that the expanding population of baby boomers has for accountants with financial planning expertise. It is the premier program to deliver courses that provide a foundation in accounting and a specialization in financial planning, skills much in demand in the growing financial services sector, a significant contributor to Canada's economic growth.

As a student of AFP, you’ll be introduced to the modern technological environment of business, extensively using spreadsheet (Excel), database (Access) and accounting applications (Microsoft Dynamics).

Note: Students must complete RFC121, Introduction to Financial Planning, prior to the 5th semester.

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a majority of senior credits at the College Preparation (C), University Preparation (U) or University/College Preparation (M) level or Mature Student Status (age 19 or older)
• Grade 12 English: ENG4(C) or ENG4(U)
• Grade 12 Mathematics: (C) or (U) or Grade 11 Mathematics: (U) or (M)

Application Selection:

• Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English and Mathematics.

The Importance of Learning Skills:

Student success in college requires well developed learning skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further development of these important skills.

Your Career

Prepare for careers in both accounting and/ or financial planning – at the same time. As a graduate of the ACP program, you’ll have the ability to attain all 3rd level credits towards the Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation and be eligible to write the Professional Competence Examination 1 (PCE1) for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and the Canadian Securities Course (CSC). Equip yourself with the financial planning and advising skills needed for rewarding careers in professional accounting firms, financial institutions, insurance companies, financial planning companies, the public sector and in accounting within all types of business and market sectors.

What You Learn

Accounting and Finance:

• Financial statements
• Management accounting and cost control
• Accounting information systems and technologies
• Budget preparation
• Cash and debt management skills
• Statistical and mathematical techniques for financial management
• Financial analysis, planning and control

Financial Planning:

• Tax planning for individuals
• Investment planning
• Estate planning
• Retirement planning
• Risk management
• Developing comprehensive personal financial plans

Management:

• Management principles and practices
• Communications, critical thinking and team building

Co-operative Education Option

Qualify for the optional co-op work term and you’ll have the opportunity to become involved in real-life work experiences where critical thinking, problem solving and interpersonal skills are used. The work-term is scheduled between the 5th and 6th semester. Semester five runs in the fall semester while semester six of the Accounting and Financial Planning program is offered during the winter and summer semesters.

• www.senecac.on.ca/coop

Pathways to Certification and a Degree

This is a rigorous program leading to a variety of career and educational opportunities. You’ll gain exemptions for Level 1 to Level 3 of the CGA (one Level 3 CGA credit must be taken through the Faculty of Continuing Education or in the day at additional cost). Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to write the Professional Competence Examination 1 (PCE1) leading to CFP certification approved by the Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC). In addition you’ll study courses that prepare for the Canadian Securities (CSC) exams as part of the curriculum at an additional cost.

Meet the admissions requirements and you’ll gain direct entry into our Seneca Accounting and Information (AIT) Graduate Certificate to obtain Level 4 of the CGA, as well as exemption from the Audit Case, or admission to the third year of our Seneca International Accounting and Finance (IAF) degree to obtain Level 4 of the CGA. Please see details of these pathways in the diagram titled “Pathways to Certification and a Seneca Degree” or contact the applicable Program Co-ordinator or our School Student Advisor.

Please visit our website for more information and admission requirements for these highly affiliated programs:

• Accounting and Information Technology (AIT) Graduate Certificate: www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/AIT.html
• International Accounting and Finance (IAF) Degree: www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/IAF.html

Professional Certification:

The AFP program allows graduates to pursue Certified General Accounting (CGA), Certified Financial Planning (CFP) and Canadian Securities (CSC) certification.

• For more information on the CGA program, please visit www.cga-ontario.org.
• For more information on the CFP program, please visit www.fpsccanada.org/candidates.

Diploma to Degree... and Beyond

Through transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca College program may be eligible for credit at the following post-secondary institution(s):

Toronto

Ontario

Canada

U.S.

International

Transfer Options within Seneca

The School of Accounting and Financial Services offers seamless transfer to a multitude of degree, diploma and certificate programs, given a common first year in most diploma and certificate programs within the Faculty of Business.

Transfer Options *

* GPA requirements may apply.

Curriculum *

*A minimum grade "B" of in RFC 121 is required for admission into the 5th semester.

 Note: Students may complete the additional one credit required to complete Level 3 of the CGA designation (ACC517) through the Faculty of Continuing Education or Faculty of Business (additional cost).

Pathways to Certification and a Seneca Degree

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