Business Administration - Accounting & Financial Planning

Program Description

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

Students are 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.

Your Career

Seneca’s Business Administration - Accounting and Financial Planning program prepares students to work in accounting and/or financial planning. Upon completion, students will have the ability to attain all 3rd level credits towards the Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation and will be eligible to write the Professional Competence Examination 1 (PCE1) for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Canadian Securities Course (CSC) designation. Graduates will be equipped with the financial planning and advising skills needed for challenging careers in professional accounting firms, financial institutions, insurance companies, financial planning companies, the public sector and in accounting within of 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

The optional co-op work term, for qualified students, provides students with 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. Students who do not qualify or obtain co-op employment, may be asked to pursue other opportunities during the co-op work term. Semester six of the Accounting and Financial Planning program is offered during the winter and summer semesters.

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.

Pathways to Certification and a Degree

This program has a rigorous curriculum leading to a multitude of career and educational opportunities. Students 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). Graduates will be eligible to write the Professional Competence Examination 1 (PCE1) leading to CFP certification approved by the Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC). As well, some courses leading to the Canadian Securities (CSC) certification.

Qualified graduates gain seamless 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 Coordinator 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 universities and colleges:

Toronto

Ontario

Canada

U.S.

International

Curriculum *

* Effective for students entering the program Fall 2010.

Note: Students may complete the additional one credit required to complete Level 3 of the CGA designation (ACC 517) through the Faculty of Continuing Education or Faculty of Business (additional cost).

Pathways to Certification and a Seneca Degree

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