Finance

Finance is the study of financial markets, financial instruments and investment decision-making. Finance incorporates basic economics, accounting and statistics in simple and complex mathematical models to simplify and study the complete economic reality of financing business and investments. From planning national policy to structuring the financing of major projects to managing personal investments, financial analysts interpret quantitative and qualitative information to manage money effectively.

As a major in finance, you'll take courses related to corporate and personal finance, fundamentals of investments, global financial management, financial technology (FinTech), managerial skill development, and management policy and strategy. You will draw from fields such as economics, human resources management, social responsibility, English, psychology, and marketing. Graduates of the Bachelor of Management program majoring in Finance often pursue the Charter Financial Analyst designation or go on to complete the Canadian Securities Course, in order to become investment advisors.

Program Planning Guides

Skills

Ability to Learn Quickly
Ability to Maintain Confidentiality
Ability to Recognize the Dynamics & Politics of an Organization
Ability to Work on a Team
Accuracy & Precision in Dealing with Figures
Analyze & Interpret Data
Communication Skills

Computer Knowledge
Confidence in Knowledge & Suggestions
Empatheic
Flexibility in the Workplace
Good Negotiation Skills
High Ethical Standards
Highly Motivated & Enterpreneurial

Organizational Ability
Persistent
Persuasive
Prepare & Organize Records
Reading Comperehension
Sharp Analytical Skills
Strong Interpersonal Skills

Work Environment

Finance majors have a wide range of career opportunities available to them. Graduates may find employment with/in government, large corporations, banks and securities businesses, entrepreneurial firms, or not-for-profit organizations. Recent financial graduates have accepted positions in oil companies, banks and credit unions, stock brokerages, manufacturers, retailers, and small businesses. Graduates may also find positions in private businesses, federal agencies, universities and research institutions, hospitals, finance companies, insurance firms, brokerage firms, real estate companies, investment trusts and firms, internal revenue services, and securities exchange commissions.

Key Areas of Specialization:

Estate Planning
Cash Flow Management
Investment Planning
Risk Management
Employee Benefits
Tax Planning
Financial Advising

Career Possibilities

Entry Level

These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate, if one is available.

Related Job Titles

These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education.

Actuary
Area Manager for Business Banking
Assistant Comptroller
Auditor
Bank Customer Service Supervisor
Bank Examiner
Bank Manager
Banking Call Centre Senior Manager
Bankruptcy Specialist
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Negotiations Advisor
Claim Adjuster
Commercial Banker
Commercial Loan Officer
Commodities Trader
Commodity Trading Advisor/Manager
Consumer Credit Officer
Consumer Credit/Loan Officer
Cost Manager
Credit and Collection Specialist
Credit Manager
External Auditor
Financial Analyst/Advisor
Financial Consultant
Financial Economist
Financial Planner
Financial Reporting & Accountability Director
Financial Researcher
Financial Service Analyst
Financial Writer
Insurance Adjuster
Insurance Advisor
Insurance Agent & Broker
Insurance Underwriter
Internal Auditor
Investment Advisor
Investment Analyst/ Advisor
Investment Banker
Loan Administrator
Loan Administrator
Loan Officer
Mergers/Acquisitions Manager
Mortgage Associate
Mutual Fund Manager
Personal Loan Officer
Property Manager
Stock Broker
Treasury Management Specialist
Trust Analyst

Thinking Outside the Box: Other Possible Job Titles

On average, people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.

Useful Resources

Alberta Treasury Board and Finance http://www.finance.alberta.ca/
Department of Finance Canada http://www.fin.gc.ca/
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/
Financial Markets Association of Canada http://www.fmac.ca/
Financial Planning Standards Council www.fpcanada.ca
Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada http://www.afoa.ca/
The Financial Advisors Association of Canada http://www.advocis.ca/
Canadian Institute of Actuaries https://www.cia-ica.ca/home
The Investment Funds Institute of Canada https://www.ific.ca
Financial Post http://www.financialpost.com/index.html

Add Value to Your Degree

The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.

Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.

Connect with Others

Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.

Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

Co-operative Education

Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.

Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.

Applied Studies

The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.

Student Clubs and Leadership

Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.

The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.

The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.

Research Opportunities

The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.

An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.

You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.

The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!

International Experience

International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).

Community Involvement

Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.

What can I do with a major in Finance