Program overview
Get a grounding in the knowledge you need for a career in the growing financial management sector. Athabasca University’s online University Certificate in Finance includes options that will help you complete a major portion of the training required by various professional financial services associations.
In this program, you will learn theory, technical skills, and ethical perspectives relevant to business areas such as
- statistics
- accounting
- finance
- economics
- information systems
- strategic management
You will also
- study financial markets, financial instruments, and investment decision-making
- analyze alternative methods to obtain, manage, and use capital
Routes and options
Ladder to a degree
All credit earned in the University Certificate in Finance program can be transferred into the Bachelor of Commerce program.
To be sure you get the most benefit from your certificate courses, if you think you may want to transfer your certificate to a degree program, you should discuss your course selection with a program advisor.
Completion times
Finish this program in as little as 1 year of full-time study, or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion.
Admission requirements
There are no formal admission requirements for this program. All you need is to be 16 or older. You can enrol anytime and start right away, regardless of your previous education.
How to apply
You can apply to AU online anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.
Make sure we get your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.
Transfer and advanced credit
If you have previous post-secondary education or significant life and work experience that relates to this program, you may be eligible for transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This could mean fewer courses to get your AU certificate.
If you transfer credit, you must complete a minimum of 15 credits at AU.
You will not receive transfer credit for senior (300/400) level courses more than 10 years old in the following disciplines
- Accounting (ACCT)
- Management Science (MGSC)
- Legal Studies (LGST)
- Marketing (MKTG)
- Finance (FNCE)
- Taxation (TAXX)
If you are working in the field and provide evidence of current experience in these areas, this restriction will be waived.
Program requirements
To complete the program you will need to fulfil all the requirements of the certificate.
Our program plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.
Required courses
Detailed information about courses in this program can be accessed using the following link:
Tuition and fees
Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.
You can estimate your total program cost by multiplying the cost of a 3-credit course by the number of courses you need to take for the program. Remember that tuition costs may increase each year.
Program learning outcomes
As a result of completing this program, students should be able to
- demonstrate knowledge of theory, technically based skills and ethical perspectives relevant to core business areas, including marketing, statistics, financial accounting, management accounting, finance, economics, information systems, strategic management, organizational behaviour, and commercial law.
- demonstrate a basic understanding of technical and quantitative aspects of management related to financial services, including the study of financial markets, financial instruments and investment decision-making, as well as the analysis of alternative methods employed by institutions and individuals to obtain, manage and use capital.
Possible career options
- Actuarial Clerk
- Bank Clerk
- Credit Clerk
- Dental Claims Clerk
- Dividend Calculation Clerk
- Insurance Clerk
- Insurance Rater
- Ledger Control Clerk
- Loan Clerk
- Mortgage Clerk
- Premium Rater
- Real Estate Clerk
- Securities Clerk
- Bank Teller
- Credit Union Teller
- Financial Customer Service Representative
- Foreign Exchange Teller
- Accounts Payable Supervisor
- Accounts Receivable Supervisor
- Bank Clerks Supervisor
- Billing Supervisor
- Bookkeeping Supervisor
- Collection Supervisor
- Credit Supervisor
- Payroll Supervisor
- Savings Supervisor
- Supervisor of Accounting
- Supervisor, Claims Adjuster
- Supervisor, Customer Service Representative