Graduate Certificate in Financial Services Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus, Canada

Thrive in the financial services industry.

If you are looking for a comprehensive pathway to a rewarding career in the Canadian financial services industry, this program is designed for you.

The one-year Financial Services Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you for a successful career in the financial planning, financial advising, and customer sales and service areas of:

• banking
• insurance
• financial planning
• wealth management

In this program, you build on your pre-existing business skills, financial knowledge and professional experience. You are introduced to financial products and services and financial advising. You learn how to create and present financial plans. As well, you practise collecting and analyzing client information and providing financial advice based on that information.

Students are eligible to write the Canadian Securities Course Exams upon successful completion of their CSC courses. Algonquin College collaborates with the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI), and FP Canada to offer the Financial Services Graduate Certificate Program, which meets FP Canada’s Technical educational requirements (Fundamentals and Advanced) for CFP certification. Algonquin College also collaborates with Chartered Institute of Financial Planning (CIFP) to offer education for Chartered Financial Planner designation.

The program provides a pathway to the following credential and designations upon completion of their additional requirements and exams:

• Canadian Securities Course (CSC credential) (see CSI website for additional requirements)
• Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP) designation (see FP Canada website for additional requirements)
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation (see FP Canada website for university degree and additional requirements)
• Chartered Financial Planner designation (see CIFP website for additional requirements)

You may find employment as a personal financial or investment advisor in a broad range of financial institutions. These might include:

• banks
• credit unions
• financial planning offices
• insurance companies
• brokerage firms

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Possess customer-focused communication skills, both written and oral.
• Thrive in a dynamic team-based work environment.
• Possess an analytical and mathematical aptitude.
• Are detail-oriented and able to follow complex instructions.
• Are outgoing and have strong interpersonal skills.