Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Summer 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
This graduate certificate program prepares you to become specialized in one of the fastest growing sectors in financial services. The curriculum will equip you with a skillset for working in client-facing and behind-the-scenes roles with banks; trust companies; insurance companies; and investment, wealth management and financial planning firms. You will also learn to manage your personal finances, provide financial advice to the public and pursue industry-demanded certifications.
Interested in learning more?
Students are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the program and to connect with our team.
Seneca Part-Time Accounting & Finance Information Session
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Register
Now
Monday, April 28, 2025
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Register
Now
Confirmation of registration and a unique link to join the information session will be provided upon registration.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Students will be introduced to the capital markets where the flow of money between savers and borrowers occurs using financial instruments. An in depth look at the types, features, pricing and trading of financial instruments, such as fixed-income, equity and derivative securities is presented, along with how such investments are brought to market. Economic principles and policies are also covered with an eye toward their effect on various financial instruments. An introduction to a corporation's financial statements is also presented as a foundation for assessing a company as an investment opportunity (which is continued in CSC102).
This course prepares students to challenge the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) Volume I Examination.
Students will be introduced to the financial planning profession, the process of financial planning, and the six financial planning areas. They will focus on collecting and analyzing an individual's personal and financial information in support of making recommendations to improve the individual's current and future financial circumstances. An emphasis will be placed on improving the client's cash flow and net worth through the appropriate use of credit facilities.
Students will acquire the knowledge required to engage in the retirement and education planning process, as well as planning for individuals with a disability. Students will produce financial planning projections and make recommendations related to an individual's objectives in these areas. Emphasis will be placed on the registered plans available that individuals can use to achieve their objectives.
Students will acquire the foundational knowledge about personal income taxation that is expected of financial planners. Students will cultivate an in depth knowledge of the income tax assessment rules for individuals, including the types and taxation of different types of income, available tax deductions and tax credits, and foundational income splitting opportunities, that will aid them in identifying and making financial planning recommendations to individuals.
Students will acquire the knowledge required to adequately engage in the risk management and insurance planning process expected of financial planners. Students will assess an individual's risk management needs and make recommendations using risk management strategies, including the use of insurance, to meet these needs.
Students will utilize the knowledge and skills they learned in CSC101 to analyze the investment quality of a company and learn the important aspects of creating diversified investment portfolios using mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and other managed investment products.
This course prepares students to challenge the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) Volume II Examination.
Students will acquire the knowledge required to conduct detailed investment planning. An emphasis will be placed on creating an investment plan for an individual, including determining the individual's risk tolerance, creating a suitable asset allocation and choosing appropriate investments for the individual's investment portfolio, presenting the recommended investment plan to the individual, and completing the administrative forms required to enact the investment plan.
Students will synthesize the technical knowledge they have learned in the other financial planning courses contained within the Financial Planning (FIP) program. Students will cultivate skills that align with The FP Canada Standards Council Financial Planning Practice Standards.
Students will gain knowledge of how the human brain makes decisions, including how heuristics, biases, and values, attitudes, emotions and disorders related to money impact an individual's decision-making process. Students will develop the behavior and communication skills required by financial planners to foster trust and build relationships, motivate individuals to carry out financial planning recommendations, and deal effectively with an individual's resistance to change.
This course will explore effective interpersonal communications skills for those employed in a client-facing capacity in the financial services industry. Areas of focus will include the impact of interpersonal communications skills and emotional intelligence on one's personal brand and the Customer Experience, changes to communication in the Digital Age, different types of workplace communications and ensuring effective client relationship management.
Students are required to complete field placement in a legal, program related, work setting to apply the theory and skills they have learned in the program to gain work experience. Field placement promotes the concept of learning by doing. Successful completion of the field placement component is a program and graduation requirement.
To support your learning, a field placement work experience must be completed. This experiential learning opportunity will provide you with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you learned in a financial planning setting, while also gaining valuable work experience.
This experience requires you to engage in a minimum of 140 hours of financial planning-related employment activities during your studies. The field placement experience is an unpaid or paid position that is available to students who are in good academic standing with Seneca and who meet all identified requirements prior to participating in the field placement experience. While eligibility for participation does not guarantee that a field placement position will be secured, students are supported every step of the way by Seneca in locating, applying and obtaining a field placement experience with industry partners.
As an alternative to a field placement, you may complete an industry project that allows you to demonstrate your learning while gaining experience that will help you improve your employment opportunities.
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
To apply for the Financial Planning graduate certificate program, please complete the application form.
In addition to completing the application form, you must also submit supporting transcript(s) per the program's entry requirements to fcebusinessapplications@senecapolytechnic.ca.
Please use "Part-time Financial Planning Application" as the subject line of your email when submitting your transcript(s).
If you have any questions about the entry requirements or general questions about the program, please contact:
Belinda Becker
Program Assistant
belinda.becker@senecapolytechnic.ca
This program is eligible for OSAP funding. Course load is used by OSAP to determine funding options for programs. Course load is calculated by dividing the number of courses you are enrolled in at the same time by the total number of courses per semester. For example, in Financial Planning there are seven courses in Semester 1 and seven courses in Semester 2.
To be considered for part-time OSAP, you must have a course load between 20 to 59 per cent. If you are taking between two to four courses in Financial Planning in a given term, you may be considered for part-time student grants and loans.
To find out if you qualify and to learn how to apply, please visit the OSAP website.
For information on other awards and financial assistance, please see Financial Aid.
Students are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the program and to connect with our team.
Seneca Part-Time Accounting & Finance Information Session
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Register
Now
Monday, April 28, 2025
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Register
Now
Confirmation of registration and a unique link to join the information session will be provided upon registration.
Earn college credits for what you already know.
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to
college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work
experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained
meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.
How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning
through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews,
demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a
Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program
Coordinator.
The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.
Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.
If you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a Certificate, Diploma or Degree you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the fee. Forms are available at the Registration office and online.
Certificates and diplomas are issued twice a year: Fall (October) and Spring (June).
Successful completion of this program is the first step in obtaining the following industry certifications and designations that are in high demand:
Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to complete the Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) - a prerequisite for employment in many areas of the financial services industry. Successful completion of the CSC and this program will allow students to obtain their Certificate in Financial Services Advice.
Graduates of this program will be eligible to proceed to the following steps on the pathways to certification:
Pursuing these certifications requires the completion of additional courses, examinations, and/or work experience, all of which involve additional costs.
Build on your Seneca Polytechnic credential
Seneca is recognized as a leader in pathways and offers a range of options to help you reach your educational and career goals.
As a graduate of this program, you may be eligible to pathway into a bachelor's degree program at Seneca or at one of our partner institutions.
To explore your pathway options and learn more, visit our Degree Transfer Guide.
If you have additional questions regarding pathways to, within and beyond Seneca, connect with our Academic Pathways team at 416.764.0399 or email academic.pathways@senecapolytechnic.ca.
After reviewing the Degree Transfer Guide, you can also book a virtual appointment to discuss your options in more detail with a dedicated Pathways Adviser.
Aliya Merchant
Program Assistant
acctce@senecapolytechnic.ca
Roberta Aquino
Academic Program Manager
roberta.aquino@senecapolytechnic.ca