Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis

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91丝瓜视频 SCS Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis

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The Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis offers a comprehensive introduction to finance. It is intended for learners interested in launching or advancing their careers in the financial services sector. The certificate focuses on core professional competencies in financial analysis and provides opportunities for learners interested in investment management, financial technology, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing. The competencies acquired in the Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis are directly relevant to the Level 1 CFA庐 Exam.

91丝瓜视频 is affiliated with the CFA Institute through our Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis program, and enrolled students are eligible to receive a .

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Type:听听Graduate Certificate

Courses: 听 6

Credits: 听 15

Schedule:听Full-time or part-time

Time:听听Weekday evenings, Saturdays

Delivery: 听 In-person

Unit: 听 Administration and Governance

Questions? 听 info.conted [at] mcgill.ca

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Message From the Academic Program Coordinator

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Finance is at the core of business decision-making. In today鈥檚 complex organizations, having a clear understanding of foundational financial concepts will give you a professional advantage regardless of your industry, position, or role.

The fundamentals of the 鈥渇unding-financing鈥� duality have not changed, but over the last century, societies have moved towards a more globalized and highly technological world.

This has resulted in a body of knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in finance and investments as set forth and maintained by the CFA庐 Institute, which regulates professionals in the sector internationally. The evolution of this body of knowledge is further fueled by the experience gained due to significant events that impact our civilizations (global warming and pandemics, technology and science).

Finance touches many aspects of our personal and professional lives, resulting in significant demand for qualified, skilled, and knowledgeable professionals by a wide range of employers, such as banks, investment companies, and insurance and consulting companies. The financial sector offers exciting career opportunities, ranging from corporate finance on the 鈥渟ell-side鈥� to portfolio management on the 鈥渂uy-side.鈥�

If you would like to become a professional in this profitable sector, sharpen your knowledge and skills, or start your journey towards becoming a CFA庐 Charterholder, the Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis can provide you with critical competencies and skills to help you realize your goals.

Eduardo Lima, Ph.D.
Academic Program Coordinator

Who Should Apply

This program is a good fit for you if you are:

An early or mid-career professional with an undergraduate degree in any discipline who wants to launch a career in the financial services section or move up to a mid-level position (e.g., Financial Analyst or Investment Portfolio Analyst) in financial institutions and other businesses

Learning Outcomes

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This program should enable you to:

Evaluate practices, policies, and conduct according to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct
Interpret summarized financial and economic data based on the current economic theory and statistical methods
Analyze and evaluate the financial statements of publicly traded corporations relative to the US GAAP and IFRS accounting standards
Use analysis and principles to inform both the decisions a corporate issuer must make, related to capital projects and capital structure, and the decisions an asset manager must make, relative to an investment policy

Courses

Financial Analysis (Gr. Cert.) (15 credits)

Offered by: Administration & Governance 听听听
Program credit weight: 15

Program Description

The 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis offers a comprehensive introduction to finance. Focusing on core professional competencies in financial analysis, it also provides flexibility in alternative career directions within the Finance sector, such as Investment Management, Financial Technology, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Investing. Successful completion of this program allows students to write the Level I CFA exam.

Corequisite Course (3 credits)

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
CCFA 605	Quantitative Methods for Accounting and Finance	3
Quantitative Methods for Accounting and Finance Terms offered: Summer 2026 Focusing on accounting and finance applications, study of fundamental statistical concepts and tools used in the description and analysis of businesses and investments. Review of principles and results of the method used in estimating value of financial assets, namely Time Value of Money. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability theory, statistical inference, simple and compound interest, annuities, loans and bonds, equities and projects, and the cash flow additivity principle.

Required Courses (12 credits)

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
CCFA 600	Ethics in Finance.	1.5
Ethics in Finance. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute. Topics include professionalism and the integrity of capital markets, duties to clients and employers, investment analysis and recommendations, conflicts of interest, and responsibilities of CFA members and candidates.
CCFA 601	Financial Analysis Tools.	3
Financial Analysis Tools. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of statistical and economics tools used in the analysis of investments and other financial aspects of businesses. Topics include statistical concepts and methodologies, such as statistical inference and linear regression, as well as micro- and macroeconomics concepts, such as the analysis of demand and supply, understanding business cycles and international trade, and the effects of fiscal and monetary policy
CCFA 615	Financial Statement Analysis .	3
Financial Statement Analysis . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of accounting standards and financial reporting principles in investment decision making from both the internal and external perspectives of a corporation. Study of the interplay between the balance sheet, the income statement, and the cash flow statement, and examination of financial statement elements, such as inventories, long-lived assets, income taxes, and long-term liabilities, contrasting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).
CCFA 620	Contemporary Finance 1 .	3
Contemporary Finance 1 . Terms offered: Summer 2026 Comprehensive overview of corporations and other businesses from the point of view of internal and external financial decisions, including how the risk and return measures associated with businesses are used in corporate decision making and in assembling investment portfolios. Introduction to behavioural factors in investments, the management of risk for the enterprise, and the emerging field of financial technology.
CCFA 627	Financial Risk Management .	1.5
Financial Risk Management . Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of financial risk management techniques that can be used by investors and businesses alike. Topics include derivatives, alternative investments, and the value of these assets.

Complementary Courses (3 credits)

3 credits selected from:

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
CCFA 629	Fixed-Income and Equity Investments.	3
Fixed-Income and Equity Investments. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of the characteristics of fixed-income and equity investments, their markets and indexes. Topics include yield and valuation measures, risk factors and drivers of fixed-income securities, industry and company analysis, and equity valuation models.
CCFA 639	ESG Investing.	3
ESG Investing. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing. Study of the benefits of using ESG factors in investment decision making, from both a portfolio performance and a sustainability standpoint, and the integration of ESG factors in portfolio construction and management.
CCFA 660	Fintech and the Financial System.	3
Fintech and the Financial System. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of financial technology (Fintech) and the impact of the digitization of financial products and services on the structure of financial markets and the traditional role of financial institutions. A comprehensive introduction to Fintech detailing the business models of Fintech disruptors in various industries in the financial sector.

Or another 600-level course offered by the School of Continuing Studies and approved by the academic unit.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor鈥檚 degree from an approved university with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.0 in the last two years of full-time academic studies.
If your CGPA is lower than the above requirement, please submit the following for consideration with your application:

a) Letter of Intent: 1 to 2 pages in length, single-spaced, written in English or French, addressing the following:
- your knowledge that would be pertinent to the program
- your interest in the field of study and the reasons for applying
- plans for integrating the training into your current or future career
- description of your professional experience and its relevance, if applicable, to the program
- awards received or other contributions
- any additional information relevant to your application
b) Curriculum Vitae

c) Two letters of reference, signed and on letterhead. At least one should be from a current or former employer.

d) GMAT and/or GRE test score results (optional)
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Applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency.
This program is currently open to Canadian/Permanent Residents.

Career Opportunities

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The field of finance has a very wide and active job market. Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis will be well positioned to fill employment positions offered by a variety of financial institutions, such as banks, investment companies, insurance companies, consulting companies, pension and other funds, as well as by regulators, the CFO offices of major corporations, and fintech start-ups.