Overview
The Finance Diploma, a comprehensive two-year full-time program, provides students with a solid foundation in accounting, economics, finance, and investment principles. Tailored for those seeking essential accounting training complemented by vital investment skills, the Finance Diploma is your gateway to a dynamic and rewarding financial career.
Are you thinking of an accounting career but are also interested in finance and investments? BCIT’s Finance Diploma Program offers you unique, practical training for a solid foundation in accounting, economics, finance, and investing principles. All the courses in this program are designed to teach you to the necessary skills and confidence to help you pursue a career in finance while preparing you for accelerated study to become an accountant.
About the program
- Two-year, full-time program
- Broad range of accounting, financial, economic, and investment training
- Strong industry connections and networking opportunities
See more about how the Finance Diploma gives you the necessary skills for a successful career at the Program Details.
Who should apply for the Finance Diploma?
This program is designed to give you strong technical skills in accounting plus a broad understanding of finance and economics, providing a wider range of employment opportunities.
This program might be right for you if you:
- Want accounting training that is supplemented by investment skills and knowledge
- Aren’t an accountant, but need some accounting knowledge for your current job
- Want to know more about financial services, capital markets and securities
- Have an interest in investments and financial markets
- Work well with numbers and big-picture planning
Visit the Entrance Requirements page to apply today.
Your experience matters
If you already have work experience or other post-secondary education, you might qualify for course credits to help accelerate your training. Check to see whether your experience qualifies you for Advanced Placement.
What grads can do
Earning the hands-on experience and essential skills offered through BCIT’s diploma program can be an excellent way to begin a long, rewarding career.
With the training you’ll receive in the Finance Diploma Program, you’ll be prepared and confident in new potential jobs in financial services, accounting, and financial management.
You’ll also have the option to continue your education with a Bachelor of Accounting or a Bachelor of Business Administration degree to become a Chartered Professional Accountant or Chartered Financial Analyst and further your career.
Learn more about your job prospects and options on the Graduating and Jobs page.
Accredited Program
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Open to applications beginning October 1st (or next business day).
Entrance requirements
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains.
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
- Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (67%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (67%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (67%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses
Recommended for success
Strong mathematic skills are required for success in BCIT Business diplomas. If you feel that you would like to upgrade your math skills, you should complete OPMT 0199 or OPMT 0023 before commencing the program.International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
September each year.
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
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- Next up Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement
Conditions
You may be eligible to apply to an advanced level of the program through either re-admission or direct entry. Please note that applications are considered based on:
- Complete applications: you must show proof that you have completed (or are registered in) all requirements to be considered.
- Competitive entry: if the number of applicants exceeds available seats, BCIT will accept those deemed to have the best opportunity for success.
- Seat availability: confirmation may not be available until approximately one week before the term begins.
Re-admission
You can apply for re-admission if you:
- were previously admitted to this program and completed part of it at BCIT and
- want to re-enter the program at an advanced level.
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Submit the Course-by-Course Self-Assessment Form [PDF] with your application.
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
Direct entry
BCIT accepts complete applications starting:
- February 1st for level 2 (January start)
- October 1st for level 3 (September start)
*or next business day
There are 4 options for direct entry, If you are applying through options 1, 2, or 3, you must submit an online application. Option 4 applicants, submit your application for transfer directly to BCIT Admissions.
Applications to level 2 or 3.
Submit the following with your online application:
- Proof of meeting all general entrance requirements (excluding Math 11)
- Course-by-Course Self-Assessment form [PDF] showing that you have completed all of the required courses for the level to which you are applying
Required courses
If you are applying to level 2, you must show proof of completion of (or registration in) the level 1 courses (or equivalents) below.
If you are applying to level 3, you must show proof of completion of (or registration in) the level 1 and 2 courses (or equivalents) below.
Level 1 courses
Full-time | Course Name | Part-time Equivalent |
BSYS 1000 | Business Information Systems | BSYS 1001 |
COMM 1100 | Business Communication 1 | COMM 1103 or COMM 1106 |
ECON 2100 | Microeconomics | ECON 2100 |
FMGT 1105* (65%) | Accounting 1 for Financial Management | FMGT 1100 (70% or B) |
MKTG 1102 | Essentials of Marketing | MKTG 1102 |
OPMT 1110 | Business Mathematics | OPMT 1110 |
ORGB 1100 | Organizational Behaviour | ORGB 1105 |
Level 2 courses
Full-time | Course Name | Part-time Equivalent |
BLAW 3100 | Business Law | BLAW 3100 |
BSYS 2050 | Business Data Analytics | BSYS 2051 |
BSYS 2060 | Business Data Management | BSYS 2061 |
BUSA 2100 | Principles of Management | BUSA 2005 |
COMM 2200 | Business Communication 2 | COMM 2202 (or 2002) and COMM 2203 (or 2003) |
ECON 2200 | Macroeconomics | ECON 2200 |
FMGT 2105* (65%) | Accounting 2 for Financial Management | FMGT 2100 (70% or B) |
FMGT 2540 | Working Capital Management | FMGT 1540 |
FMGT 2701 | Management Information Systems | FMGT 2701 |
OPMT 1130 | Business Statistics | OPMT 1197 |
*Note: Accounting courses completed in the UK or the United States may be considered for transfer credit toward FMGT 1105/2105.
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
Applications to level 2 or 3.
Submit the following with your online application:
- Proof of meeting all general entrance requirements (excluding Math 11)
- Proof of diploma or degree* in any discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution
- Course-by-Course Self-Assessment form [PDF] showing that you have completed all of the required courses below.
*If you have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand, you will require a basic evaluation of your credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered.
Required courses for direct entry to level 2:
Full-time | Course Name | Part-time Equivalent |
COMM 1100* | Business Communication 1 | COMM 1103 or COMM 1106 |
FMGT 1105** (65%) | Accounting 1 for Financial Management | FMGT 1100 (70% or B) |
Required courses for direct entry to level 3:
Full-time | Course Name | Part-time Equivalent |
FMGT 1105** (65%) | Accounting 1 for Financial Management | FMGT 1100 (70% or B) |
FMGT 2105** (65%) | Accounting 2 for Financial Management | FMGT 2100 (70% or B) |
The following courses are recommended for completion prior to admission into level 3, but are mandatory for graduation from the program.
Full-time | Course Name | Part-time Equivalent |
COMM 1100* | Business Communication 1 | COMM 1103 or COMM 1106 |
COMM 2200* | Business Communication 2 | COMM 2202 (or 2002) and COMM 2203 (or 2003) |
FMGT 2701 | Management Information Systems | FMGT 2701 |
*Note: For accredited Canadian or US credentials, if you have achieved a bachelor's degree the COMM 1100 and 2200 courses may be waived. If you have an associate degree or a diploma, COMM 1103 (or 1106) and COMM 2202 (or 2002) may be waived. Note that COMM 2203 (or 2003) will still be required.
**Note: Accounting courses completed in the UK or the United States may be considered for transfer credit toward FMGT 1105/2105.
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
If you are an adult learner, you may be eligible to complete an Advanced Placement and Prior Learning (APPL) assessment to qualify for direct entry to an advanced level of the program. Visit the SITE Centre to find out if you are eligible, and to learn more about the assessment process and associated fees.
Submit the following with your online application:
- Proof of meeting all general entrance requirements
- Approved Advanced Placement and Prior Learning (APPL) Assessment
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
If you are currently in a full-time BCIT School of Business diploma program and wish to transfer:
- Print the School of Business Program Change form [PDF].
- Make an appointment with the program heads to review your eligibility to transfer.
- If you are transferring to Level 3, you may be required to complete one or more bridging courses.
- Submit the following to BCIT Admissions:
- Approved School of Business Program Change form
- Completed Course-by-Course Self-Assessment form for your current program (found on your current program’s Advanced Placement page)
Do not apply online.
Direct entry FAQs
- When should I apply?
- When will I be accepted?
- Can I take courses in advance to reduce my course load?
- When will I get my timetable?
- When can I buy my books?
- It is recommended that you apply when you have met all of the entrance requirements. If you are currently registered in a course, please indicate this on the self-assessment form.
- Once your application has been assessed and has been approved for direct entry, a seat must become available in the program you have selected. The Admissions department must wait until the current students obtain their final grades in either December or May to determine how many seats will become available for direct entry applicants.
- In order to maintain a competitive application, it is recommended that you take no more than two courses per term ahead of time. A maximum of two courses per level are eligible for credit. Note that this will not reduce your full-time program tuition.
- Print your timetable one day prior to class start by logging into my.bcit.ca and going to Student Self-Service. You must be registered in your courses in order to access this feature. If you know the set to which you have been assigned, you can also find your timetable on the School of Business Timetables page.
- It is recommended that you wait until the first week of classes before buying textbooks. Your instructors will tell you which books to buy.
To register for a Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) course, visit Register for Flexible Learning Courses or contact Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Still have questions? Review the Admissions FAQ or contact Program Advising.
Additional options for degree holders
Advanced Diploma in Professional Accounting
This program is a fast track to the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. If you have a degree (in any discipline) and want to complete all of the CPA Preparatory classes in less than a year, this program is for you.
BCIT has small class sizes where you get to know your instructors and provides exemplary career support, where more than 94% of graduates get jobs in their field. Our cohort model can help you build your professional network with a thriving BCIT community of students and graduates in the industry. At BCIT, you are much more than a student number, and your success means everything!
Upon completing this program, you can start the CPA journey, working in the field while completing your CPA designation. CPAs are in high demand, and the CPA designation leads to rewarding careers in accounting and finance.
The Advanced Diploma in Professional Accounting program can be completed in two ways:
- In 12-month full-time studies at BCIT’s downtown campus, during the day in a class cohort format
- At your own pace through Flexible Learning with courses scheduled on evenings, weekends, and virtually
Full program details and further information can be found here.
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- Next up Costs & Supplies
Costs & Supplies
Bring Your Own Device
Students are required to have their own laptop. Please refer to the Bring Your Own Device Specifications [PDF] for requirements.
Laptop costs vary depending on the configuration chosen, but will likely range from approximately $1,000 to $2,000.
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition and fees, visit:
Books & supplies
Level 1: $542; Level 2: $388; Level 3: $981; Level 4: $758
(General estimated cost, subject to change)
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
- Go back Advanced Placement
- Next up Courses
Courses
Students should be aware that course exemptions can be claimed for a maximum of two courses per level.
Program matrix
Level 1 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
BSYS 1000 | Business Information Systems | 3.0 | |
COMM 1100 | Business Communication 1 | 3.0 | |
ECON 2100 | Microeconomics | 3.0 | |
FMGT 1105 | Accounting 1 for Financial Management | 5.0 | |
MKTG 1102 | Essentials of Marketing | 3.0 | |
OPMT 1110 | Business Mathematics | 4.0 | |
Students must achieve a minimum grade of 50% in FMGT 1105 or 70% in FMGT 1100 to take FMGT 2105. | |||
Level 2 (20 weeks) | Credits | ||
BSYS 2000 | Applied Data Analytics in Excel | 4.0 | |
BUSA 2150 | Introduction to Organizational Development | 4.0 | |
COMM 2200 | Business Communication 2 | 4.0 | |
ECON 2200 | Macroeconomics | 4.0 | |
FMGT 2105 | Accounting 2 for Financial Management | 6.5 | |
FMGT 2540 | Introduction to Finance* | 2.5 | |
OPMT 1130 | Business Statistics | 5.5 | |
*denotes a half-term course | |||
Level 3 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
BLAW 3100 | Business Law | 4.0 | |
FMGT 3130 | Financial Statement Analysis 1 | 4.0 | |
FMGT 3210 | Cost/Managerial Accounting 1 | 4.0 | |
FMGT 3410 | Taxation 1 | 4.0 | |
FMGT 3510 | Finance 1 | 4.0 | |
FMGT 3610 | Security Analysis 1 | 4.0 | |
Level 4 (20 weeks) | Credits | ||
FMGT 4130 | Financial Statement Analysis 2 | 4.0 | |
FMGT 4210 | Cost and Managerial Accounting 2 | 5.5 | |
FMGT 4410 | Taxation 2 | 5.5 | |
FMGT 4510 | Finance 2 | 5.5 | |
FMGT 4520 | Enterprise Finance* | 3.0 | |
FMGT 4610 | Security Analysis 2 | 4.0 | |
FMGT 4721 | Financial Analytics in Excel | 4.0 | |
FMGT 4921 | Career Preparation | 4.0 | |
*denotes a half-term course | |||
Total Credits: | 111.0 |
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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- Next up Program Details
Program Details
This program is specifically designed to give you a broad exposure to financial, economic, accounting, and investment knowledge and opportunities.
Perfect for students who want the career flexibility offered by knowledge of both accounting and finance. As part of your experience at BCIT, you’ll get real-world training with working professionals and graduate having written and passed the Canadian Securities Institute exam.
Program length
Two years, full-time
Additional program options
Accreditation
The Chartered Professional Accountants association, CPA Canada and the Canadian Credit Institute give credit for various subjects, and some graduates are able to achieve a professional designation within two years of receiving their BCIT diploma.
Students who choose the Finance program will write the Canadian Securities Course examination while they are students at BCIT. Successful completion is a mandatory step for anyone considering a career in the field of financial planning, or indeed in any aspect of the investment world. In addition, it is a prerequisite course for all other courses and programs offered by the Canadian Securities Institute.
Program delivery
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
Most of this program will be delivered in person; however, some lectures in the second year of the program will be delivered asynchronously.
Continue your education
The Financial Management department offers an Accounting degree completion program to those who already have an Accounting, Finance, or Financial Planning diploma or equivalent. Please see our Bachelor of Accounting program for more information.
Universities will give credit for subjects taken in the program to those students who wish to continue their training and qualify for a university degree. Block transfer credit arrangements are in effect with Thompson River University, Simon Fraser University, the University of Northern British Columbia, Royal Roads University and Lakehead University.
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- Next up Graduating & Jobs
Graduating & Jobs
With the focus on practical skills, BCIT’s program gets you ready to perform in your new financial career from the first day. And because of the wide variety of courses through the program, graduates have a similarly wide variety of jobs in the financial, accounting, and investment industries.
Some opportunities in finance include:
- Financial Services Representative
- Financial Analyst
- Finance Manager
- Corporate Financial Manager
- Investment Portfolio Manager
- Senior Financial Analyst
While many students begin their careers immediately upon graduation, others decide to continue their education for a bachelor’s degree, which is required to pursue a Chartered Professional Accounting (CPA) designation or the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. This diploma program ladders directly into BCIT’s Bachelor of Accounting program, and is recognized at many universities for block credit transfers.
Testimonials
Taking the corporate finance program was definitely beneficial in getting me where I am now…without all the time management skills I learned (among other things) I would not have been able to easily complete my degree while working full-time. Since joining Sherritt two years ago, I’ve been fast tracked from a financial analyst to (now) senior management.
Leanne Gawley
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
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Contact Us
604-431-4954 | Finance_Diploma@bcit.ca
International students please contact:
international@bcit.ca
Contact a Program Advisor with the BCIT program name in the subject line if you have a question about:
- Program selection and program planning
- Applying for transfer credit and advanced placement
- Job placement and graduate outcomes
- Student life
Questions or comments?
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