Major map:

Finance

Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.)

Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.

The Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) degree is a four-year direct-entry program. The first two years provide you with general business knowledge; all students take an introductory course in each of the major specializations before selecting a major in the middle of year two.

Finance is the science of funds management, with a focus on saving, lending, and investing money. The field of finance deals with the concepts of time, money, and risk, and how they are interrelated. The major is well positioned to provide students with specialized financial knowledge and the necessary management skills to be competent financial managers. Learn how people should invest their money and how companies will perform in the future based on the past.

Not a USask student?

Learn more about studying finance at USask and apply for admission.

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all major requirements.

Year 1 COMM courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

COMM 100.3 | Business Communication
COMM 101.3 | Introduction to Business
COMM 104.3 | Foundations of Business Statistics
COMM 105.3 | Introduction to Organizational Behaviour
COMM 121.3 | Business Mathematics
COMM 204.3 | Introduction to Marketing
COMM 211.3 | Human Resource Management
COMM 229.3 | Personal Financial Management

You choose
  • One course (3cu) to fulfill your english language requirement
  • One course (3cu) to fulfill your 100-level non-COMM elective requirement

Academic tips

What will I learn?
  • Be a business professional ready to build nations
  • Understand areas of finance theory, corporate, securities, risk, insurance, venture capital, planning, modeling, investments and portfolio management
  • Train to compete and succeed in the financial marketplace
  • Gain the skills required to be ready to pursue a professional designation (Chartered Financial Analyst - CFA) upon graduation
  • Optional learning opportunity to participate in experiential learning through the Dembroski Student-Managed Portfolio Trust working with equity markets in real-time with real money

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

  • Check out Edwards Career Services and meet with a career advisor to receive guidance and access resources related to achieving your career goals
  • View the Edwards School of Business tab within CareerLink to review resources and the calendar of career events as well as part-time summer and job postings
  • Build an amazing resume and prepare for upcoming interviews with Edwards Skills First
  • Take a career assessment to learn more about your strengths, personality, interests, and values
  • Develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional brand
  • If you are new to Canada, participate in the Edwards International Career Development Program. Information will be emailed to eligible students in November
  • Access USask Career Services for additional support with career exploration and job search
Featured courses

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all major requirements.

Year 2 COMM courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

COMM 201.3 | Introduction to Financial Accounting
COMM 203.3 | Introduction to Finance
COMM 205.3 | Introduction to Operations Management
COMM 207.3 | Statistics for Business Decisions
COMM 210.3 | Introduction to Managerial Accounting
COMM 213.3 | Management Information Systems
ECON 111.3 | Introductory Microeconomics
ECON 114.3 | Introductory Macroeconomics

You choose
  • Two courses (6cu) to fulfill your non-COMM elective requirements
Year 3 COMM courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

COMM 304.3 | Introduction to Business Law
COMM 306.3 | Ethics and Strategic Decision Making
COMM 347.3 | Indigenous Business in Canada
COMM 363.3 | Intermediate Corporate Finance
COMM 367.3 | Security Analysis and Evaluation

You choose
  • Two courses (6cu) from the Finance Major Electives
  • One course (3cu) from any level non-COMM elective OR 300-level or higher COMM elective
  • Two courses (6cu) as free senior electives (200-level or higher non-COMM OR 300-level or higher COMM)

Academic tips

Add to your major

Choose from a variety of options to complement your major.

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

Career readiness competencies

Career Readiness Competencies are transferable skill sets that will prepare you for the world of work and include the top attributes that employers are looking for:

  • Career & Self-Development
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Equity & Inclusion
  • Leadership
  • Professionalism
  • Teamwork
  • Technology

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all major requirements.

Final year COMM courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

COMM 401.3 | Business Strategy
COMM 447.3 | Entrepreneurship and Venture Development
COMM 461.3 | Corporate Finance Theory

You choose
  • Three courses (9cu) from the Finance Major Electives
  • Four courses (12cu) as free senior electives (200-level or higher non-COMM OR 300-level or higher COMM)

Apply to graduate

Academic tips

Consider applying to a graduate program
Find a program

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

Career readiness competencies

Career Readiness Competencies are transferable skill sets that will prepare you for the world of work and include the top attributes that employers are looking for:

  • Career & Self-Development
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Equity & Inclusion
  • Leadership
  • Professionalism
  • Teamwork
  • Technology

Possible destinations

People with a finance degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Note that some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.

Designations

Students who major in finance may opt to pursue a professional designation after completing a B.Comm. degree.

The CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization administers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Program which is considered the investment profession's most rigorous credentialing program.

The Edwards School of Business participates in the CFA Institute's University Affiliation program and has been acknowledged as incorporating at least 70 percent of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) into its curriculum.

Graduates of the Edwards School of Business wishing to proceed toward full professional recognition as a CFA can apply to become a charterholder. The extent of the credit granted depends on the courses selected for the degree and the level of performance achieved.

If you are considering a career in investment you should consult with the Edwards Student & Faculty Services Office before registration.

USask alumni career paths

  • Actuarial Analyst
  • Analyst, Public Equities
  • Assistant Controller
  • Auditor/Examiner
  • Business Development Analyst
  • Chief Information Officer
  • Commercial Associate
  • Compensation & Benefits Analyst
  • Director of International Monetary and Financial Policy
  • Equity Research Associate
  • Financial Advisor
  • Investment Banking Analyst
  • Junior Treasury Analyst
  • Mutual Fund Representative
  • Pension Analyst
  • Personal Banking Officer
  • Portfolio Analyst
  • Relationship Manager
  • Senior Credit Solutions Manager
  • Small Business Advisor
  • Specialist, Economic Intelligence
  • Territory Manager
  • Trading Analyst
  • Wealth Associate

What really stood out for me in my time at Edwards is all of the real life experience I received. From working with local companies on problems they were having to investing in the stock market, every year I had a chance apply what I was learning outside of the classroom!

—Colton, Bachelor of Commerce '15 in finance

Where do USask alumni work?

  • Accenture
  • Affinity Credit Union
  • BMO Capital Markets
  • Business Development Bank of Canada
  • Cameco
  • Canada Revenue Agency
  • Canpotex
  • Cargill
  • CIBC
  • Concentra
  • Correctional Services of Canada
  • Farm Credit Canada
  • Federated Co-operatives Ltd.
  • First Nations Bank of Canada
  • Government of Saskatchewan
  • Imperial Oil
  • National Bank Financial
  • Nutrien
  • Raymond James
  • RBC
  • Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
  • SaskPower
  • Scotia Wealth Management
  • Scotiabank
  • Star Produce
  • Sunrise Foods
  • TD Canada Trust
  • University of Saskatchewan
  • Westcap Mgt. Ltd.

Recent graduates with a bachelor of commerce degree in finance earn, on average, $63,513 (Edwards School of Business B.Comm. 2022 Employment Statistics).

"This degree is so flexible in the sense you can choose a path within finance. If you enjoy investments and the stock market, you have the resources to prepare for your CFA. If you prefer personal finance and insurance, you can shift your focus to classes that support that vision. Overall, your degree will include a standard set classes that prepare you for the business world - how to write a paper, how to present and articulate, and so much more."

—Robbin, Bachelor of Commerce '18 in finance

"I chose to study finance for the skills and knowledge of managing my own finances, as well as the many possible in-demand career paths in an essential function to any business."

—Brayden, third-year finance student