Get ready for new opportunities
With the support of Gerald Connor, Founder of Cumberland Private Wealth Management and Ali Zahedi, CEO of Infinite Investment Systems Ltd., George Brown College’s Centre for Business now offers the fully online Wealth Management program, designed for individuals looking to find or advance their career in operational or administrative roles in the wealth management field.
This program was developed by industry subject-matter experts to address the growing demands for administrative and operational wealth management professionals. Students will be provided with foundational knowledge of the Canadian wealth management sector, including corporate culture and ethics, operations, compliance, client relations, goal setting, risk tolerance, and potential career paths. Students will also be introduced to basic finance and market fundamentals, including the regulatory environment in Canada, economics, securities, company analysis, and financing.
Flexible Learning
Wealth Management courses run online on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00pm-9:00pm, making it a convenient option so you can manage your weekday commitments.
Choose your program focus
Students are required to take foundational courses in semester one, followed by their chosen specialization in semester two (four courses in total). Upon the completion of their chosen specialization, students are able to complete the second specialization by taking the additional course requirements (two courses).*
In the financial operations management stream (B190), students will develop foundational knowledge of investment operations and administration and explore the role of data and technology in FinTech concerning investment firms, clients, regulators and tax authorities. They will also explore wealth management compliance frameworks. Students who choose the client management stream (B191) explore financial industry structures and communication and sales techniques.
*For more information on completing both specializations, please contact us at wealth@georgebrown.ca.
Admission Requirements
- Postsecondary credential in any field
or - Mature student** with a minimum of 2 years work experience in a business or related field
Applicants who do not meet the above requirements are encouraged to apply and will be reviewed on an individual basis.
**Mature student status (19 years of age or older)
Potential career paths
This program prepares you for exciting positions in the wealth management field, including those listed below.
Completion of this certificate program does not provide an automatic pathway to earn a professional credential/certification from a professional body.
Financial Operations Management Stream
- Compliance Support
- Financial Operations Specialist
- Operations Administrator/Team Lead
- Operations Business Analyst
Client Management Stream
- Client Relations Specialist
- Finance Clerk
- Sales Support
Program Overview
| Duration: | 8 months (2 semesters) |
|---|---|
| Credentials: | Certificate |
| Starting month: | September, January |
| YEAR: | 2024-25 |
| TUITION: | $2,000 ($500 per course)** |
**The amount listed does not include the cost of materials or ancillary fees.
Course Outline
Semester 1 - Common
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE |
|---|---|
| FIN1900 | Foundations of Wealth Management |
| FIN1901 | Finance Fundamentals |
Semester 2 - Financial Operations Management
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE |
|---|---|
| FIN1902 | Operations Fundamentals for Wealth Management |
| FIN1903 | Compliance Foundations for Wealth Management |
Semester 2 - Client Management
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE |
|---|---|
| FIN1904 | Introduction to Client Management |
| FIN1905 | Advanced Client Management |
Course Details
Courses & Learning Outcomes - Financial Operations Management (B190)
1. Foundations of Wealth Management (FIN1900)
Students will be introduced to the Wealth Management sector in Canada. The course will provide an introductory overview of various Wealth Management subject areas, including the general nature of the client, typical interactions with a client, information requirements, client goals and risk tolerance. Certain technical and soft skills, including the use of Excel, PowerPoint, project management and written communications, will be reviewed. Corporate culture and ethics will be discussed. Students will also be exposed to potential career paths and the interviewing process.
2. Finance Fundamentals (FIN1901)
Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of finance and markets. The course will provide an introductory overview of various Wealth Management subject areas, including the regulatory environment in Canada, economics, securities, company analysis and financing. Certain technical and soft skills, including the use of Excel, the BA II Plus calculator, and PowerPoint will be reviewed. Corporate culture and ethics will be discussed. Students will apply their knowledge and course material in cases which will be based on recent events.
3. Operations Fundamentals for Wealth Management (FIN1902)
Students will learn the fundamentals of investment operations and administration by building subject matter expertise in the foundational concepts of the wealth industry. The course begins by building a foundational level of understanding of how operations support the investment industry. The class focus will then transition to follow the life cycle of a client through account opening, funding and trade execution. Students will go on to study the importance of data and technology in FinTech and understand the importance of financial reporting as it pertains to investment firms, clients, regulators and tax authorities. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the fundamental knowledge needed to secure an operational or administrative position with an investment firm.
4. Compliance Foundations for Wealth Management (FIN1903)
Students will learn the attributes of an effective wealth management compliance framework and the practical application of such a framework. The course commences with a discussion of the standard pillars and drivers of an effective compliance framework. Subsequent classes focus on applying material framework elements to the core regulatory requirements that wealth management firms must tackle. Finally, certain emerging trends/topics in regulatory compliance are introduced and discussed, namely the role of technology. At the end of the course, students will be armed with the tools necessary to make an immediate positive impact on wealth management compliance programs.
Courses & Learning Outcomes - Client Management (B191)
1. Foundations of Wealth Management (FIN1900)
Students will be introduced to the Wealth Management sector in Canada. The course will provide an introductory overview of various Wealth Management subject areas, including the general nature of the client, typical interactions with a client, information requirements, client goals and risk tolerance. Certain technical and soft skills, including the use of Excel, PowerPoint, project management and written communications, will be reviewed. Corporate culture and ethics will be discussed. Students will also be exposed to potential career paths and the interviewing process.
2. Finance Fundamentals (FIN1901)
Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of finance and markets. The course will provide an introductory overview of various Wealth Management subject areas, including the regulatory environment in Canada, economics, securities, company analysis and financing. Certain technical and soft skills, including the use of Excel, the BA II Plus calculator, and PowerPoint will be reviewed. Corporate culture and ethics will be discussed. Students will apply their knowledge and course material in cases which will be based on recent events.
3. Introduction to Client Management (FIN1904)
Students will learn the basic structure of the Financial Services Industry. They will understand the differences between deposit-taking institutions (banks, trust companies, credit unions), brokerage firms, insurance providers, etc. Students will know the attributes and products sold by each pillar of the Financial Services Industry. They will understand the importance of adjacent professional services and when to engage them. Students will appreciate the spectrum of the client universe (discount, retail, institutional) and the job opportunities and potential income associated with catering to each level.
4. Advanced Client Management (FIN1905)
This course introduces students to the foundations of successful selling in the wealth management industry. Topics covered include the psychology of selling, the significance of ethical behaviour in wealth management services, building strong communication and presentation skills, the development of sales knowledge and the relationship selling process. Students will not only learn to apply skills and knowledge regarding relationship selling in the wealth management industry, they will also improve their own personal communication skills. Ongoing in-class participation and extensive practice will sharpen these skills, enabling students to create and deliver persuasive sales presentations.
ANTICIPATING FUTURE NEEDS
The Wealth Management certificate program builds on George Brown College’s commitment to respond rapidly to changing labour market needs. Working closely with industry partners, we address skills gaps and develop education opportunities that help learners advance their careers.
Learn more about other programs at George Brown College's Centre for Business and Continuing Education.
