Business Fundamentals - Banking and Financial Services

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Courses - September 2025

Level 1

Course details

Foundations of Accounting for Individuals and Business
ACCT1510

Description:

This fundamental business course introduces basic accounting concepts, terms, standards, and processes of proper record keeping for small and Medium Enterprises. It covers ASPE, IFRS, accounting terminology, the accounting equation, the double-entry system of bookkeeping, the accrual basis of accounting, ledger and journal making, financial statements and the basic accounting system for both sole proprietorship and corporation forms of businesses.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Communication for Inclusive Banking
COMM1004

Description:

This course helps the participants to develop communication tools and strategies which are inclusive and culturally sensitive. Students will analyse communication tools critically and devise ways to adopt traditional tools in an inclusive way. This course helps students to produce clear and effective communication tools which serve both academic and professional purposes.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Microsoft Applications for the Workplace
COMP1189

Description: This course builds students’ skills in working with the Microsoft Office suite to complete common workplace tasks. Students will learn to use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Teams, and OneDrive in an office environment to create professional documents, collaborate with team members, and track information. Students will learn best practices for working efficiently and professionally on the computer in the workplace.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.
  • Hours: 1
  • Credits: 0
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Introduction to Personal Finances
FIN1100

Description: This course will focus on providing students with the knowledge required to effectively understand and manage their personal financial situation. It will provide a foundation for students to develop personal financial goals and to avoid many common financial problems. Topics covered will include personal cash flow and budgeting, establishing and maintaining a good credit rating, the effective use of credit, understanding group benefits, RRSPs, TFSAs and pension plans. The course will also address various types of insurance coverage and investment products.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Introduction to Canadian Banking and Financial Services
FIN1140

Description:

This is an introductory course for the students to gain a clear understanding about the Canadian Financial System. Through various participative works students will learn about the depository institutions, various financial instruments, and financial markets. This course will also introduce the students to the interconnectedness of the global financial system.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Business Mathematics I
MATH1010

Description: The purpose of the course is to provide the student with a mathematical basis for personal and business financial decisions through four instructional modules. The course stresses business applications using arithmetic, algebra, ratio-proportion and graphing. Applications include payroll, cost-volume-profit analysis and merchandising mathematics. This course stresses logical reasoning and problem solving skills. A Texas Instrument BAII “Plus” calculator is required for the course.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Marketing I
MKT1040

Description: Marketing is about knowing the customers and the creative and strategic processes to meet their needs, wants and desires. This highly interactive course introduces you to the world of marketing from both a societal and organizational perspective. You will participate in a variety of hands-on practical activities and projects to immerse yourself in the fundamentals of marketing.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Career Launch
CDEV1820

Description: This course prepares students to conduct an effective job search. Students will explore labour market trends to uncover the hidden job market. Students will learn to identify their transferable skills and market them effectively. They will create targeted resumes and cover letters aimed at employers in their field. Students will learn strategies to communicate their skills effectively in an interview. They will explore the skills, attitudes and expectations needed to successfully transition into the workplace. Throughout the duration of this course, a personalized job search plan will be created to support their future career goals.
  • Hours: 14
  • Credits: 1
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Business Computing Applications I
COMP1727

Description:

During this course, the student will learn to effectively use the Windows operating system, apply word processing techniques, create basic business presentations, and explore the power of spreadsheets. Students will also learn the skills necessary to operate effectively within the Conestoga College computing environment. An emphasis will be placed on the development of solutions to business problems using commonly available microcomputer tools.

  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Introduction to Economics
ECON1080

Description:

Students will learn basic principles that are essential to an understanding of contemporary economic issues facing Canadian society. It will include both microeconomic issues and macroeconomic issues. Topics of study include principles of economics, market demand and supply, firm production and cost, and business behaviour and decision making in a market; macroeconomic indicators - gross domestic product, unemployment, and inflation - aggregate demand and aggregate supply, international trade, exchange rates, and the impact of domestic and international influences, and of government policies.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Banking for Individuals and SMEs
FIN1150

Description:

This course will provide necessary insights and skills to deliver inclusive banking services to culturally diverse group of individuals, entrepreneurs and especially women entrepreneurs. This course includes inclusive banking policies, delivery tools and techniques of inclusive banking services, Digital financial services, Consumer empowerment, SME banking risk management.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Insurance Fundamentals
INS1005

Description:

The concept of risk, and how insurance is a mechanism to transfer risk and benefit society. The key insurance industry functions of selling/distributing insurance, underwriting insurance policies, adjusting losses, and reinsuring risk. The elements needed to form an insurance contract. The regulation of insurance in Canada, including regulation of policy wordings, licensing of insurance professionals, ethical/professionalism considerations for insurance professionals, and the role of insurance industry organizations. A full day field trip is spent at a local brokerage where students will experience hands on training and exposure to the daily life of a brokerage.

  • Hours: 48
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Market Analysis for Banking
MKT1660

Description:

Market and industry research are an integrated part of identifying the gap between demand and supply. This fundamental course will enable students to learn necessary tools, techniques, and processes to conduct thorough analyses of the banking industry. Topics of the course will include purpose and goal of market research, data collection and analysis, interpreting results of analysis, ethics in market research etc.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Financial Services Marketing
MKT1670

Description:

This unique service marketing course will familiarize the students with the challenges of marketing financial services. It is an interactive course which will enable students to apply fundamental marketing concepts of segmentation, Positioning, Branding and Advertising. This course will focus on Relationship Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Trade shows and Seminars, Sponsorship and Event Marketing.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Program outcomes

  1. Identify factors that have an impact on an organization's business opportunities.
  2. Explain the impact of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethics on an organization's business initiatives.
  3. Use current technologies to support an organization's business initiatives.
  4. Apply basic research skills to support business decision making.
  5. Perform basic accounting procedures and financial calculations to support the operations of an organization.
  6. Describe marketing and sales concepts used to support the operations of an organization.
  7. Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance.
  8. Outline the functional areas of a business and their interrelationships.
  9. Deliver inclusive customer service to support clients in meeting their financial needs.
  10. Process and maintain financial records in compliance with relevant policies, procedures, and regulations.
  11. Use various technologies to extract, organize, prepare and present financial information to meet the needs of the organization and diverse clients.