Finance is a rapidly growing discipline that examines the acquisition and allocation of financial resources. Where financial accounting measures past performance, Finance as a discipline is forward focused. It is largely about future planning for firms or investors.
Finance consists of three interrelated subject areas:
- corporate finance studies how firms raise and efficiently utilise funds obtained from lenders and shareholders
- financial markets and institutions explores how the financial system facilitates the transfer of funds from savers and lenders to borrowers
- investment analysis studies how investors choose securities and asset classes for their investment portfolios.
All of these areas assess the trade-off between risk and reward and the valuation of financial and capital assets.
Why study Finance at UC?
UC is ranked in the top 150 universities in the world for Accounting and Finance (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020).
The Finance programme prepares students for a variety of jobs in the financial sector and business community. Extra opportunities while studying this subject at UC include:
- internships at a variety of organisations
- participation in case competitions such as the CFA (Chartered Financial Analysts) Institute Research Challenge
- preparation for the CFA exams. The Finance major at UC is part of the CFA Certified Financial Institute University Recognition Program. This means our degree programme incorporates at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK). This provides students with a solid grounding in the CBOK and positions them well to sit for the CFA exams to obtain the CFA qualification. The CFA Program provides a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills that will give you a career advantage
- the option to obtain the PRM (Professional Risk Manager) qualification. Risk management skills are highly sought after, particularly since the global financial crisis.
Courses
You can study a major and minor in Finance as part of the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science.
You can also study this subject as a minor within the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, and Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.
Finance major
Bachelor of Commerce
To complete a major in Economics within the Bachelor of Commerce, you will need to take the following courses throughout the degree:
100-level
- MATH 101 Methods of Mathematics or MATH 102 Mathematics 1A
MATH 102 is recommended.
200-level
- FINC 201 Business Finance
- FINC 203 Financial Markets, Institutions and Instruments
- One 200-level FINC course
300-level
- Two 300-level FINC courses
Plus at least two courses chosen from:
- FINC 301 Corporate Finance Theory and Policy
- FINC 311 Investments
- FINC 312 Derivative Securities
For the complete three-year Bachelor of Commerce Finance major degree plan, see the UC Business School | Te Kura Umanga website.
Bachelor of Science
To complete a major in Economics within the Bachelor of Science, you will need to take the following courses throughout the degree:
100-level
- ACCT 102 Accounting and Financial Information
- MATH 102 Mathematics 1A
- STAT 101 Statistics 1
FINC 101 Personal Finance, ECON 104 Introduction to Microeconomics, and MATH 103 Mathematics 1B are also recommended.
200-level
- FINC 201 Business Finance
- FINC 203 Financial Markets, Institutions and Instruments
- One 200-level FINC course
FINC 205 Quantitative Finance and ECON 213 Introduction to Econometrics, or two 200-level STAT courses, are also recommended.
300-level
- FINC 331 Financial Economics
- Three 300-level FINC courses
Finance minor
For the Finance minor in the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership, you will need to take these courses throughout your chosen degree:
Choose one of the following pathways:
- ACCT 102 Accounting and Financial Information
- STAT 101 Statistics 1
- MATH 101 Methods of Mathematics or MATH 102 Mathematics 1A
- FINC 201 Business Finance
- FINC 203 Financial Markets, Institutions and Instruments
- One course from FINC 301 Corporate Finance Theory and Policy or FINC 311 Investments or FINC 312 Derivative Securities
Or:
- STAT 101 Statistics 1
- MATH 102 Mathematics 1A
- MATH 103 Mathematics 1B
- FINC 201 Business Finance
- Two 200 or 300-level FINC courses, including one of FINC 301 Corporate Finance Theory and Policy or FINC 311 Investments or FINC 312 Derivative Securities
Financial Services
Financial Services provide a courteous and efficient service to our stakeholders including staff, students, our suppliers and other members of our community.
Our sub-departments’ roles
Financial Reporting
Financial Reporting provides a high quality financial management and reporting service for all areas of the University and its external clients.
There is a wide range of technical financial reporting and support services managed through this group including general ledger management and control, scheduled financial reporting, Treasury management, taxation, capital asset register maintenance and financial management reporting, research accounting, PBRF/ERI annual return preparation, project post-implementation reviews, business case views, advice and support.
Procurement/Purchasing
Procurement develop policies, procedures, training and guidance for UC staff involved in Procurement and Purchasing decisions.
We promote continual improvement by both suppliers and University purchasers and ensure a University wide view is considered when purchasing goods and services including sustainability, health and safety and economic aspects.
Account Services
Accounts Services comprises Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Student Finance.
Provision of timely, accurate supplier invoice processing and payments; revenue invoice raising, payment collection and debt monitoring; and bank reconciliations and other regular month end accounting procedures. Accounts Services also processes student payments on enrolment and for additional course fees (e.g. field trips), including settling of accounts by bank transfer or credit card, student loans through Study Link, and scholarships.
For staff only, provision of foreign currency for travel.
Business Insight and Reporting
Business Insight and Reporting provide analysis, reporting and training on UCs vast array of financial and non-financial data sets. We provide some ‘deep dive’ analysis to support management decisions and also actively support other UC staff to do analysis within their areas by facilitating easy access to information.
Business Advisory Service
UC’s business advisory unit includes the UC Futures Programme Office, portfolio management function and internal business advisory service. The UC Futures Programme is UC’s main earthquake recovery and transformation programme of work to transform the campus, international enrolments and undergraduate degrees. The portfolio management function supports the management of UC’s wide range of improvement projects and capital spend. Our business advisory service provides business analysis, business case development, and process improvement services to UC.
Finance Shared Services
Finance Shared Services provide financial administration services to a number of service areas of UC. Continually looking for the best way to utilise our systems, we are able to identify and implement efficiencies with the aim of freeing up people’s time and UC resources. While this is predominantly focussed around purchasing and P-card functions, for most areas, the team also provides reporting; forecast/budgeting co-ordination support and advice; accounts receivable services.