Otago's BCom Finance curriculum is closely tied to professional practice and is well-suited to students preparing to sit CFA exams. Staff in the Department of Accountancy and Finance, and Student Development staff can provide assistance planning your course, and make sure you meet all the requirements for BCom and CFA requirements – you don't want to delay your graduation through poor paper choices!
Whether you are looking to study for a single major, double major, or even a double degree, we can help. And yes, communications skills are important!
BCom (Finance) academic requirements (starting 2022 or later)
All BSNS 100 level papers should normally be taken in first year of study. It is recommended to take two papers that are relevant to a minor for “Other” papers).FINC 202, 203 and 206 are typically completed in year 2.FINC 302 and 303, plus one more 300‑level FINC paper* and one further 300‑level FINC, ACFI, or ACCT paper are typically completed in year 3.*from FINC 304, FINC 305, FINC 306 and FINC 399
**could include FINC 299
***Recommended to include one “liberal” paper. Suggested papers = any PHIL or POLS paper, ENGL 127, ENGL 128, ENGL 228, GLBL 101, MANT 222, MANT 331, ENVI 312.
See the Study Finance page for further information
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) majoring in Finance
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | BSNS 112 Interpreting Business Data | 18 |
| BSNS 114 Financial Decision Making | 18 | |
| BSNS 115 Accounting and Information Systems | 18 | |
| FINC 102 Business Mathematics | 18 | |
| BSNS 111 Business and Society, BSNS 113 Economic Principles and Policy – must normally be taken in first year of study | 36 | |
| 200-level | FINC 202 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management | 18 |
| FINC 203 Financial Data Analysis | 18 | |
| FINC 206 Fundamentals of Corporate Finance | 18 | |
| 300-level | FINC 302 Applied Investments | 18 |
| FINC 303 Financial Management | 18 | |
| Two further 300-level papers, (one must be a FINC paper, and the other must be a FINC, ACCT or ACFI paper) | 36 | |
| Plus | 126 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Commerce. | 126 |
| Every programme must include BSNS 111-115. At least three of these papers must be passed before enrolling in any 200-level Commerce paper, and all must normally be passed before enrolling in any 300-level Commerce paper. For single-degree BCom students, all five must be attempted in the first year of study or equivalent. STAT 110 or STAT 115 will be accepted as an alternative to BSNS 112 as a required paper or as part of the major subject requirements or as a prerequisite when: Any student who completed PTWY 111 before enrolling in the BCom degree shall be exempt from the requirement to complete BSNS 113. Any student who has completed PTWY 112 before enrolling in the BCom degree shall be exempt from the requirement to complete BSNS 114. A candidate completing the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws is able to satisfy the CPA/CAANZ accreditation requirements by substituting:a) LAWS 202, LAWS 203, LAWS 204, LAWS 301 and LAWS 407 in place of BLAW 211 and BLAW 212 b) LAWS 416 in place of ACTP 312. | ||
| Total | 360 |
Chartered Financial Accountant (CFA) academic preparation
The Finance major CFA programme course planner lists the combination of papers that will best prepare you for the Level 1 CFA exam. The course planner that applies to you will depend on when you start studying for your BCom (Finance).
For students starting study in 2022 or later:
- 2022 Course Planner (PDF)
For students who started study in 2017–2021:
- 2019 Course Planner (PDF)
For students who started study prior to 2017:
- 2015-2016 Course Planner (PDF)
Learn more about the CFA professional qualification
BCom (Finance) planning advice
Give yourself options
You can choose your “other” papers in your first year to give you the option of 200‑level study in a second subject (this can count towards a double major or a minor).
Pay attention to prerequisite requirement
- Information about each Finance paper and prerequisites can be found on this website and also on the Finance subject page. The Department requires prerequisite papers to be passed before attempting subsequent papers.
- From 2012 to 2021, students enrolling in ACCT 211, ACCT 222, ACCT 233, FINC 202, FINC 203 and FINC 206 were required to have achieved at least a C+ grade in the respective 100-level prerequisite papers. With effect from 2022, this requirement no longer applies – any level of pass (i.e. C- or higher) in the prerequisite papers is adequate.
- Make sure you complete the degree requirements for the type of career you wish to have, as you don't want to delay your graduation through poor paper choices!
Essential communication skills
Communication skills are an important part of both university study and later employment. The Department strongly encourages you to enhance your oral and written communication abilities.
We recommend that Accountancy and Finance students take either:
Alternatively, students can engage in writing workshops through the Higher Education Development Centre:
HEDC Student workshop programme
Contact a course adviser
For BCom (Finance) academic requirements started prior to 2022 and for individual help planning your degree, make an appointment with a Student Adviser through Student Development, or contact the Department of Accountancy and Finance to be put in touch with a departmental course adviser.