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Accounting
The world of business is changing fast. To succeed, you need to think ahead—and that’s what CPAs do best. Becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) just starts with accounting but opens doors to auditing, taxation, finance, information technology and more. Achieving the CPA allows one to lead, innovate, and drive business forward in the industry you choose. CPAs are problem solvers, decision-makers, and high achievers with the skills and expertise to make an impact where it matters most.
Accounting Profession
Canada has only one recognized accounting designation, the Chartered Professional Accountant. CPA Ontario, in partnership with other provincial affiliates that make up CPA Canada, offer the Professional Education Program (or PEP) as a post-undergraduate means of becoming a CPA. Given the breadth of choice in the accounting profession, CPA Ontario offers numerous paths to becoming a CPA including via the Graduate Diploma in Accounting program at Smith School of Business. All paths lead to the rigorous three-day Common Final Evaluation (CFE). The Smith GDA program is the fastest route to writing the professional examination, taking thirteen months from the completion of the GDA. The professionally-based PEP program takes twenty-seven months from the date of completion of the Commerce degree and involves taking six modules and four examinations over the two-year period.
See the CPA Canada Education website for more details.
Smith School of Business offers two areas of focus that lead students to be prepared for becoming professional accountants:
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Public accounting practice focus prepares a student for working in a public accounting firm environment and is the traditional path towards becoming a licensed public accountant.
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Performance management focus prepares a student to take a job in the industry (e.g. banking, oil and gas, etc.) or the non-public accounting areas of public accounting firms.
Students in both streams can become professional accountants, but those enrolled in the performance measurement stream are not eligible to become licensed public accountants without additional educational requirements.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 311 | Fin Acctng Pract Prin & Concep | 3.00 |
| COMM 312 | Intermed Management Accounting | 3.00 |
| COMM 313 | Financial Accounting II | 3.00 |
| COMM 317 | Auditing | 3.00 |
| COMM 319 | Income Taxation | 3.00 |
| COMM 392 | Introduction to Data Management and Analytics for Business | 3.00 |
| COMM 411 | Financial Statement Analysis & Accounting Based Valuation | 3.00 |
| COMM 414 | Management Control | 3.00 |
| COMM 415 | Corporate Governance and Control | 3.00 |
| COMM 416 | Organizational Fraud | 3.00 |
| COMM 417 | Business Combinations Accounting | 3.00 |
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Course offerings vary year to year, the course term is subject to change, course enrolment is limited, and courses may be cancelled due to instructor availability or low enrolment. Use SOLUS to get the most up-to-date course offerings.
Smith School of Business offers two areas of focus that leads students to be prepared for becoming professional accountants: Public Accounting Practice and Performance Management. Public accounting practice prepares a student for working in a public accounting firm environment and is the traditional path towards becoming a licensed public accountant. The performance management focus prepares a student to take a job in the industry (e.g. banking, oil and gas, etc.) or the non-public accounting areas of public accounting firms. Students in both streams can become professional accountants but those enrolled in the performance measurement stream are not eligible to become licensed public accountants without additional educational requirements.
See 9.6 Chartered Professional Accounting (CPA) Requirements
Business Economics
Every day globalization makes the world economy an increasingly competitive environment. Thriving firms in today’s markets owe their continued success to their managers’ savvy decision-making, as they attempt to gain and retain a competitive edge over their rivals. Business economics is essential to effective decision-making in this environment, as it provides the necessary tools for managers to thoroughly analyze and predict the dynamics of their product markets. Understanding economics also assists managers in improving the overall efficiency of their firms, through selecting the most cost-efficient production methods or implementing incentive schemes for employees to enhance their motivation and performance. Not surprisingly, 56 percent of firm bankruptcies in Canada in 2010 were attributed to knowledge deficiencies of managers.
Everyone with a BCom degree should therefore have a solid knowledge of business economics; it ultimately helps you understand the environment you will be working in, no matter whether you plan on pursuing a career in management consulting, marketing, finance, accounting, or human resources (imagine an accountant who cannot count numbers!). Advanced knowledge of business economics is indispensable for anyone who wishes to succeed in the world of business.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 172 | Managerial Economics | 3.00 |
| COMM 307 | Canadian Business-Government Relations | 3.00 |
| COMM 350 | The Future: Forecasting and the Business Environment | 3.00 |
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Course offerings vary year to year, the course term is subject to change, course enrolment is limited, and courses may be cancelled due to instructor availability or low enrolment. Use SOLUS to get the most up-to-date course offerings.
Finance
Finance is the strategic heart of business — the discipline that empowers individuals, companies, and institutions to make informed investment and financing decisions, manage risk, and create value. Whether you're analyzing investments, structuring deals, managing capital, mitigating risks, or navigating global markets, finance offers the tools and insights to drive smart, forward-looking actions.
Here at the Smith School of Business, studying finance means exploring how capital flows through an economy and how financial decisions shape the success of organizations, from Fortune 500 companies to tech startups. You’ll learn to evaluate investment projects, assess risk, value businesses, build portfolios, and optimize financial strategies that fuel growth and innovation.
Finance professionals are central players in the business world. Investment bankers advise CEOs on mergers and acquisitions. Asset managers build strategies to grow and protect wealth. Corporate finance leaders decide how to allocate millions (or billions) in capital. Risk managers mitigate potential threats to a company’s financial health. Fintech entrepreneurs design next-generation tools that are transforming the financial landscape.
Our upper-year finance electives are designed to prepare you for these high-impact roles. Whether you're interested in investment banking, sales & trading, buy-side investing, wealth management, private equity, consulting, corporate finance, venture capital, or fintech, our courses provide a rigorous foundation and practical experience to launch your career with confidence.
But finance isn’t just for future financiers — it’s an essential skill set that empowers every business student. Understanding how value is created, risk is managed, and resources are allocated is essential for making smart personal and professional decisions throughout life.
Finance at Smith is more than a specialization — it’s a mindset, a toolkit, and a launchpad into some of the most dynamic and influential careers in business.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 321 | Derivative Securities *Sales & Trading, Hedge Funds, Investment Banking, Risk Management, and Corporate Treasury | 3.00 |
| COMM 322 | Advanced Corporate Finance *Corporate Finance, Investment Bankers, Security Analysts | 3.00 |
| COMM 323 | Corporate Financial Decision Making * Security Analysts, Portfolio Managers, Investors Corporate Finance, Investment Bankers, Buyside | 3.00 |
| COMM 324 | Investments & Portfolio Management *Security Analysts, Portfolio Managers, Investors, Hedge Funds and Risk Management | 3.00 |
| COMM 326 | Private Equity *Bankers, Financial Economists, Corporate Finance | 3.00 |
| COMM 328 | International Finance *International Corporate Finance, Investment Bankers | 3.00 |
| COMM 329 | Global Financial Institutions *Bankers, Managers of Financial Institutions, Corporate Finance and Buyside | 3.00 |
| COMM 420 | Financial Technology and Innovation | 3.00 |
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Course offerings vary year to year, the course term is subject to change, course enrolment is limited, and courses may be cancelled due to instructor availability or low enrolment. Use SOLUS to get the most up-to-date course offerings.
General Management
The General Management category includes special interest courses such as Law, Ethics, Real Estate, and other areas which are important to management but do not constitute an entire sub-field of study in the business school.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 303 | Business And Ethics | 3.00 |
| COMM 305 | Introduction To Entrepreneurship | 3.00 |
| COMM 309 | Real Estate Management | 3.00 |
| COMM 354 | Relationships & Reconciliation in Business and Beyond | 3.00 |
| COMM 381 | Business Law I | 3.00 |
| COMM 382 | Business Law II | 3.00 |
| COMM 404 | Discovering New Knowledge: Introduction to Research in Business | 3.00 |
| COMM 408 | Sustainability Strategies and Practices | 3.00 |
| COMM 504 | Is In Consult & Prof. Service | 3.00 |
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Course offerings vary year to year, the course term is subject to change, course enrolment is limited, and courses may be cancelled due to instructor availability or low enrolment. Use SOLUS to get the most up-to-date course offerings.
International Business
The field of International Business (IB) focuses on the issues which are encountered by firms that conduct business across national boundaries, including importing and exporting and foreign direct investment. These firms face the challenges of how to identify, adapt to and take advantage of the cross-national differences in factor costs, consumer demands, competitive forces, regulatory environments, human resources, and socio-cultural norms.
International Business electives help students develop the global mindset and cross-cultural awareness necessary for effective management and leadership in today's globally integrated economy; these skills are vital to all functional interests and career goals, and also help students maximize the learning and understanding gained from their international exchange experiences. With their broad portfolio of research expertise and international experience, the IB group here at Smith School of Business offers a variety of courses to meet your learning and career objectives.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 353 | Managing Across Cultures *Micro Level: Focus on individual behaviour and social interaction in the international context | 3.00 |
| COMM 373 | International Business Negotiations *Micro Level: Focus on individual behaviour and social interaction in the international context | 3.00 |
| COMM 374 | International Business Strategy *Firm Level: Focus on firm-level strategy in IB | 3.00 |
| COMM 375 | International Business and the Nonmarket Environment *Macro Level: Focus on the economic, political, and regulatory environment of IB | 3.00 |
| COMM 376 | Doing Business In the Asia-Pac Rim *Firm Level: Focus on firm-level strategy in IB | 3.00 |
| COMM 398 | Business, Government and the Global Economy *Macro Level: Focus on the economic, political, and regulatory environment of IB | 3.00 |
| COMM 472 | Business And Development | 3.00 |
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Course offerings vary year to year, the course term is subject to change, course enrolment is limited, and courses may be cancelled due to instructor availability or low enrolment. Use SOLUS to get the most up-to-date course offerings.
Digital Technology
Digital Technology is all about building a digital mindset and strong strategic skills to help students succeed in today's fast-paced, tech-driven world. The focus is on how businesses can make the most of information systems, digital innovation, and new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to boost value, spark innovation, and stay ahead of the competition.
The courses are designed to give students the key digital know-how and strategic thinking they need to lead tech-focused change in all kinds of business settings. Students dive into areas like data management and analytics, digital strategy, AI and machine learning, coding basics, and agile project management. With interactive case studies, hands-on projects, and real-world challenges, they get to build practical skills like coming up with smart digital solutions, tackling transformation projects strategically, and using data and AI in ways that really make a difference for businesses.
By the time they graduate, students will have more than just technical knowledge. They will also have the strategic perspective to lead and drive change in many different fields whether that is consulting, finance, marketing, operations, entrepreneurship, or general management in a world where digital is the norm.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 392 | Introduction to Data Management and Analytics for Business | 3.00 |
| COMM 394 | Coding Literacy for Managers | 3.00 |
| COMM 395 | Digital Strategy & Transformation | 3.00 |
| COMM 493 | Coding AI for Business | 3.00 |
| COMM 495 | Project Management | 3.00 |
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Course offerings vary year to year, the course term is subject to change, course enrolment is limited, and courses may be cancelled due to instructor availability or low enrolment. Use SOLUS to get the most up-to-date course offerings.
Marketing
Marketing is the driving force of business: the discipline that identifies opportunities, creates value for customers, and, through that value, generates revenue, fuels growth, and sustains competitive advantage. In today’s fast-paced, data-rich world, marketing leads the way in shaping strategy, guiding innovation, and delivering both business and societal impact.
More than just a department or function, marketing is a mindset: one that successful organizations embed across all levels of decision-making and execution. A marketing mindset ensures that businesses stay customer-centric, insight-driven, and future-focused. Without customers — and a clear understanding of how to serve them — there is no sustainable business model.
At Smith, our marketing curriculum reflects the evolving landscape of the discipline. We integrate powerful tools from AI and analytics, alongside insights from consumer behavior, behavioral economics, and public policy, to equip students with the skills to lead in a digital and data-driven economy. Students learn how to use data to guide decisions, leverage behavioral science to influence action, and create marketing strategies that drive real results.
Smith graduates go on to build careers across diverse sectors — from technology, sports, fashion, and entertainment to consulting, public service, and social impact organizations. Whether operating in commercial markets or mission-driven spaces, marketing professionals play a central role in shaping customer experiences, growing revenue, and delivering meaningful outcomes.
Our approach is built around a triangle of core competencies: insight, innovation, and impact. Together, these enable our students to not only understand markets but to shape them.
Regardless of your intended career path, a deep understanding of marketing gives you a strategic edge. That’s why we encourage all Smith students to take marketing courses beyond the core COMM 131 and COMM 132 to gain the knowledge and tools needed to lead with impact in any industry.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 332 | Marketing Research | 3.00 |
| COMM 333 | Marketing Strategy | 3.00 |
| COMM 335 | Marketing Communications | 3.00 |
| COMM 336 | Consumer Behaviour | 3.00 |
| COMM 338 | Marketing & Society | 3.00 |
| COMM 339 | Channels and Internet Marketing | 3.00 |
| COMM 431 | Advanced Topics In Marketing | 3.00 |
| COMM 432 | Brand Management | 3.00 |
| COMM 433 | Marketing Analytics | 3.00 |
| COMM 434 | Sales Management | 3.00 |
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Course offerings vary year to year, the course term is subject to change, course enrolment is limited, and courses may be cancelled due to instructor availability or low enrolment. Use SOLUS to get the most up-to-date course offerings.
Management Analytics
The Management Analytics area equips Commerce students with essential analytical and artificial intelligence (AI) skills for today's data-driven business environment. Our curriculum integrates mathematical foundations, statistical analysis, machine learning algorithms, decision modeling, and data science methods with real-world applications.
Through a progressive sequence of courses, students learn to transform data into actionable insights, while developing both technical problem-solving and communication skills. Graduates emerge prepared to leverage analytics and AI techniques to drive strategic decisions, optimize processes, and create competitive advantages across diverse industries.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 341 | Operations Management | 3.00 |
| COMM 343 | Strategic Service Management | 3.00 |
| COMM 365 | Advanced Business Decision Modeling | 3.00 |
| COMM 460 | Supply Chain Analytics | 3.00 |
| COMM 461 | Data Science for Business | 3.00 |
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Course offerings vary year to year, the course term is subject to change, course enrolment is limited, and courses may be cancelled due to instructor availability or low enrolment. Use SOLUS to get the most up-to-date course offerings.
Organizational Behaviour
Organizational behaviour, at its most basic level, is the study of individuals and groups in organizations. More specifically, the area of OB focuses on the role of individuals and groups in creating dynamic, successful organizations by connecting organizational effectiveness with the management practices relating to people. At Smith, the organizational behaviour area also encapsulates human resource management (HR), which deals more specifically with talent management in an organization.
Organizational behaviour is characterized by its different levels of analysis.
- At an individual level, the field looks at topics such as personality, learning, perception, creativity, task performance, and deviant behaviour;
- At a group level, the field looks at topics such as group dynamics, group diversity, leadership, power, and communication; and
- At an organizational level, the field looks at topics such as organizational culture, structure, and work design.
For more information about the field of organizational behaviour, please refer to the organizational behaviour division of the Academy of Management.
Elective Courses
Electives in OB will help students develop their portfolios of practical tools to create organizations, groups, and jobs that encourage excellence.
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Even if you are not pursuing a career in the functional areas of OB or HR, these courses will aid you in designing and facilitating contexts in which others can be successful, as well as understanding the contexts in which you will perform at your best.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 351 | Leadership | 3.00 |
| COMM 353 | Managing Across Cultures | 3.00 |
| COMM 354 | Relationships & Reconciliation in Business and Beyond | 3.00 |
| COMM 356 | Diversity and Inclusion in Organizations | 3.00 |
| COMM 357 | Interpersonal Skills For Managers | 3.00 |
| COMM 358 | Managing Human Capital | 3.00 |
| COMM 385 | Negotiation Theory & Behaviour | 3.00 |
| COMM 389 | Topics In Industrial Relations | 3.00 |
| COMM 407 | Critical Perspectives on Business: The Limits of Capitalism | 3.00 |
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Course offerings vary year to year, the course term is subject to change, course enrolment is limited, and courses may be cancelled due to instructor availability or low enrolment. Use SOLUS to get the most up-to-date course offerings.
Strategy, Organization and Entrepreneurship
The Strategy, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship area examines how organizations—whether established firms or new ventures—create, sustain, and renew competitive advantage amid market and nonmarket challenges. While knowledge of functional areas like marketing, finance, or operations is important, it is not enough for making decisions that shape an organization’s overall direction and performance. This area equips students with the concepts, frameworks, and tools needed to develop and implement strategies that drive profitability, growth, and impact.
Students explore key questions such as: How do firms create and sustain value in competitive environments? How do entrepreneurs identify and seize opportunities in dynamic markets? Emphasis is placed on core principles of effective strategy—uniqueness, fit, and tradeoffs—and the alignment of strategic choices with organizational design and action.
Through this area, students learn to craft corporate and business-level strategies, launch and grow ventures, and engage with stakeholders to address challenges related to social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 301 | Funding New Ventures | 3.00 |
| COMM 302 | Launching New Ventures | 3.00 |
| COMM 304 | Organizational Intelligence and Strategy | 3.00 |
| COMM 305 | Introduction To Entrepreneurship | 3.00 |
| COMM 306 | Business for Good: An Introduction to Impact-Driven Leadership | 3.00 |
| COMM 401 | Business and Corporate Strategy | 3.00 |
| COMM 405 | New Business Development | 3.00 |
| COMM 406 | Social Impact and Innovation | 3.00 |
| COMM 410 | Strategies of Social Enterprise | 3.00 |
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Course offerings vary year to year, the course term is subject to change, course enrolment is limited, and courses may be cancelled due to instructor availability or low enrolment. Use SOLUS to get the most up-to-date course offerings.