Hi everyone!
First of all, I'd like to apologize if this post isn't in the right thread, and I would like to ask the people with authority to please place it accordingly or tell me how to go about this issue.
That being said, my name is Hamza and I'm currently studying Accounting and Financial Management in the University of Waterloo. As of now, I am in my first co-op term, working as a Staff Accountant at a mid-sized accounting firm, serving the taxation needs of high net worth individuals. However, recently I came to the realisation that I prefer a more finance-centered position as opposed to an accounting-centered one. Thus begins my strive to break into the Canadian finance industry.
I have a couple of questions I'd like to ask you all in this regard:
1) Having taken core finance courses in my 2 years of university so far, I believe that I am slowly, but surely, getting a grasp of key financial concepts. I would like to know if there are other resources that I can look towards in order to expand my financial knowledge and understanding.
2) I have been considering taking the Canadian Securities Course and would like to know what that would mean for me in terms of potential job prospects.
3) What do I (a university student with some accounting work experience) need to do in order to secure a position as a financial analyst for my second co-op placement?
Please let me know if these questions are crude or too broad and I will amend it.
Thank you!
Assuming you want to get into IBD or Equity Research:
Bad news: 1. Even with an business undergrad, you aren't taught everything you need for the job (interview questions like DCF, accretion / dilution etc.) so you need to invest your own time to understand what you will encounter. 2. CSC is only good to show interest. It actually builds a minimally useful skill. I'd recommend CFA exams. It's a globally recognized standard and highly respected in Toronto (the "CFA Capital of the World"). However, I think you have to wait a little later until you can write (have to at least be in final year of undergraduate student). 3. You need to come to Toronto and network.
Good news is University of Waterloo's accounting program is highly regarded. Look for "Wintern programs" (January internships). Some banks do them and they are only open to schools with winter co-ops (which I think Laurier and Waterloo are some of the only ones at the undergraduate level).
Thanks for the detailed reply!
I understand that I have to put in more personal time into this and believe me, I'm more than willing to do that. I just dont have a direction in front of me, like, I dont know what to study or what courses to take other than my academic ones. I've been thinking about doing the Wall Street Prep Modelling Course for some additional modelling practice. But other than that, I'm lost.
Also, I cant really do anything about the CFA till I'm in 4th year so I kind of have to sit and wait for that.
You mentioned networking, which I agree is a very important aspect, but it's really hard to find networking events considering how new I am to Toronto.
I would really love some further suggestions in this regard.
Thank you!
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