Overview
Financial Officers
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Financial examiners and inspectors
Review and examine banks, trust companies, credit unions, caisses populaires, credit companies, real estate companies, insurance companies, pension funds, securities brokers and other financial services and institutions to ensure compliance with governing legislation and regulations.
Financial investigators
Investigate possible unethical conduct or breaches of securities or commodity futures laws by persons or companies that trade in securities and commodity futures or that provide related financial services.
Financial underwriters
Analyze client requests to assess risk and details of stocks, bonds, mortgages or other financing solutions
Negotiate with corporations, governments or individuals to determine the type and terms of financial products and prepare offering prospectuses or contracts
May underwrite new issues of stocks and bonds.
Trust officers
Administer estate, personal, charitable, corporate and other types of trusts
Direct trust account investments, receive and record investment income and disburse trust funds.
Mortgage brokers
Meet with clients to obtain information about income, liabilities and assets, and type, price and condition of property to be mortgaged
Negotiate mortgage loans with lenders or lending institutions on behalf of clients.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$46,634
$77,167
$150,413
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
941expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
A bachelor's degree in business administration, commerce, economics or a related field is usually required.
Various training programs and courses are offered by financial institutes and organizations, such as the Canadian Securities Institute, Institute of Canadian Bankers, CFA Institute, Investment Funds Institute, and Trust Companies Institute of Canada, and may be required by employers.
A recognized financial designation may be required (CFA, CIM, CPA or others).
Additional information
While these kinds of positions require a high degree of training and qualifications, persons who occupy them must continually update their skills and pursue professional development.
Progression to financial management positions is possible with experience.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Financial officers in B.C.
- Training through the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) - Financial Officers
Optional: The following certifications are optional to practice as Financial officers in B.C.
- Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Designation - Financial Officers
- Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) Certification - Financial Officers
- Qualified Associate Financial Planner™ (QAFP®) Certification - Financial Officers
- Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) Certification - Financial Officers
- Chartered Investment Manager (CIM ®) - Financial Officers
- Membership with the Investment Funds Institute of Canada - Financial Officers
- Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) - Financial Officers
Training through the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) - Financial Officers
To sell regulated financial products in Canada, you must be licensed through the Canadian Securities Institute. Once educational, ethical and work experience licensing requirements have been met, the application for registration is handled by either your employer or, if you are working independently, by a sponsoring financial services firm.
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Designation - Financial Officers
To work as an accountant in B.C., you may choose to earn the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. Eligibility for this designation is achieved through the completion of a bachelor’s degree in any subject from a Canadian or international university and required prerequisite courses.
Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) Certification - Financial Officers
To work as a financial planner in B.C., you may choose to earn the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation. Eligibility is achieved by taking the right combination of courses.
Qualified Associate Financial Planner™ (QAFP®) Certification - Financial Officers
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a financial planner in B.C., you may choose to earn the Qualified Associate Financial Planner™ (QAFP®) designation. Eligibility is achieved through completion of approved education, and ethics course, work experience, and successful writing of the QAFP exam. This certification can also be a stepping stone to Certified Financial Planner certification.
Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) Certification - Financial Officers
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a financial planner in B.C., you may choose to earn the Certified Financial Planner® certification through FP Canada. To obtain the CFP designation, candidates must complete a rigorous education program, pass a national exam, have a post-secondary degree, and demonstrate three years of qualifying work experience.
Chartered Investment Manager (CIM ®) - Financial Officers
To work as an investment manager in B.C., you may choose to earn the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM ®) designation. Eligibility for this designation is achieved through the completion of requisite courses and at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
Membership with the Investment Funds Institute of Canada - Financial Officers
To work in the investment industry in B.C., you may choose to become a member of the Investment Funds Institute of Canada. Eligibility is achieved through employment at an eligible firm.
Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) - Financial Officers
To work as a financial analyst in B.C., you may choose to earn a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation. You can earn the designation by completing the CFA® Program and acceptable work experience requirements.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.