What comes to mind when you imagine a career in finance? If you have watched your share of movies and series, you might think of power suits, champagne lunches, elegant offices, skyscrapers, and risky deals. The mix of glamour, stress, and big city vibes may have you intrigued, but the reality is that finance is an industry that requires extensive training through rigorous university programs. Finance is an evolving and challenging field of work that is rewarding and stimulating, and if you are up for the challenge, you will find it to be one of the most exciting careers out there.
If you are considering a career in finance and are wondering if you have what it takes, you are reading the right article. In what follows, we will take a closer look and learn all about finance careers in Canada, the different jobs and fields of finance you might build your career in.
Timeline to a Career in Finance in Canada
High School
4-year duration
Focus on prerequisites: Math, English, and business courses. Prepare transcripts and profiles for admission to college or university business programs.
College
2-3 years after high school (optional)
Related programs: Diploma in Business, Finance, Business Administration, Financial Planning. Option to join the workforce quickly.
University
4 years after high school (recommended)
Bachelor's in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business Administration. Open the doors to pursue further education or to analyst, accounting, banking, or consulting roles.
Professional Certification
1-3 years after or during university (recommended)
CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) for accounting roles. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) for investment and asset management. CFP (Certified Financial Planner) for wealth and financial planning. Higher salaries and eligibility for promotions in the corporate world.
Master's or MBA
1-2 after undergraduate studies (optional)
Pathway to senior management roles, such as Financial Managers and CFOs. You will need 2-5 years of professional experience before entering an MBA.
University students of Finance will typically pursue a Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Business, or a Bachelor of Arts or Science. Most finance professionals also often pursue additional studies through a Master's of Business Administration program or continuing education courses at top-tier business schools.
How to Prepare for a Career in Finance?
You are probably well-suited for a career in finance if you have a strong aptitude for mathematics, enjoy solving complex problems, and have the study skills and habits that will enable you to succeed in lengthy and competitive programs. A strong sense of professionalism, networking skills, and time and stress management skills will also serve you well in the field.
It goes without saying that finance is a challenging and competitive field. To be successful, you will want to perform well in your classes and certification exams. This is where having a private tutor can be incredibly useful! A private finance tutor can help you prepare for exams and tests, provide feedback on papers, and help you understand new and complex topics.
Tutors in finance will have experience in the field and provide their insights to help you make decisions about your future. Plus, finding a tutor is easy thanks to Superprof Canada! Superprof connects tutors and students, and is the perfect place to find help when you need it in your learning. Get a finance tutor on Superprof today!
Fields in Finance Worth Pursuing in Canada
Finance is a broad industry that encompasses nearly every type of business and organization. Because money is involved in every area of the economy, you will find that there is a job in finance for any area you might be interested in. So if you don’t see yourself working in Toronto or wearing a sharp suit every day, you can feel assured knowing you can work with families or in fields like education, healthcare, or even a charitable organization.
Personal Finance
The study of personal finance is all about learning how to manage your money or that of individuals and families. Personal finance professionals might help individuals better understand how to budget, use different banking products, save for retirement, understand taxation, and investing. As a personal finance professional, you will be part of an industry that provides financial services to individuals and households. You will advise people on how to grow best and maximize their wealth.
Personal finance is a great area if you enjoy working with people and enabling them to be successful. You will work with people to discover their individual goals and desires, such as owning a home, a cottage, or having a comfortable retirement abroad, and help them achieve these goals by making the right investments. Also, you'll build relationships with clients and help them make sound decisions that ultimately give them financial security.
Jobs in the Personal Finance Field
Corporate Finance
Unlike personal finance, where you will be working with individuals and households, corporate finance is an area where you work with large organizations and companies. Corporate finance professionals deal with how corporations address funding sources, make investment decisions, and structure capital. You will help businesses to fund their operations in a cost-efficient, profit-maximizing way. You might also deal with the daily operations of a business's cash flow and with long-term financing goals.
Those that work in corporate finance departments govern and oversee their firm's financial activities and investments. These decisions may include choosing whether or not to pursue proposed investments and determining how these activities can be funded.
Corporate Finance Jobs
Public Finance
Public finance is an area that encompasses the public sector: government, hospitals, school boards, public pensions, municipalities, parks and recreation, museums and heritage, and more. The field of public finance is a great field to be in if you want to use your financial analysis and investment skills to support organizations that support the functioning of society. Like any person or corporation, public sector organizations also need to manage their capital assets and cash flow.
Working for the public sector can have its advantages and disadvantages. You will have access to excellent benefits and a pension, have a stable job that is usually future-proof, and receive a good competitive salary. Unlike private sector jobs, however, you may not see perks like bonuses and commissions. You may find that there is a slower pace of life, which can be of interest to you if you prefer a more relaxed approach to work.
Jobs in Public Finance
What is the Highest Paid Job in Finance?
The top-paying jobs in finance are typically for those who are experienced, understand their field, and take on leadership roles. At the entry level, your earnings will depend on your academic background, whether or not you will receive commissions or bonuses, and the type of industry you work in. Where you live may also make a difference: if you live somewhere with a lower cost of living, for example, you may make less salary than someone working in a large and expensive city.
| Job title | Highest Salary Canada (CAD per year) |
| Chief Financial Officers | CAD 286,426 up to CAD 455,939 |
| Financial Manager | CAD 138,510 |
| Financial Controller | CAD 99,000 |
| Business Analyst | CAD 95,912 |
Highest Paying Jobs in Finance
⭐ Chief Financial Officers - CFOs
According to Morgan McKinley 2025, CFOs earn from CAD 286,426 up to CAD 455,939 per year. The CFOs are the leaders responsible for overseeing companies. Also known as Chief Executive Officers or Chief Financial Officers, this is a top-ranked position that can take years to acquire. They are among the highest paid, reflecting the immense amount of responsibility they hold.
⭐ Financial Manager
According to Talent.com, Financial managers earn CAD 138,510 per year. These are professionals who work to make long-term financial plans for organizations. Becoming a financial manager takes extensive experience in investing and/or banking.
⭐ Financial Controller
According to Upgrad.com, financial controllers earn CAD 99,000 per year. In charge of the company’s accounting operations. They work with executives and supervise teams of accountants. Financial controllers can earn higher salaries in large corporations.
⭐ Business Analyst
According to Upgrad.com, business analysts earn CAD 95,912 per year. Working with managers and stakeholders, business analysts help to forecast the future of a given company. They exist in different sectors of the field, such as finance, IT, and consulting, and can make high salaries in industries that rely on data-driven decision-making.
As you can see, finance is one of the most rewarding finance professions in Canada. Those who work in finance may pursue a variety of different career paths in corporations, banks, government, and private firms.
How to Start a Career in Finance in Canada?
Now that you know what to expect in the different areas of finance, you may be wondering - how do I prepare for the job? What kind of learning will I need to engage in? You might be surprised to learn that your financial education starts in high school.
🎓 Finance Learning in Secondary School
Most finance students decide that they want to learn business and finance at the secondary level, and start preparation by ensuring they are successful in the prerequisite areas. If you have enough foresight to be planning your career pathway at this young age, then you will want to start talking to your dream business schools to find out what kind of grades and extracurriculars you should have to be in the running for admission.
To get into any business-related program in postsecondary school, you will likely need to have business, mathematics, and English credits. If you are pursuing a college diploma, your senior-level credits may be applied to an academic stream; if you want a university degree, you will need advanced or academic stream courses, such as calculus and advanced functions.
🏫 Learning Finance in College
Many students who are interested in business may choose to take finance-related courses in college. College courses in Canada usually lead to a diploma or certificate. They are suitable for high school graduates seeking practical applications that directly lead to the workforce. College programs tend to be shorter in length and last 2-3 years. Your finance courses may be part of a finance program or a general business program.
Here is a list of some finance-related programs:
- Diploma in Business - Finance
- Diploma in Business Administration
- Financial Planning
- Advanced Financial Planning
🏛️ Studying Finance at the University
Finance programs in universities are developed for students who want an advanced, comprehensive background in the field. Having a university degree in business can be essential to starting many careers in finance. A university program in finance will help you develop foundational business knowledge. With a degree in business, you'll also be in a much better position to enter a Master of Business Administration in the future, which is a standard expectation for many high-level careers in the corporate world.
Here is a list of some undergraduate finance courses:
- Corporate Finance and Performance Analysis
- Capital Markets, Asset Valuation and Portfolio Management
- Technical Analysis of Financial Markets
- Sustainable Investing
- Option Trading
- Fintech
As you pick a business school, note that they can vary widely in price, especially if you are aiming for an MBA. Having the right business school on your resume can give you a certain level of credibility, so do your research to find out what the best schools are for your interests and budget. Choose schools that offer networking opportunities, mentorship, and connections with alumni.
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