Diploma in Business - Finance

at George Brown College - St. James Campus Canada

The advanced diploma Business Administration – Marketing program will open doors to opportunities in the exciting and fast-moving field of marketing. Marketing at George Brown is more than textbooks and lectures. Our learning is hands-on and project-based, and this program provides opportunities for case studies as well as real-world projects that can involve industry partners.

What differentiates the three-year advanced diploma from the two-year diploma is the additional opportunities for more advanced hands-on learning as well as digital marketing courses, international marketing courses, marketing research courses, and marketing strategy courses. You can also expand your horizons with additional business electives.

This learning experience will enable you to:

• Develop an integrated marketing communication strategy for marketing products, concepts, goods, or services based on an identified target market
• Conduct primary and secondary market research to provide information needed to make marketing decisions
• Develop strategies to establish effective working relationships with clients, customers, consumers, co-workers, supervisors, and others
• Evaluate the viability of marketing products, concepts, goods, or services in an international market or markets
• Formulate and prepare a marketing plan including marketing objectives, marketing mix, marketing strategies, budgetary considerations, and evaluation criteria
• Integrate digital marketing and social media into a marketing plan with an understanding of various platforms and technologies.

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Develop a marketing plan that will meet the needs or goals of a business or organization.
• Develop an integrated marketing communication plan for marketing of a product, concept, good, or service based on an identified market need or target.
• Determine strategies for the development of new and/or modified marketing concepts, products, goods, and/or services that respond to evolving market needs.
• Determine strategies for the efficient and effective placement/distribution of a product, good, and/or service that respond to an evolving market.
• Determine the impact of using different marketing strategies for a product, concept, good and/or service, on the finances, return on investment (ROI), and business goals of an organization.
• Analyze the viability of a concept, product, good, and/or service in local, national or global markets.
• Conduct market research to provide information needed to make marketing decisions.
• Communicate marketing information persuasively and accurately in oral, written, graphic and interactive media formats.
• Plan, prepare and deliver an effective sales presentation or pitch to address the needs of the client.
• Develop strategies with clients, customers, consumers, co-workers, supervisors, and others to maintain and grow working relationships
• Develop learning and development strategies to enhance professional growth in the field.
• Apply entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new career opportunities that might include contract employment, and self-employment initiatives.
• Apply and contribute to a framework of organizational policies and practices, when conducting business of the organization.
• Apply the principles of business ethics and corporate social responsibility to business decisions.

This program (B158) is offered with work experience. Students wishing to apply for Business Administration – Marketing without work experience should apply to B108.

The Pre-Business program provides academic strengthening and exposure to a broad cross-section of business fields. This unique program offers a strong foundation in business, marketing, accounting, math and English. Many credits earned through this program can be used toward diploma-level programs at the college. Upon graduation, you are given advanced standing in the Centre for Business diploma programs. Graduates are well-prepared to continue on to further education in the Centre for Business or to pursue other career paths.

The Business – Accounting two-year diploma provides you with a solid background in basic accounting concepts and practices, as well as broad-based business skills related to accounting application software, spreadsheets and databases, economics, communications, law and taxation. This rigorous learning experience will enable you to build and demonstrate the skills you need to work in the field of accounting.

These industry-ready skills include:-

• Processing common business transactions
• Preparing reports on an organization's financial performance
• Preparing financial budgets and plans to support management decisions
• Analyzing operating performance

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Record financial transactions in compliance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for sole proprietorships, partnerships, private enterprises, publicly accountable enterprises and non-profit organizations.
• Prepare and present financial statements, reports and other documents in compliance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for sole proprietorships, partnerships and private enterprises.
• Contribute to recurring decision-making by applying fundamental management accounting concepts.
• Prepare individuals’ income tax returns and basic tax planning in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.
• Analyze organizational structures, the interdependence of functional areas, and the impact those relationships can have on financial performance.
• Analyze, within a Canadian context, the impact of economic variables, legislation, ethics, technological advances and the environment on an organization’s operations.
• Outline the elements of an organization’s internal control system and risk management.
• Contribute to recurring decision-making by applying fundamental financial management concepts.

The Business Administration – Accounting three-year advanced diploma provides you with the knowledge and skills required to perform a range of complex accounting functions including financial analysis, planning and control as well as using analytical and evaluation skills to support management functions, and collaborating in the design of an organization's internal control systems. The program includes auditing, corporate taxation, law and strategic management.

This learning experience will enable you to build and demonstrate:

• Proficiency in spreadsheets, databases and accounting software programs
• Essential communication skills for advising business owners and managers on business decisions
• Ability to perform accounting transactions in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

Note:-This program (B107) is offered without work experience. Students wishing to apply for Business Administration – Accounting with work experience should apply to B157.

This Centre for Business program is part of our School of Accounting and Finance.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Record financial transactions in compliance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for sole proprietorships, partnerships, private enterprises, publicly accountable enterprises and non-profit organizations.
  • Prepare and present financial statements, reports and other documents in compliance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for sole proprietorships, partnerships and private enterprises.
  • Contribute to strategic decision-making by applying advanced management accounting concepts.
  • Prepare individuals' and Canadian-controlled private corporations’ income tax returns and individuals’ basic tax planning in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.
  • Analyze and evaluate organizational structures and the interdependence of functional areas, and contribute to the development of strategies which positively impact financial performance.
  • Analyze and evaluate, within a Canadian context, the impact of economic variables, legislation, ethics, technological advances and the environment on an organization’s operations.
  • Analyze and evaluate an organization's internal control system, taking risk management into account.
  • Contribute to strategic decision-making by applying advanced financial management concepts.
  • Co-ordinate the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of team projects by applying project management principles.

The Strategic Relationship Marketing program responds to the growing need within the marketing industry for a new skill set – one that places the customer at the centre of business decisions. This skill set is critical since modern marketing success depends on targeting and attracting new customers while retaining and strengthening relationships with current customers at all points during their journey.

This one-year graduate certificate program provides students with a foundation in marketing, with a focus on the examination and application of Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM) and Customer Experience (CX) best practices, strategies, tactics, tools, and techniques. Students will have an opportunity to apply industry-standard marketing analytics and CRM platforms and technologies to marketing processes and create a comprehensive marketing plan.

Key areas covered in the program include database marketing strategy, loyalty marketing, marketing research, omnichannel marketing, marketing automation of email, social media and online content for personalized customer journeys, and marketing analytics and measurement. In the final semester, students work on a capstone project based on a real business situation.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Create a professional marketing plan using standard marketing planning processes and tools.
  • Develop a comprehensive Customer Relationship Management (CRM) marketing plan that uses a client’s current database strategy that is personalized and scalable.
  • Apply strategic communication planning processes and tools to generate leads and improve customer retention, satisfaction and profitability.
  • Evaluate data extracted from a variety of marketing technology platforms to support problem-solving and decision-making processes in marketing.
  • Apply Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Customer Experience (CX) best practices, strategies, tactics, and techniques to strengthen customer relationships for both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) markets.
  • Design customer experience journey mapping to identify areas to improve customer experiences and automate personalized digital marketing.
  • Apply industry standard marketing analytics and CRM platforms to sales and marketing processes.
  • Gather and analyze primary and secondary marketing research in order to support sound marketing decisions that improve customer experiences.
  • Communicate complex marketing material verbally, in writing, and digitally for a variety of audiences and purposes.
  • Model professional standards to provide reliable and actionable analysis while respecting Canadian regulation and practice related to data privacy and security.

Your Field Education Options

• WORK EXPERIENCE (CO-OP OR INTERNSHIP WORK TERM)
  • This program requires the successful completion of a one-semester work experience to graduate. This work experience is either co-op (paid) or internship (unpaid). Either one will give you the practical experience employers value. The work term occurs after the end of the second academic semester.
  • George Brown works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students then apply for these opportunities and go through a competitive interview process. Students are also strongly encouraged to pursue self-directed industry work experience opportunities they believe would provide the learning experiences they value and meet the learning outcomes of the program. This valuable work experience can in turn be added to your resume.

Looking to launch your own small business or grow your current one? In just eight months, our Entrepreneurship Management program will provide you with the skills, knowledge and support to design a full business plan that includes business research, marketing, financing and web strategy.

Bring your business idea, develop your business plan and get feedback from faculty, entrepreneurs and fellow students, so at the end of the program, you are ready to launch your business. Students may also have the option of presenting their finished business plan to Futurepreneur to be considered for a loan of up to $15,000 and a mentor for two years. George Brown College supports entrepreneurial spirit and offers resources to help you start your own business. Find out more about opportunities offered through startGBC.

Upon successful completion of this program, you will have:

• Completed a full business plan for your proposed business
• Completed a financial plan including forecasting and cash flow
• Identified sources of funding
• Completed a marketing plan
• Prepared a website

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Develop, present, and analyze a comprehensive business plan adapted to the enterprise that adheres to professional standards and practices.
  • Assess and use current concepts/systems and technologies to support business initiatives.
  • Develop strategies for implementing effective marketing plans that reflect an analysis of relevant resources and practices of an enterprise.
  • Use accounting and financial principles to support the management and operations of an enterprise.
  • Select sales and customer service strategies and apply them to the needs of an enterprise.
  • Apply a range of human resource practices that support and promote small business objectives and goals and optimize all functional areas of a small business operation.
  • Implement principles of supply chain management and operations management and analyze their impact on the operations of a small business.
  • Conduct small business activities and transactions in compliance with pertinent legislation, policies, health and safety and other regulations, professional and business standards, as well as tax, insurance and other fiscal requirements.
  • Promote principles of sustainability and corporate social responsibility that apply to small business initiatives.
  • Prepare and follow a plan for ongoing personal and professional development to establish and maintain entrepreneurial networking and business relationships and opportunities.
  • Plan, implement, and evaluate projects by applying project management principles to support the operation and management of a small business.
  • Use market research to optimize the operation of a small business.
  • Select and implement risk management strategies to support all aspects of the operation of a small business.

The four-semester Business diploma program prepares students to carry out a variety of business functions within local, national and global settings. Graduates will have demonstrated a practical understanding of key principles and practices necessary for success in the field of business.

Students who graduate from this program are prepared to work in diverse team settings and contribute to projects with practical presentation and research skills. They can use their functional knowledge in many areas of an organization (including accounting, finance, human resources and marketing), to achieve strategies within cross-functional teams.

This learning experience will enable you to:

• Use current concepts/systems and technologies to support an organization's business initiatives.
• Perform work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations and business practices.
• Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the business field.
• Apply principles of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethics to support an organization's business initiatives.
• This Centre for Business program is part of our School of Management.

Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:

• Identify and discuss the impact of global issues on an organization’s business opportunities by using an environmental scan.
• Apply principles of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethics to support an organization’s business initiatives.
• Use current concepts/systems and technologies to support an organization's business initiatives.
• Apply basic research skills to support business decision-making.
• Support the planning, implementation and monitoring of projects.
• Perform work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations and business practices.
• Explain the role of the human resource function and its impact on an organization.
• Use accounting and financial principles to support the operations of an organization.
• Describe and apply marketing and sales concepts used to support the operations of an organization.
• Outline principles of supply chain management and operations management.
• Outline and assess the components of a business plan.
• Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the business field.

The food sector is always changing, particularly when it comes to hospitality and culinary arts. This constant change has reinforced the need for a more holistic approach to culinary education – one that allows students to examine the food system while mastering a variety of culinary techniques.

The Honours Bachelor of Food Studies program provides the food leaders of tomorrow with the skills, insights and knowledge to succeed in this rapidly changing field. It offers extensive career pathways for foodservice professionals, while providing the food sector with leaders who can thrive in both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Graduates will be positioned to succeed in a wide range of food-related occupations including roles in culinary, education, tourism, recreation, health, food security, sustainability, economic development, agriculture, public policy and research. There are growing opportunities for careers informed by both culinary experience and versatile critical thinking.

Toronto provides a unique setting for this program because of its wealth of multicultural and Indigenous food traditions. In the classroom and beyond, students will be introduced to the vibrant world of food in a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. Students will participate in a paid co-op placement focused on the application of culinary and food animation skills. In addition, throughout the program, selected courses will include community-engaged learning opportunities. 

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Articulate the interconnected structures and functions of food systems at the local, national and international levels.
• Analyze social, cultural, political and environmental influences on current and emerging food-related theory, policy and practice.
• Recommend informed responses to both practical and scholarly issues and challenges using insights from food systems theory and the study of global cuisine.
• Acquire foundational culinary skill proficiency and operational knowledge appropriate to entry into the culinary industry.
• Integrate a healthy, equitable, and sustainable food systems perspective into culinary theory and practice.
• Construct coherent arguments to address debates within the broad field of food studies.
• Appraise research methodologies used across disciplines related to food studies.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of formats appropriate to academic, government, non-profit, business and media environments.
• Articulate how uncertainty, ambiguity and limits to knowledge influence perception and interpretation of debates in food studies and consider issues from multiple perspectives.
• Demonstrate curiosity, initiative, integrity, collaboration, and social responsibility in personal and professional settings related to food.

The Consulting postgraduate program prepares students for a career in consulting that could include working for a consulting firm, independently creating their own employment, or securing a business development role within an organization. Digital Transformation and the theories behind Digital Transformation are core frameworks for the first academic semester of the program. The second semester is a mix of client consulting project work and workshops further exploring consulting in a world continuously undergoing digital transformation. Students develop knowledge and skills by working individually and/or in teams, doing research, analyzing client problems and providing recommendations to real clients through our Consulting Hub.

Your Field Education Options

• Students will engage in various consulting projects in their second semester to gain experience and demonstrate:
  • Development of parameters of a consulting project and building a client/consultant relationship
  • Creation and implementation of a project plan for the term of a consulting engagement
  • Preparation and implementation of the terms of reference and contracts for the term of the consulting engagement, including billing and payment schedules
  • Performing an environmental audit (external and internal) and conducting market research to diagnose the client problem(s)
  • Use of a range of consulting tools and techniques including: interviewing, research, and collaborative problem solving during the consulting process
  • Development and modelling of soft skills such as teamwork, customer service, communications and problem solving during the consulting process
  • Assessing the change readiness of the client’s organization through the use of change management skills and processes
  • Completing a client consulting project including contracting, data collection and analysis, recommendations and, as appropriate, implementation to the satisfaction of the client

George Brown College endeavours to provide field education opportunities with real-world challenges and clients. Find out more about field education at the Centre for Business.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Establish the parameters of a consulting project and build a client/consultant relationship.
  • Create and implement a project plan for the term of a consulting engagement.
  • Prepare and implement terms of reference and contracts for the term of the consulting engagement, including billing and payment schedules.
  • Perform an environmental audit (internal and external) and conduct market research to diagnose the client problem(s)
  • Use a range of consulting tools and techniques including: interviewing, research, collaborative problem solving during the consulting process.
  • Develop and model soft skills such as teamwork, customer service, communications and problem solving during the consulting process.
  • Assess the change readiness of the client’s organization through the use of change management skills and processes.
  • Complete a client consulting project including contracting, data collection and analysis and recommendations and as appropriate implementation to the satisfaction of the client.

The Esports Management program equips you with the knowledge of esports business management. You will learn about the industry, players, influencers and partner loyalty, business and revenue models, regulations and media rights, digital communication approaches, team management, and audience engagement strategies. 

As a graduate, you will be equipped with the skills and interdisciplinary knowledge to succeed in the industry.? You will be work-ready and able to implement sponsorship programs, oversee differentiated delivery modes and manage teams. 

The program focusses on business management of esports events in virtual and in-person spaces, profitability and viability, brand extension, influencer, and partner loyalty. 

You will learn:

• Strategic planning including revenue models and brand management strategies for teams, leagues, franchises, and influencers. 
• How to build tactical plans including esports digital and social media promotion for participants, viewers, influencers, and consumers. 
• About governing the industry's legal, regulatory, and ethical standards. 
• HR/organizational strategies to manage teams, esports event participation influencers, and spectators. 

Your Field Education Options - There are 80 to 100 hours of experiential learning opportunities offered in the program within the esports industry. This includes partner facilitated and hosted projects, and mentoring.?

Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Construct proposals, promotional material, and presentations to meet the needs of stakeholders by utilizing evidence-based research, persuasive communication techniques, and graphical elements.
• Manage technical strategy, including applications, software and hardware required in scalable esports environments.
• Develop strategies for the successful implementation of esports partner and sponsorship programs.
• Assess, plan and implement differentiated delivery modes for esports events to ensure profitability and viability.
• Research the micro and macro environments of gamers and esports communities in order to develop events, experiences, marketing and promotional material that respond to the needs of those environments and communities.
• Adhere to professional, legal, regulatory, environmental, ethical, diversity and inclusion standards when performing work and conducting esports business operations.
• Manage accounting and financial operations to comply with tax and insurance practices for entrepreneurial, small, medium and large businesses.
• Manage internal staff and external relationships by applying human resource leadership principles and negotiation skills to promote organizational effectiveness. 
• Use project management principles, tools, and strategies to plan, organize and execute online or in-person experiences.
• Lead the development of integrated marketing strategies that increase brand equity and revenue streams across all media.
• Build and cultivate inclusive community-oriented business strategies that engage diverse stakeholders and generate revenue across the esports ecosystem