Business Administration FAQ

This program will provide you with a solid foundation for your career in business. The general curriculum enables graduates to assume a variety of roles within the public and private sectors. Your actual job will depend on your major and the industry where you seek employment. Below is a brief outline of the types of jobs graduates are qualified for from the different specializations:

Accounting: Business Diploma graduates with a major in accounting will have a broad understanding of business with a specialized aptitude in the accounting field. Graduates typically find employment as bookkeepers, accounts payable clerks, accounts receivable clerks or in a variety of other accounting positions. Many of the courses in the accounting specializations will also transfer to the Certified management Account (CMA) and Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation requirements.

Financial Services: Business Diploma graduates with a major in financial services will have a broad understanding of business with a specialized aptitude in the financial services field. Graduates typically find employment in financial institutions, entering positions such as: customer service representatives; banking, credit or other investment management positions; finance and insurance clerks; insurance and real estate clerks; supervisors in sales and services or investment professionals. Several of the courses can be used towards achieving the Associate Designation from the Institute of Canadian Bankers (ICB).

General: Business Diploma graduates with a major in general studies have a broad understanding of a multitude of business concepts and applications. Graduates typically find employment as management trainees, general managers, assistants, sales representatives, sales managers or personnel officers in retail, financial services, insurance, human resources, non-profit, sales and marketing industries.

Risk Management: Risk Management is a structured approach to managing uncertainty in business. Business uncertainty occurs due to threats that may emerge from the environment, technology, humans, organizations, or politics. The objective of risk management is to reduce defined risks to an acceptable level. Employment opportunities for graduates will be available in pure risk management positions, such as Risk Management Analyst, or in positions in the related fields of Insurance, Business Continuity and Occupational Health and Safety, or in a wide range of other positions in which a portion of the job involves risk management activities. Examples of this latter category include accounting and finance positions as well as some human resources positions.

Besides a diploma in Business Administration what other skills are necessary to be successful in this profession?
Today's companies seek employees with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The evolution of the modern workplace, increasing competition and rising consumer demands has forced employers to seek out motivated candidates with critical thinking and decision-making capabilities, who also possess leadership potential. 

Can I receive credit if I have been employed or have taken courses in the Can I receive credit if I have been employed or have taken courses in the Business Administration field?
If you have prior work experience or have taken courses comparable to those required under this program at another institution, you may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). For more information please contact our Registrar's Office at (403) 410-1400, or e-mail info@bowvalleycollege.ca. All requests must be submitted prior to the start of the program.

What is the expected growth in this industry?
Accounting-The expected growth for entry-level accounting and bookkeeping positions in Alberta is 2.8 to 3.8% each year from 2006 to 2011. It is also expected that 600 NEW positions will be created each year in additions to job openings created by employment turnover.

Financial Services-The expected growth for banking, investment and credit/loan managers is between 1.5 and 2.5% each year from 2006 to 2011 in Alberta. This growth is directly linked to the predicted creation of 50 to 100 NEW positions in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

General-The expected growth for sales representatives and retail managers is approximately 1.5 to 2.5% each year in Alberta from 2006 to 2011. Also, 380 to 640 NEW are expected to be created each year, in addition to those openings created by employment turnover.
 

Risk Management- As with the other specializations, the expected growth from 2006 - 2011 is 1.5% - 2.5% per year. New positions are equivalent to the other specializations and opportunities are also expected due to baby boom retirements and other turnover.

How much can I expect to earn after my Diploma?
Accounting-Salary is dependent on position and qualifications; however, Albertans employed in this field earn between $10,800 and $91,300 each year and have an average salary of $32,400 a year.

Financial Services-Although salary is greatly dependent on position and experience, Albertans employed as financial service managers earn between $23,500 and $109,500 a year, with an average salary of $68,200 each year.

General-While salary is dependent on position and experience, most Albertans in this field earn between $12,000 and $195,300 a year, with an average salary of $47,800 a year.

Risk Management-Risk Management positions are available in a variety of occupations. Payscale.com states that Risk Analysts earn from $39,765 - $60,159 while positions in occupational health and safety may pay from $40,500 - $95,800 per year with an average of $66,900/year. Human resources positions pay from $30,200 - $104,700 with an average of $64,700 while credit and investment positions earn $36,100 - $126,300 with an average of $64,700 per year.
(Source: 2007 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, www.alis.gov.ab.ca/occinfo.)

Can I transfer any of these credits towards a degree?

Bow Valley College has established transfer agreements with:

University of Lethbridge
Athabasca University
St. Mary's University College
SAIT
Thompson Rivers University

How long will it take me to complete this program?

The Business Administration Diploma takes two years or four semesters to complete.

Where is this program taught?

The program is taught at Bow Valley's downtown Calgary campus. Many of the Year One courses are also available online.