Students combine studies in business with commerce and financial planning to become skilled financial advisers.
This program is a pathway to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Students major in financial planning and study business finance, insurance and risk management, retirement and superannuation, investment management, taxation law and practice, tax and estate planning, and financial plan construction. A second business major develops advanced skills in other business areas. A capstone course develops understanding of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- * Campus note: In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some core and foundation business subjects at USC Noosa or USC Gympie. There may be a limited selection of subjects available at South Bank. The option to study at Noosa or Gympie is not available to international students on a Student visa.
- * Campus note: In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some core and foundation business subjects at USC Noosa or USC Gympie. There may be a limited selection of subjects available at South Bank. The option to study at Noosa or Gympie is not available to international students on a Student visa.
This program is a pathway to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Students major in financial planning and study business finance, insurance and risk management, retirement and superannuation, investment management, taxation law and practice, tax and estate planning, and financial plan construction. A second business major develops advanced skills in other business areas. A capstone course develops understanding of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility.
Majors
Business majors: Accounting; human resource management; information systems; international business; management; marketing; tourism, leisure and event management.
Career opportunities
Depending on the majors chosen: financial planning, business management, human resource management, marketing management, international business, tourism and hospitality management, business analysis.
Membership
Graduates meet the competency and skill requirements outlined by the regulator, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission in Regulatory Guide RG146 for Financial Advisers. Students completing the Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning) degree are eligible to join the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and if coupled with the accounting major, graduates may also become members of CPA Australia^; Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia^; Institute of Public Accountants^.
^ It is the responsibility of the student to confirm with the three Australian accounting bodies (CPA, ICAA and IPA) whether any credit granted will impact on their eligibility for professional association membership.
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete a minimum of 32 courses including all core and required courses listed below, and electives.
- Complete no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses in total, including the core course.
- (Optional) Use electives to complete a major or minor.
- Register any selected Majors and Minors with your Faculty.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Program structure
School of Business
Required courses (7)
BUS101 Media Publishing: Law & Ethics
BUS102 Social Media
BUS104 Communication and Thought
BUS105 Theories and Systems of Counselling and Psychotherapy
BUS203 Digital Photographic Practice
BUS320 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
COR109 Introduction to Design
Business major, minor and/or electives (9)
Select required courses from your chosen Business major or minor study area.
The number of electives is dependant on the Business major or minor chosen and the number of required courses included in that major or minor. Note that the total number of courses required to complete the program is 32 courses.
Commerce courses
Required courses (6)
ACC106 Typography
BUS108 Dramatic Languages
ACC210 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature
ACC220 Spatial Governance and Planning
ACC221 Regions, Change and Sustainability
ACC310 Landscapes, Place and People
Major courses (9)
ACC211 New Venture Growth
ACC311 Managing the Social Enterprise
FIN210 New Venture Operation
FIN220 Social Enterprise Establishment
FIN221 Introducing Human Geographies
FIN310 Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
FIN320 History of Australian Popular Culture: The Twentieth Century and Beyond
FIN321 Talking History: Memory and the Past
PLUS select 1 elective course from the School of Business
Elective (1)
PLUS select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 384