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How Can I Qualify and Study Finance Courses in Malaysia? – Pathway and Requirements


Accounting and finance courses are now in high demand in Malaysia. This is in tandem with the Malaysian government’s efforts to advance social and economic development.

As a result, many institutions offer financial courses advertised to help individuals succeed in this field. However, what are the requirements for studying finance, and what is the best pathway?

This is a comprehensive guide to finance courses in Malaysia, which can help students make good decisions for their future careers.

What is a finance course?

Finance courses usually cover a combination of technical and theoretical information, including the fundamental financial skills needed to start careers in finance. Furthermore, business and accounting often overlap with finance. Finance and accounting are related since the latter activity frequently uses data from the former. Hence, a finance course will usually comprise accounting and business subjects.

What is finance?

The term “finance” relates to the administration, production, and study of money and investments. Students specializing in finance typically study banking, budgeting, investing, saving, and financial planning.

Finance can be generally divided into three categories:

  • Personal finance: Taking charge of one’s existing and future financial status, managing personal and family finances, and making financial goals. It also involves managing one’s finances and setting aside money for emergencies.
  • Corporate finance: Focuses on the capital structure of a corporation, including how it is financed and the steps management takes to raise the value of the business.
  • Public finance: Management of a country’s income, spending, and debt load through numerous governmental and non-governmental organizations.

One of the best ways to jumpstart a career in this field is to complete a financial course. Finance students will gain insights into the financial world and useful career skills, including technical, analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities.

Finance course requirements

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Here are the prerequisites to enroll in a finance course in Malaysia:

Diploma in Finance

Students who want to study for a Diploma in Finance must generally fulfill certain minimal admission criteria, such as:

  • SPM / O-Level: Minimum 3 credits

Certain institutions may require a passing grade in Mathematics at the SPM level.

Degree in finance

For a degree in finance, students need an SPM or an equivalent qualification and a certificate from a pre-university or foundation program.

For example, institutions such as UOW Malaysia’s minimum entry requirements are:

  • A-Level: Minimum 2Es; or
  • STPM: Minimum 2Cs; or
  • Australian Matriculation: Minimum of ATAR 50.0; or
  • Diploma: Minimum CGPA of 2.00; or
  • Foundation in Arts or Science: Minimum CGPA of 2.00

You will often also need to pass the SPM maths exam.

However, it is vital to remember that colleges and universities may set their minimum requirements higher or lower than those mentioned above. It is, therefore, advisable to research the entry requirements for the course you want to enroll in.

Postgraduate degree in finance

To be eligible to apply for a master’s degree, a student must usually have completed a related bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university.

Students typically need to pass 12 to 18 undergraduate subjects, many of which entail comprehensive exams and/or a thesis.

Professional Qualifications for finance graduates

There are also professional qualifications available that will train you in specific financial sector skills and equip you with a recognized degree of proficiency. These credentials might be crucial for job seekers in the banking and business sectors since they are frequently prerequisites.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) from CFA Institute

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) credential sets the standard as the most prestigious accreditation in the investment management profession. It’s intended to provide all the knowledge and practical skills in investment analysis that will enable you to develop in this profession.

The CFA program exam consists of three parts and gauges candidates’ knowledge of investing basics, asset valuation, portfolio management, and wealth planning. People with finance, accounting, economics, or business backgrounds will benefit from the CFA Program.

Certified Financial Planner (CFP) from the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM)

The Certified Financial Planner qualification defines what a financial planner is. It sets a code of conduct for professionals and produces a “mark of quality” that customers recognize and practitioners strive to get.

CFP candidates must attend the required lecture hours and be registered with recognized educational institutions to be certified. There are 3 options provided to complete the certification course:

  • Option A: Exam Based
  • Option B: Modular Exemption
  • Option C: Challenge Status

The application forms are available from FPAM’s website or approved education providers.

Registered Financial Planner (RFP) from Malaysia Financial Planning Council

The Registered Financial Planner (RFP) course stands for Professional Education and Practice Excellence, the two cornerstones of professionalism in financial planning.

The course offers two different study strategies: self-study with examination and course with lectures and examination. The full RFP program consists of 7 modules, each calling for a minimum of 42 hours of lectures.

The benefits of the RFP include a Malaysianized curriculum, good instructors, high-quality study materials, more flexible study methods, affordable program costs, and a customer-focused, proactive, comprehensive approach that can provide quality planning.

What will I study in finance?

You will learn much about financial-related subjects, such as stocks and bonds, local and international finance, accounting, and economics.

Of course, you will also learn how to manage portfolios and assets, make wise financial decisions, and manage risk to limit losses.

Here are some standard subjects that you’ll take in a finance course:

  • Business Law
  • Financial Markets and Institutions
  • Investment Analysis
  • Financial Risk Management
  • Business Communication
  • Financial Management
  • Principles of Accounting
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Principles of Management
  • Principles of Finance
  • Business Ethics

Are finance and accounting the same?

A finance major has a wider range, covering a variety of specializations in business, economics, and banking. In comparison, an accounting major focuses on specific numbers within budgets, audits, taxes, etc.

Moreover, finance is a more general word for managing assets and obligations and planning future growth, while accounting concentrates on the daily movement of money into and out of a firm or organization.

Finance is about planning for the future, increasing wealth, or reducing losses. Accounting is primarily concerned with accurately recording what has already occurred and adhering to rules and regulations.

Therefore, students majoring in finance are likely to be more interested in financial strategy and control. On the other hand, students majoring in accounting are likely to be more interested in professional principles and procedures that are used to manage numbers rather than affect them.

Students are not required to have prior accounting or finance academic qualifications or related job experience to study accounting or finance at the undergraduate level.

However, a related undergraduate program or relevant professional job experience is required to apply to a postgraduate accounting or finance program.

Finance degree jobs and careers

The following are some careers you can pursue with a degree in finance:

  • Accountant
  • Actuary
  • Auditor
  • Budget analyst
  • Business development officer
  • Business teacher
  • Chief finance officer
  • Commercial banking
  • Compensation and benefits manager
  • Data analyst
  • Finance manager
  • Financial planner
  • Head of Finance
  • Hedge Fund Manager
  • Insurance agent
  • Investment banker
  • Loan Officer
  • Management analyst
  • Real estate agent
  • Tax manager
  • Vendor manager

Are finance graduates in demand in Malaysia?

Yes, there is a demand for finance graduates in Malaysia. In fact, according to the Institute of Labour Market Information and Analysis, accounting and finance jobs are among the top 5 in this nation. In fact, there were 671 job openings in the accounting and auditing professions for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Popular job titles in this sector include audit assistant, assistant accountant, account supervisor, internal audit assistant, and assistant account officer.

Where can I study finance in Malaysia?

Programs in accounting and finance are available at several universities. One such program is the Bachelor of Accounting (Hons) offered by UOW Malaysia. This degree will equip students with the information and abilities necessary to work as successful, licensed accountants.

A bachelor’s degree in accounting also provides employment prospects in the following areas:

  • Accounting
  • Financial analysis
  • Auditing
  • Taxation
  • Forensic accounting and investigation
  • Management accounting
  • Accounting information systems
  • Economics

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) helped create their course, one of the quickest and most practical ways to obtain a globally recognized professional degree. Their curriculum includes a wide range of materials to ensure that students get the necessary knowledge and comprehension of accounting to succeed.

In addition, OUWM offers financial aid to deserving students through sponsorships, scholarships, and tuition fee waivers.

How much do finance courses cost?

The price of a finance course depends on the program level (i.e., diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate) and the institution you decide to enroll in. For example, the

  • ACCA FIA course in UOW Malaysia tuition fee is between RM10,000 and RM15,000. Additionally, you’ll need to pay ACCA registration and exam fees for each exam paper which amount to about RM4,000.
  • Bachelor of Accounting (Hons) course at UOW Malaysia fees is RM77,500 for local students and RM93,020 for international students.

Conclusion

Finance and accounting are two popular business degrees offered in higher education today. While they sometimes resemble one another, they also have a lot of differences that might help you choose which degree is best for you.

Take the online career test UOW Malaysia offers to determine your suitability for this field.

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21 June 2023

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Education and Career