Commerce

Commerce (BCom)

Do you want to stand out to your future employer and gain practical business experience in one of the largest undergraduate business programs in Canada?  By completing a 3-year Bachelor of Commerce, (Ordinary degree) at York, you’ll acquire the basic fundamentals of business disciplines. You can also opt to complete a 4-year Bachelor of Commerce (Specialized Honours). You also have the option of

fundamentals of knowledge in all business disciplines, along with specialized skills and expertise in one of nine streams of specialization (streams). These areas are: Accounting, Business Research, Business Technology Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Human Resources Management,  Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management.  Dedicated, expert faculty, combined with practical experience like hands on coursework, opportunities for networking and mentorship, studying abroad, or participating in a paid co-op or internship, will all  prepare you to launch a successful business-related career!

 

Career Options

  • Account manager
  • Actuary
  • Accountant (CPA)
  • Advertising Manager
  • Auditor (CPA, CIA, CISA)
  • Banker (CFP, CFA)
  • Benefits coordinator
  • Business analyst
  • Brand Manager
  • Broker
  • Cost accountant (CPA)
  • Database administrator
  • Digital Marketing Specialist
  • Disaster response coordinator
  • Entrepreneur
  • Financial analyst (CFA)
  • Financial planner (CFP)
  • Market Researcher/Analyst
  • Operations manager
  • Personnel manager
  • Planning/budget analyst
  • Policy adviser
  • Politician
  • Recruiter
  • Risk Analyst
  • Strategic planner
  • Supply chain coordinator/manager
  • Tax auditor

 

Skills Developed through a Commerce Degree

A background in Commerce ensures that you develop the skills, knowledge, and mindset to tackle many different professional challenges.

 

Core Skills

  • A solid understanding of business and management theory and how this knowledge applies to real life settings and circumstances
  • In-demand critical thinking, analytic, organizational, communication, management and leadership skills.
  • A clear understanding of the requirements and expectations to become a certified professional (CPA, CIA, CFP or CFA).
  • Specialization (Honours) in one of the following fields: accounting, finance, marketing, management, supply chain management, business research, technology management and human resources management.
  • A clear understanding of requirements and expectations to become a certified professional (CPA, CIA, CFP, CFA, etc) as well as the relationship between theory and business reality

 

Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills

  • The ability to present your thoughts clearly and intelligently in written statements and written opinion pieces
  • Deduction of information from various sources and the ability to concentrate on relevant resources
  • The ability to organize, understand and analyze sources of information and to apply novel forms of technology or new information to different professional settings and tasks
  • The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound decisions while considering different sides of an argument
  • The skills to collect various types of information, assess them, analyze and incorporate potential linkages from different fields, put them into writing and efficiently convey your message and the goal of your work

 

Management and Teamwork

  • The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project's intended end result
  • Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task
  • The ability to debate, persuade, mediate and present your thoughts and opinions to others, as well as the capacity to recognize and incorporate other potential solutions or applications to given problems
  • The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects

Professional Associations and Organizations

Knowing the industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field.

The following is a selection of organizations related to the field of commerce and management that you may want to visit as you research career options for Commerce graduates.

accounting, finance, marketing, management, supply chain management, business research, technology management and human resources management