25 April 2007

Press Release

A new graduate degree for finance professionals has been successfully launched by the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

The master of finance is a 20-month, five-term program that will provide a mix of theoretical and applied finance courses at the highest academic levels to professionals currently working in the finance industry. The first class starting in September 2007 is expected to be full, with students representing all aspects of the finance industry.

The establishment of the program has been warmly received by the finance industry in Toronto. “The master of finance degree will provide a major career boost to anyone who is serious about advancing in the competitive global financial sector,” said Marlene Puffer, managing director, Twist Financial Corp.

“The program fulfils a need for specialized financial training that is not currently being provided in Toronto. Similar programs have been offered for years by universities in most of the world’s financial centres such as London and New York,” said Professor Jan Mahrt-Smith, who previously taught in the master of finance program at London Business School. “Recent published studies have expressed concerns about a forthcoming talent shortage in Toronto’s finance industry and we believe that this program will develop the finance industry leaders needed in the future,” added Mahrt-Smith, co-director of the program.

“By learning about the ‘business of finance’ as opposed to just quantitative skills, master of finance students are being prepared to move quickly into leadership positions. Their ability to understand and develop advanced financial models and strategies, and at the same time communicate with clients about real world business needs, makes them superb candidates for the top finance positions in any institution,” said Professor John Hull, program co-director, who also holds the Maple Financial Group Chair in Derivatives and Risk Management.

An exciting feature of the program is a portfolio management project spanning both years of the program. Utilizing the resources of the Rotman School’s unique financial research and trading lab, students will develop an investment strategy to meet client objectives and then implement that strategy.

“Usually these types of projects last only a few months. Being able to run the project over the length of an academic program makes it a particularly effective learning experience,” said Professor Eric Kirzner, project co-ordinator, who also holds the John H. Watson Chair in Value Investing. While fund management is one aspect of the master of finance program, other areas of emphasis include corporate finance and M&A, derivatives and financial engineering, fixed income markets, risk management, as well as leadership and other business skills.

Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings and during the day on alternate Saturdays, allowing students to develop their skills while working full time. Graduates of the Rotman master of finance program will to work in areas such as investment banking, commercial banking, fund management, trading and risk management and corporate finance. Visit www.rotman.utoronto.ca/MFin for complete program information, including application details.