Department of Finance
Head of Department
Welcome to the Department of Finance at the School of Business Administration.
Finance can be defined as both the art and science of managing money. Money is the lifeblood of any business, and finance is the study of how that lifeblood circulates. Finance is concerned with the entire process of raising money for organizations, allocating and subsequently investing in the most efficient manner. It is also concerned with banking, insurance, real estate, innovation, entrepreneurship, markets and personal finance.
A finance degree opens career opportunities for our graduates in many areas, including corporate and international financial management, personal financial planning, investment and advising services, financial risk management, and trading. |-BREAK-|
Finance majors are typically employed by financial institutions such as commercial and investment banks, brokerage firms, insurance and real estate companies, as well as various government entities. Finance knowledge is required for an abundance of job prospects as virtually every organization and industry includes finance functions. The Department of Finance offers an undergraduate major that prepares students well for these careers, providing them with hands-on experience in the classroom.
As a CFA Institute Program Partner, we ensure that our curriculum is continuously updated to incorporate the main CFA Level I teachings. Our state-of-the-art Interactive Trading Floor (ITF) provides students with real-time access to financial and economic data from around the world, helping them to develop a profound understanding of how international financial markets work. In the ITF, we refine students’ analytical skills, introduce them to various trading techniques, and improve their data modeling and forecasting abilities. We also provide students with the opportunity to become Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters certified. We offer to date, the first and only Bloomberg Experiential Education Program in the region.
Our dedicated finance faculty are focused on delivering the best educational experience to our students. They regularly publish their research in renowned academic and professional journals and participate in national and international conferences. Faculty specialties include corporate financial management, financial markets and valuation, investments and asset pricing, conventional and Islamic banking, and international finance.
Our finance program is globally recognized, with AUS ranked number one (tied) in the UAE and among the top 250 universities globally for accounting and finance, according to QS World University Subject Rankings (2022).
Osamah AlKhazali, PhD
Head of Department
Programs
Why Choose Finance?
Finance focuses on how money moves from one place to another, and what that movement means for individuals and organizations worldwide. Finance is the art and science of obtaining, administering and managing money. Along with management and marketing, finance is one of the basic business functions of the free enterprise system. The finance function is essential for every organization. From strategic planning to day-to-day operations, financial implications shape almost every decision made by organizations. Students majoring in finance are introduced to the theory, concepts, applications, institutional environment and analytical tools essential for proper decision-making.
Faculty
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Elements of Finance
- An emphasis on the principles of economics
If you have intuition for ideas in economics, such as opportunity cost, supply and demand, and the importance of scarcity, you probably will understand finance well.
- An emphasis on a global economy
Finance transcends geographical boundaries, making it a truly global industry that may involve exciting opportunities for international travel.
- An emphasis on quantitative analysis
To figure out what the best investment for you or a business might be, you probably would want to undertake some statistical and mathematical analyses of those investment possibilities. Accounting numbers are also important in finance as they provide insight on the performance of your investments.
- An emphasis on people and problem-solving
Problem solvers and individuals who excel at interpersonal skills are highly sought after in the field of finance. While finance roles typically do not involve direct sales, you will often find yourself persuading others, whether it is your superior or a client, to see your perspective on important financial matters.
- Good job opportunities
Finance offers a variety of well-paying and exciting professional opportunities.
Interactive Trading Floor
The Interactive Trading Floor (ITF) is a technologically advanced facility designed to replicate the trading floors of Wall Street and DIFC investment firms. Its 23-seat learning environment gives students access to the same Bloomberg Terminals, live feeds, industry software and analytical tools as professionals.
The ITF bridges the gap between theory and practice, preparing students for the challenges they will face in the workplace. Its resources are integrated into assignments, exams and projects in different courses in the finance curriculum, including trading, investments, portfolio management and asset valuation. Additionally, it also provides research support to faculty who need access to Capital IQ or Thomson Reuters.
The ITF has been generously funded by HSBC. Since the ITF’s launch in February 2016, more than 100 students have obtained their Bloomberg certifications, and several activities have been organized, including trading competitions and HSBC Speakers Series.
CFA Institute Program Partner
As a CFA Institute Program Partner, we ensure that our curriculum is continuously updated to incorporate the main CFA Level I teachings. Our state-of-the-art Interactive Trading Floor (ITF) provides students with real-time access to financial and economic data from around the world, helping them to develop a profound understanding of how international financial markets work. In the ITF, we refine students’ analytical skills, introduce them to various trading techniques, and improve their data modeling and forecasting abilities. We also provide students with the opportunity to become Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters certified. To date, we offer the first and only Bloomberg Experiential Education Program in the region.
The Finance Executives
The Finance Executives (FiEx) is the finance students’ organization. Since its creation in 2013, and under the supervision of a faculty coordinator, FiEx has organized numerous life-changing activities, including a trip to see Warren Buffett in Omaha and visit New York, and another one to visit investment bankers and firms in London after Brexit. Other activities include Executive Speaker Series, Beat the Clock and fun competitions.
Career Opportunities
Where Can a Degree in Finance Take you?
Finance consists of three interrelated areas: financial management, which involves decisions within firms; investment, which focuses on the decisions made by both individual and institutional investors as they choose securities for their investment portfolios; and money and capital markets, which deals with securities markets and financial institutions.
Graduating with a degree in finance from AUS prepares you for what comes next. Our program will bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical learning to give you a unique learning experience. Through our partnership with the CFA Institute, you will be well prepared for the prestigious Level 1 exam for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.You will also gain first-hand experience of the intricacies of financial markets through our very own state-of-the-art Interactive Trading Floor.
Graduates of our programs go on to pursue a wide range of careers based on their area of interest.
- Careers in Financial Management
- Financial Analyst
- Credit Analyst
- Treasurer
- Corporate Risk Manager
- Corporate Financial Analyst
- Controller
- Careers in Investments
- Securities Analyst
- Personal Financial Planner
- Portfolio Manager
- Careers in Money and Capital Markets
- Investment Banker
- Securities Trader
- Stockbroker
- Debt Rating Analyst
- Lending Officer
Alumni
Our graduates go on to pursue professional roles such as financial planners, financial analysts, investor relations managers, actuaries, accountants and more at prominent regional and international organizations.
In addition, many have chosen to pursue their graduate studies with a master’s degree in finance and in some cases even a PhD.
SEE WHERE OUR GRADUATES HAVE LANDED:
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
Accenture
Bloomberg
Central Bank
Citi Bank
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
General Electric
Al Ghurair Properties
Al Fardan Group
Bank of Sharjah
Bee'ah
EFG Hermes Brokerage UAE
Emaar
Goldman Sachs
Aramco Chemicals Company
Apple
Abu Dhabi Investment Council
Bupa Arabia
Emirates Investment Authority
Ernest and Young
KPMG
Research
Our dedicated finance faculty are focused on delivering the best educational experience to our students. They regularly publish their research in renowned academic and professional journals and participate in national and international conferences. Faculty specialties include corporate financial management, financial markets and valuation, investments and asset pricing, conventional and Islamic banking, international finance and financial crime.
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Contact
For more information about our department or programs, please contact us:
Department Head
Dr. Osamah AlKhazali
Tel +971 6 515 2320
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant
Rose Ann De Silva
Tel +971 6 515 2301
[email protected]
For admission information, please visit https://infodesk.aus.edu, sign up and post your query.
