The Academy of Finance is designed to prepare students with skills needed for the highly competitive financial services industry in the 21st century. The program has been developed under the sponsorship of the National Academy Foundation to encourage and support partnerships between business and education with the hope of strengthening the preparedness of those entering the workforce.
Academy of Finance Courses
From Accounting to Entrepreneurship to Advanced Placement Economics, courses are designed to develop expertise in many business skills. Descriptions of each course can be found below, as well as the suggested course sequence for Academy students.
If you have any questions about scheduling, please contact the guidance department. Guidance Counselor information can be found on the Parent Center Page.
If you have any questions about scheduling, please contact the guidance department. Guidance Counselor information can be found on the Parent Center Page.
Course Descriptions
INTRO TO FINANCIAL SERVICES/FINANCIAL LITERACY
Financial Services provides students with an overview of banks and other financial services companies. The course begins by introducing students to the origins of money and banking, and then examines the early history of banking in the United States. Students move into an in-depth study of the financial services industry and explore the types of companies that make up this industry. Students learn about the services offered by such companies and analyze the ways these companies earn profits. This course also introduces students to the main concepts behind investing and discriminates among different ways to invest money. Students examine contemporary issues including the level of personal saving in the United States, ethics in the financial services industry, and the industry’s effect on communities and families.
PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING
Principles of Accounting provides students with an understanding of the accounting process and how it facilitates decision making by providing data and information to internal and external stakeholders. Students learn that accounting is an integral part of all business activities. They learn how to apply technology to accounting by creating formulas and inputting data into spreadsheets. Students also examine career opportunities and the professional certifications and designations earned by individuals in the accounting profession.
BUSINESS ECONOMICS/BUSINESS IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY
Business Economics introduces students to the key concepts of economics as they pertain to business. This course discusses the American economy and the factors that influence the success of businesses and products. It describes forms of business ownership, discusses the relationship of labor and business, and provides a broad overview of the global economy. Students also examine careers in business, both as employees and as business owners.
Business in a Global Economy provides students with an understanding of how and why businesses
choose to expand their operations into other countries. This course exposes students to the unique challenges facing firms doing business internationally, and to the potential opportunities available to those businesses. Building on concepts introduced in Principles of Finance, Business in a Global Economy broadens students’ understanding of how businesses operate, grow, and thrive in our ever-changing world.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Entrepreneurship introduces students to the critical role entrepreneurs play in the national and global economy. Students learn the skills, attitudes, characteristics, and techniques necessary to become successful entrepreneurs. They explore starting a business and learn about the operational issues and financial risks that new businesses face. Students examine ethical issues and develop a framework for managing them. Finally, students identify the risks, returns, and other aspects of entrepreneurship as a potential career.
INTERNSHIP
The paid internship is perhaps the most memorable and critical component in the Academy of Finance experience. It is also one of the most rewarding, as it is the opportunity for students to apply, in a real world setting, what they have learned in their Academy of Finance classes in the preceding years.
A paid internship is an extension of the Academy of Finance classroom instruction and curriculum that further develops and challenges the student in a business environment. The internship is supervised by business leaders in a real-world setting resulting in a broad, relevant, enriching educational experience for the student. Paid internships provide the context in which a student's classroom learning is applied, and establishes a valuable foundation for any career the student chooses to pursue in the future.
Financial Services provides students with an overview of banks and other financial services companies. The course begins by introducing students to the origins of money and banking, and then examines the early history of banking in the United States. Students move into an in-depth study of the financial services industry and explore the types of companies that make up this industry. Students learn about the services offered by such companies and analyze the ways these companies earn profits. This course also introduces students to the main concepts behind investing and discriminates among different ways to invest money. Students examine contemporary issues including the level of personal saving in the United States, ethics in the financial services industry, and the industry’s effect on communities and families.
PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING
Principles of Accounting provides students with an understanding of the accounting process and how it facilitates decision making by providing data and information to internal and external stakeholders. Students learn that accounting is an integral part of all business activities. They learn how to apply technology to accounting by creating formulas and inputting data into spreadsheets. Students also examine career opportunities and the professional certifications and designations earned by individuals in the accounting profession.
BUSINESS ECONOMICS/BUSINESS IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY
Business Economics introduces students to the key concepts of economics as they pertain to business. This course discusses the American economy and the factors that influence the success of businesses and products. It describes forms of business ownership, discusses the relationship of labor and business, and provides a broad overview of the global economy. Students also examine careers in business, both as employees and as business owners.
Business in a Global Economy provides students with an understanding of how and why businesses
choose to expand their operations into other countries. This course exposes students to the unique challenges facing firms doing business internationally, and to the potential opportunities available to those businesses. Building on concepts introduced in Principles of Finance, Business in a Global Economy broadens students’ understanding of how businesses operate, grow, and thrive in our ever-changing world.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Entrepreneurship introduces students to the critical role entrepreneurs play in the national and global economy. Students learn the skills, attitudes, characteristics, and techniques necessary to become successful entrepreneurs. They explore starting a business and learn about the operational issues and financial risks that new businesses face. Students examine ethical issues and develop a framework for managing them. Finally, students identify the risks, returns, and other aspects of entrepreneurship as a potential career.
INTERNSHIP
The paid internship is perhaps the most memorable and critical component in the Academy of Finance experience. It is also one of the most rewarding, as it is the opportunity for students to apply, in a real world setting, what they have learned in their Academy of Finance classes in the preceding years.
A paid internship is an extension of the Academy of Finance classroom instruction and curriculum that further develops and challenges the student in a business environment. The internship is supervised by business leaders in a real-world setting resulting in a broad, relevant, enriching educational experience for the student. Paid internships provide the context in which a student's classroom learning is applied, and establishes a valuable foundation for any career the student chooses to pursue in the future.