Academy of Finance (AOF)
The Academy of Finance, member of the National Academy Foundation, is a school within a school, designed to give students practical application and on-the-job-training in a wide array of fields available in the Finance industry. At the end of this three-year program, students will be qualified for jobs in the area of finance. The program provides a paid internship to qualified students during the summer of their junior / senior year. Participation is by application, recommendation of counselor, and approval of the Academy Director. The program requires a three-year commitment for certification in the area of finance. The purpose of the program is to provide students with an opportunity to explore, experience, and become educated in the principles, ethics, practices and responsibilities of the everyday work world in finance.
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Grade 12 |
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Money is a great dignifier.”
~ Paul Laurence Dunbar, Poet
Course Descriptions
Introduction to financial services
Prerequisite: Acceptance & enrollment in the AOF program
Credits: .5
Grades: 10 - 11
Length: 1 Semester
This is a one-semester course offered as a means of introducing students to the various sectors of the financial services industry. The objective of this course is to help students learn about both the nature of the careers found in a particular sector and the scope of the work that comprises businesses such as insurance, real estate, public finance, accounting, and the securities industry.
strategies for success
Prerequisite: Acceptance & enrollment in the AOF program
Credits: .5
Grades: 10 - 11
Length: 1 Semester
This one-semester course helps orient students to the world of work and school. Ideally, this course is offered in the tenth grade as it helps students to develop good work and study habits, prepare portfolios, learn about school resources, develop career plans, start to prepare for college and develop solid interpersonal skills.
economics and the world of finance
Prerequisite: Intro. to Financial Services, Strategies for Success, Acceptance & enrollment in the AOF program
Credits: .5
Grades: 11 - 12
Length: 1 Semester
This one-semester course covers Macro- and Microeconomics that provides an understanding of how our market economy functions in a global setting. It provides students with a survey of Economic Concepts, including all of the basic principles recommended by the National Council on Economic Education. In addition, a unit on capital markets acquaints the students with the role that various markets and securities play in the U.S. economy.
banking and credit
Prerequisite: Intro. to Financial Services, Strategies for Success, Acceptance & enrollment in the AOF program
Credits: .5
Grades: 11 - 12
Length: 1 Semester
This one-semester course presents a survey of the principles and practices of banking and credit in the United States. Students learn about the major functions of banks and other depository institutions, in house operations and procedures, central banking through the Federal Reserve System and modern trends in the baking industry. The credit component provides an overview of credit functions and operations including credit risk evaluation, loan creation and debt collection. This course culminates in the Fed Challenge Project.
securities & insurance
Prerequisite: Intro. to Financial Services, Strategies for Success, Acceptance & enrollment in the AOF program
Credits: .5
Grades: 11 - 12
Length: 1 Semester
This one-semester course focuses on the roles and functions of a modern securities organization through a study of the structure of brokerage firms, the trading process, credit and margin practices, automated processes, and government regulations. Students gain an understanding of how a securities firm services its customers and plays an important role in our economy.
Insurance introduces students to various elements of the insurance industry, including insurance needs and products for businesses and individuals. Students learn about insurance sales, rate-setting, insurance and financial planning, insurance regulations, and careers in the industry.
accounting I
Prerequisite: Intro. to Financial Services, Strategies for Success, Acceptance & enrollment in the AOF program
Credits: 1
Grades: 11 - 12
Length: 2 Semesters
A one-year, two semester course designed to introduce students to the steps in the Accounting Cycle, which includes: Collecting source documents, analyzing and Journaling each transaction, posting the general and subsidiary ledgers, preparing a trial balance, preparing a work sheet; preparing financial statements, journalize and post the adjusting entries, journalize and post the closing entries, as well as preparing a post-closing trial balance.
financial planning
Prerequisite: Intro. to Financial Services, Strategies for Success, Acceptance & enrollment the AOF program
Credits: .5
Grades: 11-12
Length: 1 Semester
This one-semester course introduces students to the financial planning process and the components of a comprehensive financial plan. Students will learn how to prepare a financial plan that includes saving, investing, borrowing, risk management (insurance), retirement, and estate planning.
international finance
Prerequisite: Senior status and must be enrolled in or have completed all Sophomore and Junior level courses in the AOF program
Credits: .5
Grades: 12
Length: 1 Semester
This one-semester course of study explores major components of the international financial system. It includes the study of foreign trade, the international monetary system, foreign exchange rates, foreign exchange markets, international financial markets, international banking, and the multinational corporation.