For more information on our course offerings, please go to York Course Website.
All students take the following core program of 9 courses and 2 electives for a total of 11 courses: MFAc Courses and Electives (.pdf)
Calendar Year
Term
Course #
Course Title
2024
F
gs/facc 6000A
Introduction to Governance and Accountability
This is the required first course in the Program. As well as providing an overview of the program, it addresses interpersonal communication skills critical in business environments, reviews basic management competencies needed for careers in management and introduces students to basic research techniques. It also addresses the growing use of social media in business.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): H. Panday
2024
F
gs/facc 6000B
Introduction to Governance and Accountability
This is the required first course in the Program. As well as providing an overview of the program, it addresses interpersonal communication skills critical in business environments, reviews basic management competencies needed for careers in management and introduces students to basic research techniques. It also addresses the growing use of social media in business.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): M. Hillier
2025
W
gs/facc 6000M
Introduction to Governance and Accountability
This is the required first course in the Program. As well as providing an overview of the program, it addresses interpersonal communication skills critical in business environments, reviews basic management competencies needed for careers in management and introduces students to basic research techniques. It also addresses the growing use of social media in business.
Instructional Format: LECT
2025
W
gs/facc 6000N
Introduction to Governance and Accountability
This is the required first course in the Program. As well as providing an overview of the program, it addresses interpersonal communication skills critical in business environments, reviews basic management competencies needed for careers in management and introduces students to basic research techniques. It also addresses the growing use of social media in business.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2024
F
gs/facc 6100A
Corporate Responsibilty and Ethics
Acquire the basic knowledge necessary for an understanding of corporate accountability and ethics, including: ethical governance and accountability frameworks, corporate reporting responsibilities, professional and managerial ethical codes and obligations, business ethics and stakeholder management relationships, and ethical decision-making analyses and frameworks.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): I. Garriga Cots
2024
F
gs/facc 6100B
Corporate Responsibilty and Ethics
Acquire the basic knowledge necessary for an understanding of corporate accountability and ethics, including: ethical governance and accountability frameworks, corporate reporting responsibilities, professional and managerial ethical codes and obligations, business ethics and stakeholder management relationships, and ethical decision-making analyses and frameworks.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): G. Dawe
2025
W
gs/facc 6100M
Corporate Responsibilty and Ethics
Acquire the basic knowledge necessary for an understanding of corporate accountability and ethics, including: ethical governance and accountability frameworks, corporate reporting responsibilities, professional and managerial ethical codes and obligations, business ethics and stakeholder management relationships, and ethical decision-making analyses and frameworks.
Instructional Format: LECT
2025
W
gs/facc 6100N
Corporate Responsibilty and Ethics
Acquire the basic knowledge necessary for an understanding of corporate accountability and ethics, including: ethical governance and accountability frameworks, corporate reporting responsibilities, professional and managerial ethical codes and obligations, business ethics and stakeholder management relationships, and ethical decision-making analyses and frameworks.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): R. Sevel
2024
F
gs/facc 6180A
Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
This course integrates concepts of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility and examines corporate strategies from three perspectives: social, environmental and economic outcomes; the interests and rights of future and current generations; value that nurtures positive relationships among firms, labor and communities.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): T. Samuels-Jones
2024
F
gs/facc 6190A
Case Studies in Stakeholder Accountability for Sustainability
Examines applied issues of ecological, ethical and economic integration through a stakeholder accountability lens. Case studies and current events are used to explore issues such as fossil fuel development and climate change, globalization and labour standards, and financial instability and inequality. The focus is on managing diverse and competing stakeholder interests that arise in the context of sustainability.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): T. Samuels-Jones
2024
F
gs/facc 6200A
Performance Measurement Systems
Provides an overview of performance measurement and incentive systems (PMIS) used by companies; improves students understanding of management behaviour related to PMIS; presents examples of financial and non-financial PMIS; and provides students with opportunities to develop a PMIS. The course ensures students understand that any accountability, oversight and governance mechanism is based on a set of performance measures designed by managers and directors.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): A. Kwan, L. Beauvais
2024
F
gs/facc 6200B
Performance Measurement Systems
Provides an overview of performance measurement and incentive systems (PMIS) used by companies; improves students understanding of management behaviour related to PMIS; presents examples of financial and non-financial PMIS; and provides students with opportunities to develop a PMIS. The course ensures students understand that any accountability, oversight and governance mechanism is based on a set of performance measures designed by managers and directors.
Instructional Format: BLEN
Instructor(s): A. Kwan, L. Beauvais
2025
W
gs/facc 6200M
Performance Measurement Systems
Provides an overview of performance measurement and incentive systems (PMIS) used by companies; improves students understanding of management behaviour related to PMIS; presents examples of financial and non-financial PMIS; and provides students with opportunities to develop a PMIS. The course ensures students understand that any accountability, oversight and governance mechanism is based on a set of performance measures designed by managers and directors.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): N. Waweru
2025
W
gs/facc 6200N
Performance Measurement Systems
Provides an overview of performance measurement and incentive systems (PMIS) used by companies; improves students understanding of management behaviour related to PMIS; presents examples of financial and non-financial PMIS; and provides students with opportunities to develop a PMIS. The course ensures students understand that any accountability, oversight and governance mechanism is based on a set of performance measures designed by managers and directors.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): M. Porporato
2025
W
gs/facc 6280M
Directors Duties in Discharging Boards Accountability Responsibilities
The Board of Directors is the primary vehicle for achieving accountability and proper governance in any organization. This course provides guidance to play an effective role as a Board member.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2024
F
gs/facc 6285A
Governance and Regulation of Artificial Intelligence
The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in organizations is posing new challenges for boards of directors to ensure risks are identified, managed, and controlled. This course addresses standards of governance, ethics and risk management boards should incorporate, as well as ensuring regulatory compliance.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): T. Storus
2024
F
gs/facc 6300A
Enterprise Risk Management
This course presents an integrated framework of risk management in organizations (ERM), analyzes risks that can be controlled and explains the control policies and procedures available to reduce risks.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): S. Mallory
2024
F
gs/facc 6300B
Enterprise Risk Management
This course presents an integrated framework of risk management in organizations (ERM), analyzes risks that can be controlled and explains the control policies and procedures available to reduce risks.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): S. Seto
2025
W
gs/facc 6300M
Enterprise Risk Management
This course presents an integrated framework of risk management in organizations (ERM), analyzes risks that can be controlled and explains the control policies and procedures available to reduce risks.
Instructional Format: LECT
2025
W
gs/facc 6300N
Enterprise Risk Management
This course presents an integrated framework of risk management in organizations (ERM), analyzes risks that can be controlled and explains the control policies and procedures available to reduce risks.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2024
F
gs/facc 6400A
Research Methods and Statistical Inference
This course has four principal objectives. The first is to help students take a more structured and scientific approach to the evaluation of data. Managers are literally bombarded with data (the information overload problem) and must be able to filter and assess the quality of such data before inputting into managerial decision models. The ability to evaluate the quality of data and to make generalizations from it using the principles of statistical inference are critical skills for all mangers. The second objective of the course is to show how risk and uncertainty can be incorporated into decision making using techniques such as Probability theory and Bayesian inference. The third objective to show how data is qualitatively evaluated using the principles of evidence. Managers should be adept in evaluating both the sufficiency and persuasiveness of evidence used in decision models. The fourth objective is to show students how to prepare a research proposal to address any business problem. This is obviously essential for students pursuing the major paper option, but any manager benefits from recognizing when sound methodological principles have been followed in researching a business question. Managers read and possibly rely on many research reports over their careers and it is important to be able to distinguish good research from weak research.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): H. Bartel
2025
W
gs/facc 6400M
Research Methods and Statistical Inference
This course has four principal objectives. The first is to help students take a more structured and scientific approach to the evaluation of data. Managers are literally bombarded with data (the information overload problem) and must be able to filter and assess the quality of such data before inputting into managerial decision models. The ability to evaluate the quality of data and to make generalizations from it using the principles of statistical inference are critical skills for all mangers. The second objective of the course is to show how risk and uncertainty can be incorporated into decision making using techniques such as Probability theory and Bayesian inference. The third objective to show how data is qualitatively evaluated using the principles of evidence. Managers should be adept in evaluating both the sufficiency and persuasiveness of evidence used in decision models. The fourth objective is to show students how to prepare a research proposal to address any business problem. This is obviously essential for students pursuing the major paper option, but any manager benefits from recognizing when sound methodological principles have been followed in researching a business question. Managers read and possibly rely on many research reports over their careers and it is important to be able to distinguish good research from weak research.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): H. Bartel
2025
W
gs/facc 6400N
Research Methods and Statistical Inference
This course has four principal objectives. The first is to help students take a more structured and scientific approach to the evaluation of data. Managers are literally bombarded with data (the information overload problem) and must be able to filter and assess the quality of such data before inputting into managerial decision models. The ability to evaluate the quality of data and to make generalizations from it using the principles of statistical inference are critical skills for all mangers. The second objective of the course is to show how risk and uncertainty can be incorporated into decision making using techniques such as Probability theory and Bayesian inference. The third objective to show how data is qualitatively evaluated using the principles of evidence. Managers should be adept in evaluating both the sufficiency and persuasiveness of evidence used in decision models. The fourth objective is to show students how to prepare a research proposal to address any business problem. This is obviously essential for students pursuing the major paper option, but any manager benefits from recognizing when sound methodological principles have been followed in researching a business question. Managers read and possibly rely on many research reports over their careers and it is important to be able to distinguish good research from weak research.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): H. Bartel
2024
F
gs/facc 6500A
Corporate Governance
Effective corporate governance is crucial to a successful and sustainable corporate enterprise. This course explores corporate governance in relation to financial accountability, including boards of directors; board structures, processes, legal and ethical environment; evaluation of board performance; financial reporting and internal control oversight; performance and compensation oversight; strategic planning and risk oversight; assessing individual director performance; and shareholder accountability.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): R. Leblanc
2025
SU
gs/facc 6500A
Corporate Governance
Effective corporate governance is crucial to a successful and sustainable corporate enterprise. This course explores corporate governance in relation to financial accountability, including boards of directors; board structures, processes, legal and ethical environment; evaluation of board performance; financial reporting and internal control oversight; performance and compensation oversight; strategic planning and risk oversight; assessing individual director performance; and shareholder accountability.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2024
F
gs/facc 6500B
Corporate Governance
Effective corporate governance is crucial to a successful and sustainable corporate enterprise. This course explores corporate governance in relation to financial accountability, including boards of directors; board structures, processes, legal and ethical environment; evaluation of board performance; financial reporting and internal control oversight; performance and compensation oversight; strategic planning and risk oversight; assessing individual director performance; and shareholder accountability.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): T. Storus
2025
W
gs/facc 6500M
Corporate Governance
Effective corporate governance is crucial to a successful and sustainable corporate enterprise. This course explores corporate governance in relation to financial accountability, including boards of directors; board structures, processes, legal and ethical environment; evaluation of board performance; financial reporting and internal control oversight; performance and compensation oversight; strategic planning and risk oversight; assessing individual director performance; and shareholder accountability.
Instructional Format: LECT
2025
W
gs/facc 6500N
Corporate Governance
Effective corporate governance is crucial to a successful and sustainable corporate enterprise. This course explores corporate governance in relation to financial accountability, including boards of directors; board structures, processes, legal and ethical environment; evaluation of board performance; financial reporting and internal control oversight; performance and compensation oversight; strategic planning and risk oversight; assessing individual director performance; and shareholder accountability.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2024
F
gs/facc 6550A
Governance and Regulation of Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
This course provides an overview of the anti-money laundering and terrorist financing requirements in Canada, the United States and internationally. Students will be able to identify the principal elements of and create an anti-money laundering and terrorist financing compliance program, which is a high demand job in the marketplace.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): P. Kumar
2025
W
gs/facc 6555M
Regulation of Canadian Banking, Clearing and Payment Systems
This course will cover the Canadian regulatory framework for banks and the infrastructure that facilitate the clearing, settling and recording of payments, securities and other financial transactions among participating entities. The MFAC program is geared towards banking and this course will equip MFAC students for careers in the Canadian banking sector.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2024
F
gs/facc 6600A
Accountability Issues in the Public Sector
Examines management and accountability issues encountered in government and not-for-profit entities. Issues such as governance, transparency, and performance measurement are tailored to the unique challenges faced by these entities.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): P. Lai
2024
F
gs/facc 6600B
Accountability Issues in the Public Sector
Examines management and accountability issues encountered in government and not-for-profit entities. Issues such as governance, transparency, and performance measurement are tailored to the unique challenges faced by these entities.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): M. Hillier
2025
W
gs/facc 6600M
Accountability Issues in the Public Sector
Examines management and accountability issues encountered in government and not-for-profit entities. Issues such as governance, transparency, and performance measurement are tailored to the unique challenges faced by these entities.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2025
W
gs/facc 6600N
Accountability Issues in the Public Sector
Examines management and accountability issues encountered in government and not-for-profit entities. Issues such as governance, transparency, and performance measurement are tailored to the unique challenges faced by these entities.
Instructional Format: LECT
2024
F
gs/facc 6700A
Executive Compensation
Most modern management theories posit that principal drivers of managerial behavior are executive compensation schemes. It is also a common belief that compensation schemes tied to the bottom line and stock price lead to actions more in the manager’s interest than the firm’s interest. This course looks at these issues and identifies best practices to strengthen corporate governance and accountability in the organization through appropriate design of executive compensation schemes. The revised course description reflects the reality that executive compensation dominates all benefits in terms of impact on accountability and governance.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): P. Gryglewicz
2024
F
gs/facc 6700B
Executive Compensation
Most modern management theories posit that principal drivers of managerial behavior are executive compensation schemes. It is also a common belief that compensation schemes tied to the bottom line and stock price lead to actions more in the manager’s interest than the firm’s interest. This course looks at these issues and identifies best practices to strengthen corporate governance and accountability in the organization through appropriate design of executive compensation schemes. The revised course description reflects the reality that executive compensation dominates all benefits in terms of impact on accountability and governance.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): P. Gryglewicz
2025
W
gs/facc 6700M
Executive Compensation
Most modern management theories posit that principal drivers of managerial behavior are executive compensation schemes. It is also a common belief that compensation schemes tied to the bottom line and stock price lead to actions more in the manager’s interest than the firm’s interest. This course looks at these issues and identifies best practices to strengthen corporate governance and accountability in the organization through appropriate design of executive compensation schemes. The revised course description reflects the reality that executive compensation dominates all benefits in terms of impact on accountability and governance.
Instructional Format: BLEN
2025
W
gs/facc 6700N
Executive Compensation
Most modern management theories posit that principal drivers of managerial behavior are executive compensation schemes. It is also a common belief that compensation schemes tied to the bottom line and stock price lead to actions more in the manager’s interest than the firm’s interest. This course looks at these issues and identifies best practices to strengthen corporate governance and accountability in the organization through appropriate design of executive compensation schemes. The revised course description reflects the reality that executive compensation dominates all benefits in terms of impact on accountability and governance.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2025
SU
gs/facc 6800A
Synthesis of theory and practice, governance and accountability
Capstone course In the Graduate Program in Financial Accountability which integrates theories and practices from the previous courses and applies them in an experiential learning format.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2024
F
gs/facc 6800A
Synthesis of theory and practice, governance and accountability
Capstone course In the Graduate Program in Financial Accountability which integrates theories and practices from the previous courses and applies them in an experiential learning format.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): K. Gaspar
2024
F
gs/facc 6800B
Synthesis of theory and practice, governance and accountability
Capstone course In the Graduate Program in Financial Accountability which integrates theories and practices from the previous courses and applies them in an experiential learning format.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): K. Gaspar
2025
SU
gs/facc 6800B
Synthesis of theory and practice, governance and accountability
Capstone course In the Graduate Program in Financial Accountability which integrates theories and practices from the previous courses and applies them in an experiential learning format.
Instructional Format: LECT
2025
W
gs/facc 6800M
Synthesis of theory and practice, governance and accountability
Capstone course In the Graduate Program in Financial Accountability which integrates theories and practices from the previous courses and applies them in an experiential learning format.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2025
W
gs/facc 6800N
Synthesis of theory and practice, governance and accountability
Capstone course In the Graduate Program in Financial Accountability which integrates theories and practices from the previous courses and applies them in an experiential learning format.
Instructional Format: LECT
2024
F
gs/facc 6850A
Financial Accountability Practicum
Placements in organizations provide students with the opportunity to explore the relationship between theory and practice in financial accountability as well as obtain relevant employment experience to prepare for careers. Pre-requisite: GS/FACC 6000 3.00 Introduction to Governance and Accountability Pre- or Co- requisite: GS/FACC6100 3.00 Corporate Responsibility and Ethics Practicum: at least either 10 hours of work in each of 22 weeks or 30 hours a week for 10 weeks
Instructional Format: BLEN
Instructor(s): T. Nasreen, T. Stanco
2025
W
gs/facc 6850M
Financial Accountability Practicum
Placements in organizations provide students with the opportunity to explore the relationship between theory and practice in financial accountability as well as obtain relevant employment experience to prepare for careers. Pre-requisite: GS/FACC 6000 3.00 Introduction to Governance and Accountability Pre- or Co- requisite: GS/FACC6100 3.00 Corporate Responsibility and Ethics Practicum: at least either 10 hours of work in each of 22 weeks or 30 hours a week for 10 weeks
Instructional Format: BLEN
2025
SU
gs/facc 6870A
Advanced Techniques of Financial Analysis
In addition to exploring advanced techniques of financial statement analysis, including how to understand and use the information that appears in annual reports inside and outside audited financial statements, students explore two topics not commonly found in courses dealing with financial statements: 1) advanced techniques of cash flow analysis; and 2) distribution sustainability and governance of income trusts. The course also explores how companies manage their image using non-financial disclosures in public documents, and how non-financial information is essential to using the financial data properly.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2024
F
gs/facc 6875A
Value Creation and Governance & Risk Considerations
This course explores governance and risk considerations tied to an organization’s effort to create value. Coverage is holistic, taking a governance and risk lens on topics such as valuation, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, divestitures, spin-offs, outsourcing, offshoring, project evaluation, transformation initiatives, restructuring, capital structure and allocation, consulting engagements, vendor contracts and expense management.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): B. Mathai
2025
W
gs/facc 6880M
Information Technology Goverance
This course takes an applied approach to IT governance and will cover the fundamentals of IT governance, examining effective governance models and successful implementation of these models. Since all organizations, regardless of size, have information systems, management of such systems is an important component of developing systems that provide accurate financial information. Appropriate case studies are covered to highlight lessons learned and best practices.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2025
SU
gs/facc 6886A
Governance and Regulation of Privacy
This course will provide an overview of the privacy requirements in Canada, USA and internationally. Students will be able to identify the principal elements of and create a privacy compliance program, which is a high demand job in the marketplace.
Instructional Format: LECT
2025
W
gs/facc 6890N
Earnings Management and Forensic Accounting
Through the theories and practices of forensic accounting, this course helps students to understand the fraudulent practice of earnings management. While different levels of earnings management exist, fraudulent earnings management practices can hurt shareholders as well as capital markets, as observed in recent corporate scandals. Topics include: fraud identification, prevention, detection and investigation.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2024
F
gs/facc 6990A
Directed Readings
A supervised reading course on a topic for which there is no current course offering. Permission of the Graduate Program Director is required
Instructional Format: DIRD
2025
W
gs/facc 6990M
Directed Readings
A supervised reading course on a topic for which there is no current course offering. Permission of the Graduate Program Director is required
Instructional Format: DIRD
2024
F
gs/facc 6999A
Major Research Paper Option
Students who select the MRP option will complete an independent reading and research project under the guidance of two faculty members.
Instructional Format: RESP
Learn More
The Graduate Program in Financial Accountability (MFAc) at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.