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Finance Program Mission

Prepare finance professionals and leaders of the highest integrity and ethics through quality education, relevant research, and engaging community service.

The Finance Program Learning Goals/Attributes

  • Graduates will have a broad theoretical understanding of financial concepts and tools.
  • Graduates of the program will be able to apply financial concepts, techniques, and tools in a real-life decision-making setting.
  • Graduates will be able to operate effectively in a variety of team roles and take leadership roles, where appropriate.
  • Graduates will effectively express their thoughts and ideas in verbal and written forms.
  • Graduates will develop diverse finance careers of the highest integrity and ethics.

Finance Program Learning Objectives

PLG 1: Financial Knowledge:

  • PLO 1: Graduates will have a broad understanding of financial concepts and tools through the knowledge of financial theories within the primary areas of finance (Knowledge).
  • PLO 2: Graduates will have a theoretical understanding of local and international financial markets and the environment within which companies must compete, obtain resources, and make investment decisions (Knowledge).

 

PLG 2: Application of Financial Knowledge:

  • PLO 3: Graduates will have financial managerial skills to apply knowledge, theories, models, and procedures to solve financial tasks and be able to analyze and interpret historical and prospective financial and non-financial information (Skills).
  • PLO 4: Graduates will have investment, portfolio management, and financial risk management skills to enhance their position in the investment field, both locally and internationally (Skills).

 

PLG 3: Decision-Making Skills:

  • PLO 5: Our graduates will demonstrate strong computational and quantitative skills that will allow them to develop complex models to make informed financial decisions (Skills).

 

PLG 4: Communication Skills:

  • PLO 6: Graduates are expected to produce clear, concise business reports and communicate their work effectively in both oral and written forms (Skills).

 

PLG 5: Teamwork and Leadership:

  • PLO 7: Our graduates are committed life-long learners who work independently and/or in a team and demonstrate competent leadership (Values).

 

PLG 6: Ethical Skills and Multicultural Diversity:

  • PLO 8: Graduates will demonstrate ethically and socially responsible behavior and make well-supported decisions in inter and/or multi-disciplinary and diverse environments (Values).

Dr. Raheel Gohar – Chair

Dr. Raheel Gohar is an Associate Professor of Finance at the College of Business, Al Yamamah University, with over 20 years of experience in academia, corporate practice, and research. He has held leadership roles including Head of the Finance Department, PhD Program Coordinator, and Head of the Quality Assurance Unit, and served on multiple academic and strategic committees. He earned his PhD in Finance from Hacettepe University, Ankara, supported by international scholarships, and holds an MBA and BBA from the University of Peshawar. Dr. Raheel’s research focuses on corporate finance and governance, with 25 peer-reviewed publications and presentations in leading journals and international conferences. He teaches a wide range of finance courses, including corporate finance, financial modeling, managerial finance, investments, and derivatives. He contributes actively to finance education and academic leadership. Dr. Raheel’s work reflects a commitment to research excellence, curriculum development, and professional engagement. He is recognized for bridging theory and practice in corporate finance education. His professional focus includes corporate governance, financial strategy, and risk management.

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Dr. Saad Alsunbul – Member

Dr. Saad Alsunbul is a seasoned CFO leader and financial strategist with deep expertise in the insurance sector, corporate finance, and investment management across public and private markets. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance and Investment and multiple professional certifications, including CPA, CFM, FMVA, and FPWMP. His experience spans financial strategy, capital allocation, M&A, portfolio optimization, and regulatory compliance within highly regulated environments.

Dr. Alsunbul has served as a financial advisor to senior government leadership, contributing to merger assessments, capital efficiency, and sector sustainability initiatives. He has held executive and board roles across insurance, investment, and advisory organizations in Saudi Arabia and the United States. His background combines strong analytics, governance, and stakeholder engagement with hands-on leadership in operations and risk management. He is recognized for translating complex financial performance into actionable insights that drive profitable growth, capital efficiency, and institutional resilience.

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Mr. Feras Bahashwan – Member

Feras Bahashwan, CPA, MBA, is a seasoned finance and strategy executive with 20 years of leadership across financial services, tech, sports, media, and government sectors, and serves as a board member and committee member across various organizations. Currently Group CFO at Sanabil Investments, he’s known for transforming finance operations, enhancing investment strategies, and driving organizational financial maturity. He’s held C-level roles at Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), and Intigral Middle East (STC Group), and began his career with Ernst & Young, leading over 55 assurance and advisory engagements across global key accounts in Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands, including Fortune 500 clients. A London Business School EMBA and CPA, he combines financial acumen with strategic foresight. Trusted by top-tier leaders—he’s passionate about impactful leadership and sustainable growth. Fluent in Arabic and English, with conversational Spanish.

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Mr. Turki Alotaibi – Member

Turki Alotaibi, CFA, is an investment professional with over 14 years of experience in private equity, venture capital, and financial institutions. He has held leadership positions at SALIC, Derayah Financial, and Sanabil Investments, managing local and international investments across different sectors. Turki has been on boards and committees of public and private companies. He holds a Master’s and bachelor’s in finance and is a CFA charter holder. His expertise includes deal origination, due diligence, portfolio management, fund structuring, and strategic value creation. He has significant experience in U.S. and Saudi markets, including co-investments, buyouts, and fund commitments. Currently Turki overseas a portfolio of fully owned subsidiaries  with aggregate top line of more than $28 billion.

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Mr. Ahmad Abdullah Albabtain – Member

Ahmed Abdullah Albabtain is a senior HR and talent management executive in the Saudi banking sector. He currently heads anb Academy and Talent Management at Arab National Bank, overseeing career development, succession planning, graduate programs, and academy budgets. Previously, he served as Senior Manager of the School of Leadership at Al Rajhi Bank, managing leadership curricula and vendor partnerships. He has also held strategic roles at Bank Albilad and Riyad Bank, leading succession planning, leadership development, and HIPO programs. Earlier in his career, he managed operations at the Financial Laws Training Centre and worked in insurance operations and customer relations. Ahmed holds an MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School, a bachelor’s in accounting from Saudi Electronic University, and a Diploma in Insurance. He possesses multiple certifications in HR, occupational testing, and quality management. His expertise includes organizational development, talent strategy, and workforce planning.

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Mr. Ghaleb Alhamad – Member

Ghaleb Alhamad is an Investment Banking Manager at SNB Capital with a background in helping organizations navigate Debt Advisory, equity and debt capital markets. Over his career, he has had the opportunity to support transactionstotaling over SAR 250 million across Debt Advisory, ECM, and DCM.. Ghaleb is skilled in financial modeling, valuation, and preparation of offering documents while serving as a primary client liaison during negotiations and closings. He has a strong track record in originating mandates, supporting pitches, and managing client relationships with investors, banks, and asset managers. Known for thriving under high-pressure environments, he consistently delivers high-quality results. He also contributes to departmental strategy, process improvements, and team development. Ghaleb holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance with first-class honors from Al Yamamah University.

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Mr. Abdullah Al-Aujan – Member

Abdullah Al Aujan is an investment banker based in Riyadh with over six years of experience in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets advisory across the region. He has worked with leading international financial institutions and advises clients on strategic transactions and capital markets initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance) from Al Yamamah University. He is known for strong analytical capabilities and performing under fast-paced, high-stakes conditions. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance track from Al Yamamah University. Abdullah has extensive exposure to international banking standards and regional market dynamics. He consistently contributes to delivering high-quality outcomes for clients in the MENA region. His professional focus includes corporate finance, transaction advisory, and capital markets. He is recognized for diligence, precision, and client-centered solutions.

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Double Major or Minor Requirements in the Finance Program, College of Business (COB), Al Yamamah University
Overarching Principles / General Requirements
Graduation and Certificate
  • Students graduate only after fulfilling the requirements of their primary major. Completing the requirements of a double major or a minor is not a condition for graduation. Students may withdraw from a double major or minor at any time, including before completing its requirements.
  • Students successfully completing a double major will receive one Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree with two majors listed on the academic transcript and diploma.
  • A minor will be listed only on the academic transcript.
Minor or Double Major? Both?
  • A student may study courses for the core major and the double major or the minor concurrently, taking into consideration what is stated in the Study Plan and Examinations Bylaws, especially regarding the student’s academic load each semester.
  • Students can add only one double major or a minor but not both.
Minor in Finance Requirements
Academic StandingMinimum cumulative GPA of 2.4/4.00.
Eligibility and ApprovalEligibility requires department approval, typically after completing 36 credits of the study plan of the primary major.
Number of MinorsOnly one minor is allowed.
Credit Hours RequirementsThe minor must include a minimum of 15 credit hours of the finance specialized courses, excluding university requirements and business electives courses.
Study Duration and ExtensionStandard study duration applies, with a possible extension of up to one semester to complete the minor.
Proposed Minor in Finance for COB Students (15 Credits)
  • Shared credit hours between the primary major and the second major may be double-counted, up to a maximum of 8 credit hours.
  • A business student who wishes to pursue a minor in Finance is required to complete at least the following four Finance courses, in addition to one Finance elective selected from a pre-approved list of finance courses. As a result, students pursuing a minor in Finance will complete a total of 141 credit hours (126 credits for the standard degree, plus an additional 15 credits of finance courses).
CodeCourse titleCreditsPrerequisite
FIN 311Investment3FIN 202
FIN 313Financial Markets and Institutions3FIN 202
FIN 320Corporate Finance3FIN 202
FIN 330Financial Modeling3FIN 320
FIN XXX*Select one other course3FIN XXX

*One more course – COB approval required (e.g., FIN 411 / FIN 412 / FIN 414 / FIN 420 / or another 400-level Finance course approved by the Department Council).

  • There is no direct course overlap that requires replacement for COB students pursuing a finance minor program.
Double Major in Finance Requirements
Academic StandingMinimum cumulative GPA of 2.4/4.00.
Eligibility and ApprovalEligibility requires department approval, typically after completing 36 credits in the primary major.
Number of MajorsOnly one double major is allowed.
Credit Hours RequirementsThe double major must require at least 24 credit hours of the finance specialized courses, excluding university requirements and business electives courses.
Study Duration and ExtensionStandard study duration applies, with a possible extension of up to 2 semesters to complete the double major.
Proposed Double Major in Finance for COB Students (24 Credits)
  • Courses that are common for both the primary major and the second major will be counted only once.
  • A business student who wishes to pursue a major in Finance is required to complete at least six Finance courses, in addition to two Finance major elective courses selected from a pre-approved list of Finance elective courses. As a result, students pursuing a double major in Finance will complete a total of 150 credit hours (126 credits in the standard degree, plus an additional 24 credits of finance courses).
CodeCourse titleCreditsPrerequisite
FIN 311Investment3FIN 202
FIN 313Financial Markets and Institutions3FIN 202
FIN 320Corporate Finance3FIN 202
FIN 330Financial Modeling3FIN 320
FIN 411Derivative Securities3FIN 311
FIN 418International Finance3FIN 411
FIN XXX**
FIN XXX**
Major Elective Course I
Major Elective Course II
3
3
–
–

**Two Finance major elective courses selected from a pre-approved list of Finance courses.

  • There is no overlap between the core courses of the Accounting, Marketing, MIS, or Management major and the core courses of the Finance major.
  • The Finance Department will offer two elective finance courses.
  • Internship is done only in the primary major.

Source:

  1. Initiative for Self-Designed Academic Degree Patterns.
  2. Study Plans of Finance, Accounting, Management, Marketing and MIS Programs.