Featured Schools For Finance Degrees

Job prospects in finance are expected to grow faster than average for the next 10 years. The opportunities with a finance degree span many areas including corporate and international financial management, personal financial planning and investment services. Brokerage firms, commercial and investment banks, insurance companies, and other financial intermediary companies employ finance graduates.

With a finance education you will be equipped with tools for understanding the function and applications of financial markets, the acquisition and allocation of funds for public and private sectors in domestic and international organizations, and you'll learn to access and utilize financial information.

Financial analysts play an integral role in competitive, worldwide, high tech modern business. Since the 1970's the crossover in finance and banking has flourished due to the increasing complexity in investment options. A financial analyst will research a client's or organization's financial status including their history, risk tolerance, and current expenditures and investments. They make recommendations based on financial goals and business environment.

Specialization within the financial analyst trade include budget analyst, credit analyst, investment analyst, merger and acquisition analyst, money market analyst, ratings analyst, risk analyst, tax analyst, treasury analyst and personal financial advisors.

There are currently over 230,000 financial analysts and personal financial advisors working in the US, making between $29,500 to 55,000 to $107,000 per annum, depending on the industry and professional status.

If you work in financial consulting, your main role will be to provide advice on securities pricing, strategies for creating shareholder value, business valuation, economic forecasts and analysis, and input into treasury management.

As a finance manager, you will direct financial reporting, investment activities, and cash management strategies at any number of professional or government organizations. Median salaries in 2002 were about $73,000 with the top 10% earning over $142,000. Financial management calls on your creative thinking and your ability to see the broad business picture and then direct your team accordingly.

You'll find a tremendous range of opportunities in commercial banking. While the banking sector continues to consolidate, more people are employed in commercial banking than any other part of the financial services industry.

A career in corporate finance means you work for a company to find the money to run the business, grow the business, make acquisitions, plan for its financial future and manage any cash on hand. You might work for a large multinational company or a smaller firm with high growth prospects. The key to performing well is to work with long term goals and some would argue that corporate finance jobs are the most desirable in the field of finance. As a financial officer you concentrate on areas such as liquidity, flexibility, compliance with laws and regulatory support.

In Investment Banking, finance professionals work within companies and governments to issue securities, help investors trade securities, manage financial assets, and provide financial advice. Smaller firms may be oriented toward bond-trading, M&A advisory, technical analysis or program trading.

Money managers hold stocks and bonds for institutional clients and are on the buy side of Wall Street. The key to being successful is to have discipline, be broad-minded and be able to accept the successes and losses of investment decisions. Money managers must be proficient in the latest sophisticated quantitative methodology. Many people cross over into money management after years of experience in selling positions in investment banks. A solid background in portfolio theory, fixed income investments, and CFA certification is required.

Financial planners concentrate on helping individuals with their financial futures. This work requires excellent interpersonal skills. A good financial planner understands investments, taxes, estate planning issues, and knows how to listen. You can practice within a company or as a sole proprietorship if you have strong entrepreneurial skills.

The demand within the trillion dollar insurance industry for finance degree graduates is also strong as our population gets older and wealthier. Jobs in insurance involve helping individuals and businesses manage risk to protect themselves from catastrophic losses and to anticipate potential risk areas. You help clients understand their insurance needs, explain their options to them and assist with the selection of appropriate policies. Career options in insurance include underwriter, sales representative, asset manager, and customer service rep. The median salary for insurance agents and brokers in 2000 was $42,000.