What Can I Do with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance?

<p>A bachelor's degree program in finance is designed to provide you with a broad knowledge of financial fields, including corporate finance, banking and insurance. You'll study a wide range of topics, including accounting, investment management, financial analysis and bond valuation. By offering expansive coursework in finance, the degree program equips you with the skills necessary to fill a variety of professional roles. It also allows you to experience various facets of finance and choose the career path that best suits your interests and skills. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupationalField"> Important Facts about This Occupational Field</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Required Education</td><td> A bachelor's degree is sufficient for numerous entry-level jobs in the finance industry</td></tr> <tr><td> Certification</td><td>Options vary by position; credentials such as Chartered Financial Analyst Level 1 and Certified Financial Planner are available</td></tr> <tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Organizational, analytical, problem-solving, mathematics, detail oriented, communication</td></tr> <tr><td>Work Environment</td><td>Office setting, typically full-time</td></tr> <tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $95,570 (for financial analysts)*</td></tr> <tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 9% (for financial analysts)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---EntryLevelFinancePositions">Entry-Level Finance Positions</h3> <p>Bachelor's-degree holders may find entry-level jobs with investment banking firms, insurance companies and government agencies. Such positions generally involve supporting the daily financial functions and monetary decisions of an organization. For example, you might manage mergers and acquisitions for insurance companies or oversee mortgage banking for real estate agencies. Possible entry-level positions include: </p> <ul><li>Loan officer </li><li>Branch manager </li><li>Mortgage sales associate </li><li>Sales representative </li><li>Asset manager </li><li>Actuary </li></ul><h3 id="section---AdvancedStudyInFinance">Advanced Study in Finance</h3> <p>After completing a bachelor's degree program in finance, you may decide to pursue higher education in the field for more lucrative job opportunities. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) program can solidify and advance your business expertise and allow you to choose a specialization, such as executive management or corporate finance. There are a wide variety of MBA degree programs to choose from, some of which can be completed entirely online. You may also choose to further continue your education by entering a Ph.D. program in finance, business administration or another related field. </p> <h3 id="section---UpperLevelPositions">Upper-Level Positions</h3> <p>Graduate degrees in finance or business can lead to a multitude of advanced occupations in the field. Master's-degree holders may go on to serve as financial or credit analysts, treasurers, wealth managers or financial consultants. Ph.D. finance students might find employment as researchers or professors at a university or college. They may also qualify for jobs with local and federal government.</p>