Which Degrees Can Lead to Careers in Financial Management?
Most employers in the financial management sector require job candidates to hold at least a bachelor's degree in business or finance, while some employers require a master's degree. A professional certification may also be desirable when seeking employment in the financial management field. Read on to find out more.
Degree Overview
An education in financial management can take a number of forms. Degree programs are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels in many reputable institutions. Certification programs can also provide a good way of combining prior training or professional experience with formal preparation for a career in financial management or a closely related field.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisFieldOfStudy">Important Facts About This Field of Study</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Common Courses</td><td>Computer and forensic auditing, valuation, investment banking, quantitative finance</td></tr>
<tr><td>Concentrations</td><td>Business law, corporate finance, taxation.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Possible Careers </td><td>Accounting technician, actuary, chartered certified accountant, financial trader, retail banker, tax advisor.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Continuing Education</td><td>Depending on the target specialization, certification in accountancy or taxation guidance may be advisable or required as further training.</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $131,710 (<i>for all financial managers</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 17% growth (<i>for all financial managers</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---BachelorSDegreesInFinancialManagement">Bachelor's Degrees in Financial Management</h3><p>A Bachelor of Business Administration is among the most popular degrees in the field of financial management. A Bachelor of Science or Arts with a major in finance, economics, accounting or business administration also qualifies an applicant for entry-level employment as a financial manager. Typical subjects covered in an undergraduate finance program include:
</p><ul><li>Corporate finance
</li><li>Economics
</li><li>Financial analysis
</li><li>Financial institutions
</li><li>Financial management
</li><li>Financial statements
</li><li>International finance
</li><li>Investment management
</li><li>Macroeconomics and microeconomics
</li><li>Statistics
</li></ul><h3 id="section---MasterSDegreesInFinancialManagement">Master's Degrees in Financial Management</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers in the financial management sector are increasingly giving preference to job candidates with graduate degrees (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). Most of these candidates hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Fluency in a second language may be required of those who plan to work in global markets. MBA students can expect to take courses in:
</p><ul><li>Advanced financial management
</li><li>Capital markets
</li><li>Corporate budgeting
</li><li>Corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions
</li><li>International markets
</li><li>Investment analysis
</li><li>Risk management
</li></ul><h3 id="section---ProfessionalFinancialManagementCertification">Professional Financial Management Certification</h3><p>Professional certification indicates that the financial manager has taken courses in specialized fields and has kept current with changing financial trends and markets. Most certification programs require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and some hands-on experience. Once a certification is earned, additional continuing education courses may be required to maintain the certification. Membership in the certifying association may also be required. Some of the most commonly earned certifications in the financial management sector are:
</p><ul><li>Certified Financial Manager (CFM)
</li><li>Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
</li><li>Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
</li><li>Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
</li><li>Certified Treasury Professional (CTP)
</li><li>Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)</li></ul>