Earning a master’s degree in finance can be an excellent way to enter or further your marketability within the finance industry. A master’s degree in finance is a relatively popular degree, so it will likely be easy to find a relevant program near you or online, even if you must move in the middle of the program for work. A master’s degree in finance prepares you to enter a wide variety of jobs, including financial analysis, financial management, and general management.
Coursework for the Master’s Degree in Finance
The master’s degree in finance can prepare you for so many different fields because it is relatively broad degree, offering a wide range of background information on financial topics. It is common to begin a master’s degree in finance with courses in economics, accounting, statistics, and the like. Other, more specific courses may include financial management, business management, and other finance and general management courses. Like most master’s degrees, you can customize your master’s degree in finance for your current or dream job by taking courses relevant to that industry and position.
Finance Careers with a Master’s Degree in Finance
Once you’ve completed your master’s degree, there are a number of finance positions for which you qualify. For example, you might adopt a career as a Financial Analyst. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, financial analysts help businesses and individuals to make good investments. Financial analysts may work for small-medium sized companies, consulting with managers to ensure the company’s resources are being used wisely. They may also open their own businesses, offering investment consulting to all types of individuals and families. Non-profit organizations also often hire financial analysts. In addition to financial analysts, finance careers for those with master’s degrees in finance include financial manager, senior accountant, business manager, and even chief financial officer. In these positions, duties include completing and overseeing general operational finance tasks, including general ledger accounting, payroll, and AR/AP, as well as management and strategic decision making.
Management Careers with a Master’s Degree in Finance
Since the master’s degree in finance program includes a combination of financial and management courses, it also opens doors to general management positions, including director of finances or corporation director, general manager, Vice President of Finance or Operations, or even Chief Executive Officer. Most organizations want individuals in top positions to have extensive financial and management experience so that they can make strong, comprehensive decisions for the organization. With a master’s degree in finance and management experience, you can position yourself to move steadily up the corporate ladder.
A Master’s Degree in Finance is a valuable degree because it makes you marketable as a professional. Giving you a background in finance as well as general management, this degree can help you succeed whether you would like to start a small financial advising business or rise to the top as the CEO of a major corporation.
