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Finance degree programs cover a range of business and money-related topics. Their goal is to provide a solid knowledge base on which to grow a career in business, investment or a related field.

Students learn about credit, debt, financial analysis, investment decisions and concepts used in banking and capital management. Programs also cover economics, the principles of risk management and the basics of budgeting.

Aspiring financial professionals have plenty of options for degrees and certificates. In fact, some financial professionals may not get a degree at all, opting instead for a bachelor’s degree in business or accounting. That said, accounting degrees concentrate on the technical aspects of auditing and financial reporting while a finance-oriented degree is different.

Entry-level finance jobs typically require a bachelor’s degree, according to BLS. Depending on the industry, qualifications for finance professionals may vary greatly. With a large range of entry-level finance jobs come equally diverse opportunities for people with specialized degrees, experience and even niche interests and goals within business and finance.

Degrees in business and financial fields can provide fundamental knowledge and skills that support daily job responsibilities in finance.

It’s important for those interested in studying finance to get familiar with the general requirements and day-to-day responsibilities of any finance role they're interested in pursuing, both before beginning a business finance program�����Ի� after completing a degree in finance, as requirements may change over time. This way, they can specialize in a path they're interested in or even consider seeking a broader education that may qualify them for more than one potential career route.

For many finance careers, earning a professional certification or taking continuing education classes is one way to add skills toward a finance specialization. 

For example, there is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)* needed to work as a financial advisor or planner for individuals or companies. Another option is to become a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)*, a popular requirement for any financial advisor and analyst position involving investment decisions. 

*��ɫ��Ƶ does not prepare students for these specific certifications.

While most people may think only of careers like accounting or financial advisement within the industry, there are various job opportunities for those interested in working within the finance field or related areas. What’s more, many of these positions exist in different settings, from insurance companies to financial service providers.

Finance jobs range from entry-level to more specialized roles and may require a variety of skills or professional certifications to qualify. Here are some careers for finance majors or those with a degree in finance.

Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of ��ɫ��Ƶ. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. ��ɫ��Ƶ does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2022-2032 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to ��ɫ��Ƶ students or graduates.

Financial analysts can fill several positions within companies, banks, investment firms and other corporations that need detail-oriented eyes on their finances. These employees assess an organization’s financial performance, such as investment and stock performance, to determine its value and make recommendations.  

According to BLS, a comparable job title to “financial analyst” is “financial manager.” Financial analysts typically need . As of May 2024, financial analysts reportedly earned an annual wage . The BLS projected these roles to , which is about 30,700 openings for financial analysts projected each year, on average, over the decade. 

Maintaining the financial health of an organization is the key responsibility of a financial manager. These professionals often create financial reports, forecasts and budget plans to maximize profits. Because of the high level of responsibility in this role, that financial managers typically need a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience in a similar profession, such as accounting or financial analysis.

As of May 2024, financial managers earned , with a median wage of $161,700, according to BLS. Employment of financial managers is projected to grow ; about 75,100 openings for financial managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Financial advisors, like tax examiners, can work with individuals or organizations and are responsible for making recommendations or providing advice on financial investments, such as retirement planning, tax laws, insurance and more. Sometimes referred to as financial planners, these professionals can support a wide range of topics or specialize in areas like insurance and risk management, investment and estate planning.

According to BLS, financial advisors typically need a bachelor’s degree. Certain professional certifications or a master’s degree can enhance a financial advisor’s knowledge and prepare them for new opportunities. As of May 2024, financial advisors earned between , with a median wage of $102,140, according to BLS. Employment of financial managers is projected to grow ; about 27,000 openings for financial managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Financial planners provide advice for individuals. Unlike personal financial advisors, they often work with businesses, corporations and organizations. In addition to guidance on capital management, they can offer insights about other investments, taxes, budgeting, insurance coverage and savings. 

Business students can earn a certificate in financial planning to specialize in this area. BLS does not distinguish between personal financial advisors and planners. The estimated salary range is , as of May 2023.

The skills necessary for a career in finance vary by industry and specialty. One helpful skill to showcase is financial literacy. However, specific technical and soft skills learned during a degree or certificate program will help in any finance job.

The BLS lists similar in-demand skill requirements for finance degree jobs like ,�������Ի�:

• Analytical skills are essential to every finance career because of the need to evaluate profit potential, risks, performance and other factors. 
• Math abilities are vital for translating financial data and accounting reports into useful insights. This skill set often requires knowledge of analytics or accounting software.
• Decision-making skills are necessary because the choices made in any finance-related career will affect a client’s or employer’s bottom line, and poor decisions could lead to financial losses. 
• An understanding of economic principles is necessary to comprehend the financial environment in which a company or client operates. 
• Knowledge of financial markets�����Ի� investment instruments is necessary for many finance careers. Even in non-investment banking careers, being familiar with how company shares, debt instruments and the stock market can affect an employer’s profit potential is vital. 
• Accounting and budgeting specialists handle bookkeeping and reporting in most corporations. However, all finance professionals need a grasp of these fundamentals to provide a framework for many of their tasks.

Today’s finance industry uses analytics, market analysis and forecasting software. Employers will expect their workers to be familiar with these tools.

While the market is competitive, a finance degree can help prepare applicants with useful skills, provided you have a strong academic background and relevant experience.

The finance sector’s a broad one that encompasses many areas, from investment banking and financial planning to corporate finance and asset management. Organizations value graduates with finance degrees because they often have strong analytical skills and understand financial markets.

Enhancing your degree with internships, industry certifications and networking can help improve your job prospects.

Pursuing a finance degree and developing skills to pursue a finance career can open the door to rewarding possibilities in the private sector. ��ɫ��Ƶ offers several pathways toward a career in finance, and these are rooted in its online business degrees. Specific programs and certificates include:

• Online bachelor's in finance technology
• Online bachelor's in accounting
• Graduate accounting certificate

Contact ��ɫ��Ƶ for more information.