What Can You Do with a Finance Degree?

No doubt accreditation is important and you should take a small investigation online or on the phone to learn whether your chosen establishment is good for you in all senses.

The employers in the financial industries often ask for the certifications or diplomas from certified accredited agencies and institutions.

The agencies usually accredit the establishment to ensure that the Department of Education accepts it.

Sure, the accredited educational establishment is what you need if you do not want to have problems and get back to school again in the future.

Regional Accrediting Agencies

These agencies provide accreditation to the schools and colleges which is also called a “stamp of approval”.

Here is the list of some most popular regional agencies:

• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• The Higher Learning Commission
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Unlike minor regional accrediting agencies that have some doubtful reputation, there are a number of very reputable agencies.

To be more than sure of your success in the future finance career, you better get a chance to learn more about national accreditation agencies which are program-specific.

You can gain a very good reputation if you get a stamp from AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate schools).

Additionally, check these agencies: AACSB Accounting Accreditation or the AACSB Business Accreditation.

To make a long story short, the school of your dream should focus on the financial sphere, so you will have the chance to show this certificate to your new employer and start building your dream career with the finance degree.

All of the information can be found online but we suggest you contact the Department of Education.

Associate’s Degree in Finance

If you are a high school graduate, your next level in the game of finances is getting an associate’s degree.

You will have to take a number of challenging courses and write a coursework at the end of studies.

To be accepted by most public and private educational establishments who offer a bachelor’s degree, you need to learn the program and follow it.

The program for associate’s degree consists of 60 credits which are equal to two years of educational sessions.

What Courses Will You Take?

• Introduction to Microeconomics
• Managerial Accounting
• Financial Accounting
• Principles of Finance
• Money, Banking, and Financial Markets
• Investments

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance

As soon as you are ready for the bachelor’s degree in finance, you should spend four years of your life to study a twice as long list of courses.

The degree counts for 120 credits.

In case you decide to cease studies after getting a bachelor’s degree, do not worry about the future.

Most of the employers accept this and offer you positions in banks, managerial or investment sphere.

Moreover, you will be considered a decent specialist since you’ll have completed a special research or coursework.

What Courses Will You Take?

• Management and Organization Theory
• Principles of Accounting I
• Principles of Accounting II
• Business Finance
• Investments
• Risk Management
• Financial Analysis
• Financial Management
• Security Analysis and Valuation
• International Finance
• Money and Banking
• Contemporary Issues in Finance Practice

Master’s Degree in Finance

Master’s degree in finance is offered to those students who love studying and look far into the future.

The opportunities of people who have obtained a master’s degree are far more wide that those of the associates and bachelors.

You will be able to solve lots of financial issues at the academic level.

What Courses Will You Take?

• Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
• Short Term Financial Management
• Cost Accounting
• Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making
• Managerial Economics
• Corporate Financial Management
• Risk Management
• Financial Modeling
• Money and Capital Markets
• Global Corporate Finance

What’s the Difference Between a Master’s Degree in Finance and an MBA?

MBA is actually aimed at teaching you to solve the financial problems in business like large companies and everything connected to money transfers, management, accounting, business law and ethics, supply chain, etc.

Doctoral Degree in Finance

The Doctoral Degree consists of specialized courses for students which results in writing a dissertation after three years of studies.

As a matter of fact, three years is probably the minimum period for getting the doctorate.

To know whether you move in the right direction, take a look back at the Master’s degree courses.

The doctoral degree courses are quite similar yet much more profound.

Credit Analyst

A credit analyst is a person who works with loans, investments, and loan seekers.

You will be a specialist in determining the financial condition of a person or organization, financial opportunities for taking and repaying loans.

The National Credit Management Association certifies financiers like you.

You will receive the title of credit analyst if you pass three main courses: accounting, business lending, and financial reports.

In addition, you will need to pass a special exam to obtain a certificate.

Finance Officer/Loan Officer

Loan specialists are now widely in demand in various industries.

In addition, this work is pretty well paid.

To get a certificate you must study for 20 credits and pass an exam.

Each year, you will be required to renew your license in order to operate continuously.

Many financiers do not refuse additional training offered, for example, by the Association of American Bankers and the Association of Mortgage Banks.

Financial Advisor

Of course, anyone can give a piece of advice concerning finances.

However, professionals will always distinguish the advice of an experienced certified financier from frivolous discussions.

To become a true professional in the field of financial consulting, you need to contact the Board of Standards of a certified financial planner.

They will accept you if you shape to justify the bachelor’s degree and three years of work experience.

Financial Analyst

In case that you are a hard-working person who is not afraid of any difficulties on the way to the career hights and decent salary, try to become a financial analyst.

This position requires people like you.

The Industry regulator named FINRA won’t allow you to enter the field without a relevant license.

What is more, the enterprises often become sponsors of licensing so you should gain much experience in the financial sphere.

Among the most popular positions that a financial degree allows you to take are:

• Examiners, and Investigators
• Cost Estimators
• Financial Analysts
• Human Resources Specialists
• Personal Financial Advisors
• Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents
• Statisticians
• Actuaries
• Accountants and Auditors
• Financial Clerks
• Market Research Analysts
• Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
• Budget Analysts
• Claims Adjusters, Appraisers
• Insurance Underwriters
• Loan Officers
• Logisticians
• Management Analysts
• Meeting, Convention and Events Planners
• Operations Research Analysts

According to the data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the degree in finances can guarantee you one of the following wage options in accordance with your chosen profession:

• Personal financial advisors – Mean annual wage of $90,530
• Financial analysts – Mean annual wage of $81,760
• Budget analysts – Mean annual wage of $73,840
• Credit analysts – Mean annual wage of $81,160
• Financial examiners – Mean annual wage of $79,280
• Appraisers and assessors of real estate – Mean annual wage of $68,150
• Insurance underwriters – Mean annual wage of $67,680
• Loan officers – Mean annual wage of $63,650
• Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents – Mean annual wage of $52,060
• Credit counselors – Mean annual wage of $49,480
• Tax preparers – Mean annual wage of $45,340

No matter if you have obtained your associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree in finances, you can build a successful career and get much useful knowledge from the specialized communities and associations.

Below is the list of some of the most respectable organizations waiting for you:

• Association for Financial Professionals
• Society for Financial Service Professionals
• American Association of Finance and Accounting
• American Bankers Association
• The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business (IMA)
• International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
• National Association of Black Accountants
• Professional Accounting Society of America (PASA)
• The American Finance Association (AFA)
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• American Society of Women Accountants (ASWA)