Finance prepares students for dynamic careers in areas such as investment banking, financial planning, corporate finance, and risk management. This field equips students with critical skills in financial analysis, decision-making, and strategic planning, enabling them to understand and influence how businesses and individuals manage resources. A finance major is ideal for students who enjoy working with numbers, analyzing data, and solving complex problems. With strong earning potential and a wide range of career opportunities, a finance degree offers the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in the ever-evolving financial industry.
Below are just a few of the many career paths you can take with finance.
- Financial Analyst:
- Analyzes financial data, prepares reports, and assists with financial planning and forecasting.
- Investment Analyst:
- Researches and analyzes investment opportunities, assists in portfolio management, and supports investment decisions.
- Corporate Finance Analyst:
- Works in corporate finance to analyze financial performance, create budgets, and forecast future financial trends.
- Treasury Analyst:
- Manages a company’s liquidity, investments, and financial risk.
- Financial Planner:
- Helps individuals manage their finances, including investments, retirement, and tax planning.
- Accountant:
- Prepares financial statements, manages tax reporting, and ensures compliance with financial regulations.
- Risk Analyst:
- Analyzes and mitigates financial risks, including credit, market, and operational risks.
- Investment Banker:
- Advises on mergers, acquisitions, and financing, and helps companies raise capital.
- Credit Analyst:
- Evaluates the creditworthiness of individuals or companies applying for loans.
- Portfolio Manager:
- Manages investment portfolios for clients, making decisions on asset allocation and investment strategies.
- Private Equity Analyst:
- Works with private equity firms to evaluate investment opportunities, conduct due diligence, and manage investments.
- Financial Controller:
- Oversees financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance within a company or organization.
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO):
- Leads a company’s financial strategy, financial planning, risk management, and reporting.
- Financial Consultant:
- Provides expert advice to individuals or businesses on financial planning, investments, or corporate financial strategies.
Professional Associations:
National Association for Business Economics (NABE)
American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI)
American Finance Association (AFA)
American Association of Bank Directors
Association of Finance Professionals (AFP)
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)
American Statistical Association (ASA)
Illinois Banker Association
To enhance employability in finance fields, students and professionals should focus on developing the following key skills:
- Financial Analysis: Ability to assess financial data, identify trends, and make informed recommendations.
- Quantitative Skills: Proficiency in working with data, using financial models, and applying statistical tools.
- Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in financial statements, reports, and analyses.
- Communication Skills: Effectively presenting complex financial information to diverse stakeholders.
- Problem-Solving: Developing solutions to financial challenges, including risk management and investment strategies.
- Knowledge of Financial Markets: Understanding how markets function and the factors that influence them.
- Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with financial software and tools, such as Excel, SAP, and QuickBooks.
- Ethical Judgment: Maintaining high standards of integrity and professionalism in financial decision-making.
- Time Management: Managing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines, especially during busy financial periods.
- Adaptability: Staying current with industry changes, regulations, and technological advancements.
Finance Job Boards:
Association of Nonprofit Accountants and Finance Professionals
Government Finance Officers Association
Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance
The American Finance Association