More Information About MBA in Finance

What should I know when considering a degree in MBA in Finance ?

Finance professionals keep the wheels of the world's economy turning. Various corporations, governments, and members of the public enlist the services of finance professionals to help manage their monetary assets and optimize their financial performance. They accomplish these tasks by analyzing the potential risks involved with investment ventures; handling the budgets of both large and small corporations, government bodies, and non-profit organizations; and helping individuals learn to manage their personal finances. Finance is an extremely broad discipline encompassing a wide range of aspects such as consumer credit, banking, underwriting, and budgeting.

Finance professionals work for a multitude of agencies across a broad range of industries and in a variety of different capacities. Those who have gained significant work experience often decide to become independent consultants and contract their services to individuals and corporations. Therefore, the exact scope of their responsibilities and work environments will differ significantly for each position.

Education Required

To begin a career in the finance industry, an individual should obtain a finance degree from a finance college or university. An online finance degree is available for students who must work full-time while completing their studies. Students seeking to pursue advanced positions in the field and professionals seeking to advance their finance careers may want to consider pursuing an MBA degree in Finance. An online MBA degree is also an option for those unable to attend on-site classes. When making admission decisions, programs often consider an applicant's undergraduate record, relevant work experience, potential contribution to the field of finance, and GRE or GMAT scores.

These programs provide students with advanced training in the areas of business and finance. Through the heavy emphasis that advanced degree programs place on research and analysis, students will gain the ability to assess a company's current financial situation and future needs. Through a variety of business and finance courses, students will learn how to integrate the principles of finance with the operative systems of businesses and corporations. Students will come to understand the workings of economic, money market, and financial systems, as well as how they affect a company and the larger economy as a whole. Advanced degree programs allow students to study: corporate and global finance, investment analysis, insurance and risk management, and money and banking. Courses assigned in the curricula may include: capital asset pricing models, future contracts and markets, capital budgeting, investment strategy, and operational audits. Programs may also require basic background courses such as finance courses, accounting courses, economics, and statistics.

There are a number of benefits to obtaining a professional finance certification including: added professional recognition, a credential that is attractive to potential employers, and demonstrated personal dedication to professional development. Voluntary certification may also significantly improve an individual's advancement potential. The Association for Financial Professionals offers a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) certification.

Earning Potential

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for financial specialists is reported to be $65,650. The highest paid salaries were reported at $99,940, and the lowest were reported at $31,860. Specific earnings however, will vary greatly based on the specific industry, specialization, experience, and level of education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also expects there to be a steady increase in job opportunities for finance positions through the year 2016.

Where an Advanced Degree Will Take You

An MBA degree in Finance will give professionals an advantage in this already competitive job market. Recipients of the degree may be most likely to be selected for or promoted to advanced positions in supervision and management. Those with advanced degrees may also potentially earn higher salaries as well.

Careers in This Area

Finance professionals may serve organizations in a number of different ways. There are numerous specialties under the umbrella of finance and each handles a specific aspect of the financial discipline.

Commercial Banker

Specialists work in commercial banking industries as credit analysts, loan officers, and mortgage bankers. They may regularly interact with the public and regulate consumer credit and lending policies.

Corporate Finance

Specialists in corporate finance are in charge of handling the finances of large corporations. They must investigate ways to increase the company's capital, regulate spending, and attract investors.

Financial Planner

Financial planners largely work for members of the public instead of corporations. They are hired to help individuals manage their finances, explore investment opportunities, and choose good investment options based on the individual's specific circumstances and goals.

Financial Manager

Financial managers supervise the overall financial functions of a company. They establish policies and procedures for handling a company's finances and devise ways to generate revenue.

Investment and Risk Manager

Investment and risk management specialists have the responsibility of identifying potential investment opportunities. It is also their job to weigh the risks and benefits associated with those opportunities. They will either make determinations as to which opportunities the company will pursue, or make recommendations to upper-level managers.

Type of Person Who Will Succeed in This Career

The finance profession can be a very rewarding field for those who enjoy helping businesses and individuals achieve financial growth and security. Since working with numbers will comprise the bulk of their work, finance professionals should possess an affinity for math. Analytical skills are important for assessing, arriving at conclusions, and making recommendations based on statistical and numerical data. As technology becomes an increasingly important component of business, finance professionals should also possess excellent computer skills, and stay on top of the latest technological developments.

Article References

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/

Association for Financial Professionals
http://www.afponline.org

What are the leading schools offering programs in MBA in Finance ?

• Grand Canyon University Online Founded in 1949 as a private, non-denominational Christian university, Grand Canyon University emphasizes individual attention and staff support. Students learn professional essentials for success in Education careers—all with the convenience of flexible online classes. ( More Info )
• Walden University Walden University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offers Ph.D., master's and bachelor's degrees in management and doctoral and master's degrees in psychology, education and health and human services to meet the specific needs of adult learners. Walden University has over 30 years of experience delivering programs from a distance while maintaining its student-centered focus on quality and integrity. ( More Info )
• Ashford University (Graduate) Founded in 1918, Ashford University (Graduate) specializes in Teacher Education and Organizational Leadership. Students choose from Master degrees in business, psychology, criminal justice, and teaching. The accelerated classes will offer you a swift path to program completion for a degree in MBA or Master of Arts in Teaching/Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology. ( More Info )
• Florida Tech University Online Florida Tech University Online offers students a state-of-the-art learning system that allows students to work their studies into their busy work and family lives. Associate's, bachelor, and master's degrees can be earned online in a wide range of fields including Business Administration, Criminal Justice and Computer Information Systems. ( More Info )
• Quinnipiac University Quinnipiac University is a private, coeducational university with 5,400 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students. Located in Hamden, Connecticut, the school is often ranked among the country's best universities. The Quinnipiac reputation extends to online classes in occupational therapy and business. ( More Info )
• American InterContinental University Founded in 1970, American InterContinental University (AIU) offers curricula that provide students with career preparation in business, design and media arts, engineering, education, and information technology. AIU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate, Bachelor's and Master's degrees. ( More Info )
• Kaplan University - Business Programs Kaplan University Online offers Bachelor's, Associate's, and Master's Degree programs in Business Administration and Management. This degree program focuses on better, more efficient management practices in following emphasis areas: E-Business, Health Care Management, or Sales and Marketing. In addition, they offer certificate programs in Accounting & Finance, as well as Healthcare Management. ( More Info )
• Northeastern University Established in 1922, Northeastern University offers Master of Science and MBA degree programs with 7 specializations that have launched and accelerated successful business careers for our graduates ever since. Northeastern University's College of Business Administration is AACSB-accredited, the highest accreditation for any business school. ( More Info )
• University of Maryland University College Since 1947, University of Maryland University College (UMUC) has pursued one primary mission: to make higher education more accessible, convenient, and rewarding for busy adults. UMUC offers more than 80 online degree and certificate programs, each designed to offer you a challenging educational experience with maximum flexibility. ( More Info )
• Northcentral University Northcentral University is an accredited online university that offers students graduate degrees in programs including business and technology management, education and psychology. ( More Info )
• Upper Iowa University Online Upper Iowa University Online serves over 6500 students around the world. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Upper Iowa University offers Associate, Bachelor, and Master Degrees through the schools nationally regarded online program. ( More Info )
• Colorado Technical University - Online Grad Colorado Technical University's online degree programs provide distance online education with MBA and Master's in Management and doctorate degrees with specialized emphasis. Programs can be taken at a flexible pace as either accelerated (2 courses per session) or decelerated (1 course per session). ( More Info )
• Brandman University Founded in 1958, Brandman University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, and credentials in education, psychology, and healthcare. ( More Info )