What should a finance major know

A financial analyst typically works for a large corporation. There are also opportunities in the nonprofit and government sectors. An analyst looks at how money is being spent and helps allocate resources to keep the company viable. Analysts may look at payroll, marketing, requisitioning, and sales to determine the best courses of action. Another option for those majoring in finance is to become an investor relations associate. In this role, you may prepare financial documents and data about your company.

You may then present this information to potential investors, media outlets, and analysts within your organization. Doctoral degrees in finance may add even more specialization to your experience. You may be able to go into an instructional or research sector. You may also be qualified for any job in the financial industry with a doctorate. These numbers are averages, taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. They are meant to act as a guide for you to see what jobs you can get with a finance degree.

Your location and company may cause deviations from these numbers. Yes, finance is a good degree if you are mathematically inclined and detail-oriented. Being able to present information and gain client trust can also help in your career. Before you major in finance, be honest with yourself about whether you have these qualities or how you might develop them.

One positive aspect of your finance degree is the number of entry-level jobs it may qualify you for. All salaries are average base salaries according to Glassdoor data from May , unless stated otherwise.

Keep in mind: Bonuses and commissions for some finance professionals can reach into the tens of thousands. These are not included in the base salaries listed below.

New technologies and consumer appetite for transparent products have made financial technology—or fintech—companies see enormous growth in the twenty-first century [ 2 ]. Fintech encompasses a wide range of products, but broadly refers to technology that automates and digitizes financial services. Fintech companies can provide consumer-facing services like digital banking or business loans, or work with traditional financial institutions to modernize their technologies.

Fintech companies often look for business analysts who know the financial realm well. Data analysis is one of the most in-demand skills across many industries in the US. Impact investing and the closely related socially responsible investing SRI are growing methods of investing in which investors choose to place funds in companies or projects that align with their values.

Investors in these fields might screen portfolios for companies that are seen as socially harmful by their clients, or actively seek out companies that are working to alleviate a social issue. As an analyst, you can work for companies that focus on responsible investing, or in the impact investing arm of traditional financial organizations like banks or mutual funds.

The field has grown rapidly in recent years, with assets under management in impact investing nearly doubling from 52 billion USD in to 98 billion USD in , according to a survey by the Global Impact Investing Network [ 3 ].

Financial analysts parse data to help investors make sound decisions. Financial analysts can work for large investment organizations like banks, or for businesses to find new business or investment opportunities. Financial analysts play key roles in any number of sectors like media, biotech, and information technology.

This makes it a versatile career option that can take you into new and growing industries. The commercial banking industry has gone through large shifts in recent years, adopting digital technologies to enhance their services while evolving to accommodate new players in fintech. But commercial bankers still play a crucial role in communities.

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Posted in Finance business careers finance careers. What Do Financial Advisors Do? A finance major would learn how to advise others in making strong investments, and in how to manage funds and finances.

They would gain such skills as being able to establish and manage budgets; being able to monitor important financial markets and economies use that information for practical effect; and advising and assisting in important investment decisions. Finance majors should be aware of the current situation surrounding the world of finance, however.

Due to the recent economic downturn and the recession, there are likely to be fewer positions in finance in the future. At the very least, many individuals working in finance lost their jobs as a direct result of the financial crisis, and as such, success through a finance major is not guaranteed by any means.

This is not to say that there are no opportunities out there at all for finance majors; these opportunities are simply in places which some finance majors might not automatically think to look.