If you are intrigued by the financial markets and you also like to think about numbers, then a finance major is worth considering. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance can provide you with relevant skills and opportunities to help achieve your academic goals and expose you to numerous career possibilities. If you are having trouble deciding if a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics is right for you, here's some questions to consider.
What Will I Study?
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Financegives you the opportunity to study business, money, financial analysis, decision-making, accounting, the economy and internationalism of business and trade. Popular topics include financial evaluations, management of businesses and finance functions within modern corporations while considering legal and ethical issues in business. You will learn to use spreadsheets and other software used to process and present financial data. While a bachelor’s degree in finance will build upon your finance skills, you will also be taught leadership and communication skills.
What Traits Should I Possess?
When dealing with finances, it is extremely important to be detail-oriented, organized, analytical and a good communicator. It is also important to embrace an open, curious, entrepreneurial and innovative spirit while obtaining strong leadership skillsso that you may understand how business decisions affect financial goals and objectives. You will need strong mathematical and statistical skills in order to understand and analyze the financial data.
What Are My Job Prospects?
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Finance, you may explore a career in any enterprise where money is the medium of exchange. Typical examples include corporate finance, banking, insurance or investment management. However, all businesses, including nonprofit and government organizations require the use of money and an understanding of the economy. Here are some of the career options to consider:
- Financial planner
- Financial analyst
- Investor relations associate
- Budget analyst
- Load officer
- Accountant
- Credit managers
- Risk managers
You can also consider enhancing your knowledge by applying for a master’s degree in finance. Earning an MBA in Finance degree will prepare you to work in business management positions, often in investment banking and corporate finance. Alternatively, pursuing a master’s degree may offer students more of an opportunity to integrate mathematics, economics, accounting and associated disciplines with the theories and application of finance.
Key Benefits of Getting a Finance Degree
Finance is a high-stakes industry. Individuals and corporations will not trust their financial future to just anyone. That is why getting a finance degree is extremely valuable. Getting your finance degree allows you to:
- Master skills that prepare you for real-world job responsibilities
- Work for wide range of employers
- Set the stage for getting professional certifications
- Choose from a wide range of financially-rewarding careers
- Join a popular industry that expects a stable growth
How To Decide?
Finance is an exciting major with plenty of career opportunities. If you are interested in solving problems in creative ways or helping companies to plan how to grow their revenue or maintain profitability, a finance major is right for you. A Bachelor of Science in Finance will help you develop multiple skillsets with a great outlook for success after your graduation. To decide, you should understand what this degree offers and if it suits your interests.
If you are organized, detail-oriented and enthusiastic about helping businesses succeed, then a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Grand Canyon University could be the perfect fit for you! Learn more about our business degrees by visiting our website or clicking on the Request More Information button at the top of the page.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do notnecessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited wereaccurate as of the publish date.
FAQs
Finance Career Character Traits
If on the other hand, you love numbers, are good at math and Excel spreadsheets, and relish delving into the financials of a public company, then you might want to be an analyst. If you have both skill sets, a position as a financial advisor could suit you best.
How do you know if finance is the right major for you? ›
If you are interested in solving problems in creative ways or helping companies to plan how to grow their revenue or maintain profitability, a finance major is right for you. A Bachelor of Science in Finance will help you develop multiple skillsets with a great outlook for success after your graduation.
Is a bachelor's degree in finance enough? ›
Work for a wide range of employers.
A minimum of a bachelor's degree is required for nearly all finance professions. Whether you want to work on Wall Street, for the SEC, or a financial planning consultancy, a finance degree will give you the foundational knowledge you need to start your career.
How to know if finance isn't for you? ›
Still, a career in finance isn't for everyone. If talking about money bores you, for example, you might want to choose a different path. Similarly, if math was never your subject, it's not a dealbreaker, but it is a skill you'll need to practice regularly in this field.
How difficult is a finance degree? ›
Finance degrees are generally considered to be challenging. In a program like this, students gain exposure to new concepts, from financial lingo to mathematical problems, so there can be a learning curve.
What is the hardest finance job to get? ›
1. Investment Banker. Roles in investing banking are highly sought after. For investment bankers, it's often a higher competition to land a role in one of the largest firms.
What GPA do you need to major in finance? ›
Most finance programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0-3.0. Some schools also require minimum SAT or ACT scores.
What type of person should major in finance? ›
A natural tendency toward being analytical is common among finance majors. They can hone their analytical skills by practicing scenarios that represent situations that could occur during the course of their future careers. One of the key personality traits of finance majors is the innate ability to think logically.
What kind of person should go into finance? ›
Individuals with analytical minds and strong attention to detail make good candidates for in-demand careers in finance.
Is finance hard if you're bad at math? ›
Believe it or not, mastery of advanced math skills is not necessary to have a career in finance. With today's technology, all math-related tasks can be done by computers and calculators. That said, there are some basic math skills that would certainly make you a better candidate in the finance industry.
You don't need an MBA to work in finance, but the field is highly competitive, especially at the entry-level. Internships offer experience, exposure, and a tryout for a full-time gig.
Why would someone major in finance? ›
Finance students are taught key knowledge that is both broad in scope and in-depth in nature. A finance degree can teach you important topics to potentially enhance your own financial health, such as: Portfolio theory, management and application for business and individual investment decisions.
Why did I get rejected for finance? ›
Find out why you've been refused credit
There are many reasons your application might have been turned down. These include: a history of missed payments or possible fraudulent activity on your file. the lender deciding you wouldn't be able to repay.
Which finance job pays the most? ›
Top 5 Highest Paying Jobs in Finance
- Chief financial officer (CFO)
- Investment banking.
- Hedge fund manager.
- Private equity associate.
- Actuary.
One thing that's for sure is the high amount of math you will need to study. Finance is a mathematical discipline, so if you aren't as comfortable with math as with other ways of thinking, you may find it more challenging.
What are the cons of a finance career? ›
They can include high stress, big responsibility, long working hours, continuing education requirements, and, in some cases, a lack of job security—the finance industry is generally quite cyclical.
What attracts you to a career in finance? ›
I'm drawn to finance because it provides a comprehensive understanding of an organization's financial health, risk management, and investment decisions. By pursuing a career in finance, I can strengthen my ability to analyze financial data, provide strategic insights, and guide organizations towards sustainable growth.
How to break into the finance industry with no experience? ›
How to Break Into Finance with No Experience
- Overview.
- Offer to Work (for Free) at a Search Fund.
- Start a Blog about Investing.
- Write Articles on Seeking Alpha and Value Investors Club.
- Start a Solo Small Business.
- Invest Your Own Money.
- Take Courses or get Certificates.
- Network Aggressively and Systematically.
