With so many MBA concentration options available online, prospective students have to decide which option will work best for them and their career goals. An MBA in finance is widely recognized as one of the most versatile graduate degree options because of the wide range of high-paying career fields that require a background in finance.
Bowling Green State University offers an online MBA with a Concentration in Finance that covers financial analysis, business decision-making skills, communication and other important concepts and expertise that allow graduates to pursue careers in roles like financial operations manager, finance manager, chief financial officer and other top-tier positions.
Benefits of an MBA in Finance
An MBA with a concentration in any field can open the door to career advancements and upper-management promotions. The advanced degree lends credibility and transferable skills to your resume as well as intangible benefits such as self-confidence, improved communication skills and a broader worldview.
A degree in finance offers additional benefits. Students who undertake BGSU’s rigorous and accredited curriculum learn about investing and corporate finance. Many large firms and investment groups are looking for graduates with the expertise and training that an MBA in finance affords. A few of these skills include:
- The ability to identify and recommend financial alternatives
- An understanding of how to maximize shareholder wealth through proper allocation of capital
- The ability to identify potentially lucrative securities or ventures
- A keen understanding of which loans to approve
Once you have graduated from BGSU’s online MBA program with a Concentration in Finance, you can pursue careers in the U.S. financial sector or abroad.
Financial managers work in a wide range of settings, often for insurance companies or banks. The managers produce financial reports, develop investment strategies, direct investment activities and set long-term goals for the institutions they work for. The 2018 median salary for these professionals is $127,990 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Financial consultants render services to clients based on their personal goals. These professionals often have graduate degrees in addition to certifications in order to practice. In addition to financial acumen, good interpersonal and communication skills are a must. BLS places the 2018 median salary for personal financial advisors at $88,890 per year.
Large companies rely on human resource managers to hire employees, manage worker benefits and ensure that each worker is satisfied with his or her role within the company, among other tasks. While human capital is top of mind for human resource managers, a background in finance is common among these top-earners. The median yearly salary for this position is $113,300, according to 2018 BLS data.
General managers oversee an entire company’s operations. These leaders are expected to control costs while maximizing revenues for their company. A background in finance can help a general manager to achieve this goal by allocating company resources efficiently. The 2018 median salary for top executives is $104,980 per year (BLS).
Prepare for a Career in Finance
Graduates with an MBA in finance are positioned to become top earners in a variety of careers. Through a convenient online format that accommodates the busy schedules of working professionals, BGSU’s MBA program prepares students for a variety of top-level leadership roles. Each course is taught by BGSU faculty, and the BGSU College of Business holds dual accreditation in business and accounting from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The exacting standards AACSB uses to award accreditation signal a quality business education to prospective students and employers alike.
Enrolling in BGSU’s comprehensive online MBA program is a step toward a fulfilling career in finance. MBA candidates can complete the 30-credit-hour program in as few as 12 months.
Learn more about BGSU’s online MBA program with a Concentration in Finance
Sources:
Poets & Quants: The Highest-Paying MBA Concentrations
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Financial Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Personal Financial Advisors
