Earning an MBA in finance can serve as a gateway to a satisfying career with strong income potential. Bowling Green State University’s online MBA with a Concentration in Finance prepares students for business roles like financial operations manager, financial analyst, chief financial officer and more. Top earners in these positions earn well over six figures.
BGSU’s College of Business holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction held by less than 5% of the world’s business schools. The degree program is both convenient and affordable. All of the courses are offered online, and there are multiple start dates throughout the year. Graduates can earn their MBA in finance in as few as 12 months at a tuition cost of $595 per credit hour for in-state students.
5 Career Options for Finance MBA Grads
An MBA in finance prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in finance and related industries. After studying corporate finance, investing and other finance-related topics, graduates will be prepared to explore the following career options, among many others.
Financial Operations Manager
In most companies, managing financial operations requires efficient opening of accounts, accurate storage of customer information, and on-time reckoning of trades and other transactions. Financial operations managers typically oversee teams of accountants and financial experts. While the finance/accounting team handles day-to-day tasks, the financial operations manager often provides strategic direction to guide the company toward greater revenues and efficiency.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for financial managers will grow by 16% from 2018 to 2028. The median annual salary for the financial manager position is $127,990.
Chief Financial Officer
Chief financial officers are senior executives who manage a company’s financial actions. These officers are tasked with financial planning, company asset analysis, cash-flow tracking and planning for financial growth. One of the most important duties of a CFO is to ensure that financial reports are accurate and completed on time.
Due to their pivotal role, most CFOs hold an MBA or other graduate-level finance degree. The average salary for this leadership position is $132,467 per year, according to PayScale (January 2020).
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts glean insights from data. They find employment with pension funds, hedge funds, banks, securities firms and other institutions that rely on investments. Financial analysts use statistical software to examine financial data with the goal of forecasting trends and delivering other actionable insights.
Financial analysts regularly meet with company officials to discuss their findings. The median yearly salary for this profession is $85,660, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Financial Risk Manager
Taking calculated risks is part of what allows companies to grow. Financial regulations and responsibilities to shareholders and stakeholders mean that companies should take responsible levels of risk. Financial risk managers continually assess the risk levels of their company’s actions, putting policies in place for risk management.
The average salary for risk managers is $110,118 per year, according to January 2020 data from Indeed.
Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts examine market conditions to help companies decide what kind of products and services that market can support. They gather and interpret data on sales, marketing, consumers, competitors and more.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, market research analysts make an average annual salary of $63,120.
Launch Your Next Career Move With an MBA in Finance
BGSU’s online MBA with a Concentration in Finance is offered 100% online and can be completed in as few as 12 months. Progressing through the coursework enables candidates to equip themselves with the expertise required for leadership roles in the field of finance.
Learn more about BGSU’s online MBA program with a Concentration in Finance.
Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Financial Managers
PayScale: Chief Financial Officer Salary
