If you have decided on specializing in finance as you complete your online MBA degree, your studies will focus on how money is managed within companies. As part of your MBA curriculum, you’ll take courses in investment management, finance institutions and financial markets. MBA graduates who have a concentration in finance learn the unique skills and knowledge required to be an integral part of how businesses acquire funds and make profits. There’s a reason why finance has traditionally been the most popular career track for those pursuing their MBA. At King University, we understand that making a return on the investment of an advanced degree is important to you. That’s why we developed a valuable MBA program that combines management, research, theoretical systems and ethical practices with a teaching approach that allows for complete integration of case data and real-world scenarios.

From banking to investment services, an MBA in finance offers benefits in a variety of industries to working professionals like you. Earning your degree from King means that you’ll gain the business and financial skills necessary for advanced positions and higher salary upon completion. We’ve put together a guide to just a few of the many career options for finance MBAs after graduation. Even at the junior level, most professionals in the finance field either already hold an MBA or are working toward it. Some of the careers that you will be qualified for with an MBA in finance include:

• Chief financial officer (CFO): These professionals are the top financial executives within a company. They are responsible for overseeing accounting and financial departments to ensure efficiency and accuracy. CFOs work with other company executives to ensure that the company is in compliance with all laws and adheres to general accounting principles. You can expect to earn around $128,000 annually in this type of position.
• Finance director: A financial director oversees the finances of a business, organization, institution or agency. In this position, your job would be to make sure that finances are kept both correctly and effectively. You would also share information about any financial issues to other members of the business or to stockholders. Financial directors manage financial risks, complete financial planning and keep records. These professionals earn around $110,000 annually.
• Senior financial analyst: Financial analysts are professionals who provide advice and guidance to clients, both individuals and businesses, to help them make sound investment decisions. They study and evaluate the market and economic trends for stocks, bonds and other types of investments. They also oversee the creation of investment portfolios. Because of today’s global economy, many financial analysts today specialize in a specific country or region. In this position, you will earn about $78,000 a year.
• Commercial banker: A career in commercial banking most often involves managing a bank branch and bank personnel. As a commercial banker, your duties will include approving or denying loans, acquiring new customers, supervising staff and coordinating the different departments within the bank itself. In a leadership role at a commercial bank, you will earn around $93,000 annually.
• Investment banker: These professionals focus on helping companies acquire funds and grow their portfolios. Stock and bonds transfer as well as investment capital and wholesale corporate acquisitions are typical duties of investment bankers. Investment bankers are considered some of the most elite and central participants in the financial marketplace. Other duties of investment bankers include consulting and advising services. Average salary for investment bankers is around $96,000 annually.

Recruiters and Getting the Job

The major recruiters for graduates with finance MBAs are banks. However, smaller investment and venture capital firms are also key sources of employment for students with advanced business and finance degrees. In general, financial managers and analysts can expect job growth in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an increase of 10 percent for financial professions through 2026. Traditionally, Wall Street was the place to go for MBA grads with a background in finance, but that has changed in recent years. Arguably, more opportunities exist in smaller organizations than in larger ones. In today’s economic climate, larger organizations appear more conservative about their hiring, while a significantly larger number of small- and medium-sized global organizations are expanding. The key to today’s finance market is in-depth knowledge of a specific area, and the King MBA program provides this through our specializations.

King University’s MBA

Our online MBA program blends an intensive classroom case analysis with individual preparation and group discussions. The curriculum adopts creative components like a team-based learning model. The program comprises 36 hours of coursework and is designed for students with some experience who are looking to enhance their business administration knowledge and skills. Our online courses are the same as those taught on campus, so you’re getting all the benefits of traditional, classroom learning along with the flexibility and convenience of an online format. Visit the program page and find out more about how King’s finance specialization could be the key to your post-MBA career success.