Finance

Career Opportunities

Job Skills

Finance graduates are in demand and often receive multiple offers from businesses, governmental entities, and non-profit organizations.  They are valued for their problem solving skills and ability to work well with others.  It is important to note that while finance majors graduate with a firm understanding of the tools and techniques of finance; they also develop effective oral and written communication skills.  Employers value the fact that finance graduates understand the language of business and have the ability to perform detailed analyses.  Employer training for specific entry level jobs can be accomplished expeditiously and effectively.

Job Opportunities

Finance is an excellent choice for those who have the goal of becoming a Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of a business entity.  Opportunities are available in the following sectors:

  • Corporate
  • Government
  • Non-Profit
  • Small Business

Our graduates often get involved in one or more of the following functional areas:

  • Taxation
  • Investments
  • Cost Accounting
  • Capital Budgeting
  • Cash Management
  • Credit Management
  • Allocation of Capital
  • Acquisition of Capital
  • Information Technology
  • Personal Financial Planning
  • Hedging Foreign Currency Risk
  • Financial Statement Preparation & Analysis

Specific Job Titles

A sampling of the job titles for recent finance graduates includes:

  • Stockbroker
  • Field Auditor
  • Credit Analyst
  • Budget Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Financial Planner
  • Wealth Manager
  • Financial Consultant
  • Management Consultant

Each year, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) recruits our top finance majors.  Those selected enjoy a 4-day work week, extremely attractive starting salary, and an outstanding benefit package with early retirement.

Salaries of Graduates

Starting salaries for our finance graduates are among the highest for students in the College of Business.  National surveys typically show starting salaries for finance graduates at or near the top of the list for starting salaries for all majors.  We expect this trend to continue.  Finance has become a more complex field as our economy has become more global.  This requires that finance professionals increase their knowledge and skill base in order to create, market and manage sophisticated financial products and strategies.  Accordingly, demand for and salaries for finance professionals (including recent graduates) will continue to grow.