How to Start a Career in Finance

 If you are interested in starting a career in finance, it would be good to plan ahead. There are several things that you will need to take note of in order to prepare yourself well for this field.

The basic requirement needed would be the right education. The minimum level of education to get into an entry-level position would be the bachelor’s degree. The online finance degree is becoming increasingly popular as it allows people to complete the degree while gaining working experience. Nevertheless, an online degree of this level will focus on technology, e-business, ethics, critical thinking, research methods, and statistical analysis. If one is interested in breaking into management level positions, they would need to have either a master’s degree or an MBA.

With a master’s degree, people often complete it while working full-time. At the same time, they would be able to attain certifications like the CPA, CMA, or CFA. As one will need to balance between work and study, people often go for an online finance degree of this level for its flexibility. On the other hand, an MBA program with a specialization in finance is always keeping its syllabus up-to-date with the current market. A PhD puts more focus on the theoretical concepts within the field, such as leadership and organizational chance, knowledge and learning management, and high-level decision-making.

In finance, certification is very much recommended to show one’s area of expertise. For one to pursue the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification, one will need to meet the requirements of having a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of professional experience in a relevant field. Then, they will need to pass the three exams that will be taken within the course of three years. On the other hand, personal financial advisors can go for their Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification which will require them to pass a set of exams and a strict code of ethics, other than providing their academic credits. As for financial managers, a Certified Cash Manager (CCM) requires them to pass online exams and have at least two years of professional experience. The progress of certification for managers in a financial institution industry begins with Credit Business Associate (CBA), followed by Credit Business Fellow (CBF), and then Certified Credit Executive (CCE).