Recently we explained what finance is and why it matters, and here we’re going to explore what finance professionals actually do for work.

This post will review the common job titles, work duties, and daily responsibilities of finance professionals.

But first, keep in mind that most people who finish a degree in finance and enter the field don’t end up with the job title of “Finance Professional”, but that they are much more likely to end up working in roles like:

  • Financial Analyst
  • Budget Analyst
  • Financial Planner
  • Cost Estimator
  • Personal Financial Advisor

After reviewing the list of roles above, you can probably guess that the responsibilities of anyone working in finance could vary considerably, but there is likely to be at least some overlap in their responsibilities, and that’s what we’ll cover below.

When you’ve finished reading this post, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about CSU Global’s 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, or if you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

Typical Finance Professionals Roles & Responsibilities

Finance professionals are typically responsible for finance-related tasks, including preparing budgets, analyzing financial statements, providing financial advice to clients, and other duties that help contribute to organizational success. 

Some common tasks required of finance professionals include:

  • Assessing clients’ financial status and making actionable recommendations.
  • Understanding and managing financial risk.
  • Security analysis and portfolio management.
  • Apply pricing and uses of standard derivative instruments.
  • Gathering and analyzing data.
  • Confidently presenting research and analysis in a logical and coherent manner.
  • Developing and nurturing business relationships with clients.

Keep in mind that you may be involved in one or several of the above processes as a finance professional, but that you might also be tasked with very different responsibilities altogether.

Your work in this space will depend on your specific capabilities and aptitudes, and the needs of the organization that hires you.

However, no matter what niche you end up working in, it’s important to realize that you’ll need to develop a robust set of finance skills if you want to achieve any level of success in this field, and the best way to do that is to get your degree in finance.

What Will I Learn from a Finance Bachelor’s Degree Program?

Should you choose to study finance at CSU Global, we’ll ensure that you’re fully prepared for a career in this challenging, competitive industry.

Our program will focus on developing the real-world skills you need to provide value as a finance professional, including skills and abilities like:

  • Applying terminology, theories, concepts, practices, and skills specific to the field of finance.
  • Applying financial principles to practical business and personal finance situations.
  • Performing financial analysis using quantitative concepts and techniques.
  • Interpreting financial statements and ratios.
  • Examining investment and financial risk.
  • Applying legislation, regulations, and principles of practice to financial scenarios.
  • Communicating professionally through writing and presentations.

To be clear, our program also includes training on a wide variety of other skills, including coursework designed to improve your people skills and leadership abilities, which will certainly make it easier to operate as a finance professional.

Developing these hard and soft skills will prepare you to deliver real value to any organization from your first day on the job, no matter what specific role you end up being hired into.

Is Finance a Good Career?

Yes, this is a great option for anyone interested in building a lifelong career in an important industry that offers real opportunities for making a serious contribution to organizational success.

Whether you choose to work for a business or a non-profit, your skills in finance will allow you to create accurate budgets, set strategic objectives, and help organizations achieve their goals.

You’ll graduate qualified to seek employment in any industry and at every organization, from public corporations to private companies, nonprofits, and state or federal government agencies.

Any organization interested in improving efficiencies, reducing costs, and driving more strategic initiatives will be interested in the skills that you’ve developed throughout the course of your studies.

If your goal is to establish a set of skills that lets you make a real difference in the success of any organization, then you couldn’t find a better fit than finance.

What’s the Best Way to Launch a Career in Finance?

While many industries are accessible without a degree, positions in finance typically require you to first complete a Bachelor’s Degree before you can get hired.

It’s especially important to get your degree if you’re looking to develop a real career in the industry, or if you want to land anything other than a menial, entry-level job.

If one of your career goals is to become a finance professional so that you can contribute to organizational success, then you’ll certainly want to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Finance.

Choosing to get your B.S. in Finance online with us at CSU Global ensures that you’ll develop the skills and knowledge required to break into this field by providing you with training in the following areas:

  • Forecasting
  • Budgeting
  • Saving
  • Investing
  • Borrowing
  • Lending
  • Communication 
  • Effective Leadership

This program is designed to train you to take the reins as an effective finance professional, furthering your professional development so that you can advance your career and contribute to organizational success from your first day on the job.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance?

CSU Global’s online Bachelor’s Degree in Finance will prepare you for complex, challenging leadership roles, including jobs like:

Keep in mind that this is just a short list of a handful of potential job titles you could apply to after earning your degree, and that the full list of available positions would run much longer.

Simply put, there are all sorts of specialty roles which your B.S. in Finance will prepare you to excel in, including nearly any role that requires finance skills or strategic business skills.

Should I Get My Bachelor’s in Finance Online?

Yes, you should certainly consider studying finance online, as online degree programs tend to provide far more flexibility and freedom than on-campus programs.

This is especially important if you’re already busy with existing work or family responsibilities since studying online could make it much easier to meet all of your existing obligations.

Studying online at CSU Global could make it easier to complete your finance program, since it will allow you to take advantage of the flexibility and freedom that our online programs provide, including benefits like:

  • No set times or locations for classes.
  • Monthly class starts.
  • Accelerated, eight-week courses.

If you already have a busy schedule, if you anticipate having any problems finding time for your academic studies, or if you just want to get your degree as quickly and efficiently as possible, then you should definitely choose to study online with us.

Why Should You Consider Studying Finance at CSU Global?

Our B.S. in Finance program is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is designed to provide you with the relevant real-world skills you need to advance your career in this challenging, competitive, but lucrative industry.

Our finance program will help you develop essential skills to work in this competitive industry, including:

  • Foundations of financial management.
  • Fiscal decision-making skills.
  • Technological approaches to business challenges.
  • Understanding financial risk.

Also, when choosing the CSU Global Bachelor’s in Finance with a Financial Planning specialization, you’ll be in one of just a few programs in the country that is recognized by the CFP Board®. 

Those who earn a CFP Board-recognized degree are distinguishing themselves among their peers by meeting CFP Board’s education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements. 

Completing this program also means you’ll have met the education requirement for CFP® Certification Examination administered by the CFP Board.

Finally, with our accelerated schedules, monthly class starts, no set class times, and 100% online degree formats, this B.S. in Finance program lets you earn your degree on your schedule.

CSU Global itself has also recently won several important awards, including:

  • A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges & Schools in Colorado from Best Accredited Colleges.
  • A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges in Colorado from Best Colleges.
  • A #10 ranking for Best Online Colleges for ROI from OnlineU.

Finally, we offer competitive tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee to ensure that your affordable tuition rate won’t increase for as long as you remain enrolled as a student, which protects you from the rate hikes that are common at other schools.

To get additional details about our fully accredited, 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, please give us a call at (800) 462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.
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