The challenge for any young professional is to decide where they will take their career, and how they can do that. For the financially minded, an MBA in Finance cannot only provide you with the skills to excel in the field of finance but to understand the options available to you as a finance MBA graduate. 

That’s why today we’re going to take a look at 8 amazing career paths available after an MBA in Finance.

But first, let’s discuss precisely what an MBA in Finance is and what you can expect.

What is an MBA in Finance? 

An MBA in Finance is exactly what the name implies, a master’s in business Administration degree that includes specialized course material directly related to finance. The core course material is similar to other MBAs, however as the student proceeds with the degree, their coursework becomes increasingly focused on finance. Thus, an MBA in finance creates a well-rounded graduate ready to lead others in the finance industry.

An MBA in finance is not to be confused with a finance concentration MBA. The primary difference is that rather than focusing on finance as a profession, a finance concentration is a focused look at how money moves within an organization and throughout the economy. This produces a person well versed in how money works in business, but not how money works as a business. 

A finance concentration is therefore best for those looking to understand cashflows and how the economy affects a business.

An MBA in finance, on the other hand, is best for those looking to make a profession of how this money works, and be able to utilize that understanding to achieve their professional goals. 

Why Take an MBA in Finance? 

• Career Options – An MBA can open many doors. With the skills you gain through an MBA program, you’ll find yourself considered for higher-paying positions than you would with a bachelor’s alone.
  
• Transferable Skills – As with other MBA programs, an MBA in finance provides transferable skills such as leadership and communication which are useful for any profession.
  
• Networking Opportunities – An MBA program allows you to join other highly skilled and ambitiously-minded individuals who will provide a lifelong asset to your career. 

How Many Jobs are Available in Finance? 

There is a persistent need for finance professionals as the role extends across industries of all kinds. Every major enterprise employs financial professionals to make the number work.

Jobs in finance are expected to grow by at least 7 percent between now and 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for a total of 715,100 new jobs over the next decade. Accounting for workers expected to leave their occupations either for retirement or other career paths, this number grows to 980,200 openings each year. So, there are plenty of opportunities in this field. 

MBA in Finance Career Path 

A natural question when pursuing a career in finance is “What kind of jobs can you get with an MBA in finance, and where do I go from there?” Well, we’re going to answer exactly that by exploring the career scope of an MBA in finance.

Let’s start by looking at a typical career path.

1. Junior Analyst – Performing security analysis of stocks and bonds.
   
2. Senior Analyst – Focusing on specific industries and sectors, analyzing important financial data, and developing relevant research reports.
   
3. Investment Manager – Overseeing investments, buying and selling securities based on data
   
4. Senior Investment Manager – Same as investment manager, but entrusted with overseeing and managing considerable sums of money.
   
5. Chief Financial Officer – Managing an entire organization’s financial needs. 

MBA in Finance Salary Range 

Naturally, the next question you will ask is “What do finance jobs pay?” After all, salary is an important motivator for any job seeker, and it’s on the mind of many young professionals. So, let’s take a look at the salary you can expect 

Salary	Range*
Average Salary for MBA in Finance	$101,000
Entry Level MBA Finance Salary – Financial Analyst	$53,000 – $93,000
Mid-Level MBA Finance Salary – Finance Manager	$76,000 – $134,000
Highest paying MBA Finance Salaries – Finance Director	$91,000 – $178,000

*Salary Ranges Sourced from PayScale. 

8 Incredible Careers You Can Get With an MBA in Finance? 

An MBA in finance can open many doors for a young professional, no matter where they are in their development. The potential is limitless, from getting a position as a financial accountant to an investment manager to even the chief financial officer of a major enterprise.

Check out this MBA finance job list for the career you dream of. Don’t be tempted to skip around the list, you may miss a position you never knew you wanted.

Financial Accountant 

The career of a financial accountant is a remarkably rewarding career for those skilled in and passionate about communication, attention to detail, and possessing an analytical mindset. Whether you’re interested in working in the public or private sectors, this career path has something for you.

In this career, you can expect to spend your time preparing financial statements and reports while advising organizational leadership on investment strategies. Financial accounts are responsible for analyzing the economic stability of a company and providing thorough financial information to internal and external entities. The bottom line, you’ll be the person that makes the finances work. 

To get into this career, you’ll need to at least begin with a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as finance. However, progressing in this field is another story entirely. You will need to complete several years of entry-level experience before advancing to a better-paying position such as management accountant or financial analyst. Alternatively, career advancement can be expedited by furthering your education with a CPA certification or pursuing a finance MBA. 

According to Salary.com, the typical salary for a financial accountant falls between $53,810 to $65,140. 

Financial Analyst 

In a similar vein, financial analysts evaluate investment opportunities that help organizations make the best investment decisions possible. This is true no matter what industry you enter, whether that be real estate, nonprofit organizations, or even government. Regardless of where a financial analyst works, they’re essential assets to any serious organization.

It’s perfect for anyone looking to perform meaningful financial work, and enjoy diving into financial data to guide investments

To become a financial analyst, you’ll need a bachelor’s in a relevant field. Then accrue work experience in a position such as a financial accountant. To best advance into a financial analyst position, you should also consider obtaining a relevant certification such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) credential.

From there, the best way to progress further in your career is to continue building your experience, and taking your education to the next level. An MBA, for example, provides a student with everything they need to know about a business with a top-down view – an essential skill for senior financial positions. 

According to Payscale, a financial analyst’s salary averages around $63,000 with a range of $49,000 to $84,000. 

Financial Advisor 

Everyone needs help from time to time with their finances. That is, except for financial advisors. These finance professionals provide financial advice to their clients which can be individuals or organizations – unlike financial analysts and accounts. 

In this role, you would find yourself helping others plan their finances and achieve a better financial future under your expert guidance. As such, this offers a great career for those who enjoy being more than problem solvers. Consider this for your career if you find pleasure in providing expert advice. 

Again, this is another finance position that typically requires a bachelor’s degree. However, this degree can be in broader fields of study such as social science or mathematics. From there you will need to consider whether you need to pursue certifications or licenses according to where you work and your employer.

To advance in this career, don’t be afraid to go the independent route and file to have your practice registered with the SEC. Many financial advisors have gone on to run their own firms. And whether that is your intention or you intend to stay with the traditional route, you’ll benefit from a finance MBA as well. You’ll learn all the skills both to run a business and utilize a top-down knowledge of business practices. 

According to Indeed, the average starting salary for an entry-level financial advisor position is $65,998 with a range of $41,957 to $103,813. 

Finance Manager

A career as a finance manager comes with significant benefits that include, but are not limited to, high salaries and reasonable bonuses. It is only a matter of getting there.

However, with extensive benefits come extensive responsibilities. That is the nature of things. In some small organizations, finance managers are responsible for the finances of the entire day-to-day operations. Larger businesses, however, see finance managers overseeing more specialized areas of finance such as reporting and cash management.  Overall, they do the work that keep organizations financially strong. 

Advancing in this career not only takes a Master’s level education but several years of experience in the finance space in roles similar to what we have discussed to this point. As the role requires money management on a large scale, a degree such as a finance MBA with Quantic stands to give you the complete business view you need.

According to Payscale, the average finance manager earns $95,517 a year with a range of $55,000 to $129,000

Certified Public Accountant 

Many finance, business, and accounting students aspire to be a CPA – a certified public account. Not only does this position come with a higher salary than average roles, but it also leads to improved job prospects. A CPA license shows employers that you have the education and experience to uphold financial and ethical standards in a company. 

In a CPA’s daily responsibilities, you will see yourself advising individuals, businesses, and other organizations on a wide range of financial matters. These include tax preparation and personal financial planning. Some CPAs even specialize in specific areas such as forensic accounting and personal financial planning.

If you’re looking to advance in this career, you’ll have to not only keep up with the fintech developments of today, but you’ll need to develop your network and soft skills. Much of this industry is about who you know and how you approach a problem. As such, an MBA program such as Quantic’s which includes strong networking opportunities is sure to accelerate your career as a CPA. 

According to ZipRecruiter, the average entry-level CPA Salary is $63,194 with a range of $44,500 to $79,000. 

Financial Controller

Financial controllers are high-level leadership positions that oversee a business’s overall accounting activities from the day-to-day to long-term financial strategies. It takes an extensive knowledge of finance and accounting, as well as the soft skills needed to lead people. As such, those who pursue this career are passionate about people and finances. 

In your day-to-day as a financial controller, you would find yourself handling short-term financing, managing information tech, insurance, sales tax reporting, federal taxes, and much more. A financial controller really is a top-down financial professional of an entire enterprise.  

This position in itself is an advanced career path. However, if you really want to reach higher, you have to build on those skills that make a good financial controller reach a position such as CFO. That means building on your leadership skills and networking with the right people to show you have what it takes to take the next step.

According to Indeed, the average financial controller’s salary is $98,383.

Investment Manager

For those looking for a position where they develop strategies to manage large portfolio investments, the position of investment manager is for you. These professionals are responsible for implementing fund investment strategies and managing trading activities on the behalf of individuals and organizations with the intent of generating ROI.

Your typical day as an investment manager would involve monitoring financial asset performance and judging which securities to buy and sell. They do so while working closely with their client or parent organization to assess financial goals and strategy.

Although you can begin this career with a bachelor’s degree, most employers are looking for their investment managers to possess additional certifications, education, or a healthy portfolio of relevant work experience. Therefore, these are worth the effort to obtain to progress in this position. 

The average salary for an investment manager, according to Indeed, is $83,285 a year. 

Chief Financial Officer

Many young professionals dream of joining the C-suite. A finance MBA can make that possible by setting you on the path to becoming a chief financial officer. This position will offer new challenges every day for the rest of your career and will be remarkably satisfying for those who relish that environment.

CFOs make the decisions that impact the direction of entire companies. In this position, you’ll find yourself leading and directing an entire organization’s finance and accounting teams while advising fellow C-suit members on the financial implications of current plans and events.

According to ZipRecruiter, you can expect a starting salary of $115,831 a year as a CFO.

Quantic – The Best Finance MBA Program 

When you’re looking for the best finance MBA program, look no further than Quantic. Our graduates outperformed those from any of the top 10 professional business schools in the world including Harvard and Standford universities. Best of all, they did it five times as fast in our innovative and accelerated 15-month program. 

This is all thanks to our best-in-class active learning method that creates a more effective and engaging learning experience to learn faster and retain more. It enables you to take a leading role in your education while our experienced instructors provide feedback that individualizes your education. What’s more, our students only move on once they’ve mastered a skill. They learn by doing, not reciting.

See what an MBA with Quantic can do for your career in finance today.