Those seeking an MBA often choose to focus in one area to become a specialist. Finance is a popular choice because talent is always needed in the field and that specialization can open the door to jobs such as chief financial officer, investment banker, and financial analyst.
By combining finance skills with the business skills learned in an MBA program, students position themselves as attractive candidates for leadership positions. Finance is almost always a growing career field. And an MBA remains the gold standard for those who want to become leaders.
For those with an ambition to reach the pinnacle positions in a business and finance career, earning an MBA with a concentration in finance is a path worth considering.
What You Learn in an MBA Finance Program
The best programs now take a global approach to teaching finance, as business continues to break down political barriers between countries, establishing a worldwide marketplace. An MBA program also offers graduates a sound background in business, finance, ethics, decision-making, and leadership.
Concordia University-Chicago’s MBA in Finance offers a good example of the type of outcomes expected for students who graduate from these unique programs.
Graduates are expected to have the ability to:
- Analyze and evaluate the financial condition of an organization and recommend the proper course of action.
- Evaluate how the capital structure of a company impacts raising capital for various business and organizational structures
- Develop a culture of inclusivity and diversity as part of the financial decisions of a business
- Apply best practices to corporate fiscal management, including analysis of foreign exchange rates and the impact of government action on financial strategies
The school also teaches graduates to approach leadership with an ethical, socially responsible mindset.
Demand For Financial Experts
It’s important to note that any job in the business world – and many in the nonprofit and governmental sectors – require leaders and managers to have a deep understanding of finance. The list of jobs for those with an MBA in finance could easily include chief executive officer and company president.
In terms of top jobs in the financial department of an organization, chief financial officer is considered the pinnacle of the profession.
Financial managers in all areas are in demand. The federal government projects a 19% increase in the number of financial manager jobs by 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Chicago is the second largest employer of financial managers among all metropolitan areas in the country. The mean annual salary in Chicago of $143,660 is also higher than the national average.
An MBA degree program with a concentration on finance typically attracts ambitious people who want to make the most of their careers. If you fit that description, it’s an option that deserves careful attention.
