Business Administration - Finance

Financial decisions affect everything that an organization does: from multimillion-dollar investments to salary and fringe benefit levels to the appropriate cash balances in a firm's bank accounts.   Finance personnel examine the financial condition and resources of the company and the financial market to determine the most efficient methods of managing financial resources, investing profits, and maximizing the company’s profitability.  In today's global economy, an in-depth understanding of finance enables business and government decision makers and financial managers to deal with currency risks, issuing stock and bonds, incurring and repaying debt, as well as, other aspects of both domestic and international finance.  Professional opportunities in the field of finance can lead to careers in financial services such as banking officers, investment portfolio managers, corporate treasurers, and financial planners. Finance professionals are in high demand by corporations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies at all levels. The corporate finance career path can lead to very responsible positions, including vice president for finance or president of the firm.  A degree in financeis excellent preparation for entering a graduate business program(e.g. MBA) and law school.  Finance major specializations might include corporate finance and investment banking, energy finance, investment management, financial markets/banking, real estate or general finance.  Professional designations include CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) CFP (Certified Financial Planner).