What Can I Do With A Major In Financial Management?

Introduction

A career in finance provides diverse opportunities including corporate financial management, investment management, financial institution management and personal financial planning. Within a corporation or financial institution, finance focuses on all aspects of cash management, such as the acquisition of funds, investment of funds, and the disbursement of excess funds. Financial managers are responsible for all decisions impacting the flow of funds within an organization, such as, inventory policy, credit/collection policies and financing policies. Financial managers generate reports evaluating past financial performance and create plans for future operations and performance. Financial plans are used to shape a firm's financial and operating strategies, and as a tool for measuring a firm's success at meeting its goals.

External to the corporation, financial analysis is used by creditors in evaluating the credit-worthiness of borrowers (both corporate and consumer), by pension funds, mutual funds and insurance companies for the purpose of creating investment portfolios. Consultants use finance in advising firms on financial and operating strategies. Finally, a career in finance can involve assisting individuals with personal financial planning, portfolio creation, personal investment and debt management.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Related Occupations Related Occupations Related Occupations
Actuary Agent/Broker Appraisal
Benefits Specialist Branch Bank Manager Cash Manager
Claims Adjuster Controller Credit Analyst
Credit Manager Financial Analyst Inventory Control
Investment Advisor Investment Banking Investor Relations
Loan Officer Loss Control Specialist Mergers and Acquisitions
Mortgage Banker Mutual Fund Analyst Pension Fund Management
Portfolio Manager Portfolio Marketing Project Finance
Property Management Purchasing Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Officer Real Estate Sales Underwriter
   
 

Types of Employers  

Private and Non-profit Organizations
 

Banks

Finance Companies

Brokerage Houses

Food Manufacturers

Chemical Manufacturers

High Technology Firms

Colleges/Universities

Hospitals

Commodity Exchanges

Insurance Companies

Construction Firms

Investment Banks

Consulting Firms

Securities Exchanges

Credit Unions

Transportation Companies

Engineering Firms

Wholesale/Retail Operations

 
Government Agencies
 

Bureau of Economic Analysis

Health Care Financing Administration

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

International Trade Administration

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

National Credit Union Administration

Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Federal Reserve

Office of the State Auditor

Federal Trade Commission

Securities and Exchange Commission

Financial Management Servoces

Small Business Administration

Related Web Links

Professional Associations

For additional career information, see the Occupational Outlook Handbook