Use this site to learn about what finance has to offer. You can explore:
Description of the Major
Skills Needed
Sample Occupations
Companies and Organizations that hire our Finance Graduates
Professional Associations
Certifications
Student Clubs
SOM Career Library Resources

Description of the Major

Finance majors enjoy a strong demand for their skills and knowledge in the labor market. In their work environment, they take the lead in making decisions concerning asset valuation, initial public offerings, stock portfolio management, analyzing financial statements, dividend policy, risk analysis and management, financial market regulation, international diversification, and capital budgeting.

Graduates in finance find jobs in corporate and public finance, investment banking, commercial banks and credit unions, mutual funds, portfolio management, venture capital, Federal and state government regulatory agencies such as the Federal Reserve Board, FDIC, SEC and Treasury Department, trading, and personal financial banking.

Additional information

• Median salary in 2011 (For financial advisor): $66,580
• Projected growth: Above average (29%+)
• 45% of polled respondents have an undergraduate degree

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Skills Needed

Comprehension of economics and accounting: Understanding and some background in basic accounting and economics Analytical skills: Quantitative skills; ability to work well with numbers; complex problem solving Computer software: Working proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, Access, and Excel. Customer service: Ability to work well with clients and partners; communication skills Teamwork: Ability to work well with others; delegate tasks; deliver presentations Time management: Ability to work under tight deadlines; handle multiple tasks/assignments Legal practices/code: Working knowledge of auditing codes and other financial practices/guidelines Information gathering/analysis: Obtain information on all relevant levels and fully analyze implications. Communication skills: Ability to clearly, effectively convey information and suggestions both via writing and verbally.

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Online Resources for Industry Research

• What Can I Do With This Major/Degree?
• Read descriptions of careers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*Net.

 

Employers

• Ameritrade, Inc. - Online brokerage 
• Bank of America – Banking for corporate and small business
• Bankerstrust.com - Largest locally owned bank in Iowa
• Bank One - Bank holding company
• Charles Schwab & Co. – Mutual funds 
• Chase Manhattan Bank - Financial services within JP Morgan Chase
• E*Trade Securities, Inc. – Stock trading, banking, and online brokerage
• Fannie Mae – Real estate financing 
• Fleet Bank- Bank based out of Boston
• Friedman Billings Ramsey – National investment bank 
• Ferris, Baker, Watts – Investment brokerages
• Financial Management Association International – Non-profit organization that researches financial issues
• Fred Ezra – Commercial real estate firm
• Freddie Mac – Real estate financing 
• Goldman Sachs – Investment bank 
• Fidelity Investments – Mutual funds 
• Harris Direct – Online Brokerage 
• Inter-American Development Bank – Makes loans to Latin American and Caribbean countries 
• JP Morgan – Investment bank 
• Merrill Lynch – Full service brokerage 
• Morningstar, Inc. – Stocks, mutual funds, investing, and personal finance
• Motley Fool – Personal finance assistance located in Alexandria, VA
• MuniMae (Municipal, Mortgage, and Equity) 
• NASD (National Associates of Security Dealers) 
• National Venture Capital Association 
• Navy Federal Credit Union- Financial services for members of the Navy and Marine Corps and their families
• Pentagon Federal Credit Union - Financial services for Pentagon employees
• Quick & Reilly – Investor, part of FleetBoston Financial Company 
• Sallie Mae – Financial aid products and services
• Salomon Smith Barney – Investment bank 
• SEI Investments – Investment Consulting 
• Securities Industry Association – Professional investment organization 
• Standard & Poor's – Provides independent credit ratings, investment research, and risk evaluation 
• StreetEye – Technology partner for Wall Street firms 
• Wells Fargo Bank- Offers financial services and banking

 

Sample Occupations

(Connected to the Bureau of Labor and Statistic’s online Occupational Outlook Handbook)

• Account Analyst
• Assesser
• Bank Examiner
• Bank Trust Officer
• Broker/Dealer
• Budget Analyst
• Business Consultant
• Commercial Lender
• Comptroller
• Cost Estimator
• Credit Analyst
• Credit Manager
• Financial Analyst
• Financial Consultant
• Financial Examiner
• Financial Manager
• Financial Planner
• Insurance Adjuster
• Insurance Appraiser
• International Advisor
• Management Analyst
• Mortgage Broker
• Personal Financial Advisor
• Portfolio Manager
• Property Manager
• Purchasing Agent
• Real Estate Appraiser
• Relationship Banker
• Risk Manager
• Sercuity Analyst
• Stock Trader
• Tax Preparer

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Organizations that have employed Mason Finance Graduates

Accenture, American Express, Ameriprise Financial, Bank of America, Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI, Cambridge Associates, Charles Schwab, Deloitte, Fannie Mae, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Federal Reserve Board, Freddie Mac, John Hancock, J.P. Morgan, KPMG, Maximus, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, PricewaterhouseCoopers, SAIC, Securities & Exchange Commission, Scottrade, Inc., The World Bank Group, and TRW

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Sample Professional Associations

• Association for Financial Professionals
  Membership represents a broad spectrum of financial disciplines, with resources such as networking groups, industry information and a job database.
• Financial Management Association International
  Dedicated to education, research and networking within the field of financial decision-making.
• Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
  Provides information on financial planning and certification.
• National Association of Real Estate Brokers
  Provides industry information, training and networking opportunities, particularly geared toward minority professionals.

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Certifications

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
• Certified Financial Consultant (ChFC)

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Student Clubs

• Financial Management Association
• All SOM student organizations

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Sample SOM Career Services Library Resources

• Resumes for Banking and Financial Careers
• 100 Best Resumes to Sell Yourself
• 201 Best Questions to Ask on your Interview
• Best 109 Internships
• Internship Bible
• Big Book of Jobs (03-04)
• Career Opportunities in Banking, Finance and Insurance
• Careers in International Business
• Case in Point: Complete Case Interview Prep
• Power Networking – 59 Secrets for personal and professional success
• Vault Career Guide to Investment Banking
• Vault guide to Finance Interviews
• Washington, DC Job Bank

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