College Degrees and Career Training in Finance

Working in finance generally requires at least a bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, economics, or accounting. Advanced college degrees are often the prerequisite for management positions, and in some cases certification offers a competitive edge. If you are good with numbers, consider campus-based or online degrees to work towards one of the jobs below:

• Accountant: Accountants analyze financial information and prepare financial statements and tax returns for individuals, companies, and government entities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they earn an median income of $59,430 per year.
• Financial Analyst: Financial analysts help companies manage their funds, bringing in a median annual salary of $73,150.
• Financial Advisor: Personal financial advisers help individuals with money management, including investing, estate planning, and retirement. Their median earnings are $69,050.
• Budget Analyst: These professionals help companies and organizations manage their funds efficiently, earning a median salary of $65,320.

If you're willing to get the right career training, you should have fairly good job prospects, since all these careers are growing as fast as or faster than the average.