An MBA in Finance Could Be the Next Right Step

Are you looking to take your career to the next level? Earning a finance-focused MBA could help. The B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) offers a fully online MBA program with a concentration in Finance. This degree program provides students with the advances study of myriad financial topics, analytical techniques and organizational management and leadership.  

The comprehensive exploration of finance and business management prepares students to excel amidst the uncertainty, volatility and complexity of today’s financial world. Plus, the widespread demand for quality financial services equates to a great variety of choices in lucrative career options. Earning a specialized MBA can be a good step for professionals looking to diversify and advance a successful career in finance. 

What Will I Study in UL Lafayette’s Online MBA with a Concentration in Finance? 

Core courses in UL Lafayette’s MBA with a concentration in Finance focus on the fundamentals of modern business management. Students explore subjects like data analysis, marketing, leadership, organizational behavior, economics and strategy in relation to managerial practices. This foundational study prepares students to be effective in various management roles across industries. 

Finance concentration courses emphasize investment, strategy, planning and control in financial management and analysis. Further studies explore the interrelationship between financial markets, financial institutions and the U.S. economy. Along with business fundamentals, the curriculum seeks to develop the student’s overall competencies in finance topics as they relate to organizational management and strategy. 

Is A Career in Finance Management Right for Me?

Working in finance can be a satisfying and lucrative career for people interested in math, economics and business. Yet, many finance professions go well beyond just working with numbers. 

Corporate positions in financial management involve working with people, organizing teams, and planning and monitoring the efficacy of financial strategy. Independent and even firm-based financial advisory or consultancy positions can offer a great deal of autonomy and direct, client-centered interaction. 

Professionals who enjoy the intersection of finance, economics, strategy and collaboration can choose from a variety of careers in finance. 

Why Earn an MBA in Finance? 

UL Lafayette’s MBA with a concentration in Finance helps students develop advanced management knowledge and skills combined with financial expertise. The highest-level positions in finance require this broad-spectrum blend of business competencies. Plus, many employers simply prefer or require that applicants for such high-level jobs have a relevant MBA. 

UL Lafayette’s core MBA courses also prepare aspiring independent financial advisors or management consultants to successfully run their own businesses. The fundamental business management knowledge and skills gained through the program port over and apply to any management role. 

Obtaining an MBA in finance can boost a professional’s earning potential. According to April 2021 data from PayScale, those with an MBA with a concentration in finance make an average base salary of $107,000 per year, compared to $72,000 for those with only a bachelor’s degree in finance. 

What Are Common Careers for Professionals With Finance MBAs? 

The most direct professional applications of a finance MBA are careers in financial management or “C-suite” positions in finance. 

Financial managers oversee an array of an organization’s financial operations. Their responsibilities may include managing analysts, creating reports and forecasts, directing investment activities, and developing financial plans and goals. 

Some organizational structures break these responsibilities down further into different financial management roles such as controllers, risk managers and treasurers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median pay for financial managers in 2023 was $156,100 per year. 

Larger organizations may have a chief financial officer (CFO) or chief investment officer (CIO). These executives focus on setting and achieving overarching financial goals while overseeing an organization’s finance activities and departments. 

According to BLS, the median pay for chief executives was $206,680 in 2023. Yet, top-tier executives often command much higher salaries and substantive compensation packages. 

An MBA with a concentration in finance is also a great option for financial advisors and consultants. Personal financial advisors consult clients on matters of budgeting, financial planning, investment and strategy. Business management consultants provide similar services to organizations, analyzing financial activities and giving advice on strategies for improvement. 

The BLS reports that the median pay for personal finance advisors in 2023 was $99,580 compared to $99,410 for management consultants. These professions often offer more flexibility and independence than managerial or executive roles in large companies, providing a better work-life balance. 

Beyond finance-specific occupations, professional opportunities for those with a finance-oriented skill set and advanced business education transcend differences in industries. Earning an MBA in finance can afford graduates a greater degree of career versatility, upward mobility and a higher earning potential. 

Learn more about UL Lafayette’s online MBA program with a concentration in Finance.