Financial Planning

Financial planning degree course work prepares a student for all aspects of financial analysis and planning for work in the public or private sector.

FINANCIAL PLANNING DEGREE

Almost every governmental agency, non-profit organization, and business employs workers with a financial planning education. A person with a financial planning degree can expect to find employment in many different capacities related to financial management, compliance, and planning. With the economy growing and with business and government increasing their scrutiny of financial transactions, a financial planning education will be a valuable background for secure employment in the coming decade.

Financial Planning Degree Description

Financial planning degree course work will prepare a student for all aspects of financial analysis and planning for work in the public or private sector. A financial planning course of study will include classes in investment strategy, tax law compliance, proper accounting practices, cash flow analysis, and many other areas related to business management and proper financial practices.

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a financial planning course of study is required for most jobs related to financial planning in business and government. In addition to the basic financial planning education that a bachelor’s degree provides, many jobs require additional course work to gain expertise in specific financial specialties, and some jobs require master’s degrees or MBA degrees. Some positions require additional licensure and certification, such as CPA’s for accountants and SEC licenses for stock brokers and other securities industry professionals.

Career Opportunities in Financial Planning

A person with a financial planning education can expect to find employment in many finance related specialties. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job growth in financial management specialties to be about the average of other careers. Candidates with advanced degrees and other certifications will have an advantage in seeking employment.

Following are brief descriptions of some, but not all, of the specialties that a person with a financial planning degree can seek employment in. Controllers oversee accounting departments and are responsible for preparation of financial statements and other reports required by law. Treasurers and chief financial officers oversee investment strategies, manage budgets to hit financial targets, and deal with raising capital and negotiating mergers and acquisitions. Credit managers oversee extensions of credit to suppliers and customers and deal with past due accounts and other issues related to credit. Cash managers prepare cash flow projections and handle cash receipts and payments. Risk managers use sophisticated investment strategies such as futures contracts and other hedging devices to try to minimize the firm’s exposure to market risks in production planning. Stock brokers are another group of workers who often have a financial planning education. Bank branch managers usually have a financial planning education, but they are often experienced loan officers or other employees who are promoted from within.

A financial planning degree or related financial planning education is a requirement for many positions related to corporate and government financial functions. Most colleges and university business departments will offer a financial planning course of study for people interested in pursuing a career in any aspect of financial management.