What Can You Do with a Degree in Finance?

This article was originally published September 6, 2022, and was updated December 12, 2022, and October 7, 2026 to include the most up-to-date jobs data and insights from the portfolio director.

If you enjoy working with numbers, possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and like the idea of significant earning potential, a career in finance may be an excellent choice. Industries need trained, talented finance professionals with strong attention to detail for everything from balancing the books and performing valuations of potential acquisitions to actually running the organization.

What Kind of Jobs Can You Get with a Bachelor of Science in Finance?

A BS in finance can help prepare you for positions in personal finance, including roles such as financial planner, where professionals work with individuals to create short- and long-term investment strategies. Completing a finance major can also prepare you for jobs in corporate finance, such as credit analyst (who assesses the creditworthiness of individuals, companies, and securities) or full-charge bookkeeper (who maintains financial records and creates financial statements and tax returns for an organization).

Here are some occupations that a BS in finance can help prepare you for:

• General and Operations Manager
• Financial Manager
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent
• Real Estate Sales Agent
• Financial and Investment Analyst
• Personal Financial Advisor
• Loan Officer
• Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator

What Kind of Jobs Can You Get with a Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Management?

For those looking beyond entry-level jobs who really want to get an edge on the competition in the finance job market, a master's in accounting and financial management may open more opportunities than a bachelor's degree alone. A master's degree can prepare you for more specialized roles within the finance field that involve making high-level decisions about an organization's financial planning and activities. 

Here are some occupations that an MS in accounting and financial management can prepare you for:

• Accountant and Auditor
• Financial Analyst
• Financial and Investment Analyst
• Personal Financial Advisor
• Bookkeeper, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk
• Financial Specialist
• Budget Analyst
• Financial Risk Specialist
• Financial Examiner
• Tax Preparer
• Chief Financial Officer

Employment Trends in Finance

Employment in business and financial occupations is projected to grow faster than average between 2025 and 2035. On average, 886,600 openings are projected each year and as of May 2025, $82,660 was the median annual wage for a group of 24 roles in this sector (more than the median annual wage for all occupations of $50,980).

Employment for financial managers can be even more lucrative as far as earning potential goes. The median pay for this position was $166,570 or $80.08 per hour last year. There were 879,000 jobs with this title available last year as well. Over the next decade, financial management opportunities are expected to grow by 10%, which is faster than average for many other fields.

“As finance continues to evolve, the tasks professionals perform may change, but the ability to exercise sound judgment, solve complex problems, generate new ideas, and make informed decisions becomes even more important,” says Gracic. “A finance degree builds these capabilities on a strong quantitative and analytical foundation while teaching learners to use emerging tools effectively. The goal is not simply to master the tools of today, but to develop the problem-solving and interpersonal skills needed to evaluate information, approach new challenges, and make decisions that lead to better outcomes.”

What to Look for in a Finance Degree Program

Before you select a program, put in the time to learn about the degree and the university, the requirements for completion, and how the program fits your schedule and lifestyle. You'll want to consider retention and graduation rates, tuition and fees, faculty-to-student ratios, and class size, among other factors.

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) has several online finance degree programs that may be a good fit for your needs. The Bachelor of Science in Finance degree at UMGC is an online program that can prepare you with a foundation in the principles of business, economics, and accounting. Beyond these basic skills, you'll also learn leadership and communication skills to round out your abilities and enhance your professional value.

The Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Management at UMGC focuses on executive-level procedures, including tax compliance, auditing, and emerging trends in the fields of financial management and accounting, as well as decision-making skills that can help put you on a career path toward leadership positions.

"After I graduated from UMGC, my employer decided to hire me permanently, so I’m now a financial management analyst," said UMGC alumna Jaliyah Royston. "Now my employer is helping me pay for my UMGC master’s degree because it is giving me the knowledge and tools to better do my job."