Building your career and taking a path that will make you successful is crucial as it will dictate your future. With this in mind, finance has always been a popular course choice among students. This is because money’s involved in everything, and its impact has been imprinted in our everyday lives.
From the simplest item on your grocery shopping list to the complex prediction of stock values, knowing how to manage finances is now a required skill. This is why it’s no wonder that finance courses are highly sought after. But among the finance courses out there, what should you invest your time in?
In-Demand Finance Courses
Below is the list of the most in-demand finance courses of our time.
1. Certified Financial Planning or CFP
The CFP certification is recognized internationally. It is one of the top certifications as it deals with high-paying clientele. It involves Wealth Management, Financial Planning, and Retail or High Net Worth Investment.
2. Certified Public Accountant or CPA
This course is a gold standard in the world of accounting with an examination held by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) – the world’s largest accounting body.
3. Chartered Financial Analyst or CFA
A highly wanted designation in finance as there are three levels an individual should go through before being qualified. To be a CFA means always being involved in finance and investments because it focuses on portfolio management.
4. Chartered Institute of Management Accountants or CIMA
Established in 1919 and globally recognized as a qualification in Business and Finance, CIMA is the world’s largest professional body of Management Accountants with 218,000 members in 177 countries.
Choosing this course means working in fields, such as:
- Corporate Finance
- Treasury Management
- Risk Management
- Financial Analysis
- Financial Reporting
- Business Analysis
- Project Finance
5. Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst or CAIA
This course is concentrated on hedge fund and asset management. It only takes 12 to 18 months to complete and is not as broad as the other courses.
6. Financial Risk Manager or FRM
For those who want to have a specific niche and target a position in risk management, FRM is both cost and time-efficient and only takes up to a year to complete.
7. Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst or FMVA
This course lets individuals hone skills they can use in a broad and dynamic range in finance. This certification has been increasingly popular and is connected with the following fields:
- Credit Rating
- Corporate Finance
- Project Finance
- Investment Banking
- Equity Research
8. Business Analytics or BA with NSE Certification
Also called Data Mining, Data Science, Business Intelligence, and Big Data – BA is learning vital for growth as data scientists provide the information needed for any given project. Especially in an industry where accurate information is required to come up with the right decisions. For more information, visit: https://
Top Finance Positions
After picking up the course that you find the most fitting, here’s an idea of what personnel in finance in the United States earns.
1. Controller
Alongside the assistant controllers, they prepare the financial statements that show the company’s financial position and performance in a particular reporting period. Aside from that, they can also create internal policies and organize the administration to improve the company’s overall financial health.
Average yearly salary – $201,894.
2. Financial Manager
Financial managers coordinate with the accounting department to assemble the cash flow statements and financial reports. They are also responsible for the profit projections and overall health of the company they work for.
Average yearly salary – $129,890.
3. Management Consultant
Also called management analysts, they help the company reduce costs or increase revenue by suggesting improvements in the company’s current operations.
Average yearly salary – $101,988.
4. Personal Financial Advisor
As the name states, these are people who focus on an individual’s finances and help their clients reach the best decision regarding their money. They supervise their client’s investments and other aspects of their finances while giving them advice.
Average yearly salary – $87,850.
5. Financial Analyst
Financial analysts study a company’s current and past finance and investments to estimate future income and expenses. These predictions help the company in its decisions to invest and prepare for what’s to come.
Average yearly salary – $81,590.
6. Treasury Analyst
Focusing on cash flow, assets, and liabilities, the treasury analyst’s job is to oversee financial activities and ensure that each payment is made correctly.
Average yearly salary – $78,169.
7. Accounting Manager
Accounting managers’ focus is on the accounting department. They help in the preparation of financial statements that are to be presented to the board of directors. They are also included in tax processing.
Average yearly salary – $77,395.
8. Budget Analyst
Budget analysts look over a company’s budget proposals and determine if the funds are appropriately allocated. They should make sure that the company’s budget is cost-effective and complied with its objectives and regulations.
Average yearly salary – $76,540.
9. Senior Tax Accountant
Their main work is to provide the company with tax strategies by properly researching federal, state, and local tax laws.
Average yearly salary – $74,258.
10. Accountant
Accountants keep the record of every cent the company earned and spent. They summarize all this information into statements that the stakeholders can understand.
Average yearly salary – $71,550.
11. Auditor
Whether internal or external auditors, they assess an institution’s financial risks and compliance with government policies and give proper advice for improvement.
Average yearly salary – $71,550.
12. Credit Analyst
Credit analysts are responsible for the profitability of loaning to an individual or a company as they’re the ones who approve or deny loan applications.
Average yearly salary – $67,844
Choose the Course That’s Best for You
There are many courses you can dive into, especially in the field of finance. The most significant consideration will be your financial situation. If you need help with your tuition, check out www.paydaydepot.com.
Other factors may affect your study, such as the following:
- Your schedule
- The load or coursework
- The time frame to finish the course
- The availability of the course in your country
- Your interest in the subject
Keep in mind, though, that if you really want to learn, nothing can stop you. Paired with the right degree, your success is just around the corner.
