The online bachelor's degree in finance: What you need to know

Are you the kind of person who looks forward to reading the financial news? Do you follow the markets, enjoy researching stocks and bonds and serve as the go-to person for informal financial advice? If that describes you and you are also highly analytical, driven, disciplined, excel at math and are exceptionally organized, then a career in finance might be your best bet. A bachelor's degree in finance, whether you obtain it online or on-campus, is a great starting point for career in the glamorous, but challenging and highly competitive world of finance.

Finance degree basics

To enter this coveted and fast-paced field, a bachelor's degree in finance is generally the minimum requirement. Getting an online bachelor's degree in finance can help you get your degree on your own schedule. In addition, bachelor's degrees in finance are also offered in more traditional on-campus settings. It takes roughly four years to obtain a finance degree when studying full-time. Graduation times depend on the coursework taken each semester.

Classes to obtain a bachelor's degree in finance, either online or on-campus, typically include:

1. Mathematics and statistics
2. Accounting, budgeting and financial analysis
3. Economics
4. Risk management and bond valuation

Putting your degree in finance to work

As of May 2010, the median annual wage for financial analysts was $73,620 or $ $32.55 per hour. The highest-paying positions, according to the BLS, can be found in New York, California and Connecticut. The states with the highest concentration of financial analysts are Delaware, Massachusetts and, not surprisingly, New York. Finance is a highly regulated industry, and most positions require sophisticated securities licenses, which the employer will sponsor upon hiring. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the main licensing organization for the securities industry. Applicants should be prepared to pass rigorous exams in order to obtain their licenses. In addition, additional certifications for available for financial analysts who work in specific areas, such as risk management.

Top careers in the finance field

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), aspiring financial analysts must hold a bachelor's degree, and many employers now require an MBA for advancement within the corporation. Financial analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. Financial analysts assess the performance of stocks, bonds, commodities and other types of investments. Financial analysts are also known as investment analysts or securities analysts. They make investment decisions, give financial advice and are employed by private corporations, government agencies, investment firms, insurance companies and non-profit organizations.

Analysts typically work in high-pressure environments, tend to work long hours, and are expected to be available for work during weekends and evenings and to travel as required by their employers. The BLS expects the employment of financial analysts to grow much faster than average at 20% between 2008 and 2018.

Start working towards your bachelor's degree in finance today. In a few years' time, you might be jetting from meeting to meeting - and perhaps country to country - in your power suit and your degree under your belt.

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