What is Finance?

Finance can be defined as the art and science of managing money. The field of finance is integral to almost every facet of business enterprise. It is also a vital aspect of government operations and has an effect on our daily lives. Virtually all organizations and individuals raise money and decide how to spend and invest it. The Finance major is concerned with the entire process of obtaining the money that organizations need, and spending and investing that money in the most efficient manner.

Finance should not be confused with accounting. While the two fields are related, the accountant is primarily concerned with recording, reporting, and measuring business transactions. People in finance, on the other hand, use the information provided by the accountant to make decisions regarding the best way to raise, spend, and invest money.

The Raj Soin College of Business offers undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Science in Business degree with a major in finance. The curriculum includes courses in corporate finance, accounting, investments and international finance.

• a faculty with extensive experience in business and financial services.
• a faculty actively involved in scholarly activities and consulting.
• an internship and cooperative education program designed to provide qualified finance majors with professional training and experience not available in the classroom.
• the use of a sophisticated computer system with an extensive range of financial software packages.
• an excellent working relationship with local business and financial services firms.
• an active finance club which sponsors tours and brings professional speakers to campus.

Careers in Finance

Career opportunities in finance are to be found in three interrelated areas: 1) money and capital markets 2) investments and 3) financial management.

• Money and Capital Markets - Many finance majors go to work for financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies and investment banking firms. Job titles might include loan officer, trust officer, acquisitions specialist, credit analyst and branch manager.
• Investments - Finance majors who go into investments often work for a brokerage house such as Merrill Lynch. Others work for financial institutions or mutual funds in the management of their investment portfolios. Job titles include stock broker, security analyst and portfolio manager.
• Financial Management Ï Financial management is the broadest of the three areas and the one with the most job opportunities. A career in financial management means you work for a company to help raise capital, grow the business, make acquisitions, plan for its future, make investment decisions, decide on credit terms, and manage excess cash. Job titles include credit analyst, capital budgeting analyst, treasurer, cash manager, financial analyst, and budget officer.

Career Opportunities