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What can you do with a bachelors in finance?

Written by: Deidre Pannazzo, Edited by: Luke Daugherty

Published: February 28, 2025

A bachelor's in finance degree focuses on money management and can provide career opportunities in fields such as investment banking and insurance. Discover potential jobs to pursue and what you can do with a bachelor's in finance degree.

What jobs can you get with a bachelor's in finance?

A bachelor's in finance degree can help prepare you for a career path from entry-level analyst positions to executive financial roles that span various industries, including banking, government, and healthcare.

Jobs you can get with a bachelor's in finance degree include financial analyst, personal financial advisor, and financial examiner. Here's a closer look at these three roles, with salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Financial analyst

A financial analyst assesses different types of financial data to help companies make knowledgeable investment choices. They examine economic and business trends, develop financial models to forecast future performance, and analyze financial statements to aid decision-making.

Becoming a financial analyst requires strong quantitative, mathematical, and problem-solving skills and the ability to perform extensive financial research, evaluations, and reporting.

You usually need a bachelor's in finance degree to obtain this entry-level position.

  • Median annual salary (May 2023): $99,890
  • Projected employment growth (2023-33): 9%

Personal financial advisor

A personal financial advisor offers guidance on budgeting, investing, and financial planning to help individuals manage their money, making this an excellent job to pursue with a finance degree.

To become a personal financial advisor, you'll need an in-depth understanding of wealth management, solid analytical thinking, risk assessment, and interpersonal communication skills. These capabilities will help you advise others on financial strategies to meet their goals.

  • Median annual salary (May 2023): $99,580
  • Projected employment growth (2023-33): 17%

Financial examiner

Financial examiners make sure that people and businesses, such as banks and securities firms, follow state and federal laws and regulations related to financial transactions. They investigate cases of financial fraud and evaluate fiscal records to determine compliance.

Financial examiners leverage strong auditing, accounting, and analytical skills, along with a deep understanding of business, legal, and economic practices.

  • Median annual salary (May 2023): $84,300
  • Projected employment growth (2023-33): 21%

Frequently asked questions about what you can do with a bachelor's in finance

What is a finance degree?

A finance degree typically provides a solid foundation in managing money and investments, teaching you how to put financial theories and principles into practice within real business scenarios. A bachelor's degree in finance is often a minimum qualification for a career as a financial professional.

What is a high-paying job with a bachelor's in finance?

A financial manager is a high-paying job available to individuals with a bachelor's degree in finance. According to the BLS, financial managers earn a median annual salary of $156,100 as of May 2023, with employment in this role projected to increase 17% between 2023 and 33.

What skills will you learn in a bachelor's in finance program?

A bachelor's in finance program can help you acquire financial skills, business knowledge, and capabilities in areas such as investment management, statistical methods, financial analysis, corporate finance, fiscal planning, and much more.

In a finance degree program, you typically engage in coursework in economics, mathematics, and statistics to develop analytical expertise, research abilities, and an understanding of market trends.

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