Partner Sites


Logo BusinessBecause - The business school voice
mobile search icon

Is Finance A Good Career Path?

It’s one of the most popular industries for graduating MBAs—but is finance a good career path? Find out how much you could earn and how to land the best jobs in finance

Tue Jun 20 2023

BusinessBecause
With high salaries, bonuses, and opportunities for progression, high-paying finance jobs are some of the most sought-after. But is finance a good career path?

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), prospective business school students seem to think so, with 37% interested in a career in finance after they graduate.


Considering A Career In Finance? 

199e9e60c665ee41f00b731f81561698cdb64514.png

Download Our Free Careers In Finance Guide


Finance Careers | Pros & Cons

Many MBA and business master's grads choose a career in finance because of the attractive salaries and the chance it gives you to make a big impact on an organization early in your career.

“It’s a career path where you get access to senior individuals, have exposure to different companies, and see deals from start to finish,” explains David Capaldi, director of career services at Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business.

Before he came to Johnson, David himself worked in investment banking for 20 years, making him well-placed to advise would-be finance professionals. 

For grads with the right set of skills, he says, finance is a good training ground to develop expertise in analysis, decision-making, and communication that are equally applicable in other industries. 

“Finance remains an essential part of an executive’s career,” adds Catherine Karyotis, professor of finance at NEOMA Business School in France. “Finance is the oil in the economic engine—no finance, no growth.”  


ae826953e9950848a8349a756af32a585d6ebeeb.png


If you’re not passionate about finance, though, you’re likely to struggle with the long hours and pressure that often come with the territory. According to a survey from finance jobs platform, e-finance careers, many big banks expect employees to tackle 70 to 80 hour working weeks on a regular basis. 

When asking yourself is finance is a good career path for you, it's important to consider whether you can get used to this lifestyle, David says.

“Some graduates do get burned out, so it’s important to make sure you pursue a career in finance because you want to do it—rather than because your peers are doing it, or you think you can make a lot of money,” he reflects.  


Finance Salaries

Careers in finance come with considerable compensation. In the US, according to data from Glassdoor, financial analyst roles command $72k or more, while accounting managers, financial managers, and account executives can earn in the $80k to $90k range.




For business school graduates, salaries are even higher. At top-ranked business school Columbia Business School, for example, grads in the MBA class of 2022 who landed jobs in finance across different functions reached salaries of between $125k to $180k.


MBA Finance Jobs

Jobs in finance are varied, but the three primary areas where grads enter the industry are investment banking, corporate finance, and equity or debt research.

In banking and equity or debt research, MBAs usually enter as associates, while roles in corporate finance are more diverse.

“In corporate finance, you might be hired as a manager, or directly into a treasury group to a role such as assistant treasurer,” David says. 

At Cornell, employers hiring MBAs in finance roles include Bank of America, Citi Bank, and J.P. Morgan. These firms rank among the best banks to work for in 2023.

Yet big banks are not the only employers to consider. The rise of sustainable investing and fintech innovation is also creating some new opportunities in finance. 

Grads with an interest in emerging technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence are well-suited to roles in areas like fintech, neobanks—banks that offer online-only financial services—cryptocurrency, and crowdfunding. 

Meanwhile, sustainability-focused funds attracted net positive fund flows of $115 billion in 2022, according to a Morgan Stanley report. The demand for sustainable investing continues to create opportunities for green-minded business school graduates

“Sustainable finance is becoming one of the most attractive sectors for recruitment,” Catherine notes.


Finance Career Progression

Whichever area of the industry you enter, there are plenty of opportunities for long-term progression in a finance career path.

“In both investment banking and equity or debt research, many people eventually want to be a portfolio manager,” says David. 

Careers in these areas usually follow clearly defined structures, moving from associate, to vice president, to managing director. 

In corporate finance, though, there is no ‘typical’ path. The most ambitious grads might aspire to be CFO one day, but this isn’t the only option.

“You sometimes see people from corporate finance go into corporate development, and internal mergers and acquisitions is a popular avenue,” says David.

“I’ve even seen people step into the sales or general management side of the business—once you get in, there are doors that can be opened and there isn’t necessarily a defined path.” 

Corporate finance can also be a good route for future company leaders, thanks to the broad analytical and communication skills they develop. “Many CEOs are former CFOs,” Catherine says.


Key Skills for Finance Careers

A career in finance can be hugely rewarding, but it’s a notoriously competitive field, and standing out during applications and interviews can be tricky.

To give yourself the best chance of landing finance jobs, David recommends making sure you have a good mix of technical and soft skills.


5b2f6a53098480660b01304c399423659b5548e4.png


“You have to have at least an intermediate understanding of accounting, and to have taken a number of classes that teach you to navigate and understand financial statements,” he advises.

“Analytical abilities are also in high demand. Financial professionals often have to draw conclusions form large volumes of data, so being able to manipulate and analyze that is important.”

Communicating your insights to stakeholders is an equally important skill, which becomes more important as your career progresses. “To be successful, you really have to be able to communicate your ideas and convince others what you’re presenting makes sense,” David concludes.

When you start applying to finance jobs, conducting thorough research on the companies you apply to is equally crucial. Employers need to know why you want to work for them specifically, and generic questions and answers are unlikely to get you very far in the application process.


d5356b5e857c8596d10e65b3a9d7691d15d48ab4.png

Succeeding in the finance sector takes hard work and a specific set of skills, from a good understanding of accounting and financial statements, to analytics and communication skills.

Nonetheless, finance is a fulfilling and varied career path, with tech innovation opening up new opportunities for business school grads. In the coming years, a firm grasp on fintech and sustainability will be essential for long-term success in finance.

Whether you choose to stay in the industry long-term, or build skills that you take elsewhere, there are plenty of reasons finance is one of the three most popular post-business school career paths. 

If you want to kick-start your career in finance, studying for an MBA or Master in Finance (MiF) can help you build the broad skillset you need to succeed, while helping you access a network in the industry and expert advice for your job search after graduation.

405a40a44080c8cf179bd208376b994ca248673d.png


For more info about what it's like to work in finance, the perks and salaries you could gain, and tips on how to successfully land jobs in finance, download our BusinessBecause Careers In Finance Guide

Student Reviews

Cornell University The Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management

Student

Verified

31/10/2023

On Campus

Outstanding facilities

Cornell University is widely renowned for its esteemed reputation. It boasts remarkable educators, well-stocked library resources, and efficient administrative services. The university offers outstanding amenities that cater to the needs of all individuals, with ample computer facilities and study areas. Moreover, students benefit from excellent educational communication and writing support, as well as guidance from highly knowledgeable education professionals.

Stacy

Verified

31/10/2023

On Campus

Gaining knowledge

Cornell is an amazing school with tons of opportunities for future careers. The campus is beautiful, and the professors are awesome. I feel like I'm getting a great education, and it's tough but rewarding. It's pushed me to grow and improve myself, and the competition here is healthy, not cutthroat. I'm learning to work with others and to help them, just like they've helped me. This is the best school I could have chosen.

Student

Verified

19/10/2023

On Campus

LLM Program at Cornell Tech

The LLM program at Cornell Tech offers a transformative educational experience, seamlessly merging law and technology. Its innovative curriculum, exceptional faculty, and proximity to New York's tech hub provide an unparalleled learning environment. Another plus I could think of is the close relationship between programs - as we did our classes in one relatively small complex, so I could easily interact with colleagues from Computer Science or Business programs. Such an experience allows me to gain fresh perspective in many matters. However, one downside of doing the Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship program is the insufficiency of the curriculum to allow the students to sit for the bar (not that this would matter to people with common law background). But, if taking the bar is your goal, Cornell provides you with the option of taking an additional semester in Ithaca that will fulfil the required courses for NY bar. All in all, I love my Cornell Tech experience. Would do it all over again 100%!

Student

Verified

3/09/2023

On Campus

Evident

I'm thoroughly impressed with the courses and the people at Cornell. The variety of unique and captivating courses is exceptional, and it's evident that the majority of the staff and faculty are sincerely invested in your success. Additionally, forming friendships with fellow students has been a delightful experience, as they hail from diverse backgrounds and consistently support one another.

Maxwell

Verified

25/08/2023

On Campus

Diversity driven

It's an amazing place to be, populated by a variety of individuals from different origins, all motivated by their interests and goals. You can explore a wide array of subjects, and we're skilled at both working hard and enjoying a lively social life.

Student

Verified

22/08/2023

On Campus

Various fields of study

The university provides a great opportunity to delve into new fields of study, with its wide range of majors and options for pursuing unique career paths. Participating in extracurricular activities and building friendships can help reduce the stress and competitiveness that often come with academics, fostering a more balanced and healthier experience.

Jason

Verified

22/08/2023

On Campus

Social life

It's an incredible location to be in, filled with a diverse range of people from various backgrounds, all driven by their passions and ambitions. You have the opportunity to study virtually anything you can imagine, and we certainly know how to enjoy ourselves. Balancing hard work with an equally vibrant social life is our specialty.

Irene

Verified

20/06/2023

On Campus

Friendly environment

I liked being able to meet so many different people from all over the country and the world, and Cornell has always been welcoming to me since the day I arrived in freshman year. Cornell's community is very supportive; students are encouraged to work together to solve problems and really support one another in every situation, and professors are always willing to assist students in need.

Student

Verified

17/05/2023

On Campus

Masters in CS, practical learning program

I studied MS CS at Cornell Tech. It is an intensive 9 months program which focuses on practical learning. The highlight of the program is the studio based curriculum where students learn how to build ventures from scratch.

Student

Verified

10/06/2024

On Campus

Open to any kind of view and ideas

I spent time training abroad at Cornell University (Ivy League University), Ithaca, USA, working on a project entitled “Characteristics of Packaging films made from whey proteins”, under an ‘International Student Exchange Program’. Although I was simply enrolled in an undergraduate program, I took a keen interest in undertaking a challenging food science research project, which demonstrated my independent thinking at an early stage. I worked on the feasibility of preparing edible packaging films using whey protein isolates. I demonstrated scientific and analytical skills in carrying out the experimental work, while working in a research laboratory. In a very short time span (6 months), I was able to demonstrate my experimental, interpretation and analysis skills. As a result, my research work was accepted for presentation in the annual meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists, Dallas, Texas in the year 2000.I demonstrated intellectual/problem solving/management judgements and good communication skills. It was stated that the work was carried out with “great care, paying particular attention to detail”. Enjoyable campus landscape.

Student

Verified

3/12/2024

On Campus

Global Experience

As one of the leading universities in the world, one would expect to get lost or forgotten in the sea of highly talented students and scholars. However, that wasn’t the case in my university, where I constantly felt supported by the best faculty to achieve my goals. It was amazing to see that I was able to access learning scholarships as well as work abroad opportunities in just a period of 3 years. Be warned that the weather is unforgiving in the winter time, but nothing that a true winter coat cannot withstand.

RECAPTHA :

9c

55

3c

e7