If you are good with numbers, have strong organizational skills, and enjoy keeping track of money, finance schools may be the last piece in the equation for a career in finance.

A wide range of careers fall under the umbrella category of “finance,” and it's up to you to explore all your options and find the specific path that is right for you. Just a few of the many job opportunities that exist in the field of finance are: financial planning, money managing, investment banking, commercial banking, insurance, and real estate.

Finance schools, whether at the undergraduate or graduate level, can provide you with the tools and training necessary to launch your finance career and keep it going. Students can earn a bachelor’s degree in finance from an undergraduate institution, or take finance courses as part of a graduate MBA program. Some schools also offer specialized master’s or Ph.D. programs in finance. Students in finance school will study such topics as statistics, economics, accounting, corporate budgeting and methods for financial analysis. Learning about taxes and risk management for investments are skills often taught in graduate level finance programs. People interested in starting a career in finance should be skilled with computers and have an excellent knowledge of mathematics. Other important skills and qualities are analytic and problem-solving skills, communication skills (both written and oral), and interpersonal skills. Those who have jobs in finance are often responsible for interpreting facts and figures and presenting them as concepts that business owners and non-math people can understand and use to their benefit.

A Career in Finance: It Adds Up!
There are myriad opportunities for careers in finance. You can work for a big firm or a small company, and choose between working in the public, private or non-profit sectors of finance. Typically, the most popular and sought-after jobs for graduates of finance programs in universities, especially MBA programs, are jobs in corporate finance, investment banking and securities firms. Financial analysts and investment banking associates are popular first jobs for graduates of MBA programs. In order to get your desired career in finance, a bachelor’s degree in finance from an undergraduate university is usually required. An MBA from a graduate program is also extremely helpful and required for many jobs in finance. Finance experts who work in certain fields – specifically selling stocks, bonds, insurance or real estate – may need special licenses in order to find work. Many other jobs, including financial consulting, don’t require licenses.

Certification programs at finance schools can also help hopeful potential employees find work. Finance certification programs include the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations. Certain schools offer programs and guidance for obtaining these certifications, which can put you over the edge when looking for a job in finance. Working in finance can be a very lucrative career, with starting salaries for investment bankers with a bachelor’s degree ranging from $60,000 - $70,000 a year. Add a degree from an MBA program, and the salary jumps to about $80,000 - $150,000 a year. Depending on your amount of training, specific position and place of work, these ranges can fluctuate and change a lot. So get to it: Find out more about finance schools an go after your dream career.