CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Almost every firm, government agency, and other type of organization employs one or more financial managers. Financial managers oversee the preparation of financial reports, direct investment activities, and implement cash management strategies. Managers also develop strategies and implement the long-term goals of their organization. The duties of financial managers vary with their specific titles, which include controller, treasurer or finance officer, credit manager, cash manager, risk and insurance manager, and manager of international banking. For most finance careers, you will need at least a bachelor's degree. If you would prefer to work in management, a master's in finance is highly recommended.
PLAN OF STUDY WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Business majors who study finance will focus on mathematics, statistical analysis, technology, and ethics. Finance requires the development and use of critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Corporate finance addresses how managers of companies make real investments, raise capital, control risks, and return money to investors. Topics of study can include cash flows, capital budgeting, capital structure and cost of capital, business valuation, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, as well as payout policies.
Capital markets examines how financial securities are priced by markets, and how to make decisions concerning investments in portfolios of different types of financial assets. Capital Markets should include the relation between risk and return, pricing of bonds, stocks and derivatives, term structure of interest rates, allocation of wealth among different types of securities, and institutional frictions that prevent attainment of optimal prices.
International finance examines the branch of financial economics broadly concerned with monetary and macroeconomic interrelations between two or more countries. International finance examines the dynamics of the global financial system, international monetary systems, balance of payments, exchange rates, foreign direct investment, and how these topics relate to international trade. Investors and multinational corporations must assess and manage international risks such as political risk and foreign exchange risk, including transaction exposure, economic exposure, and translation exposure. Extracurricular ACtivities The Accounting and Finance Association is a club that supports networking and career exploration for careers in the acccounting and finance professions.
Through the Student-Managed Investment Fund, finance majors explore applied investing. Students manage a portfolio of funds and decide on stocks to purchase and sell with a goal of long-term growth. They learn investment fundamentals, valuation techniques, and technical analysis. All finance majors explore one or more investment opportunities, which are forwarded to the student portfolio managers for consideration. Portfolio managers attempt to meet the dual objectives of increasing the long-run value of the portfolio combined with the short-run objective of providing student scholarships. Portfolio managers attend the annual Hodges Investment Forum in Dallas, Texas.
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is a student organization in the College of Business. SIFE uses a business mindset and an entrepreneurial approach to improve the quality of life and standard of living of people in need and help businesses achieve profitability.
As an AACSB accredited business school, the College of Business is eligible to pursue Beta Gamma Sigma (International Honors Society for Business students) and Beta Alpha Psi (International Honors Society for Financial Information Professionals with degrees in accounting, finance, or computer information sytems).
The College of Business supports an annual summer study abroad trip, which focuses on business and cross-cultural issues. Locations include Denmark, Sweden, England, Russia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Cananda. | CAREER CLOSE-UP Budget Analyst
Average wage (TX) - $66,110
Average wage (US) - $69,240
Credit Analyst
Average wage (TX) - $66,360
Average wage (US) - $67,230
Financial Advisor
Average wage (TX) - $94,180
Average wage (US) - $94,180
Financial Analyst
Average wage (TX) - $79,860
Average wage (US) - $85,240
Financial Examiners
Average wage (TX) - $76,360
Average wage (US) - $79,070
Financial Manager
Average wage (TX) - $113,120
Average wage (US) - $113,730
Insurance Adjusters
Average wage (TX) - $57,820
Average wage (US) - $58,780
Loan Counselor
Average wage (TX) - $40,930
Average wage (US) - $40,930
Loan Officer
Average wage (TX) - $67,840
Average wage (US) - $63,210
Wage information taken from http://wtamu.myplan.com |
