Taking first Finance class next year. What to expect? (2024)

FAQs

Taking first Finance class next year. What to expect? ›

Usually, capital budgeting (that is, deciding whether an investment project adds value to the firm) is the main theme of the course. To fully understand this body of knowledge, some applications of time value of money, portfolio theory, asset pricing, and some pro forma are likely to be introduced.

You can expect to take several math classes like accounting, calculus, and business math. These courses establish a foundation for finance courses that cover valuation, investing, international banking and finance, econometrics, and buyouts and acquisitions.

Finance degrees are generally considered to be challenging. In a program like this, students gain exposure to new concepts, from financial lingo to mathematical problems, so there can be a learning curve.

Is finance a hard major compared to other business fields? Finance can be challenging, but the difficulty level may vary depending on individual strengths and interests. Some find its quantitative aspects demanding, while others struggle with the theoretical concepts.

To achieve that, you will learn about the basic forms a business can take and the goal of the financial manager. You will also learn the fundamentals of financial statements and how to measure a company's financial health using financial ratios.

While each program will vary slightly, students earning a finance degree can expect to take a sizable amount of math classes.

One thing that's for sure is the high amount of math you will need to study. Finance is a mathematical discipline, so if you aren't as comfortable with math as with other ways of thinking, you may find it more challenging. Additionally, finance also makes use of a vast, highly specific vocabulary.

Salaries in the finance industry

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics (BLS), careers in finance pay a median salary of $76,850 — 66% higher than the median salary for all occupations in the nation ($46,310).

Financial Mathematics is the field of applied mathematics that involves defining problems in finance and providing solutions using methods that draw from probability, statistics, differential equations, optimization, numerical methods, and data science.

What are finance classes like? ›

According to The College Board, finance student “course work covers such topics as planning, raising funds, making wise investments, and controlling costs.” Students who major in finance generally study for a bachelor of science degree, as many of the classes require solid high-level math skills.

The Bottom Line

Listening to podcasts and reading books about specific areas of finance that interest you help break down more complex financial topics and speed up the learning process. There are also many paid and free courses out there that offer courses in different areas of finance and investing.

In addition to general education classes, coursework typically covers accounting, management, and economics. During an associate in finance program, learners develop the communication and technology skills they need for entry-level positions in banks and investment firms.

A finance degree is a valuable asset to any career. With a bachelor's, you can apply for various roles, including financial analyst, accountant, financial advisor, auditor, or treasury analyst. You could also pursue a career in investment banking or stockbroking within the banking industry.

As a finance degree heavily depends on financial analysis and modeling, students may find the material more difficult if they struggle with mathematical concepts. However, students seeking an economics degree might have difficulty understanding abstract ideas like economic theory and policy analysis.

Listening to podcasts and reading books about specific areas of finance that interest you help break down more complex financial topics and speed up the learning process. There are also many paid and free courses out there that offer courses in different areas of finance and investing.