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👤 NorthStar Academy📅 12 May, 25⏱ 11 min read

Best Finance Courses After MBA for Career Growth

The perks of achieving an MBA degree are innumerable. From top employers preferring you for jobs to high salary packages, you get everything to build an ideal career. But, relying merely on an MBA degree used to work in the earlier times. Nowadays, employers are on the lookout for something new or unique. You can take several courses in finance after MBA. 

Upskilling sounds interesting. However, students and professionals get confused about how to acquire specialised finance and accounting skills. Do you also feel the same? If yes, do not worry. The top professional certification courses in this field make upskilling quite easy. These courses focus on specialised areas and can be mastered in a short duration. Some of these traditional courses might be known to you. But do not limit yourself to this limited number of choices. You can also pursue certain internationally recognised certification programmes that offer the best career options. 

This blog will collectively brief you about the best finance courses after an MBA. So, start reading below to make an informed career decision. 

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Top Finance Courses After MBA

Pursuing a professional course is a significant decision for your career. Therefore, be very cautious while choosing the right course. Check out the top finance courses after the MBA you can opt for: 

CMA USA

Certified Management Accountant USA is a professional certification course. It gets globally valued, opening doors to high-paying international jobs. The CMA USA course introduces students to 12 advanced finance and accounting subjects. 

Awarding Body

Institute of Management Accountants 

Syllabus

CMA Part- I Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics

  1. External Financial Reporting Decisions

  2. Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting

  3. Performance Management

  4. Cost Management

  5. Internal Controls

  6. Technology and Analytics

CMA Part- II Strategic Financial Management

  1. Financial Statement Analysis

  2. Corporate Finance

  3. Decision Analysis

  4. Risk Management

  5. Investment Decision

  6. Professional Ethics

Eligibility

  • Undergraduate degree (In accounting or economics)

  • Two-year work history in finance or accounting sectors

Job Opportunities

  • Budget Analyst

  • Cost Controller

  • Cost Accountant

  • Financial Analyst

  • Staff Accountant

  • Treasurer

  • Chief Financial Officer

  • Internal Auditor

Cost

Professional Members

  • CMA Entrance Fee: $300

  • Exam Fee: $495 per part

  • IMA Membership Fee: $295 (compulsory)

Student/Academic Members

  • CMA Entrance Fee: $225

  • Exam Fee: $370 per part

  • IMA Membership Fee: $49/$160 (compulsory)

Salary

US CMAs in India have an average pay scale between INR 7 and INR 16 LPA. 

CA

Chartered Accountancy is well-known among finance and accounting students. The prestige of this certification is exemplary. However, the difficulty level makes it challenging for students to achieve this qualification. Among thousands of students pursuing and dreaming of becoming a CA, only a few succeed. 

Awarding Body

Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Syllabus

CA Foundation

  • Accounting

  • Business Laws

  • Quantitative Aptitude

  • Business Economics

CA Intermediate
Group I

  • Advanced Accounting

  • Corporate and Other Law

  • Taxation

Group II

  • Cost and Management Accounting

  • Auditing and Ethics

  • Financial Management and Strategic Management

CA Intermediate
Group I

  • Financial Reporting

  • Advanced Financial Management

  • Advanced Auditing, Assurance, and Professional Ethics

Group II

  • Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation

  • Indirect Tax Laws

  • Integrated Business Solutions

Eligibility

  • 10+2 educational qualification from any stream

Career Scope

  • Chartered Accountant

  • Internal Auditor

  • Tax Manager

Cost

  • $780 for the CA Foundation

  • $1,000 for the CA Intermediate

  • $1,100 for the CA Final

Salary

INR 7 LPA is the average salary for CAs in India.  

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EA

The Enrolled Agent course is also among the top finance courses after MBA. Enrolled Agents are highly regarded in the global taxation landscape. They represent taxpayers in front of the IRS and also handle their other tax-related matters. 

Awarding Body

Internal Revenue Service Board

Syllabus

Individual Level

  • Preliminary Work and Taxpayer Data

  • Income and Assets

  • Deductions and Credits

  • Taxation & Advice

  • Specialised Returns for Individuals

Business Level

  • Business Entities and Considerations

  • Business Tax Preparation

  • Specialised Returns and Taxpayers

Representation, Practices and Procedures

  • Practices and Procedures

  • Representation before the IRS

  • Specific Areas of Representation

  • Filing Process

Eligibility

  • 10+2 education qualification

  • Valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)

Career Scope

  • Tax Associate

  • Tax Consultant

  • Tax Manager

  • Senior Tax Analyst

  • Tax Specialist

Cost

  • $70 charge for obtaining PTIN

  • $200 fee for each part of the exam

Salary

Enrolled Agents usually earn around INR 8 LPA in India.

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ACCA

The ACCA program is another course to pursue after an MBA. This course is considered reputable in the global job market. More than 180 countries recognise this certification.

Awarding Body

Association of Certified Chartered Accountants

Syllabus

Applied Knowledge Level

  • Business and Technology (BT)

  • Management Accounting (MA)

  • Financial Accounting (FA)

Applied Skills Level

  • Corporate and Business Law (LW)

  • Performance Management (PM) 

  • Taxation 

  • Financial Reporting 

  • Financial Management 

  • Assurance and Audit

Strategic Professional Level
Compulsory Subjects

  • Strategic Business Leader 

  • Strategic Business Reporting 

Optional Subjects 

  • Advanced Financial Management 

  • Advanced Performance Management 

  • Advanced Taxation (ATX)

  • Advanced Audit and Assurance

Eligibility

  • 10+2 education qualification

Job Opportunities

  • Finance Analyst

  • Tax Analyst

  • Finance Manager

  • Auditor

  • Forensic Reporter

  • CFO

Salary

The package received by an ACCA normally goes up to INR 14 LPA in India. 

FRM

The Financial Risk Management course is a lucrative option. You must pursue this certification if you dream of entering the risk management field. The GARP has a widespread network. It consists of more than 80,000 FRMs worldwide. 

Awarding Body

Global Association of Risk Professionals

Syllabus

Part 1

  • Foundations of Risk Management

  • Quantitative Analysis

  • Financial Markets and Products

  • Valuations and Risk Models

Part 2

  • Market Risk 

  • Credit Risk

  • Operational Risk and Resiliency

  • Treasury and Liquidity Risk Management

  • Risk and Investment Management

  • Financial Markets™ Current Issues

Eligibility

  • 10+2 educational qualification

Career Options

  • Treasury Risk Manager

  • Credit Risk Manager

  • Risk Analyst

  • Market Risk Manager

  • Investment Analyst

  • Quantitative Analyst

  • Portfolio Manager

  • Claims Manager

Cost

FRM Course Fees for Part 1 
New Candidates

  • Enrolment Fee: $400

  • Exam Fee: $600 - $800

  • Total: $1000 - $1200

Returning Candidates

  • Exam Fee: $600- $800

  • Total: $600- $800

FRM Course Fees for Part 2

Exam Fee: $600- $800

Salary

Certified FRMs usually earn around INR 8 LPA in India. 

US CPA

US CPA qualification is the most valued professional certification. Top employers, including the Big 4s, hire these professionals. This course is the best alternative to CA. It offers better job opportunities with lower exam difficulty levels. 

Awarding Body

US AICPA  

Syllabus

  1. Attestation and Auditing (AUD)

  2. Financial Accounting and Reporting 

  3. Regulation (REG)

  4. Optional paper (Any one)

  • Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR)

  • Information Systems and Controls (ICS)

  • Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)

Eligibility

  • 150 credit points

  • Two years of relevant work experience

Scope

  • Internal Auditor

  • Public Accountant

  • Finance Manager

  • Finance Analyst

  • Tax Analyst

  • CFO

Cost

The US CPA cost is as follows- 

  • Education and Evaluation Application Fees- $90 - $150

  • Examination Application Fees- $1100 - $1500

  • CPA Exam Retake Fee- $50 -$200

  • CPA Review Course- $1,000 - $4,000

Salary

INR 7 LPA is the average fresher salary for CPAs in India. 

CFA

The CFA qualification is a professional programme. It is highly regarded in the global investment banking sector.  

Awarding Body

CFA Institute

Syllabus

  • Ethical and Professional Standards

  • Quantitative Methods

  • Economics

  • Financial Statement Analysis

  • Corporate Issuers

  • Equity Investments

  • Fixed Income

  • Derivatives

  • Alternative Investments

  • Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning

Eligibility

  • Undergraduate Degree 

  • Four years of relevant work experience or more 

Job Opportunities

  • Equity Research Analyst

  • Credit Analyst

  • Financial Analyst

  • Equity Research Associate

  • Corporate Financial Analyst

  • Auditor

  • Consultant

  • Portfolio Manager

  • Senior Financial Analyst

Cost

  • Early Registration Fee- $940

  • Standard Registration Fee- $1,250

  • One-Time Enrolment Fee- $350 (For Level 1, it does not apply to subsequent exams)

Salary

CFAs in India earn around INR 8 LPA. 

Conclusion

Pursuing additional qualifications is always beneficial especially after completing an MBA. If you're wondering which course is best after an MBA, especially in finance, the answer lies in opting for specialized and internationally recognized certifications. These advanced finance courses after MBA are tailored for professionals aiming to upskill and explore new career options after MBA.

Whether you're interested in investment planning, personal finance and wealth management, or finance and investment banking, enrolling in the best finance courses can significantly impact your career trajectory. Short-term certification courses like CFA, FRM, US CPA, CMA USA, ACCA, and EA are considered some of the top courses to pursue in the finance sector. These not only broaden your knowledge but also equip you with the tools needed for investment decisions, working in finance, and securing roles such as senior finance manager or finance manager at top investment firms.

For those with a strong interest in finance, these post-MBA courses can help you dive deeper into niche areas. The programme in finance offered by various institutions, including online courses, lets you tailor your learning path based on your aspirations. Depending on your career goals, you might also explore analytics courses, development courses, or even consider a PhD in finance for academic and research-based roles.

If you're still evaluating the best course after an MBA, remember that choosing the right course depends on your background, goals, and area of specialization. Finance helps you access diverse roles and responsibilities, and pursuing specialized courses demonstrates your commitment to taking courses that align with market demands.

One course that adds immense value is offered by NorthStar Academy a premier coaching institution for finance and accounting certifications. Under the mentorship of M Irfat Sir, NorthStar Academy presents well-structured courses in US CPA, CMA USA, ACCA, FRM, EA, and CFA. These certifications are among the best courses to pursue if you're looking for a global edge and jobs after MBA in elite companies. Their programs are designed to help you succeed in the shortest time possible, making it one of the best courses for MBA graduates seeking career advancement.

Contact us on WhatsApp  to know more about these courses to pursue after completing your MBA. Whether you're considering an executive MBA or want to take a course after your MBA, NorthStar Academy can help you enhance your career and thrive in finance roles across the globe.

Pursuing additional qualifications is always beneficial. Therefore, opt for the best finance courses after MBA. It will help you upskill. These finance and accounting courses focus on enhancing your practical knowledge and skills. Such an upgrade allows you to compete in the present world and stand out before the top employers. Also, you will be able to experience rapid career advancement after achieving internationally recognised certifications. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which course is better after an MBA in Finance?

Professional certification courses are quite beneficial after an MBA in Finance. These include-

  • EA

  • US CPA

  • ACCA

  • CFA

  • FRM

  • CMA USA

What can I do after doing an MBA in Finance?

The best courses after the MBA are as follows.

  • ACCA

  • EA

  • US CMA 

  • US CPA

  • FRM 

  • CFA 

Can I do a CFA after my MBA?

Yes! However, four years of work experience is mandatory.

Which MBA specialisation is best with Finance?

Accounting and taxation are the best specialisation areas with an MBA.