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types of finance courses for students, guide to financial education programs, beginner to advanced finance course options
👤 NorthStar Academy📅 28 Jul, 24⏱ 11 min read

Types of Finance Courses and Financial Education Guide

Are you also the one who relates finance to money? Well, finance is not just money. It is beyond money. Simply speaking, finance is the field that involves money, borrowings, and investments. Thus, finance is how you can manage money and investments. Different types of finance courses are available for people to gain expertise in finance-related topics such as accounting and finance, investment, risk management, financial management, and financial services. It is a popular career choice and the most sought-after field among students. It is in demand due to the growing scope of vastness and technological advancement, which leads individuals to make decisions.

As the company and economy are highly dependent on the functions involved in finance, the finance courses are designed so that every student receives the necessary knowledge and expertise in financial management or else financial literacy. They learn the importance of financial principles. In this blog, we will impart the necessary information related to different types of finance courses, the benefits of finance, eligibility for finance professional courses, why you should study finance, and its career prospects. Let's begin! 

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Why Should You Study Finance?

It is no myth that finance seems to be an overwhelming subject. However, it is not as intimidating as it seems to be. Anyone can learn about finance and have knowledge about itat least some basic knowledge, you say! Various benefits of finance lead to financial success and help in investing money in the right places for growth. Here are some of the reasons listed below that explain why it is good to study finance.

  • Finance is inevitable

Finance is required in every business organization, irrespective of its expertise in wealth management. It does not matter if your company is an advertising agency, a production house, a consulting firm, or a healthcare center. The element of finance is integral in the business. Every business requires a cash flow and finance model to streamline its finances. 

  • Finance boosts your CV and academic achievement

Learning finance is a great option for learning business. It is especially significant to young professionals and freshmen with little business experience, which provides a strong foundation. Earning finance certifications will help them boost their CV and make themselves a suitable candidate to embark on a journey to become a global leader in the finance industry.

  • The finance industry is continuously evolving

The finance industry is continuously growing. Gone are the days when the finance world was only limited to traditional big banks and methods. Today, the finance industry has certainly grown with the advancement of payment technology, cryptocurrency, and student loan financing. Learning finance will help you excel in your finance career and become conscious of the growing advancements in fintech, which will help your financial knowledge.

  • Finance teaches problem-solving skills

Finance involves numbers, ratios, and formulas. These Excel spreadsheets and numbers are used to analyze data and turn them into useful business insights. These insights are required to know the value of business and its role in financial decision-making, which is the importance of financial education.

  • Finance is required in daily lives

Finance is just not a business endeavour. It is also a part of life that exists outside our office. We face financial decisions (small and large) every day. It can be as small as going out for lunch or as important as taking medical insurance. Every activity requires a basic knowledge of finance to understand concepts like interest rates, dividends, tax rates, etc., and get involved in financial decision-making. Hence, proving finance education is not limited.

Eligibility Criteria of Finance Courses

It is vital to meet the eligibility criteria of different finance courses to gain admission to one of them. It must be noted that finance courses can be pursued as an undergraduate course or postgraduate course. The eligibility requirements for both of these courses are different.

Eligibility Requirement for Undergraduate Program

  • You are required to complete a 10+2 grade with a minimum of 60% marks overall if you plan to pursue a finance course.
  • A good knowledge of Mathematics and Statistics is necessary. These two subjects must be compulsory in your 10+2 grade. 


Eligibility Requirement for Postgraduate Program

  • You must earn a bachelor's degree in finance, business, or related courses with a minimum score of 50% from any accredited college or university.
  • You must take a few entrance exams, such as CAT, XAT, MAT, ATMA, NMAT, and SNAP, to gain admission to a business school to pursue an MBA in finance.  

Different Types of Finance Courses

There are varied finance career courses that can grow your career exponentially. You can take up these courses right after 12th grade or after you start working as a finance professional. There is no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to pursuing finance professional courses.

We have outlined a range of courses related to finance and accounting that determine the effectiveness of the vastness of the finance professional courses. 

  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

  • The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants certificate course is recognized in over 180 countries, with its headquarters in the USA. 
  • The ACCA course ranges from 6 months to 24 months.  
  • The eligibility criteria for the ACCA course is a minimum score of 65% in math, accountancy and English. Moreover, the overall score must be a minimum,of 50%
  • After completing the ACCA course, the common jobs in finance are accounting Advisory, Risk Advisory, Forensic Auditing, Internal Audit, Mergers and acquisitions, etc. 

  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

  • The CFA course encompasses dealing with investment tools, valuation of assets, portfolio management and many more. You should go for the course if you are interested in investment management. 
  • The FRM course lasts a minimum of 2-3 years.
  • You are eligible for the CFA Level 1 as a first-year undergraduate student.
  • The common jobs in finance after successfully completing the FRM course are Portfolio Manager, Research Analyst, Risk Manager, Corporate Financial Analyst, and  Investment Banking Analyst.

  • Certified Management Accounting (CMA)

  • The CMA course is specially designed for students interested in budgeting, financing, forecasting, and managing companies' finance decisions.
  • The CMA course is conducted in the USA. On the other hand, CIMA is conducted by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK-based.
  • The CMA course lasts for a minimum of 6-9 months.
  • You are required to have a bachelor's degree to pursue this course. You are also eligible for the course if you have an IMA-approved professional certification.

  • Chartered Financial Planner (CFP)

  • The CFP course is conducted by the globally recognized body known as the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB)
  • The course deals with concepts like financial planning, risk analysis, budgeting, financial modeling and tax planning.
  • The course ranges from 6 to 24 months.
  • You are eligible for the course if you have qualified 10+2 courses.
  • The common jobs in finance after successfully completing the CFP course are Portfolio Manager, Tax Planner, Risk Analyst, Debt Management Specialist, Financial Advisor, and Mutual Fund Advisor.

  • Chartered Accountancy (CA)

  • The recognized body that conducts CA, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). 
  • This course encompasses learning accounting, taxation, accounting,  Financial Statement Analysis, financial analysis tools and techniques, financial assessments and related courses.
  • The CA course lasts at least 5 years, including three levels. These levels are named as
  • Foundation
  • Intermediate
  • Final
  • The students are also required to do an article ship to earn the certificate of Chartered Accountancy

  • Company Secretary (CS)

    • Company Secretary is conducted by a recognized body known as The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).
    • The CS exam is divided into 4 parts of assessment:
  • Foundation
  • Professional
  • Executive 
  • Management Training
  • You are eligible for the course if you have qualified 10+2 courses successfully.
  • The CS course lasts for a minimum of 4-5 years.
  • The common services professionals render after successfully completing the CS course are legal, secretarial and corporate governance. They also offer services like corporate restructuring, foreign collaborations, joint ventures and project planning.

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Different Branches of Finance

Finance is divided into five main branches. These branches are as follows:

  • Personal Finance
  • Public Finance
  • Corporate Finance
  • Social Finance

  • Behavioral Finance  


Various Jobs Prospects in Finance and Top Recruiters of Finance

Choosing a career path is overwhelming. However, you can find it a bit easier to decide when the job prospects of that career path are positive in the country. Including various other career options, the Finance career course is no different! You can find lucrative career options in finance and ample advantages of finance, too. One can not deny the vastness of the role of finance in business decision-making. Let's delve deeper into some of India's highest-paid jobs under broad categories in finance. 

List of Specialization

  • Fintech
  • Accounting
  • Corporate Finance
  • Lending
  • Investment
  • Advisory services 


List of highest-paid jobs in Finance 

  • Financial Analyst
  • Compliance Officer
  • Financial Advisor
  • Accountant
  • Loan Officer
  • IT Auditor
  • Financial Software Developer
  • Investment banker
  • Hedge Fund Manager
  • Private Equity Associate
  • Chief Financial Office
  • Chief Compliance Officer
  • Chief Risk Officer
  • Management Analyst 


List of Top Recruiters in Finance 

Because of the importance of financial management, the role of finance in business decision making and finance career courses, every company wants to recruit professionals in finance. Here is a list of the top recruiters in finance that recruit finance professionals: 

  • Goldman Sachs
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Boston Consulting Group
  • Bain & Company
  • JP Morgan Chase & Co
  • McKinsey & Co
  • KPMG
  • HDFC
  • Tata Consultancy 
  • Deloitte
  • Cognizant Technologies Solutions
  • Accenture Services
  • Thomson Reuters
  • Royal Bank of Scotland

  

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the finance sector is an incredible career path. There are various benefits of finance. You can find various opportunities due to the availability of diverse finance courses with varied specializations and certifications. With suitable work experience, knowledge, skills, and certifications, you can become a global leader in the finance world and lead long-term operations in any organization. A finance degree will help you to gain impactful and useful skills to increase your earning potential, and you will be able to embrace the role of finance in business strategic decision making.

Still wondering about the next steps in your career? Look out for our platform for the same! NorthStar Academy is an outstanding option to seek personalized mentorship and training programs like financial accounting courses, CMA, CFA, CS and CA courses to increase your finance career options. Let NorthStar Academy be your guiding star in this sea of confusion and preparations.  Sign Up Today because your career is your lifetime investment! 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the career paths in finance?

The finance industry has a plethora of career paths. These career options are available due to the demand for financial analysts and other finance professionals in business. Some career options include financial risk analyst, actuary, portfolio manager, quantitative analyst, financial planner, and so on. 

What are the 3 major areas of finance?

The three major areas of finance include personal finance, corporate finance and public/government finance. These finance areas justify the broad categories into which finance is distributed, where finance is used to drive business operations or invested in personal usage. 

What is the most common job in finance?

The most common and basic jobs finance graduates can achieve are accountant, investment banker, auditor, actuary, investment analyst, financial officer, hedge fund manager, insurance agent, risk manager, tax associate and loan associate. 

What is financial planning?

Financial planning is the process of defining and analyzing multiple financial goals, quantifying them and deciding the investment plan to meet the business goals. It plays a huge role in financial decision-making. 

What are the uses of finance certifications?

Popular finance analyst certifications like CFP, CFS, and Certified International Investment Analyst help financial professionals gain knowledge and specialization in a particular finance field so that he/she can boost their career opportunities and become global leaders in the industry.