As a Finance Online MBA student, you are either already working in a finance career at some level or are wanting to change to a finance career path. Either way, you are working hard and taking important steps toward your ultimate career goal. Whether you already know what type of job you are hoping to get or not, this list of the ten Best Finance Jobs can be beneficial to your search. Reading through each job could motivate you in your journey and confirm you are on the right career path.
We have summarized some of the tasks, skills, education, and experience required of each job. These are full-time office jobs with mostly regular hours, some requiring overtime on nights or weekends. We ranked these jobs first by job satisfaction and then by salary. Each job shows a high satisfaction rating of 4.1 to 4.3 out of 5 stars, and the average annual salaries range from $67,813 to $134,858.
Director of Finance & Administration
Coming in first place in our Best Finance Jobs ranking is a Director of Finance & Administration. This experienced position oversees, monitors, analyzes, and manages daily financial and administrative activities, accounting systems, human resource tasks, employee records, cash flow, and internal financial processes, like budgets and accounting. They coordinate audits and ensure compliance. One component of their job is hiring and supervising staff and making sure employees are paid on time and receive accurate pay, including overtime, benefits, and bonuses. There is plenty of collaboration with other teams and departments in project and budget management to ensure proper funding and operating goals are met. Required skills include management, organization, excellent written and verbal communication, strategic planning, leadership, financial reporting, and analysis.
A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration, many years of work experience in financial management and administration, and legal knowledge are required. Working hard in this position can lead to promotions as Finance Director, Vice President of Finance, and even Chief Financial Officer.
Job Satisfaction Rating: 4.3
Average Annual Salary: $89,098
Corporate Controller
Our next Best Finance Job is a Corporate Controller. Do you want to be responsible for all financial and accounting tasks, activities, and functions of an organization? This is the job for you. Corporate Controllers manage every financial and accounting department. They develop, coordinate, and oversee systems involving billing, collections, accounts payable and receivable, investments, budgets, statements, reports, forecasts, assets, and payroll. Depending on the company’s size, they may file reports with the SEC, perform the role of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and even directly report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Popular skills include financial reporting and analysis, general ledger accounting, enterprise resource planning, people management, strategic planning, risk management, financial management, and systems troubleshooting.
A solid education in finance is preferred by employers, along with years of financial experience. A Corporate Controller will use email, phones, computers, and financial software daily. This position can be promoted to a Vice President of Finance or a CFO. Popular employers include Abc Corp., Lang Nelson, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
Job Satisfaction Rating: 4.2
Average Annual Salary: $100,890
Financial Controller
A Financial Controller, aka Comptroller, manages a company’s finance-related departments, like accounting, auditing, and budgeting. Unlike a Corporate Controller, a Financial Controller has a more narrowed focus on the financial reporting needs of an organization. They prepare and produce vital reports, balance sheets, profit and loss statements, financial investment documents, and regulatory paperwork. Many skills are needed to properly execute this job, including financial and business analysis, advanced mathematical and problem-solving skills, general ledger accounting, team management, and legal and tax compliance. Also, exquisite communication skills are necessary as they communicate complex financial concepts to those less likely to understand financial terminology and procedures.
Financial Controllers need to have a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business, but most employers will desire an educational background that includes an MBA or Master’s in Financial Accounting. They need to have seven to ten years of accounting experience and be licensed Certified Financial Manager, Certified Public Accountant, or Certified Management Accountant. This job promotes to a Corporate Controller, Finance Director, or CFO.
Job Satisfaction Rating: 4.2
Average Annual Salary: $85,357
Treasurer
Managing daily cash flow operations is a broad description of a Treasurer‘s responsibilities. This incorporates oversight of a company’s investments, debts, banking services, and financial strategy and reporting it to and advising the organization’s management team. They must keep accurate records, manage payroll, and develop new methods and processes that improve payment systems that sustain the company’s efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability. Treasurers will have a team of employees they lead, manage, direct, evaluate, and counsel. Due to the necessary relationships with executives, managers, and merchants, they must have strong communication skills. Other crucial skills include conflict management, data analysis, leadership, teamwork, financial modeling, asset-liability management (ALM), investment management, banking, cash flow management, and financial reporting.
A minimum bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or accounting is required, along with previous financial work experience. Employers, typically, want their Treasurers to have acquired ten years of experience, five of those being in management. This is an excellent position to train in if you desire to be promoted to a CFO at some point.
Job Satisfaction Rating: 4.2
Average Annual Salary: $79,989
Certified Financial Planner
Do you want to help people personally and assist businesses in financial success? A Certified Financial Planner is equipped to provide expert advice in tax laws and regulations, retirement, long-term debt, saving for college expenses, asset allocation, insurance, and investments. This advice helps people and businesses manage every aspect of their money, including income, debt, savings, and expenses. It can be highly satisfying watching and helping someone conquer problem areas and reach their financial goals. They advise on stocks, bonds, and other investment commodities, tax breaks, financial products, savings strategy, refinancing, and financial shelters to give clients as many solutions and options as possible. Highly regarded skills include financial analysis, investment planning and management, client interaction, team leadership, tax consulting and preparation, portfolio management, and financial advice.
Certified Financial Planners work within a financial institution or on their own, with potential travel to people’s businesses or homes. A bachelor’s degree is required, along with coursework in investment, insurance, and the market. To receive this certification, one must endure a rigorous certification process, including a two-day exam.
Job Satisfaction Rating: 4.2
Average Annual Salary: $67,813
Internal Audit Director
An Internal Audit Director has to be extremely detail-oriented and able to enforce compliance properly. Their job consists of a multitude of tasks that must be completed and documented efficiently. They assess financial functions and risks, optimize procedures, create reports, set standards for quality assurance, develop internal auditing strategies, oversee external audits, keep everything on schedule, and organize paperwork. Much of their job requires coordination with employees in other departments, their team members, and communicating with management. Internal Audit Directors must research and stay relevant and up-to-date with the latest industry developments and trends. Other essential skills include strong communication, technical, analytical, project management, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Compliance Audit, risk management/risk control, corporate governance, and data analysis.
As the educational requirements depend on the company, most Internal Audit Directors will need a bachelor’s in finance, accounting, IT, or related. Some will also need to have obtained a master’s degree. Ten to fifteen years of work experience in accounting and some in auditing is required. Employers also prefer them to be Certified Public Accountants or Certified Internal Auditors.
Job Satisfaction Rating: 4.1
Average Annual Salary: $134,858
Finance Director
A Finance Director must know how to perform all the financial processes of an organization, like financial analysis, projections, budgets, cash flow, financial reporting, and accounting duties but is mainly responsible for managing finance teams. They oversee hiring, scheduling, and evaluating finance team members, presenting findings to upper management, determining risks, addressing internal conflict, identifying growth opportunities, and ensuring legal compliance. The successful leadership and oversight of a Finance Director directly impact the improvement and continued increase in profits for an organization. They often report to the CFO of the company. Due to potentially being responsible for several offices, there may be some travel involved. Essential skills include teamwork, communication, public speaking, strategic planning, process improvement, business strategy, performance analysis, mergers and acquisitions, and investor relations.
Finance Directors require a master’s degree in finance, business administration, economics, or similar and multiple years of work experience in the field of finance to equip themselves for this job. Popular employers include Seattle Goodwill, Nike, Inc., American Airlines, and The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Job Satisfaction Rating: 4.1
Average Annual Salary: $114,230
Compliance Director
A Compliance Director is in charge of the department and oversees the entire compliance and regulatory process. They stay entirely knowledgeable in the current laws, rules, regulations, and policies pertaining to their type of organization. They work hard to make sure their company is in line and obedient to these standards. Some of the tasks include analyzing policies, practices, and investments and assessing risks involving legal and regulatory issues. When they identify risks and issues with any business practice or process, they are responsible for finding solutions that correct the problems and developing policy that helps keep the company functioning efficiently. There are some opportunities to travel offsite to meet with other offices, regulatory agencies or inspect different company sites.
Compliance Directors need at least a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s degree can only increase their knowledge even more. They need about five to ten years of experience in a range of areas like finance, business operations, law, and in the specific industry they choose.
Job Satisfaction Rating: 4.1
Annual Average Salary: $100,925
Senior Underwriter
From the application questions to acceptance or rejection, every step of the loan process incorporates a Senior Underwriter’s responsibilities. This job requires extensive knowledge in underwriting laws, loan requirements, different types of loans, and current underwriting regulations and standards. They work hard to gather, analyze, and verify all of the necessary information from the client, help them figure out the best loan option, and make sure to protect the company providing the loan, as well. Analyzing risks is a big part of their job. Another aspect of the job is helping clients know how to prepare their information, qualify for the loan, and alternative options. Although they do not typically work directly with clients, they need strong communication skills in dealing with mortgage officers, title companies, appraisers, and real estate agents. Other skills include financial analysis, insurance, negotiation, and technical analysis.
The minimum education requirement is a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration. Senior Underwriters need to have acquired a large amount of work experience to qualify for the position.
Job Satisfaction Rating: 4.1
Annual Average Salary: $83,595
Risk Manager
Risk Managers are all about safety, both in financial terms and workplace terms. They ensure the facilities, finances, and employees follow proper safety procedures, processes, and rules, along with meeting local and federal regulations. Some of the detailed work includes performing risk management activities, like audits, research, and random checks. They investigate risks and troubleshoot potential issues and hazards that could cause problems. When risks and hazards are discovered, Risk Managers are responsible for advising on what types of safety policy changes and specific training need to take place to minimize risks and losses. Some companies will have full-time Risk Managers on payroll, and others hire them for consulting purposes. Important skills include teamwork, claim handling, interpersonal, data analysis, insurance, computer program proficiency, and regulatory compliance.
A bachelor’s degree in business or finance with a risk management focus is recommended. There may be some licenses or certifications required, as well. Popular employers include Capital One Financial Corp, Amazon.com Inc., and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
Job Satisfaction Rating: 4.1
Average Annual Salary: $87,851
Action Plans
How do you secure one of these Best Finance Jobs? You don’t necessarily step right into one of these jobs straight out of college. No matter where you currently land in your educational path and career, you need to make an action plan full of steps to help you get there. Maybe it’s a bit intimidating reading through the responsibilities and qualifications of each job, but remember, you are a Finance Online MBA student. You are still learning and growing in your knowledge and experience. With enough determination, perseverance, and patience, you can accomplish what you need to reach your dream job. Make sure to be intentional in the ways you build your resume:
- Bachelor’s Degree – Each job requires a bachelor’s degree in a specific area, like finance or related. Make sure the undergraduate degree you have qualifies you for the job.
- Master’s Degree – Although some jobs may not specify, most employers are impressed by a master’s degree. It shows commitment to your work, a drive to get to the place you want to be, and an advanced level of knowledge and experience you can only gather in a graduate degree. The Finance Online MBA degree you are pursuing is an excellent degree choice for these jobs.
- Internships – Be intentional in what internships you choose to pursue during your bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. You want to gather the right kind of experience in finance, accounting, business operations, or whichever area your dream job requires.
- Work Experience – From entry-level jobs to advanced jobs, choose ones that will give you the type of work experience you need and can build upon to secure one of these top jobs eventually.
- Certifications – Look to see what types of certifications are required or recommended to give you the expertise and qualifications you need. Start working towards certification when you have the opportunity.
As you are beginning or in the middle of your educational and career path, take time to create and think through the steps you need to take in your action plan. Be confident in knowing there are plenty of resources out there and a whole world of opportunity. Enjoy the journey!
Related Resources:
Guide to an Economics Online MBA
Alternatives to an Online MBA
