Career Options After MBA in Finance: What to Choose?

The MBA course is one of the most popular courses in India that everyone starts preparing for right after graduation. The most important part about being an MBA is making sure that you get into one of the 10 colleges known for an MBA in Finance. And to get into one of the top 10 colleges you need an outstanding score in MBA PGCET / CAT / MAT / ATMA or any state-approved admission test. Once you’ve cracked that and gotten yourself into a well-known college for MBA in Finance, all you need to do is find out where your interests and expertise lie and accordingly search for professions that will help you make the most out of your skills. If you are confused between a sea of options and aren’t which career option after MBA in Finance is the right one for you, then here’s a list of some of the most trending professions. 

Popular Career Options After MBA in Finance

1. Investment Banking 

To explain Investment Banking in simple terms, we can say that it’s a division of banking that is created with the purpose of generating capital for governments, firms and individuals related to them. Becoming an Investment Banker isn’t as easy as it may seem. Since this exciting job also comes with an immense risk factor, the profession must ensure that you possess the necessary skills to invest and raise capital for different public and private organisations. Here’s what you need to have to become an Investment Banker.

2. Chartered Financial Planner (CFP) 

CFP or the Chartered Financial Planner is an emerging professional course that’s often chosen by finance enthusiasts who are interested in planning and managing organisational finances. Currently, there are more than 1,70,000 Chartered Financial Planner certificate holders, and as the demand for this profession continues to grow, so does the scope in terms of opportunities and compensation. With the wealth and financial planning industry growing at a rate of 20% every year, there is never a dearth of jobs in this field. You can become a CFP by pursuing the CFP course offered by the  Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB). This competitive course will teach you how to successfully guide clients through the increasingly complex financial world.

3. Research Analyst

As the name suggests, a Research Analyst is someone who prepares a repot on the securities or assets the client holds. These reports are made on the basis of public records and often end with a recommendation on whether to ‘buy’, ‘sell’ or ‘hold’ properties. These professionals are responsible for analysing data, creating financial models and helping the management team make data-backed decisions. They also need to identify the changing trends and make improvements for future models.

4. Financial Risk Manager (FRM)

Another great option to consider after completing your MBA in Finance is the FRM course. The FRM exams are conducted by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP), USA and consist of two levels. After learning all the basics of finance FRM, Financial Risk Management is a niche course that especially focuses on risk management techniques. After the pandemic and constant change in global dynamics, every company needs an FRM manager to keep them in a secure space and protect the company from unpredictable issues.

5. Actuary

An Actuary is an individual with advanced knowledge and understanding of the financial system. They use logical reasoning, problem-solving and mathematical knowledge to estimate the risk involved in conducting business deals. An Actuary must predict the financial impact of decisions on a business and the risks or unforeseen events that can impact the functioning of a business. The Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI) is the regulatory body, and to qualify as an Actuary, candidates have to qualify for exams set by ACET.  As an MBA, you can give these competitive exams after receiving your degree to enter this field. Actuary exams test a candidate’s core technical knowledge, core application knowledge, specialist technical knowledge, and specialist application knowledge. 

6. Certified Management Accounting (US CMA)

When we talk about the highest-paying finance jobs, nothing can outrank US Certified Management Accounting. Compared to all the other accounting courses, Indian and global, US CMA offers a better scope and salary. US CMA enables you to not only earn a handsome salary in India but also in other countries. Every company today requires Management Accountants for the analytical and problem-solving skills they possess. You can choose several professions after completing your CMA degree, like Financial Manager, Financial Analyst, Financial Controller, Cost Accountant or CFO, no matter which job profile you choose, you’ll be welcomed with a good salary package in a US-based MNC.   

We hope that with this detailed article on career options after MBA in finance, you have received a fair understanding of the career options you can choose after completing the course. If you wish to know how you can further upskill with a professional course like Association of Certified Chartered Accountant, Chartered Financial Analyst and US Certified Management Accountant, click on the WhatsApp icon at the side of this blog and get in touch with our experts directly.

FAQs

What can I do after MBA in finance?
After completing your MBA in Finance, you can choose to do a professional course like ACCA, CMA or CFA to further upskill or you could try getting into mid-level financial modelling, banking or investment-related fields.

Which course is best after MBA in finance?
The best course to choose after MBA in Finance is US CMA or CFA. if you wish to focus more on the management side of finance then US CMA is the right course for you. However, if you wish to focus purely on finance then you should choose CFA.

Is it good to do CFA after MBA?
Yes, pursuing CFA after completing MBA is a good option as it will help you build advanced skills for the finance industry.

Partham Barot is an ACCA-certified professional. showcasing his expertise in finance and accountancy. he’s revolutionising education by focusing on practical, real-world skills. Partham’s achievements underscore his commitment to elevating educational standards and empowering the next generation of professionals.