| Department: | Accounting, Finance, & Economics / Rankin College of Business |
| Hours Required: | 120 |
| Categories: | Major, Minor, Undergraduate |
| Delivery: | On-Campus |
Finance majors learn money management skills valuable to businesses, organizations, and individuals. Finance graduates consistently rank among the highest average starting salary for any undergraduate major. In addition, opportunities exist in a wide range of specific financial fields. For example, real estate and personal financial planning are ideal for those with strong interpersonal skills who enjoy working with people. Meanwhile, financial analysis and risk management cater to those with strong analytical and mathematical backgrounds.
Topics Covered
In the first two years, students take a broad range of classes both in the College of Business and across campus. Upper-level courses focus on developing finance knowledge and skills.
- Classes include areas related to: Financial Management, Managerial Economics, Investments, Calculus, and Advanced Financial Management.
- Students are encouraged to have an internship. In the past students have obtain internships with Ally Financial, Farmers Bank & Trust, Murphy USA, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, and Walmart.
- Students are assigned a member of the finance faculty as an advisor to help with class scheduling, professional mentoring, and career placement.
Financial Analysis Careers
- Financial Manager – manages the company’s financial workings. They prepare financial reports and look at investment data, they strive to maximize profits through development of strategies for the company’s long-term financial goals. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm
- Financial Analysis – helps individuals and businesses in making financial decisions. They watch and assess the performance of investments, such as stocks and bonds. They have a predicted job growth of 12% faster than other occupations.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm - Cost Estimator – gathers and analyzes data to estimate the costs required to manufacture products, construct projects, or to provide a service. They usually specialize in an industry or product. They have a 9% faster than average job growth.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/cost-estimators.htm - Did you enjoy your accounting classes, but your heart is set on finance? Then look into becoming a Financial Examiner. Financial Examiners make sure that companies comply with laws and regulations that govern financial institutions. They review balance sheets, evaluate loan risk, and assess bank management. Financial Examiners make sure that borrowers are treated fairly. Employment is expected to grow 10% faster than the average of other occupations due to new regulations.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-examiners.htm
Student Engagement
- Students can join ENACTUS a community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better more sustainable world. ENACTUS members are afforded numerous opportunities to network and participate in a variety of projects and trips.
- Students are encouraged to compete in a variety of Phi Beta Lambda events at the state and national level
- Students can participate in the Finance and Economics Society to meet other students, and network with financial professionals.
- Student can also participate in the Student Investment Advisory Council to manage endowment funds.
Faculty Expertise
- The finance faculty in the Rankin College of Business are highly skilled professionals, with doctorate degrees in the field or years of professional experience.
- Our faculty are strong scholars, having conducted research in banking, financial markets, small business management, asset valuation, and finance and economics education.
Learning Goals
- Graduates from the College of Business can communicate effectively.
- Our graduates are prepared to be socially responsible citizens.
- Our graduates can think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions.
- Our graduates can use technology effectively in their fields.
- Our graduates have content knowledge in their chosen fields and the necessary skills to be successful.
Major in Financial Analysis
University Requirement (2 hours)
GSTD 1002 – Freshman Seminar
General Education (35 hours)
(ECON 2103 – Principles of Microeconomics is required)
Business Core Curriculum (54 hours)
- ACCT 2113 – Survey of Accounting
- ACCT 2003 – Principles of Accounting
- FIN 2003 – Personal Finance
- ECON 2203 – Principles of Macroeconomics
- GBUS 2003 – Legal Environment of Business
- GBUS 2013 – Statistics and Analytics I
- IS 2053 – Business Information Systems
- MGMT 2003 – Business Communications
Admission to the College of Business is required to enroll in the following courses:
- FIN 3003 – Financial Management
- GBUS 3183 – Statistics and Analytics II
- IS 3023 – Introduction to Data Visualization
- IS 3053 – Managing Information Systems
- MGMT 3023 – Organizational Theory and Behavior
- MGMT 3073 – Professional Communication Strategies
- MGMT 4063 – Operations and Supply Chain Management
- MGMT 4093 – Management Strategy and Policy
- MKTG 3033 – Principles of Marketing
Select one of the following:
- MGMT 4043 – International Business
- MGMT 4313 – International Studies and Field Experience
- MGMT 4101 – International Studies and Field Experience and MGMT 4102 – International Studies and Field Experience
Financial Analysis Curriculum (27 Hours)
- ACCT 3003 – Intermediate Accounting I
- ECON 3093 – Economic Analysis for Decision-Making
- FIN 3023 – Financial Institutions and Markets
- FIN 3053 – Investments
- FIN 4003 – Advanced Financial Management
Select 12 hours from the following:
- ACCT 3023 – Individual Income Tax
- ACCT 3101 – VITA Experience
- ECON 4153 – History of Economic Thought
- FIN 3013 – Enterprise Risk Management
- FIN 3033 – Entrepreneurial Finance
- FIN 4023 – Life and Health Insurance
- FIN 4043 – Property and Casualty/Liability Insurance
- FIN 4063 – Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
- FIN 4073 – Estate Planning and Taxation
- FIN 4143 – International Finance
- FIN 4153 – Finance Field Experience
- MATH 1525 – Calculus I
- GBUS 3983 – General Business Internship or FIN 3983 – Business Internship in Finance
Unrestricted Electives (2 Hours)
Minor Requirements:
Minor in Finance – 15 hours
15 hours of upper-level finance courses*
(*FIN 3003 is a prerequisite to the 15-hour curriculum)
AACSB International business and accounting accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Institutions that earn accreditation confirm their commitment to quality and continuous improvement through a rigorous and comprehensive peer review process.
