| 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.
University Requirement (2 hours)
GSTD 1002 – Freshman Seminar
General Education (35 hours)
Note: ECON 2103 – Principles of Microeconomics is required.
Business Core (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 3 hours from 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 (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
ACCT 3133 – Fraud Examination and Prevention
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
Electives (2 hours)
2 hours of unrestricted electives
Total Hours – 120
Minor Requirements:
Finance Minor for Business Majors
(15 hours)
9 hours of upper-level Finance electives (may include ACCT 3133 – Fraud Examination and Prevention)
Select 6 hours from the following:
ACCT 3003 – Intermediate Accounting I
ACCT 3023 – Individual Income Tax
ACCT 3133 – Fraud Examination and Prevention
ECON 3093 – Economic Analysis for Decision-Making
Additional upper-level Finance electives
Total Hours – 15
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.
