Master's in Finance Career Success

The curriculum of the MS Finance includes coursework in corporate finance, financial consulting and investment management. Â鶹ÒùÔº are able to practice applying key concepts and tools to financial situations. Taking nine months to complete, the program prepares students for management-level decision-making in any financial environment based on high-level processes.

Getting your resume in front of the right person can be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked. Leeds has strong relationships within the finance industry, and as a student pursuing an MS in Finance, you will expand your network and gain access to hundreds of jobs and internships. Personalized support connects you with the resources, organizations and contacts to help you put your degree to work and make your professional goals a reality.

Job Search Timeline:

Corporations have varying recruiting timelines and start as early as August. Therefore, we strongly encourage enrolled students to set up an appointment with a Graduate Career Management team member soon after orientation concludes to discuss strategy and create an individualized timeline.
Learn more about the services the Graduate Career Management team can offer to help you land your ideal job.

Partnership with the Burridge Center for Finance:

The Burridge Center for Finance is committed to improving and sharing the practice of investments and finance. The Center develops and supports programs, resources, and events that enhance the student experience, engage our alumni, support faculty research and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas with investment practitioners.

Key Job Skills Required:

  • Ability to build relationships, collaborate and work with cross functional teams
  • Skilled at identifying and eliminating redundancies
  • SAP / Excel experience and/or knowledge (overall analytical ability)
  • Knowledge of general accounting processes and procedures
  • Strong communication, presentation, negotiating, and influencing skills
  • Valuation / forecasting methodology knowledge

 

Average Salary:

The average salary for an MS Finance graduate in 2023 was $90,000.

Frequent Job Tasks:

  • Develop financial models by benchmarking and process analysis / financial forecasting
  • Forecast quarterly and annual profits and prepare cost projections
  • Manage a Profit & Loss (P&L) statement and a budgeting process
  • Evaluate the financial health of projects by performing DCF or other valuation methodologies
  • Financial planning / writing company financial policies
  • Explore investment options and present risks and opportunities
  • Being aware of changing market conditions to inform the forecasting for a business
  • Analyze and report on the health of the business to investors and key constituents
  • Monitor budgets and company cash flow and explain financial data to senior leadership

Sample Job Titles:

Analyst/Manager – Corporate FP&A
Business Analyst
Finance Manager
Financial Planner
Investment Analyst
Senior Financial Analyst

Sample Industry Areas:

Commercial Banking
Corporate Finance
Insurance
Investment Banking
Private Equity
Private Wealth Management/Financial Planning
Real Estate
Venture Capital

Recent MS Finance graduates have secured roles at the following companies:

Amazon
AMG National Trust
Arrow Electronics
Ball Aerospace
BSW Wealth Partners
Deloitte Consulting
Diversified Asset Mgt

Edelmen DXI
Faction
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
Florida Health Fund
Legacy Financial Group
Lockheed Martin

NextEra Energy
RES Americas
S&P Global
Simpson Property Group LLC
UBS
WealthGate