A career in finance comes down to one major focus: money management. Finance professionals spend their days analyzing data sets, making budgeting and investment decisions, researching finance law, and negotiating with investors, banks, and clients alike.

Finance professionals work in public finance, corporate finance, or private finance. Regardless of which of these fields you opt to work in, finance is a lucrative field filled with opportunity. Here is a breakdown of just a few of the top careers to be aware of:

1. Becoming an Economist: Business or Economics Degrees

   Economists monitor economic trends and work on fixing related problems. They might study how to redistribute tax money into the economy, or they may spend their days researching unemployment and rent pricing trends. They frequently publish their findings in academic journals, so writing and communication skills are necessary. To work as an economist, you’ll need to start with a bachelor’s in economics or finance, with a master’s being preferred by some employers.

2. Becoming a Financial Analyst: Finance or Mathematics Degrees

   Financial analysts keep track of market conditions, analyze investment opportunities, and study business performance as a whole in order to assist their organization in making financial decisions. For this career, you’ll need advanced IT skills, as complicated programs and spreadsheets are regularly used for calculations. Most analysts hold a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field at a minimum. Many also opt to earn an MBA or pass a qualifying financial exam (such as the Chartered Financial Analyst exam) for a leg up.

3. Becoming a Personal Financial Advisor: Finance or Mathematics Degrees

   Personal financial advisors manage the finances of individuals. In most cases, this involves retirement accounts, investments, and tax assistance. They must have a deep understanding of tax laws, the stock market, and their client’s particular goals. While many advisors are self-employed, some do work for larger organizations. To become a financial advisor, you’ll need a bachelor’s in finance at minimum, with many pursuing additional finance certificates and licenses as a means of improving their reputability.

4. Becoming an Accountant: Accounting Degrees

   Accountants prepare financial documentation, analyze financial data, and ensure that their organization’s financial endeavors are successful. In general, analytical and bookkeeping skills are the two major requirements for this role. Regarding education and licensure, accountants usually start out with at least a bachelor’s in accounting, finance, or a related field. They then may go on to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam so they can legally conduct audits and ultimately earn more throughout their accounting career.

5. Becoming a Cost Estimator: Finance or Business Degrees

   Cost estimators estimate the cost of manufacturing a product or service for their company. Cost can include time, labor, materials, and money, among other potential variables. Though present throughout a myriad of industries, this job is perhaps most commonly found in the construction sector, with many construction sites having a cost estimator on site. To be successful, a cost estimator needs a bachelor’s in finance, business, engineering, or construction management, as well as a strong background in their specific industry.

6. Becoming a Loan Officer: Finance Degrees

   Loan officers review and approve loan applications. They meet with applicants to go over the application and approval processes, making advanced people skills a necessity. In most cases, these professionals have a bachelor’s in finance or a related field, though some get hired with just an associate degree. Mortgage loan officers will need to obtain a specific license as well.

   For those interested in the above careers or any other careers within finance, getting a bachelor’s in finance, math, or a related field is a great first step, and doing so online is the most convenient and affordable way to do so. By starting today, you’ll be that much closer to achieving your career goals tomorrow.

   Explore your future in finance by checking out your degree program options today.