Online Bachelor Degree Programs in Finance

A bachelor's degree program typically takes four years of fulltime study to complete. Curriculum covers fundamentals of accounting, management of real and financial assets, and analysis of investment risks. Some examples of courses include:

• Research for Business: This class teaches students about the theories and practices for data collection, analysis, and presentation. Individuals also learn about qualitative and quantitative research methods, and how to determine which one to use in a given situation. Coursework helps students diagnose potential problems and find possible solutions. For instance, Starbucks may want to acquire a small, local bakery in order to diversify its customer base. Students will be able to study the benefits and detriments of this merger, and whether it makes sense to complete it.
• Financial Accounting: Students learn about the four basic financial statements: income statements, balance sheets, cash flows, and statements of shareholders’ equity. They also learn about the two primary methods of accounting: cash basis and accruals basis. With this information, students will be able to prepare and interpret financial statements. In a professional setting, these courses could help graduates clearly communicate financial data to company stakeholders.
• Microeconomic Principles: Students learn about the relationship between changes in supply and demand and fluctuations in equilibrium price and quantity. Instruction also details the effect of public policy on economic behavior and how global competition has changed the ability of companies to maximize profits. Students may examine specific concepts, such as the law of diminishing marginal productivity. They can then apply these principles to real-world case studies. For example, students may analyze Walmart's employment practices, finding the breaking point where hiring additional workers might begin to negatively affect productivity.

Individuals who earn a bachelor's degree in finance may wish to pursue a career as a financial analyst. These individuals are responsible for building and maintaining investment portfolios for clients, as well as projecting a company's future earnings in order to determine its value. Some financial analysts work for media outlets forecasting the stock market and industry trends. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov, 2013) states that employment of financial analysts in the U.S. is expected to grow by 23 percent from 2010 to 2020. Expansion of this occupation is due to new, emerging world markets and complex financial accounting practices.

Sources:
"Financial Analysts," Occupational Outlook Handbook (2012-13 Edition), Bureau of Labor Statistics,