Finance Major

Undergraduate Program in New Brunswick

The Field

The Finance sector is comprised of establishments primarily engaged in financial transactions, which involve the creation, liquidation, or change in ownership of financial assets. Almost every firm, government agency, and other type of organization employ one or more financial managers. Working in offices often close to top managers and with departments that develop the financial data those managers need, financial managers typically have direct access to state-of-the-art computer systems and information services.

Our finance graduates secure careers ranging from managing finances for startups to working in the biggest, most prestigious financial firms on Wall Street [read story: Rutgers Road to Wall Street]. Students must be Finance and/or Accounting majors to complete the program.

Key Facts

  • Financial Managers commonly work long hours, often up to 50 or 60 per week
  • Salary levels also can depend on the type of industry and location
  • Financial institutions employ financial managers who oversee various functions, such as lending, trusts, mortgages, and investments, or programs, including sales, operations, or electronic financial services
  • RBS students gain access to Wall Street through industry-connected professors and a dedicated career management team

Career Paths

Financial managers generally oversee the preparation of financial reports, direct investment activities, and implement cash management strategies. Managers also develop and implement the strategies for the long-term goals of their organization. A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business administration is the minimum academic preparation for financial managers. However, many employers now seek graduates with a master’s degree, preferably in business administration, finance, or economics. These academic programs develop analytical skills and teach financial analysis methods and technology.

The duties of financial managers vary with their specific titles, which include controller, treasurer or finance officer, credit manager, cash manager, risk and insurance manager, and manager of international banking. Candidates for financial management positions need many different skills. Interpersonal skills are key because these jobs involve managing people and working as part of a team to solve problems. Financial managers must also have excellent communication skills to explain complex financial data. Because financial managers work extensively with various departments in their firm, a broad understanding of business is also essential.

Financial managers should be creative thinkers and problem-solvers, applying their analytical skills to business. They must have knowledge of international finance as financial operations are increasingly being affected by the global economy. In addition, a good knowledge of regulatory compliance procedures is essential.

Rutgers Business School provides students with the skills and industry connections they need to get jobs in the most prominent financial agencies in New York City and beyond. With easy access to the city from either campus, internships, networking events, and alumni connections on Wall Street are minutes away, and provide valuable experiences for our students.

Career Advice:

Watch: Fred Hoffman, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Rutgers Financial Advisory Board member, offers advice on finding jobs in fields you may not have considered before.

Sample Occupations

  • Actuary
  • Budget Analyst
  • Claim Adjuster/Examiner
  • External Auditor
  • Financial Economist
  • Financial Planner
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Securities Broker
  • Underwriter

Where Graduates are Working

  • Bank of New York
  • J.P. Morgan Chase
  • John Hancock Financial
  • Merrill Lynch
  • Northwestern Mutual Financial Services
  • Schering-Plough
  • State Farm Insurance Companies

Compensation

According to the 2012 U.S. Bureau of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, bachelor’s degree candidates in finance received offers with a median salary of $76,950.

How to Apply

Curriculum

RBS Core Courses

Business Core
Course CreditsNotes and Prerequisites
33:010:275 Intro. to Managerial Accounting3pre-req: 33:010:272
33:011:300 Business Forum2 
33:136:370 Management Information Systems OR 33:010:458 Accounting Information Systems333:010:458 required if double majoring in Accounting, pre-req for 33:010:458 is 33:010:272
33:136:385 Statistical Methods in Business3 
33:136:386 Operations Management3 
33:140:320 Business Law I OR 33:522:334 Business Ethics333:140:320 required if double majoring in Accounting
33:390:310 Financial Management for Finance Majors3 
33:620:301 Intro to Management3 
33:620:302 Management Skills3 
33:620:492 Business Policy and Strategy3pre-reqs: 33:390:300 or 33:390:310, 33:620:301, 33:630:301; senior year only
33:630:301 Intro. to Marketing3 
33:799:301 Intro. to Supply Chain Management3 
Credit Total35 

Required Courses

Required Finance Courses
Course Credits Notes and Prerequisites
33:390:380 Investment Analysis 3 pre-req: 33:390:310
33:390:420 Derivatives 3 pre-req: 33:390:380
33:390:400 Corporate Finance 3 pre-req: 33:390:310
Finance elective* 3  
Finance elective* 3  
Finance elective* 3  
Finance elective* 3  
Credit Total 21  

Elective Courses

Course Credits Notes and Prerequisites
33:390:440 Advanced Corporate Finance 3 pre-req: 33:390:400
33:010:472 Analysis of Financial Statements 3 pre-reqs: 33:010:326 or 33:390:400
33:390:410 Asset Pricing and Portfolio Analysis 3 pre-req: 33:390:380
33:390:460 Corporate Risk Management 3 pre-req: 33:390:420
33:390:331 Ethics in Finance 3 pre-reqs: 33:390:300 or 33:390:310
33:390:450 Financial Analysis, Planning & Forecasting 3 pre-reqs: 33:390:300 or 33:390:310
33:390:490 Fixed Income 3 33:390:380
33:390:320 Global Capital Markets 3 pre-reqs: 33:390:300 or 33:390:310
33:390:415 Indexing and ETFs 3 pre-reqs: 33:390:380 and 33:136:385
33:390:375 International Financial Management 3 pre-reqs: 33:390:300 or 33:390:310
33:010:325 Intermediate Accounting I 3 pre-req: 33:010:272
33:390:385 Investment Banking Analysis 3 pre-req: 33:390:400
33:390:465 Pension Fund Investment & Management 3 pre-reqs: 33:390:300 or 33:390:310
33:390:435 Real Estate Finance & Mortgage Backed Securities 3 pre-reqs: 33:390:300 or 33:390:310
33:390:480 Research in Finance 3 pre-reqs: 33:390:300 or 33:390:310
33:390:430 Treasury Management (formerly titled Working Capital Management) 3 pre-reqs: 33:390:300 or 33:390:310

Finance Major Special Notes 
            

  • Starting in Summer 2024, 33:390:310 Financial Management for Finance majors will not be offered. All RBS students will take 33:390:300 Financial Management regardless of major. A grade of B or higher will be required in 33:390:300 to declare the finance major or finance concentration and to take any additional courses in the finance department.
  • If you major in Accounting as your first, second or third major, you are required to take 33:010:458 Accounting Information System and 33:140:320 Business Law I. You will not earn credit for taking 33:136:370 Management Information System. You can earn credit towards graduation if you take 33:522:334 Business Ethics but it will not fulfill a major requirement. 
  • Students with more than one Business School major may only double count one RBS course between those majors.