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Careers in Finance
Almost every firm, government agency, and organization has one or more financial managers who oversee the preparation of
financial reports, direct investment activities, and implement cash management strategies. As computers are increasingly used to
record and organize data, many financial managers are spending more time developing strategies and implementing the long-term
goals of their organization.
The duties of financial managers vary. Chief financial officers (CFOs), for example, are the top
financial executives of an organization. They oversee all financial and accounting functions and formulate and administer the
organization’s overall financial plans and policies. In small firms, CFOs usually handle all financial management functions.
In large firms, they direct these activities through other financial managers who head each financial department.
From the Occupational Outlook Handbook 11/13/01
Networking & Advanced Certification Opportunities
through Professional Organizations
. . .A sampling
The CFA Society of Seattle
The CFA
Society of Seattle promotes ethical and professional standards within the investment industry, encourages professional development through the CFA Program, and facilitates the open exchange of information and opinions.
For more local organizations, go to the Puget
Sound Networking Directory.
Advanced Certifications through Professional Organizations
For a detailed chart of the
requirements of the 5 most popular certificates,
click
here (.doc)
These certifications typically require a
combination of education and experience, and can be done in conjunction with a graduate
degree, such as our Masters of Science in Finance - MSF.
Chartered Financial Analyst - CFA
For current information on taking the program in
the Seattle area, click here
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Program is a globally recognized standard for measuring the competence and integrity
of financial analysts. Three levels of examination measure a candidate's ability to apply the fundamental knowledge of
investment principles at a professional level. The CFA exam is administered annually in more than 70 nations worldwide.
For more information, go to the
CFA Institute web site.
Certified Financial Planner - CFP
Founded in 1985 as a nonprofit professional regulatory
organization, the CFP Board exists to benefit the public by fostering
professional standards in personal financial planning. Certified Financial
Planner professionals are recognized as having met the highest standards for the
practice of financial planning. For more information about becoming a CFP, visit
the Certified
Financial Planner Boards of Standards web site.
Financial Risk Manager - FRM
The Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification establishes that an individual
possesses the body of knowledge necessary for independent risk management
analysis and decision making. For more, visit the
Global
Association of Risk Professionals web site.
Certified Treasury Professional- CTP
Certified Treasury Professional (CTP)/Certified
Cash Manager (CCM) credential recognizes individual expertise in the field of
cash/treasury management. The CTP program is a professional certification
program designed to measure an individual's knowledge of the fundamentals of
cash/treasury management and to enhance career development through continuing
professional education. For more information, visit the
Association of Financial Professionals
web site
Salary Information:
National salary information is available on http://salary.com
or http://www.wageweb.com/,
and http://jobstar.org/index.htm
State of Washington detailed salary
information for Washington at:
http://www.workforceexplorer.com/?PAGEID=67&SUBID=117
Occupational Outlook
Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook by the US Dept of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
is a nationally recognized source of career information. Below is a partial list of Executive,
Administrative, Managerial and Professional Occupations web pages that can demand someone with a
finance degree.
Actuaries
Budget Analysts
Financial
Managers
General
Managers and Top Executives
Health
Services Managers
Insurance
Underwriters
Insurance Sales
Agents
Loan
Officers and Counselors
Real Estate
Agents and Brokers
Securities,
Commodities, and Financial Services Sales
To find out more about the duties and qualifications of specific jobs
requiring a finance degree, go to The Seattle Times online classifieds and enter a search
for 'finance' or one of the job titles listed here.
Their web site is:
http://marketplace.nwsource.com/jobs/
For more information, run a search for "Careers in Finance" in your
favorite search engine.
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