Career options in India after Doing MBA in Finance

MBA stands for Master of Business Administration and is among the most widely studied courses in India and MBA Colleges in Bangalore. Specializing in any stream makes you more equipped to grab a good job opportunity. For instance, specialization in Finance increases the chances of getting a job in a well-known organization as a financial analyst, cash manager, accounting manager or investment banking associate.

In India there are numerous B-Schools that offer state-of-the-art facilities for students to undergo their customized MBA programs. Undergoing any of these programs primarily equips a student to excel in the following fields:

1. Financial Accounting
2. Financial Management
3. Project Finance
4. Strategic Planning

Other than the fields mentioned above, the program will make you well versed in money matters, and you will be in a position to handle all the financial aspects of the firm you’re employed in.

MBA (Finance) Curriculum – How many semesters do We Have?

The ‘Master of Business Administration’ program is a 2-year study course, usually spread over 4 semesters, each semester lasting for six months. The First 2 semesters generally includes common subjects for all before selecting specializations in finance, marketing, human resources, operations, and so on.

The curriculum equips you to get deeper knowledge about working capital management, corporate financing, costing, and budgeting. Some important subjects you will be taught will focus on:

1. Economics
2. Accounting
3. Management information systems
4. Management
5. Financial planning

You will hone your skills on how to make decisions as a manager, fine-tune analytical thinking, and how to find and maintain the equilibrium between profitability and risk.

Appearing in Entrance Exams and Enrollment for prospective career opportunities

To apply for the MBA program (Finance), you will at least need to be a graduate in the commerce, science, arts or other stream. Additionally, you will have to appear in an entrance exam like CAT, MAT, XAT, ATMA or IBSAT. Most of the reputed management institutions and establishments including XAT, XLRI, and IISWBM conduct their respective qualifying examinations.

The candidate, to qualify, has to secure the cut-off marks prescribed by the institute. Once the candidate secures the minimum qualifying percentage, he or she has to appear in a personal interview and group discussion session for securing admission. You can also choose to apply for the course of a college or institution as a professional or an employee of an organization. Browse through the websites of different institutes or check out different newspapers and journals for familiarizing yourself with the various entrance examinations held at different times of the year.

Career Options & Job Positions

An MBA (finance) degree will make you fully conversant in myriad elements related to finance including but not limited to investment management, international finance, tax planning, taxation, insurance management, financial statement analysis and reporting. Please get more information about Career Planning Tips for Postgraduate Students.

After completing the course, you’ll be able to apply in the following industrial or commercial segments pertaining to finance:

• Banking & finance
• Insurance & allied services
• Financial institutions
• Investment banking
• Hedge fund management
• Asset finance
• Wealth management
• Management consulting
• Corporate finance

Job positions

• Financial manager
• Financial analyst
• Accounting Manager
• Credit analyst
• Risk & insurance manager
• VP (Finance)
• Finance director
• Chief financial officer
• Cash manager
• Treasurer
• Cash manager
• Investment banking associate
• Corporate controller
• Investing sales trader

Typical job role

Regardless of the position, you will be responsible for managing funds for financing a firm’s day to day activities. Other responsibilities include conducting regular ‘opportunities and threats’ analysis so that the company can make the most of the available capital and take preventive or corrective measures when the circumstances are adverse. You’ll have to study and predict economic trends, review company reports and recommend improvements, and find the balance between profitability and risk, and create an optimal investment portfolio for efficient fund management.

Prospective Career Opportunities for MBA (Finance)

An MBA (finance) candidate can explore a broad range of career options in both the private and public sectors related to finance. If you assume an entry-level position, your primary responsibility would be to thrash out ways to enhance the economic and financial standing of the firm you are working for.

• Personal Financial Planning: Key Jobs roles include financial manager, financial analyst or financial controller in an autonomous financial planning company. You could also find a job in a nationalized or multinational financial services organization where you’ll be fulfilling responsibilities in the fields of estate planning, tax, superannuation, insurance, and investment.
• Risk Management and Insurance: Another growing need of every organization, the job opportunities are available in the field of sales, credit management, underwriting, claims adjustment, management training, risk, and insurance management.
• Financial Institutions: In both a private and a public sector unit you’ll have to spend the first 6 months receiving training and guidance in associated departments related to banking and finance. These departments usually include investments, trusts, internal auditing, operations, branch supervision, lending, and customer service divisions.
• Investments: As you gather experience as a risk and insurance manager, cash manager and accounting manager, you could become eligible to qualify for the positions of investment portfolio manager, and security analyst.
• Business Finance: The primary areas of responsibilities include dealing in bank relations, preparing and organizing budgets, handling bill collections, supervising cash investments, and reviewing applications for credit.

Private Sector vs. Public Sector Opportunities

Contrary to what most job aspirants believe, openings in the private sector could be as rewarding as the career choices in the public sector. In fact, some senior-level job positions in the private sector have a higher salary package compared to analogous or similar jobs in the general government sector. Opportunities for career development in the ‘citizen sector’ are much more prospective than the public sector because the former segment tends to be more dynamic and fast-growing.

Salary Packages

You can take it for granted that the pay packet for a typical entry-level job would be quite lucrative. For instance, if you join as a financial or accounting manager you can make anything ranging from Rs 3-4 lakh per annum. However, the pay packet that you might be entitled to receive chiefly depends upon:

1. Standing of the institution from where you received your MBA degree
2. Reputation of the employer
3. Previous professional experience.

If you did your MBA (finance) from any of the IIMs, IISWBM,
ISBs, XLRI, SP Jain Management Institute, and other well-known B-schools, then your chances of landing a job (success of placement interview is very high if you have prepared yourself by reading How to Prepare for a Placement Interview) with an average yearly remuneration of 10-14 lakhs are very bright.

Some Topnotch Recruiters

Armed with an MBA (finance degree), you will be able to apply for a job position in the financial sectors, including but not limited to asset management, treasury, private equity, hedge fund management, corporate banking, and credit risk management. You will be eligible to find employment in a bank, insurance firm, financial consultancy or chartered accountancy firm. There are a number of Multi-national and national companies offering some excellent job opportunities for various roles in India.