Key Takeaways:
- Cost Analyst Managers handle cost functions, financial analyses, and improve profitability through detailed reports in manufacturing.
- Finance Analytics Managers develop reports and models to guide risk management and decision-making in banking and capital markets.
- Controllers oversee accounting operations, ensure compliance, and manage internal and external financial reporting.
There are many Master’s in Finance jobs available in various industries. These include the banking, investment, compliance and manufacturing sectors. Here are five of the most rewarding and highest paying jobs for people with a Master’s in Finance.
Cost Analyst Manager
Cost analyst managers are responsible for all cost and control functions. This includes financial analyses, cost accounting and bill of material audits. They support month-end closing process with accounting managers and special procurement projects with supply chain managers. Those who work in a manufacturing company will most likely collaborate with operational department like planning, packaging and purchasing to help them understand accounting issues. They educate employees on how these issues impact financial results and what are the main cost drivers and variances. Cost analyst managers provide highly accurate reports that contained value-added information for continued improvements and increased profitability.
Featured Programs
Resources:
Accelerated MBA Programs Online
Finance Analytics Manager
Finance analytics managers support long-term business strategies by developing analysis and reports of various financial activities. For example, they may evaluate the company’s interest rate risk (IRR) position, or they may develop the models used to drive decision-making for balance sheet and interest rate risk management. They evaluate emerging industry trends in the banking industry and capital markets to help shape the company’s risk management strategy. They will use various reporting metrics to evaluate the monthly interest rate risk position. These include the earnings at risk (EaR), duration of equity (DOE) and economic value of equity (EVE) sensitivity reports.
Financial Reporting Manager
Financial reporting managers support teams and transactions during solution development and contracting activities by providing accounting guidance. They may be asked to assist in creating monthly performance assessments, or help plan corporate projects related to stress testing and quarterly earnings. Their role entails the mandatory approval of asset, revenue and lease accounting large and complex business deals. They support internal controls by providing recommendations that reflect the changes in the nature and complexity of business transactions. They inform executives on the accounting and reporting implications related to major transactions in order to raise awareness and support decision-making.
Controller
Controllers are tasked with corporate oversight of day-to-day operations of accounting, procurement and contract management units. They provide oversight of monthly, quarterly, and year-end closes while also preparing internal and external financial reports. They coordinate external audits, spearhead internal audits and monitor financial activities. They must ensure compliance with accounting procedures, regulatory policies, Uniform Guidance rules and contractual obligations. Controllers monitor accounting quality and performance during solution development and contract negotiation. They use their excellent project management skills for the building, directing and motivating of cross-functional teams.
Senior Financial Analysts
Senior financial analysts provide guidelines for standard cost approaches used in business decisions. They establish and monitor cost reduction programs and review the associated policies as needed. They provide direction to operating units, functional counterparts and senior management on matters involving cost determination issues like joint costs, product pricing, overhead distribution, inventory valuation and R&D program costs. They also conduct special studies to determine the cost impact of proposed facilities or in-house and subcontract work. They identify and investigate financial issues of assigned projects by selecting approaches from standard methodology and recommended alternatives.
Master’s in Finance jobs also include financial consultant, tax specialist, valuation planner and investment supervisor. There are many analytical positions available, such as business, treasury, program data and client services analyst. Explore more financial occupations at the BLS’ website here.