What careers are there in finance?

Contents

It is possible to start your professional life just after the baccalauréat, but studying at a university or business or management school can lead to more highly qualified positions straight away.

For employees with a baccalaureate who want to go back to school to work in accounting or finance, it is quite possible to obtain a higher level of education through VAP (Validation des Acquis Professionnels) or VAE (Validation des Acquis de l’Expérience). For those who do not wish to pursue a career in the financial sector, but still want to work with figures and data, there are many other opportunities available. For example, you could choose to study business administration or management.

There are a large number of courses offering diplomas that lead to jobs in the finance sector. Very popular with companies, many of these courses give students the opportunity to obtain a work-study contract, either an apprenticeship or a professional training contract. Of course, these courses can also be taken as part of an initial curriculum, with a work placement in France or a foreign country.

Jobs

What careers in finance are there with a baccalauréat?

It’s not easy to get a job in the finance sector once you’ve passed your baccalauréat.

If you want to work in finance, having a degree is a real plus. It’s a complex sector, and one that is becoming increasingly technical with each passing year. That’s why you need a degree specialising in this area if you want to move into managerial or technical positions in finance.

So it’s not advisable to stop your studies after your baccalauréat or BTS if your goal is to get a job in finance. However, don’t worry, if you stopped your studies after your baccalauréat, there are solutions!

You can join a work-linked training course and study for a BAC+5. Below are some examples of courses you can join.
Finally, if you have experience but no diploma, you can try a VAE(validation des acquis de l’expérience) or a VAP (validation des acquis de l’expérience) and then start a specialised master’s degree in the desired field. On this page you will find all the information you need to apply for a VAE or VAP at INSEEC.

Bac +3

What careers in finance are there with a Bachelor’s or BAC+3 degree?

A bachelor’s degree or a BAC+3 gives you access to jobs such as accountancy or banking, etc.

A finance professional faces a type of career that requires a range of skills, from the ability to evaluate figures and compile reports, expertise in analysing complex financial investments or the knowledge needed to oversee a company’s operations.

What are the bachelor’s degree programmes in Finance?

Pursuing a Bachelor’s or Bachelor’s degree in finance is an excellent way to train for a high-income career. Over the course of three years, students will study the key concepts of finance, leadership and economics. This type of degree can be used to work in banking, finance and insurance or management accounting.

There are a number of ways to enter the world of finance:

a university course such as a professional degree in economics and management or a degree in applied mathematics and social sciences.
Business and management schools offer highly specialised programmes with professional lecturers. This is the case, for example, with our INSEEC BACHELOR programmes below:

– Bachelor Finance
– Bachelor Real Estate & Finance
– Bachelor Financial Products, Real Estate & Insurance
– Bachelor Management & Administration

What career opportunities are there in finance with a bachelor’s degree?

The variety of jobs in finance with a BAC+3 level is vast. Below is a list of possible outlets, where companies recruit after BAC+ training.

Accountant
Bank officer (retail customer manager)
Individual financial advisor
Assistant asset manager
Management controller

For more information, please consult our dedicated page listing the various jobs available.

Bac +5

What careers in finance are there with a Master’s degree?

Having a Master’s degree enables you to obtain jobs such as financial administrative director, management controller or risk manager.

You need at least a BAC+5 to be considered a specialist professional. The higher the level of your qualifications, the more likely your CV will be noticed by the human resources department, and the more responsible, strategic and internationally-focused the positions will be.

A degree in finance teaches students about financial markets, investment theory, portfolio management and risk analysis. All of these subjects are essential for today’s business and can be applied to a variety of careers.

Finally, students are now required to hold a professional qualification: the AMF, in addition to being a graduate in order to practise.

What courses are available for a Master’s degree in Finance, BAC+5?

To obtain a master’s degree in finance, you need to attend either a university or a management or business school specialising in finance.

It’s hard to list all the university courses offering masters degrees in finance, because there are so many of them, with a wide range of specialisations. However, it’s important to remember that these courses are often highly selective, so it’s important to apply to a number of different courses to make sure you get one in time for the new academic year.

Business and management schools that offer finance options are often a very good springboard for entering the professional world.

A Master of Science specialising in Finance from a business school, like the INSEEC MSc, with a strategic focus that enables students to be fully trained, autonomous and operational in companies thanks to its 1 or 2-year course.

It is also possible to enrol on the INSEEC Grande Ecole programme, which awards a Master’s degree and provides excellent academic skills and specialisation in the final year.

Careers in finance with a master’s or MSc programme?

The opportunities in finance following an MSc or Master’s programme are numerous. Not only will the master’s degree (or BAC+5) prepare them for work in financial institutions, but it can also lead to positions in international organisations and not-for-profit organisations.

Here are some examples of jobs where companies are recruiting after a BAC + 5 in finance: