Which are the best courses to do after MBA in Finance?

If you’re done with your MBA and still looking for courses, then in all chances, you haven’t bagged your dream job yet.

Even if you have got one, you may want to further hone your skills. BUT, you need to actually understand as to WHAT you want and WHY you want it. Else, you’ll be wasting your time and money.

You may have read various articles on the web which try to ‘pitch’ you various courses after MBA. Don’t just be carried away by the advice. Do your own good research to figure out What’s best for you.

If you have Majored in Finance subjects during your MBA, then following are the best, handpicked courses and career options that we suggest –

Investment Banking Courses

You must have heard of this term during your MBA. So much so that, most of the people take up Finance major to break into this field!

It’s not easy to get in. Although, there’s no substitute to hard work. If you have missed out a chance of getting into this coveted Job during your MBA placements, then you need not worry yet.

Basically, you need to polish two major skills to stand out and get shortlisted – Financial Modeling and Valuations.

• Job Profiles – Investment Banking Associate, Financial Analyst, Equity Research, Valuation Analyst etc.
• Employers – Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Citibank, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, HSBC, Avendus Capital etc.
• Salary – Although Salaries would also depend upon the college that you have graduated from, but they average out to be INR.10 LPA
• Where you can do it from – There are plenty of short term training institutes claiming to place students in such profiles. However, only The Wallstreet School reveals the real Linkedin IDs of their previously placed students, who have solidified their base in the Investment Banking domain. You can do your R&D and get back to us, if you’re interested in this course.

Certifications such as CFA, FRM or ACCA

All the above mentioned certifications are worthy enough, if you want global recognition. Almost every blog on this topic would suggest you to do these courses after MBA. Please DON’T blindly do them.

Now, one by one I’ll explain each one of them and Why should you do it?

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) – It’s a global certification in Finance which can help you widen your knowledge base in Equity Research, Valuations and Portfolio Management. You can Leverage the CFA certification to get a job in VC/PE firms or boutique Investment Banks
• Financial Risk Management (FRM) – Again a global certification, but for a different purpose. If you wish analyse the risk involved in financial transactions involving Loan sanctions, Insurance Covers etc. then FRM can be a right choice for you.
• CPA – It is also a global certification given by AICPA which is compulsorily required to practice as a public accountant in US. WIth CPA, you can get into profiles such as Assurance services, Forensic Accounting, Tax and Financial Planning, International Accounting, Internal and External auditing etc

A Doctorate in Finance

A non traditional, but one of the most coveted career choice after an MBA in finance can be a PhD or a doctorate, with specialization in Finance.

A handful of candidates fancy to live the lifestyle of professors which they encounter during their MBA journey. And yes, this is the path to achieve that.

• Eligibility – In order to be eligible for a PhD in Finance, you need to have a Master’s degree in Finance, which you will of course have after completing your MBA. Also, you need to have a valid GMAT score or must have cleared UGC NET, depending upon the college’s criteria.
• Best Colleges – Top 5 IIMs, ISB and XLRI
• Job Profiles – Researcher (Finance), Associate Professor
• Salary – Salaries of professors at MBA colleges can range from 15-20 initially. Later on, they can also earn royalty on their own research and publications.

Courses in Stock Market

If you have an investor alive within your sole, then you can also manage your funds and park them at the right places to multiply them. It can serve as a side income for many. In some cases, it may exceed their mainstream income, in which case people might leave their job to pursue it full time.

• Why you should do it – To invest, you need to have knowledge. Otherwise, tips, tricks and recommendations from friends are just a gamble. Trust me, you’ll start feeling handicapped later down the line if you aren’t well versed with the mechanism of stock market.
• Where to start from – Start with the book, “The intelligent investor” to see if you’re able to develop interest. Thereafter, you can look out for plethora of courses and Youtube channels which are out there on the web.
• What NOT to do – Always be careful not to take “help” from someone while investing. Always learn the fundamentals and then frame your own strategies.