To oversimplify a great deal, finance is the science of money. A finance major will be able to answer questions like:
- Where it comes from,
- How it grows through profit and interest,
- How we keep track of it using accounting,
- How it moves between different companies and throughout the economy, and
- How it can be obtained through loans and investment
in much greater detail than the average person. In fact, all of the questions above, and others, can each become a specialized field of study.
A bachelor's degree, however, is meant to expose a student to all the basic facets of finance in both theoretical and practical terms. This prepares a graduate for a wide variety of positions involving money management. It also sets them up to absorb knowledge they may be exposed to later: through training at work, an advanced degree such as an MBA, or self-study.
As a degree in finance often leads to a career in management, excellent communication skills are a must. It is not always easy to present the implications of complex sets of numbers in a way non-accountants can understand. Decisiveness, initiative, good research skills, and a very strong work ethic are other traits many people who have become successful in the field of finance possess.
