What Can You Do With a Master of Finance
A Master of Finance is a powerful qualification for anyone looking to advance in the finance sector, increase their earnings potential, or transition into a finance-focused role.
From corporate finance and investment banking to fintech and public sector positions, a Master of Finance opens doors to a broad range of senior finance roles across industries. Next up, we will explore career opportunities, industry demand, salary expectations, and the practical skills that a Master of Finance provides.
Career Benefits of a Master of Finance
Strengthening Financial Expertise
The advanced curriculum of a Master of Finance programme equips students with specialised skills in quantitative analysis, asset management, and financial modelling, allowing them to make informed, strategic decisions that aid in business development.
More Leadership Opportunities
With a Master of Finance, professionals gain the credibility and advanced knowledge needed to take on senior or executive roles, where they can drive financial strategy and influence decision-making.
Better Job Security and Long-Term Career
Specialised skills in finance boost one’s competitiveness and career mobility, enabling you to meet the demands of a dynamic financial landscape and innovate within or beyond your field. This can lead to greater job security and more opportunities to advance your career in the long run.
Industries That Value a Master of Finance
Banking and Financial Services
Banks and financial institutions are among the largest employers of finance graduates. Roles in this field include portfolio management, risk analysis, and investment advising.
Consulting
Consulting firms hire finance specialists to advise clients on investment, risk management, and strategic growth opportunities. Major consulting firms value the analytical skills and practical financial knowledge that a Master of Finance graduate offers.
Corporate Finance
Corporations across industries employ finance professionals to oversee budgeting, manage capital structures, and develop financial strategies. A Master of Finance equips graduates with the skills necessary for high-impact roles within corporate finance departments.
Technology and Fintech
As fintech continues to grow, companies in this sector seek finance professionals who understand both technology and finance. Roles in fintech may involve algorithmic trading, data analysis, or blockchain applications, making it an exciting field for finance graduates.
Government and Public Sector
Public institutions and government agencies require finance professionals for budget management, economic policy analysis, and financial planning. This sector offers stability and opportunities for finance graduates to contribute to public economic health.
Practical Skills Acquired Through a Master of Finance Programme
Advanced Quantitative and Analytical Skills
The programme hones analytical skills crucial for interpreting complex financial data, a skill set highly valued in finance roles.
Strategic Financial Planning and Analysis
Students are exposed to and trained in strategic planning and financial analysis skills, thus preparing them for careers that involve long-term financial decision-making.
Leadership and Management Capabilities
Leadership and management skills are essential for a finance professional’s career advancement, and a Master of Finance primes one for this by fostering interpersonal skills like stakeholder communication and adaptive strategic thinking.
Communication and Presentation Skills
A Master of Finance graduate should be well-versed in interpreting financial data and strategic insights, and be able to communicate and present them in a clear way to a diverse range of stakeholders.
Senior Roles for Master of Finance Graduates
Here are some key roles a Master of Finance can open doors to:
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
CFOs oversee the financial strategy of an organisation, focusing on long-term financial planning, budget management, and strategic forecasting. This role demands strong leadership abilities and a deep understanding of finance, making a Master of Finance an ideal qualification for aspiring CFOs.
Financial Manager
Financial managers are responsible for directing an organisation’s financial activities. They prepare financial reports, manage investment strategies, and implement cost-reduction measures to ensure long-term financial health. This role benefits from the technical and strategic expertise developed in a Master of Finance programme.
Investment Banker
Investment bankers advise clients on capital raising, mergers, acquisitions, and other high-stakes transactions. With a Master of Finance, professionals acquire the quantitative skills needed for rigorous financial analysis and can confidently navigate the fast-paced investment banking sector.
Risk Manager
Risk managers play a critical role in assessing and mitigating financial risks. This position involves evaluating potential risks and developing strategies to minimise them, requiring the analytical skills and risk assessment knowledge that a Master of Finance provides.
Transitioning to a New Field with a Master of Finance
Sustainable Finance and ESG
With the rapid growth of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), finance professionals with expertise in ESG policies and strategic expertise are in high demand. A Master of Finance graduate knowledgeable in both can navigate the ethical commercialisation of emerging technologies and form sustainable competitive strategies that drive growth.
Data Science
Master of Finance graduates can utilise qualitative and quantitative data analysis to enhance financial forecasting, risk modelling, and financial resource optimisation. These roles are commonly found in fintech companies and forward-thinking financial institutions that require sophisticated data handling capabilities.
Venture Capital and Private Equity
These fields require a blend of analytical expertise, strategic thinking, and market insight, all of which are skills a Master of Finance graduate is equipped with. These will provide a solid foundation in these fields by enabling you to analyse, strategise, and negotiate effectively, and ultimately position you to help portfolio companies grow and generate significant returns for investors.
The Return on Investment (ROI) of a Master of Finance
A Master of Finance offers strong ROI through higher salaries and increased career prospects. Many graduates find that the specialised skills they acquire lead to significant salary increases and improved job stability, allowing them to recoup the cost of their education within a few years.
On top of the immediate financial benefits, the knowledge and experience gained from a Master of Finance can contribute to long-term career satisfaction in a fast-evolving job market.
In Malaysia, the digital economy is expected to contribute 25.5% to the country’s GDP by 2025, indicating a rapidly expanding industry that will require more manpower. This is in line with the fact that accountancy and finance are among the top 3 sectors in which Malaysia-based employers are looking to hire key roles in, according to the 2024 Hays Asia Salary Guide.
Hays also reported that senior managerial roles across Malaysian companies of all sizes such as Finance Director, Finance Manager, and Financial Analyst consistently command 6-figure annual salaries.
Industry-Specific Salary Insights
On average, careers in investment banking are among some of the most lucrative, with annual salaries starting from RM84,000 for those with at least four years’ experience and going up to RM216,000 for those with more than 12 years of experience.
Besides that, there is asset management, where roles like Portfolio or Fund Manager can command paydays of anywhere between RM120,119 and RM211,597, depending on experience.
Corporate finance is next on the list, with Senior Business or Financial Analyst roles fetching between RM120,000 and RM180,000 per year.
Risk management also pays well, with positions like Risk Management Manager pulling annual salaries of RM115,671 to RM206,350.
Note: The salaries cited in this article are accurate at the time of writing.
Bottom Line
In summary, a Master of Finance is applicable across various, fast-growing industries, offers diverse career paths, and substantial salary growth. With the solid foundation in financial management and practical skills that the programme provides, graduates are well-equipped for senior roles across banking, investment, corporate finance, and fintech.
Sunway University Online’s Master of Finance programme offers all this and more by giving students the ultimate flexibility. Offered fully online and available for part-time study, you can learn from anytime and anywhere on any device of your choosing.
Designed with the modern professional in mind, the programme enables students to fit their studies around their work and personal commitments, instead of the other way around.
Eager to accelerate your career in finance? Schedule a call with our Education Counsellors for a complimentary, no-obligation eligibility check today.
