The Growing importance of International Finance knowledge in today’s Global Economy

 

As the world become more intertwined with businesses operating across multiple geographic locations, as Foreign Exchange rates becomes highly volatile coupled with the rapid change in political and regulatory framework presents company with a set of unique challenges to ensure success in their global operations. Today’s business and country managers are required to complement their business acumen with a strong grounding of international financial markets and its impact on their businesses and industry.

 

Managers that are multi talented, knowledgeable and comfortable with both management and financial skills are highly sought after. But business schools are not producing enough qualified professionals to meet this insatiable thirst for such talents.

 

To MBA or to MSC Finance

 

For most prospective students, choosing an MBA with concentration in finance will appears to be the “wise” choice. A MBA with Finance Concentration will allow the professional to take on a wider choice of career direction. Besides equipping with the financial skill sets, the MBA will also provide them with a whole suite of professional tool kits such as presentation skills, coaching, leadership, marketing, ethics, business strategies etc.

 

MBA (Finance) – A substantial advantage

 

US MBA programs with a finance concentration are typically structured to focus on integrating finance knowledge with business strategies. Skills set which are often the key to career progression and are crucial for candidates with ambitions for senior management. MBA with concentration in Finance is an intense and challenging course and requires a high level of commitment from the executives and professionals to equip them with the skills set to be global business leaders. In Singapore, one of the most popular Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the Arcadia University MBA offered through Aventis School of Management, a Graduate School dedicated in the development of professionals and Business Leaders. The 12 months part time US MBA programs offer students an option to specialised in Finance covering key topics such as international corporate finance, Securities Analysis, Mergers and Acquisitions and Investment Banking which are the bedrock of a high quality finance education. Such concentration does give MBA graduates a substantial advantage in their career search and advancement.

 

Master of Applied Finance – A matter of Competitive Advantage

 

However, for students seeking career switches into the highly rewarding financial sector or who are already in the finance capacity or employed in the investment and banking industry, the next natural extension to their business or technical degree should be a specialised Masters in Finance. In the highly competitive edge in the financial sector, to break into the top tier of investment banking, M&A specialist, international consultancy or C level professionals requires a deep and comprehensive knowledge of finance, macro economics and the global markets. World Class Master of Science in finance focus on advanced financial modules such as Credit Derivatives Markets, Advanced Investment methods, corporate restructuring, bonds market and private equity and hedge funds, trading and portfolio management , options and hedging strategies with the single minded aim to arm their graduates with the skills set and knowledge to outsmart, outperform and outmanevour their peers.

 

In Asia, there are 2 highly respected and Accredited Master of Science programs taught by World class faculty from US, they are offered by New York University, Stern Business School and City University of New York, Baruch College. Both are ranked Top tier in Businessweek, Financial Times, Shanghai Jiao Tong World Rankings rate both in the Top 100 world universities in Economics and Finance. The NYU Master of international finance is offered in Hong Kong in collaboration with Hong Kong Business School whilst the CUNY Executive Master in finance is offered through Aventis School of Management in Singapore. Key features of these programs are their alignment to the CBOK or Core Body of Knowledge to the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) curriculum and more importantly the direct involvement of leading authorities in finance with deep rooted knowledge of the financial industry, serving as consultants to financial institutions and government agencies in Wall Street New York, bringing their extensive practical experience to the classroom.

 

In conclusion

 

Both tracks offer rewarding career opportunities and progression choices. Whilst MBA does allow you to cast a wider career net, Master of finance program offers you the edge to excel and outshine in the investment sector. The critical decision lies with you in listing out your career direction and making an informed decision as to which qualification will best serve your professional need; this is an important decision that could potentially be a life changing one.

 

Tags: CFA, master degree program, Master of finance, Master Programs Singapore, MBA, part time masters of applied finance