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Top 20 Online MBA Programs in Finance

  1. 1University of Phoenix

    Similar to the University of Phoenix's other progressive online MBA programs, the school's online MBA in accounting provides an extensive staff of knowledgeable academic advisors to prepare its students for management-level accounting work. Focusing on contemporary economic conditions, Phoenix's program will give MBA graduates a cutting-edge understanding of current accounting technology and tools, as well as an understanding of financial statements, cost behavior, budgets, and how to make informed executive decisions. Along with CPA test prep courses, students will be required to take a graduate-level accounting course and courses, such as Applied Business Research and Statistics, Corporate Finance, Economics, and Strategic Planning and Implementation.

  2. 2Capella University

    As the brainchild of a former CEO, Capella University has become one of the most well respected online educational institutions for adult learning. Capella today offers 136 specialized areas of study, including an online MBA in accounting. Capella\’s online master\’s of business administration in accounting pairs general business courses such as Applied Managerial Statistics, Leading for Results, and Leading Teams with specialized accounting courses such as Budget Planning and Control, Accounting Information for Decision Making, and Advanced Accounting. All students in the MBA accounting online program are also required to take an accounting capstone course in their final quarter to tie all of their new skills and knowledge together.

  3. 6Benedictine University

    The online MBA program in advanced accounting offered by Benedictine University is designed to provide students with a solid background in high level corporate financing and advanced accounting methods in particular. All facets of accounting theory and practice are covered as part of the program. There are both standard and advanced accounting courses to choose from, and the popular courses, including Financial Accounting and the Theory and Practice of Financial Reporting, are perfect examples of these different levels offered within the program. For individuals who are considering a full-fledged MBA at some point in the future, the credits accrued as part of this program may be applied toward that degree.

  4. 9Jones International University

    Jones International University prides itself on creating an accounting program specifically designed to meet the American Institute of Certified Public Account's 150 credit hour requirement. This includes an excellent program for an online MBA in accounting. The accounting MBA online includes courses in accounting and management, as well as business administration courses, such as Making Ethical Management Decisions, Economic Theory and Applications, Managerial Accounting, Financial Management, and Marketing Management. There are also accounting-specific courses in Auditing, Advanced Accounting, and Forensic Accounting. The online MBA in accounting requires prior coursework in accounting and an understanding of strategic management. A capstone course and five specialization courses are also required before graduation.

  5. 10Grand Canyon University

    Grand Canyon University's accounting MBA online program seeks to help transform students into community leaders who are dedicated to enacting change and improving both their professional and business lives. Students enrolled in the program will develop their skills through a comprehensive course series, including classes in Organizational Behavior, Accounting Practices, Finance Principals, Applied Business Probability and Statistics, Economics, Quantitative Methods, Marketing Management, Managerial Accounting, Operations Management, Managerial Finance, and Strategic Management. Students who do not work full-time are encouraged to participate in internships during their course of study, and consult with the advisors at Grand Canyon University to find and apply for these opportunities.

  6. 11Strayer University

    Strayer University has developed a reliable reputation with employers as an institution that produces quality graduates and valuable employees through its strong curriculum and quality of instruction. Students seeking an online MBA in accounting from Strayer University will find that they have many excellent job opportunities upon graduation. Courses for this program include Financial Accounting, Contemporary Business, Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Strategic Management, Managerial Economics, Financial Management, Law, Ethics, Corporate Governance, Quantitative Methods, and Marketing Management. Accounting students are also encouraged to take additional courses that focus on accounting, like Managerial Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, and Organizational Tax Research and Planning.

  7. 12Florida Tech University Online

    U.S. News & World Report ranks Florida Tech University as a Tier 1 Best National University, making programs such as its online MBA accounting programs highly respected and successful. As part of the program, students will complete five core business courses, including Managerial Accounting and Managerial Finance. They will also complete the specialized accounting curriculum, which includes Advanced Problems and Current Topics, International Accounting and Reporting, Advanced Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting, and Strategic Cost Management. Before graduating, students are required to complete a strategic management capstone course in addition to satisfying other degree requirements, which allows them to explore their individual interests and demonstrate their learned skills.

  8. 13Saint Leo University Online

    An online MBA in accounting from Saint Leo University provides graduates with quality skills in all areas of accounting. The program also uses innovative and creative delivery tools and was voted into the Top 100 Degree Producers in Diverse Issues in Higher Education. Students at Saint Leo University complete courses in advanced business practices, including Managerial Economics, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Decision Support Systems. They also take accounting-specific courses, such as Financial Accounting, Corporate Finance, and Global Business Management. The program focuses on managerial skills and the courses are designed to fit into an 8-week term in order to give students focused, specific skills to implement in their current and future careers.

  9. 15American InterContinental University

    American InterContinental University prides itself on providing a culture of diversity and acceptance to each student's individual goals through carefully designed degree programs. Students pursuing an online MBA in accounting from American InterContinental University take core MBA courses, including Strategic Management, Global Finance Management, and Business Research in order to strengthen their fundamental business skills. Specialized courses, such as Accounting for Managers and Public & Not-for-Profit Accounting, help students focus on their training on important skills. Students use real-life case studies and business plans in their classes, and also have the opportunity to earn credits for internships or work experience in order to further hone their practical skills and increase their potential for career success.

Online MBA in Finance

An online MBA in finance is one of the more common specializations you can choose from out of the many concentrations available for MBA degree programs. This graduate program is designed to prepare students for careers in the financial sector, while giving them a thorough education in business administration.

What Does an MBA in Finance Cover?

An online Finance MBA is a challenging graduate program that typically takes two years of full-time study to complete. Some online MBA finance programs are set up to take less time or are accelerated to help students finish their degree more quickly. Students who did not major in business for their undergraduate degree usually must start out taking introductory courses and prerequisites that introduce them to the graduate program while those who earned a bachelor’s degree in business can launch right into their core courses. These are designed to give students a comprehensive education in business administration and include classes in management, financial accounting, marketing management, business communication, organizational leadership, statistical data analysis, and business law and ethics. Student must also complete three to five classes directly related to finance to fulfill the specialization requirement. These courses might include: corporate finance, capital markets theory and practice, investment theory and applications, and computational finance. Students completing their MBA in finance round out their studies with open electives related to business administration or finance. In between their first and second years, students completing their Finance MBA online are encouraged or required to undertake an internship. Finally, the highlight of many online Finance MBA programs is a capstone project during which students apply what they have learned in the classroom to a real-world problem. Quantitative research is often an important component of this final project.

Getting Into a Finance MBA Program

Students interested in enrolling in an online Finance MBA program will need to first have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The degree does not need to be in business, though having taken courses in business foundations, law and finance can increase a student’s chances of being admitted. Most schools require that students have an undergraduate GPA of 2.0 or higher, though some schools may have tougher requirements. Applicants should also be prepared to submit the following documents along with their completed application:

  • college transcript
  • proof of GMAT scores
  • resume detailing work experience
  • essays following provided prompt
  • letter of program intent

Some schools, such as American InterContinental University, do not require these additional documents, but universities differ in their application requirements.

Why Should I Get an AACSB Accredited Finance MBA?

Make sure the business school you select is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The AACSB is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to advancing quality management education and serves as an accreditor for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs in business and accounting. With accreditation from the AACSB, you will know that you have chosen a reputable MBA program that will challenge you and you will earn a degree that is respected in the job market.

Who Should Pursue an Online Finance MBA?

People who stand to benefit from completing an online Finance MBA program include those who are already employed in business and those who want to transition into it from another occupation. The courses, projects and internships built into an online Finance MBA degree program will give people the skills and education they need to advance to mid- and top-level management positions. Although this is a specialized degree preparing students for careers or advancements in the financial sector, it is versatile enough to help you land careers in other areas, such as marketing and operations management.

What Jobs Can an Online Finance MBA Get Me?

  • Financial Manager: These professionals are responsible for supervising and handling the financial activities of a business or organization. They prepare financial reports, oversee investments and devise strategies for cash management. They also develop methods to save money and ways to put current assets to better use. These managers are often responsible for creating financial blueprints of an organization and explaining data to managers in other departments. Under the umbrella of financial managers are the positions of controllers, treasurers and credit and cash managers.
  • Stockbroker: These professionals are responsible for investing in the stock market in the name of individuals or organizations. Stockbrokers advise clients on investment decisions. They may have clients who want to invest a small amount in a stable company and watch their investment grow over time, or they may have some with huge amounts of investment capital who are looking to make a profit as soon as possible. Stockbrokers must have an in-depth understanding of the way the financial markets work so they can help their clients make sound investment decisions.
  • Claims Adjuster: These professionals work for insurance companies and are responsible for investigating claims. The adjustor is charged with determining the cause of the claim, whether it is covered by the policy and the value of the loss. They interview the claimant and any witnesses, review property damage, and consult hospital and police records. Claims adjusters then negotiate settlements with customers and authorize payment amounts. Claims adjusters sometimes consult with architects, engineers, lawyers and doctors to gather expert opinions to help with decisions.

Top Earning Industries for Jobs

Financial Manager:

  • Information Technology Services: $76,000-$142,000
  • Manufacturing and Distribution: $58,958-$105,142

Stockbroker:

  • Banking: $40,288-$91,563
  • Online Brokerage: $37,103-$54,250

Claims Adjuster:

  • Commercial Insurance: $44,561-$69,555
  • Insurance Carrier: $43,324- $57,853

How Do I Find Online Finance MBA Programs?

The best place to begin your search for online MBA programs in finance is the AACSB website. Rest your cursor over the “accreditation” tab and click on “accredited institutions” to see a list of such schools worldwide. For rankings, check out:

  • U.S. News & World Report
  • Bloomberg Businessweek
  • Financial Times
  • The Economist

Another useful resource is the Online Education Database, which ranks online colleges using metrics such as graduation and retention rates and student-to-teacher ratio.

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