Central to this task is evaluation of the risk and return consequences in financial decisions (including the selection of assets, equipment, buildings, inventories, securities, etc.) and the choice of financing alternatives (selling stock, borrowing from a bank, issuing bonds, etc.).

The major in Finance provides background for entry-level positions and career advancement in:

Financial Institutions - (banks, savings and loan companies, etc.)

• Credit Analysis - planning for business and/or personal loans
• Funds Planning - developing and implementing desirable strategies for raising funds
• Interest Rate Risk Management - determining the firm's exposure to the risks of fluctuating interest rates and deciding strategies to cope with the risks
• Portfolio Planning - analyzing the effects of combined asset and liability decisions on a firm's risk and return

Securities Institutions - (stock and bond brokers, etc.)

• Investment Selection - advising investment opportunities
• Securities Analysis - analyzing the features and risk return characteristics of individual securities - including stocks, bonds, and other modern instruments
• Securities Selection - choosing among available investment alternatives
• Portfolio Design - combining securities to achieve desired risk and return consequences

Retail, Wholesale and Manufacturing

• Capital Budgeting - analyzing and choosing the right assets
• Credit Management - evaluating credit risk and policy
• Funding - evaluating alternative funds sources

Personal Financial Planning

• Advising individuals on an integrated approach to managing income, expenses, assets and liabilities
• Planning an individual's financial resources to meet personal needs