Acquiring a solid understanding of finance is valuable whether you're looking to improve your personal knowledge, assist individuals with their financial goals, or contribute to sound financial decision-making within businesses.
Becoming knowledgeable about finance helps you manage your personal finances, including budgeting, saving, and making prudent investment choices, leading to financial security and wealth accumulation over time. For entrepreneurs, a grasp of finance is indispensable when it comes to handling the financial aspects of launching and running a business. You’ll need to understand critical tasks like securing funding and managing cash flow efficiently.
Expertise in finance unlocks career pathways in fields like banking, investment management, corporate finance, and financial analysis. It equips you with the insights you need to confidently navigate economic trends and market dynamics, so you are well-prepared in an evolving financial landscape. Finance knowledge also equips you with tools for evaluating and mitigating financial risks. Depending on your interests and career aspirations, you can specialize in various finance domains such as personal finance, corporate finance, public finance (government finances), or international finance (multinational corporation finances and global market regulations). In today's complex financial environment, financial literacy is a prerequisite, be it for professional advancement or personal financial well-being.
Best Finance Classes & Schools in Minneapolis
The Finance Certificate from University of Minnesota online is a 29-credit program that focuses on tools to solve business problems while giving you the insight to understand financial and economic behavior. Classes include accounting, income tax, money and banking, insurance and risk management, estate planning, and investment. You’ll develop sought-after problem-solving and quantitative skills that can be applied to a variety of industries, corporations, and financial institutions. After completing the program, you’ll be prepared for positions such as financial analyst, personal financial advisor, or actuary, or roles in securities commodities, and financial services.
The Business Finance Certificate from Hamline University will help you understand how your organization manages, reports, and plans its financial resources. You’ll get a solid grounding in finance and learn the vocabulary, concepts, and tools to understand the accounting and finance functions at your organization. A common set of financial statements will be used across two courses to explore the wide range of processes involved in planning, controlling, and reporting financial results. This 16-week program includes two evening classes that are offered both online and on campus. Plus, you can apply these courses toward a Master’s Degree at Hamline University.
The Finance Certificate at Saint Paul College is offered both in-person and online. This certificate is designed for students who have a desire to learn finance skills like summarizing and analyzing financial data, personal finance, and money and banking. It covers the fundamental areas of family and personal financial planning, basic financial theory, and issues related to banking and the financial industry. Basic financial theory includes the time value of money concepts and the theory of pricing various types of financial instruments. Enrolling in this certificate will give you the financial tools you need to become a better-rounded financial manager and improve your financial functions within your company. In addition to the 16 credits for the certificate, students are required to complete a 16-credit business core of classes.
Financial Analyst Training Program at Noble Desktop provides the basic and intermediate skills you need in Excel, including techniques for financial modeling. You’ll learn to review corporate finance and accounting concepts, including enterprise value, financial statement analysis, DCF modeling techniques, and corporate valuation principles. Plus, you’ll gain real-world experience by building an integrated three-statement financial model on a public restaurant company using financial data. Learn to review company presentations, earnings releases, and financial reports to determine the model drivers and assumptions. Using valuation principles, you’ll derive a value per share and evaluate the equity as a potential investment. Prior knowledge of finance and accounting is helpful but not required; these topics are covered throughout the program and you’ll receive a short pre-learning guide prior to this live online course. You can retake all or part of the course within a year if you’d like to review these concepts.
Minneapolis Industries That Use Finance
Minneapolis has a bustling economy with several major industries where finance professionals play a pivotal role. Minneapolis is the birthplace of the computer industry and this early beginning is still felt today in its thriving technology sector. Burgeoning tech startups and established tech companies need finance specialists to manage their budgets, secure funding, and optimize financial strategies. These professionals help tech ventures navigate the financial challenges of growth and innovation.
Minneapolis is home to a robust healthcare and health tech sector, where finance experts advise healthcare institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and health tech startups. They play a crucial role in allocating resources efficiently, ensuring financial sustainability, and supporting the development of groundbreaking healthcare technologies. Minneapolis also boasts a thriving financial services industry, providing opportunities for finance professionals to work in banking, investment management, and insurance companies.Â
Finance Jobs & Salaries in Minneapolis
Financial Analyst
Minneapolis boasts a robust corporate sector with many companies requiring Financial Analysts to assess financial data, conduct market research, and provide insights for decision-making. These analysts may work in industries such as healthcare, retail, or technology. Financial Analysts in Minneapolis earn $54,000 to $100,000 per year.
Investment Advisor
Minneapolis has a significant presence of wealth management firms and investment advisory companies. Investment Advisors help clients manage their investments, develop portfolios, and provide financial planning services. Some of the largest wealth management firms have offices in Minneapolis. Investment Advisors in Minneapolis earn $30,000 to $120,000 per year.
Commercial Banking Officer
Minneapolis has a strong banking presence with regional and national banks having branches in the city. A Commercial Banking Officer provides commercial clients with a range of banking products and services such as business loans, credit lines, and deposit accounts, to support their financial goals. A Commercial Banking Officer uses finance skills to analyze the financial health of commercial clients, assess credit risk, and tailor financial solutions that align with their business objectives and creditworthiness. A Commercial Banking Officer in Minneapolis earns $136,000 to $175,000 per year.
Finance Manager
Many corporations in Minneapolis require finance professionals to manage their finances. A Finance Manager oversees an organization's financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, and strategic financial planning, to ensure fiscal stability and growth. They also provide leadership and guidance to finance teams, make data-driven recommendations to improve financial performance, and ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements. A Finance Manager in Minneapolis earns $72,000 to $150,000 per year.
Real Estate Analyst
A Real Estate Analyst uses finance skills to conduct in-depth financial analysis of real estate investment opportunities such as property valuation, cash flow, and return on investment, to help stakeholders make informed decisions about property acquisitions, sales, or leasing strategies. They also employ financial modeling and risk assessment to evaluate the potential profitability and feasibility of real estate ventures, ensuring sound financial decision-making in the real estate sector. Real Estate Analysts in Minneapolis earn $40,000 to $197,000 per year.
Financial Technology (FinTech)
With the growth of the technology sector in Minneapolis, there are opportunities in FinTech companies. Roles in this area can include financial software development, data analytics, and financial technology consulting.
Credit Analyst
A Credit Analyst employs finance skills to assess the creditworthiness of individuals or businesses, analyzing financial statements, credit reports, and economic trends to make informed decisions regarding lending and credit risk management. A Credit Analyst in Minneapolis earns $81,000 to $93,000 per year.