Top Career-Boosting Courses to Pursue After an MBA in Finance

MBA in Finance is one of the most opted specializations in this postgraduate degree. The students here are exposed to knowledge and skills like managerial decision-making, analytical thinking, coordination processes, and estimating profits and losses of a company or industry. Courses after MBA Finance can further enhance your expertise and open up new career opportunities.

This program exposes students to various opportunities in the financial world. This allows an aspirant to embark on their journey in the finance sector through theoretical as well as practical experience. However, just having an MBA degree is not enough to get a good job. You have to possess some extra skills and specialization.

So the simplest way is to enroll in short-term courses after MBA Finance to boost employability.

Benefits of Doing Courses after MBA Finance

Jobs after MBA finance are pretty competitive. However, doing courses after MBA finance can help you get a better start in your career and give you an edge over other candidates. There are several other benefits of doing some professional courses after MBA finance, such as:

• Understand Latest Trends: The market trends and development in every field keep happening. By completing short-term courses, you can learn about current finance trends and financial markets.
• Strong Resume: Certifications and degrees are always the spotlight of the resume. Extra certifications after MBA program can help you outshine other candidates.
• Career Growth: These short-term finance courses provide you diverse skills which help you in career growth by increasing the career options available to you.
• Multi-domain knowledge: Doing some different courses provides you with an edge over other students, making you unique in the eyes of future employers.

Best Courses after MBA Finance in India

Now that you know why doing courses after MBA finance is crucial for pursuing a career in finance. Let’s understand about some of the best in-demand and well-known Short-term Courses after MBA Finance in India:

1. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
2. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
3. NCFM Certifications
4. Company Secretary (CS)
5. FLIP Certifications
6. Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
7. Actuary
8. Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst
9. Executive Programme in Algorithmic Trading
10. Certificate in Quantitative Finance

Let’s find out after MBA finance, which course is best in Indi,a one-by-one in detail :

1. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

This course is linked to financial planning, including insurance planning, investment planning, tax planning, and retirement planning – a good option for jobs after MBA finance. There are two options to do this course. They are:

• Regular Pathway/ Status :- The candidates need to clear the five exams to get a certification, and the examination is conducted three times a year. They must pass class 12th too.
• Challenge Pathway/ Status:- After MBA, this job-oriented course is a bit tougher than the regular pathway as candidates have to clear all five examinations through UPSC to be eligible for challenge status.

Eligibility

The basic eligibility criteria for admission in the CFP courses is a 10+2 or a Bachelor’s Degree. And if you choose the Challenge pathway, you need to clear CA Intermediate level, CFA, CAIIB, CS etc.

Average Salary

The average salary for a Certified Financial Planner in India is around ₹2 Lakhs – ₹15 Lakhs/yr, which can increase with experience and expertise.

Scope

There is a great demand for Certified Financial Planners in both the private and government sectors. As their skills and services are needed for tasks like risk management, portfolio management, office administration, etc.

2. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

CFA is a course offered by CFA Institute. This short-term course after the MBA finance can be done parallel to the MBA Program.

This course is spread across three levels, which test the candidates’ knowledge of the fundamentals of investment tools, portfolio management, wealth management etc. The first level of this course has nothing to do with experience, and it is one of the courses after MBA finance.

Eligibility

CFA is a post-graduation course, so candidates with a Bachelor’s degree or in the final year of their Bachelor’s program are accepted.

The candidate must have 4 years of relevant working experience and a great understanding of contemporary investment business.

Average Salary

The average salary for CFA charterholders in India is around ₹0.7 Lakh – ₹15 Lakhs/yr, with potential for higher earnings depending on experience, industry, and location.

Scope

There is a great deal of scope for candidates after completing CFA. They can work as Portfolio Managers, Research Analysts, Risk Managers, Corporate Financial Analysts, and Investment Banking Analysts, which are great pay career fields to choose from after doing an MBA Program.

3. NCFM Certifications

NCFM Certification course is one of the great choices for courses after an MBA in finance. This certification course in Finance offers an inexpensive and valuable certification after completion. The course has three levels which include foundation, intermediate, and advanced. The way to achieve this certificate is very straightforward. You would have to download a pdf, read and understand the given contents, give an exam, and then pass it, and you will get the certificate.

Eligibility

The candidate must have passed 12^th from a recognized board. Having Bachelor’s degree is also recommended (not compulsory) as graduates are preferred by big companies during job selection.

Keep all your original documents with you and self-attested photocopies of them.

Average Salary

The average salary after obtaining NCFM certifications can vary widely depending on the specific module and job role but typically ranges from ₹15.0 lakhs – ₹28.7 lakhs/yr.

Scope

One of the in-demand courses after MBA finance, the NCFM certification course provides diverse career scope. NCFM certification holders can pursue careers in brokerage firms, investment banks, mutual fund companies, and research firms. Job roles include equity analyst, financial analyst, trader, and research associate.

4. Company Secretary (CS)

This professional course’s job description and responsibilities after an MBA in finance would be those of a company’s secretary. It involves managing legal records, keeping track of public issues, and maintaining acquisitions and merger activities.

If you choose this course from many of the courses after MBA finance, you will be working for a very reputable job profile, and the best part is that the job can also be done part-time. Not only does this course add great value to your CV, but this course itself is entirely job oriented.

Eligibility

The basic eligibility criteria for CS is 10+2. After that, you need to clear all three levels of exams. Namely, Foundation Program (pass 10+2), 2. Executive Program (pass Foundation program/ CSEET or Graduation), 3 Professional Program (pass Executive Program)

Average Salary

The average salary for a Company Secretary in India ranges from ₹3 Lakhs – ₹16 Lakhs/yr for entry-level positions and can go up to ₹20 LPA or more for senior positions with experience.

Scope

CS certification holders can work in various sectors, including corporate houses, banks, regulatory bodies, and consultancy firms. Job roles include company secretary, compliance officer, corporate governance advisor, and legal advisor.

5. FLIP Certifications

It is the certification program by the leading professional employability enhancement firms that offer a FLIP certification which requires dealing with banking and also financial services. It can be said as one best courses after MBA finance.

An organized venture of senior IIM-Lucknow alumni and the institute provides candidates training via e-learning to achieve certification that is relevant and practical to the work that you are supposed to carry out in a bank or financial institution. You can consider it as one of the options for doing courses after MBA finance.

Eligibility

To get the FLIP certification one has to give an examination at any of the 64 centres present in India. After passing the exam the candidate will get the certificate which will be endorsed by leading finance houses like HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak bank etc.

Average Salary

The average salary for professionals with FLIP certifications varies by specialization, but generally ranges from ₹6 Lakhs – ₹10 Lakhs/yr, with potential for higher earnings based on experience and job role.

Scope

FLIP certification holders can pursue careers in banking, financial services, investment firms, and corporate finance departments. Job roles include financial analyst, investment banker, wealth manager, and financial planner.

6. Financial Risk Manager (FRM)

If you are wondering what to do after MBA finance, then this is one of the perfect courses after MBA finance that can certify you as a risk manager globally. Even though the course is expensive, you should go for it if you are sure that risk management is the ideal choice.

Eligibility

There is no strict eligibility criteria to appear in PRM Part 1 Exam, as a graduation first year student can take it. However, there are certain criteria to pass the exam, like:

• One must clear Level 1 and 2 of FRM program, within 4 years of applying for Part 1 exam.
• One must have relevant work experience of minimum 2 years in the Risk profile, within 5 years of clearing Part 2 Exam.

Average Salary

The average salary for FRM-certified professionals in India is around ₹16.8 lakhs – ₹50.0 lakhs/yr, with higher earnings potential in senior roles.

Scope

The FRM course is considered one of the best courses after MBA finance because the job of Financial Risk Manager is gaining demand in India, companies are searching for good Risk Managers.

FRM-certified professionals can work in banks, asset management firms, consulting firms, and regulatory agencies. Job roles include risk manager, financial risk analyst, credit risk manager, and market risk analyst.

7. Actuary

The job profile of an actuary is a bit similar to that of risk management. It’s one of the finest courses after MBA finance. The responsibilities of these professionals are keeping track of the impacts of various uncertainties and risks on the business. Your job would be to understand the outcomes and prevent them from becoming negative.

Actuaries gather data to analyse it for estimating the probability and the likely cost of events that might take place, such as death, injury, illness, disability, and loss of property. Then their job is to create policies that help reduce the cost of these coming risks.

Eligibility

For the course of Actuary, there are certain eligibility criteria that one must meet.

• The candidate must be 18 years old.

• The candidate should have completed their 10+2 level examination from a recognized board with Mathematics as the main subject.

• The candidates who qualify for their graduation/post-graduation with Mathematical subjects are eligible to apply for the PG level of the course.

• The candidates must be qualified members of these professional bodies: Fellow of Insurance Institute of India (III), Certified institute of Financial Analysts of India (IFAI), The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and The Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI) with the subjects: Mathematical Basis of Insurance and Statistics.

After graduation or post-graduation, candidates can join any of the given professional bodies of India as student members and become fellows in IAI.

Average Salary

The average salary for a qualified actuary in India is around ₹4 lakhs – ₹28.8 lakhs/yr for entry-level positions and can go up to ₹50 LPA or more for senior roles with experience.

Scope

If you choose this course from many other courses after an MBA in finance, then it can give you a lucrative career. Actuaries can work in insurance companies, consulting firms, government agencies, and pension funds. Job roles include actuarial analyst, risk manager, pricing actuary, and pension consultant.

8. Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst

The alternative investment industry is your career destination when you go for this courses after MBA finance Program. The course provides you with demonstrated skills, extensive knowledge, and global certification.

The fee is quite high, and you must work hard to clear the examination. The course afterwards offers a high-standard job. It is one of the best courses after MBA Finance.

Eligibility

To appear in the CAIA exam, a candidate should have a bachelor’s degree and one year of relevant work experience.

• To become CAIA, one has to clear its 2-level examinations. These two levels focus on different subjects and topics.

Average Salary

The average salary for CAIA charterholders in India is around ₹2.5 Lakhs – ₹31 Lakhs/yr, with potential for higher earnings based on experience, industry, and location.

Scope

CAIA is also a great option for many courses after MBA finance, as after doing this one of the professional courses after MBA finance. CAIA charterholders can pursue careers in hedge funds, private equity firms, real estate investment companies, and financial institutions. Job roles include alternative investment analyst, portfolio manager, investment advisor, and risk manager.

9. Executive Programme in Algorithmic Trading

As tools and software are changing every business from the inside, the finance industry isn’t an exception. The trading sector and its tools are emerging as the new trend.

Knowledge about algorithm trading will make you stand apart compared to many MBA finance applicants. After these professional courses after MBA finance, there are several job opportunities with a very interesting job profile offering quite a handsome package.

Eligibility

You can apply to any recognized institute to do this course. There are no fixed admission criteria but of course, graduation is compulsory.

Generally, this course is preferred after the completion of the MBA Program. 

Average Salary

The average salary for professionals with expertise in algorithmic trading in India is around ₹2.5 Lakhs – ₹70 Lakhs/yr, with potential for higher earnings based on experience, performance, and job role.

Scope  

If you choose one course from many other courses after MBA finance, you will make lots of money in this career. Professionals with this expertise can work in hedge funds, investment banks, proprietary trading firms, and fintech companies. Job roles include algorithmic trader, quantitative analyst, trading strategist, and risk manager.

10. Certificate in Quantitative Finance

This professional course after MBA Finance offer a certification that can help you secure a job in quant trading, quant IT, derivatives, risk management, and insurance. It doesn’t matter that it’s been only a few years since you completed your MBA.

The path to becoming a quant professional is open for you at any age. This is considered a practical certification course to get a good job after an MBA finance.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria to take admission in the course of Quantitative Finance is a 55% in the Graduation from a relevant discipline.

Average Salary

The average salary for professionals with a CQF certification in India ranges from ₹2.7 Lakhs – ₹37 Lakhs/yr, depending on experience, job role, and location.

Scope

CQF-certified professionals can pursue careers in investment banks, hedge funds, asset management firms, and financial consultancies. Job roles include quantitative analyst, risk manager, financial engineer, and derivatives analyst.

Choosing the Best Finance Course

Choosing the best finance course after completing an MBA Finance can significantly enhance your career prospects and skill set. With a variety of options available, it’s essential to consider your career goals and interests. Here are some popular courses after MBA Finance to consider:

1. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA): This globally recognized certification focuses on investment management and financial analysis, making it ideal for those pursuing careers in investment banking or portfolio management. Courses after MBA Finance like CFA can provide in-depth knowledge and skills that are highly valued in the finance industry.
2. Certified Public Accountant (CPA): If you’re interested in accounting and auditing, the CPA certification can provide you with the necessary skills and credentials to excel in these fields. Taking courses after MBA Finance to obtain a CPA can open doors to various accounting roles.
3. Financial Risk Manager (FRM): This certification is perfect for those looking to specialize in risk management, covering topics such as market risk, credit risk, and operational risk. Courses after MBA Finance like FRM can help you develop expertise in managing financial risks.
4. Certified Financial Planner (CFP): For those interested in personal finance and wealth management, the CFP certification equips you with the skills to help clients manage their financial goals. Pursuing courses after MBA Finance to become a CFP can enhance your career in financial advisory.
5. Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA): This course focuses on practical skills in financial modeling and valuation, essential for roles in corporate finance and investment analysis. Courses after MBA Finance like FMVA can provide you with hands-on experience in financial analysis.
6. Data Analytics for Finance: As the finance industry increasingly relies on data-driven decision-making, courses in data analytics can help you develop skills in analyzing financial data and using analytical tools. Courses after MBA Finance that focus on data analytics can make you more competitive in the job market.
7. Blockchain and Cryptocurrency: With the rise of digital currencies, courses in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency can prepare you for emerging roles in fintech and digital finance. Exploring courses after MBA Finance in this area can position you at the forefront of financial innovation.
8. Corporate Finance: Advanced courses in corporate finance can deepen your understanding of financial management, capital structure, and investment decisions within organizations. Courses after MBA Finance in corporate finance can enhance your strategic decision-making skills.

MBA in itself is a great course for students, and if you do some additional courses after the MBA finance program, it will add more value to your degree. This article introduced you to some of the best courses after MBA finance.

However, if you still want to explore some more courses or want to do different courses from the mentioned. You can check out some other short term courses after MBA as well. Doing such additional courses gives great career scope and an edge over other candidates. So, don’t miss out on the chance to do these courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some related resources:

• CFA vs CA – Which is the Best Option?
• Career Path and Scope of CFA in India
• The Ultimate List of Jobs after MBA Finance