- Our students are prepared to enter the Finance profession in a variety of areas including brokerage firms, insurance, personal financial planning, and corporate Finance.
- As a member of the Student Finance Association you will have the opportunity to participate in numerous networking events with business professionals to build relationships and learn about career opportunities.
- In your junior or senior year, you will have the opportunity to participate in an internship with insurance companies, banks, or other regional businesses.
Every business, small or large, public or private, needs sound financial management to survive. The study of Finance is the art and science of wealth management. Almost every firm, government agency, and corporation has one or more financial managers who prepare financial reports, direct investment activities, and implement cash management strategies. In short, they are the caretakers of cash and assets that are an organization's lifeblood. You can play a role in this important field.
Quick Facts
The curriculum incorporates accounting and economic principle and also teaches you both the classical and current theories of financial analysis. The curriculum integrates accounting, economics, and Finance. Quantitative techniques and critical thinking skills prepare students to handle the classical as well as the most current theories of financial analysis.
Core classes include:
- corporate finance
- investments
- financial institutions
- accounting
- business law
- business information systems
- economics
- ethics
- international finance
- macroeconomics analysis
- personal financial planning
Faculty
Our faculty earned degrees from some of the most prestigious institutions in the country.
- Professor William Bosworth earned his MBA at the Stern School of Business (New York University) and was a bond arbitrageur on Wall Street. He went on to earn a Ph.D. at the University of Connecticut and his research interests are in corporate governance and executive compensation.
- Professor Sharon Lee earned her DBA from the University of Kentucky and primarily teaches all levels of corporate Finance to our Finance majors. Her research interests are in the corporate governance areas of the effectiveness of corporate board directors and valuation effects of regulation.
- Professor Yong Wang, earned an M.A. in Financial Economics from the University of Maine, and received his Ph.D. from Temple University.
Five-year Bachelor/MBA Degree
Today, more than ever, you will need an advanced degree to compete in our highly competitive global economy. The Western New England College Five-year Bachelor/MBA gives students a marked advantage in the job market, while saving on tuition costs.
Internships and other special opportunities
Almost all Finance majors choose to do internships in local institutions, such as Primerica of CitiGroup, Country Bank, Westfield Savings Bank, MassMutual Financial Group, Prudential Bache, Bank of Western Massachusetts, BankNorth, Merrill Lynch, USB|Paine Webber, and Morgan Stanley.
The Student Financial Management Association holds twice-monthly luncheon meetings featuring prominent professionals from the field speaking about the industry and employment opportunities. These popular events are excellent networking opportunities.
Finance students are also active in:
- Study Abroad Program
- Beta Gamma Sigma (Honor society)
- Alpha Lambda Delta (First-year honor society)
- The Financial Management Association
- Alpha Kappa Psi (Business Fraternity)
- Beta Alpha Psi
As well as varsity and intramural sports, special interest groups, and student government.
Career Paths
Fields: Banking, corporate financial management, underwriting, investments, and insurance
Outlook: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts 13 percent job growth in the financial manager field (64,000 positions) by 2016. The BLS also reports that Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York are three of the top four states for the highest concentration of workers in the finance field.
Opportunities: Banks, mutual funds, government, insurance companies