Finance Concentration in Business Administration
A finance concentration focuses on how organizations plan, analyze, and manage financial resources. Within a business administration program, this track builds on accounting and economics fundamentals and introduces more advanced financial decision making concepts.
Finance concentrations are commonly chosen by students who enjoy analytical coursework and want deeper exposure to financial strategy, investment concepts, and risk evaluation.
Quick answers
What is a finance concentration in business administration? A finance concentration is a set of courses within a business administration degree that focuses on how organizations plan, analyze, and manage financial resources.
What do you typically study in a finance concentration? Common topics include corporate finance, financial statement analysis, investments and portfolio concepts, risk management, and financial markets and institutions.
How does this concentration fit into a business administration degree? A finance concentration supplements the business core rather than replacing it. Students typically complete foundational coursework in areas like management, marketing, operations, and accounting, then apply those skills in more specialized financial contexts.
Is a finance concentration available online? Many programs offer finance concentrations online. Online courses may use problem sets, case discussions, and spreadsheet-based analysis assignments.
Do I need advanced math skills for a finance concentration? Quantitative skills are important, but programs usually build them progressively. Coursework often starts from accounting and statistics foundations rather than advanced mathematics.
What degree levels may offer a finance concentration? Finance concentrations are commonly available in bachelor’s and master’s business administration programs. At the associate level, finance topics are typically introduced through general business or accounting courses rather than a formal concentration.
Back to Business Administration Concentrations
At a glance
- Builds on core accounting and economics courses.
- Often includes corporate finance, investments, and financial statement analysis.
- Emphasizes analysis, decision making, and financial strategy.
- Quantitative skills matter, and programs usually build them progressively.
- Common at bachelor’s and master’s levels; associate programs often cover finance topics without a formal concentration.
- Available in online formats that use problem sets, case discussions, and spreadsheet-based analysis assignments.
For a full overview of business administration pathways, see the Business Administration Program Guide.
What you typically study
Finance concentrations usually include courses that move beyond introductory accounting into applied financial analysis.
Common course themes
- Corporate finance and capital budgeting
- Financial statement analysis
- Investments and portfolio concepts
- Risk management fundamentals
- Financial markets and institutions
- Applied financial modeling or analysis tools
Specific course titles and depth vary by school and degree level.
To see how these courses fit into the broader program, review the Business Administration Curriculum.
How this concentration fits into a business administration degree
A finance concentration supplements the business core rather than replacing it. Students still complete foundational coursework in management, marketing, operations, and accounting, then apply those skills in more specialized financial contexts.
Most programs require several upper level finance courses, often completed after core business requirements.
Degree levels that may offer finance
Finance concentrations are commonly available at multiple degree levels.
You may encounter this concentration in:
At the associate level, finance topics are typically introduced through general business or accounting courses rather than a formal concentration.
Online formats and pacing
Finance courses translate well to online formats that emphasize problem solving, case analysis, and applied projects.
Online formats may include:
- Weekly problem sets and case discussions
- Spreadsheet based analysis assignments
- Standard or accelerated term schedules
Compare delivery and pacing options here:
- Online Course Formats
- Accelerated Business Administration Programs
- Part-Time Business Administration Programs
Choosing finance vs other concentrations
This concentration may be a good fit if you enjoy:
- Working with numbers and financial data
- Evaluating risk and return tradeoffs
- Analyzing financial statements and investment options
- Applying quantitative reasoning to business decisions
If you prefer people focused or creative coursework, you may also want to explore:
Admissions and accreditation considerations
Selecting a finance concentration does not change admissions requirements or accreditation standards. Always confirm institutional accreditation, then review concentration specific course sequencing.
Helpful pages:
Is a finance concentration worth it
The value of a finance concentration depends on your interest in analytical and quantitative business work. It can provide structured exposure to financial decision making, but it does not replace practical experience.
For a broader fit discussion, see: Is a Business Administration Degree Worth It.
FAQ
What is a finance concentration in business administration?
A finance concentration is a set of courses within a business administration degree that focuses on how organizations plan, analyze, and manage financial resources.
What do you typically study in a finance concentration?
Common topics include corporate finance, financial statement analysis, investments and portfolio concepts, risk management, and financial markets and institutions.
How does this concentration fit into a business administration degree?
A finance concentration supplements the business core rather than replacing it. Students typically complete foundational coursework in areas like management, marketing, operations, and accounting, then apply those skills in more specialized financial contexts.
Is a finance concentration available online?
Many programs offer finance concentrations online. Online courses may use problem sets, case discussions, and spreadsheet-based analysis assignments.
Do I need advanced math skills for a finance concentration?
Quantitative skills are important, but programs usually build them progressively. Coursework often starts from accounting and statistics foundations rather than advanced mathematics.
What degree levels may offer a finance concentration?
Finance concentrations are commonly available in bachelor’s and master’s business administration programs. At the associate level, finance topics are typically introduced through general business or accounting courses rather than a formal concentration.