05-08-2025
General finance managers spend their time analyzing data and advising senior managers on profit maximization. Here are four factors you need to consider if you want to succeed in the general finance specialization at the Daniels School of Business.
General finance managers advise top executives with their vast knowledge of tax laws, regulations, industrial topics and investment activities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that finance managers create financial reports and develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization. They often work in teams, taking on an advisory role to top executives, and work in a wide range of environments, spanning banks and investment firms to insurance companies.
Most professionals with a specialization in general finance start with an undergraduate business degree in finance, accounting, economics or business management. If one is not already enrolled in a business-related degree but would still like to explore general finance in the future, supplementing their existing undergraduate degree with experience in another business or financial occupation — such as being an accountant, securities sales agent or financial analyst — can help make the pivot into general finance more seamless.
If a person is really passionate about finance and wants to pursue a serious career in it, Purdue is one of the best universities to be able to do that at; the courses are structured well, very hands-on and real-life focused.
— Kalyan Maddisetty (MSF ‘23)
Typically, general finance becomes one of the best finance-based specializations to delve into because it provides a comprehensive overview of a range of topics: corporate finance, investment banking, financial markets and personal finance. This helps new entrants in the finance world find what part of the field they gravitate towards and have strengths in. It also builds strong foundational knowledge in core concepts like financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting and risk management. As a result of this broad exposure, those with a general finance specialization are not locked into one path — but are equipped to find their best fit.
At the Daniels School of Business, the general finance specialization helps students learn to analyze financial statements, assess company performance and apply valuation techniques to forecast decisions based on past trends and present conditions. By introducing students to integral concepts such as capital budgeting and capital structuring, the program enables them to understand how to optimize a company’s structure by selecting the best-suited funding strategies.
Through the general finance specialization at the Daniels School of Business, students gain exposure to quantitative expertise, career elevation, wealth building, financial management and networking. They graduate equipped with skills to foster financial strength and strategically build wealth.
To succeed with a specialization in corporate finance, it’s important to focus on specific skills that prepare you to navigate daily tasks. Indeed explains that the following five soft skills are the most important not only to excel in the finance field, but also to move into managerial roles:
In addition to these soft business-related skills, proficiency in technical skills such as the following can help one stand out:
Unlike other programs, the general finance specialization at the Daniels School caters to students who want a solid grasp of finance by offering a flexible curriculum that allows them to explore various aspects of finance without committing to a specific area. This is ideal for rising professionals who are still considering different finance career paths.
By not focusing on a single specialization, students enrolled in Purdue’s MSF program gain a broad understanding of finance principles, preparing them for various roles in the field, from general financial analysis to strategic financial planning.
With technology at the center of the curriculum, networking as a key component, and abundant real-world opportunities, a master’s in financial management at the Daniels School equips students with the skills and proficiencies needed to advance in the field.
If you would like to receive more information about pursuing a business master’s at the Mitch Daniels School of Business, please fill out the form and a program specialist will be in touch!
