When you learn about finance you can handle your own money better, or assist individuals or businesses with their financial strategies. Having personal finance skills allows you to make informed decisions about investments and retirement planning, so you can enjoy long-term financial stability and wealth building.
For entrepreneurs, understanding finance is crucial for business startup tasks like securing funding and efficiently managing cash flow. It also opens up career opportunities in banking, investment management, corporate finance, and financial analysis. Finance equips you with insights into economic trends and how financial markets operate, giving you the confidence to navigate a constantly changing financial landscape and providing tools to assess and mitigate financial risks.
You can specialize in finance in specific areas. Personal finance experts focus on managing money and investments for individuals. Corporate finance professionals address financial challenges that corporations encounter, such as venture capital, equity structures, and corporate taxes. In public finance, you work with the finances of national, state, and local governments, including taxes and public budgets. International finance specialists concentrate on the financial aspects of multinational corporations and gain expertise in understanding global markets and financial regulations. In today's intricate financial world, having financial knowledge is essential, whether you're at work or managing your personal finances.
Best Finance Classes & Schools in Baltimore
The Accounting Fundamental Series at Carroll Community College is designed for students who are interested in increasing their financial awareness while also gaining marketable skills. Whether you’re a sole proprietor looking to manage your business finances or you simply want to gain an understanding of accounting basics for career advancement or personal use, this course will give you a solid foundation in financial and accounting matters. This online course can be completed at your own pace over a ten-week period.
Business Finance for Non-Finance Personnel at Carroll Community College is a twelve-session online class that uses practical explanations and real-life examples to show you how money flows through a typical business. You’ll learn how to develop successful business strategies and how to use financial statements to make better business decisions. Whether you’re an employee, sales executive, supervisor, or manager, this course will help you understand basic financial information and use that information to make decisions that will positively affect your company’s financial situation.
In-Depth Investment Skills: How to Become a Savvy Investor at Montgomery College is a twelve-session, in-person class that examines the investment tools you need to take charge of your own investment portfolio, regardless of its size. Learn the pros and cons of investing in stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, REITs, convertibles, and mutual funds, and how to use asset allocation and diversification to reduce risk and increase return. Discuss tax-deferred investments like 401k and IRA versus taxable investments. Learn the ins and outs of hedge funds, efficient market theory, indexing versus active management, minimizing taxes, marketing timing, and duration. The class focuses on practical techniques that you can use immediately to improve your investment return.
In the Financial Analyst Training Program at Noble Desktop, you will acquire essential Excel skills, including financial modeling techniques, and delve into corporate finance and accounting concepts. This includes topics like enterprise value, financial statement analysis, DCF modeling techniques, and principles of corporate valuation. You'll gain hands-on skills by constructing a comprehensive financial model for a publicly traded restaurant company using real financial data. Learn to analyze company presentations, earnings releases, and financial reports to identify the key factors and assumptions driving the model. By applying valuation principles, you'll calculate a value per share and assess the potential investment in the company. While prior knowledge of finance and accounting is beneficial, it's not mandatory, as these subjects are covered throughout the program, and you'll receive a brief pre-learning guide before the live online course. If needed, you have the option to retake the entire course or specific sections within a year to reinforce your understanding of these concepts.
Baltimore Industries That Use Finance
Baltimore is a prominent hub for healthcare and life sciences, housing a multitude of hospitals, research institutions, and biotech companies. Finance professionals are indispensable here, managing budgets, securing research funding, and evaluating the financial feasibility of cutting-edge healthcare innovations.
Baltimore has witnessed a burgeoning cybersecurity industry, attracting tech companies dedicated to safeguarding digital assets. Finance experts are instrumental in making crucial financial decisions, handling budgetary matters, and assessing risk within this critical sector. Baltimore's expanding ecosystem of technology startups provides finance professionals with opportunities to support innovative ventures. They help startups secure funding, efficiently manage their finances, and make strategic financial decisions to foster growth. Together, these industries offer a dynamic landscape for finance experts to contribute to the city's economic progress and technological advancement.
Finance Jobs & Salaries in Baltimore
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts assess financial data, conduct market research, and provide insights to guide investment decisions and financial planning in various sectors, including healthcare, technology, and real estate. Financial Analysts in Baltimore earn $31,000 to $64,000 per year.
Bank Officer
Bank Officers work in retail, commercial, or investment banking, helping individuals and businesses manage their finances, secure loans, and make investments. Bank Officers in Baltimore earn $96,000 to $118,000 per year.
Tax Analyst
Tax Analysts assist individuals and businesses with tax planning, compliance, and financial reporting, playing a crucial role in Baltimore's diverse economic landscape. Tax Analysts in Baltimore earn $48,000 to $90,000 per year.
Corporate Controller
Corporate Controllers oversee financial operations, budgeting, and accounting processes within organizations across different sectors, including healthcare and education. Corporate Controllers in Baltimore earn $89,000 to $173,000 per year.
Financial Planner
Financial Planners help individuals and businesses make informed decisions about managing their finances, offering guidance on investments, retirement planning, and wealth management. Financial Planners in Baltimore earn $90,000 to $138,000 per year.
Risk Manager
Risk Managers assess and mitigate financial risks within businesses and organizations, a critical function in Baltimore's finance, healthcare, and cybersecurity sectors. Risk Managers in Baltimore earn $73,000 to $180,000 per year.