What level of math do you need to complete to be in finance? (2024)

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Maggie

Student

Elk River, Minnesota

3 Questions

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Asked · 1823 views · ·

I would like to explore the finance field, but one thing that makes me nervous is the amount of college level math required? What courses all need to be taken?

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Grete Gaigalas

Compliance and Risk Analyst

7 Answers

Austin, Texas

Updated · ·

Grete’s Answer

Hi Maggie,

This answer depends on the college/ university you attend. From personal experience, I attained my undergraduate degree in Finance and had to take Business Calculus and Business Statistics to meet the mathematics credit requirements.

The best advice would be to make sure to take the time and study to pass these courses and attend your professor's office hours.

Best of luck!

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Seyi Odusami

Business Valuation

2 Answers

Jersey City, New Jersey

Updated · ·

Seyi’s Answer

Hi there,

While each college or university may have its own unique curriculum, common math courses often include Statistics and Calculus. Nevertheless, you'll find that math is a crucial component in numerous Finance courses. For instance, a course like "Financial Accounting" may not be strictly a math course, but it does incorporate mathematical concepts. The same applies to an "Intro to Finance" class, where math is utilized in certain aspects of the instruction.

The encouraging news is that every school offers resources to assist and guide you through each course. This can include scheduled tutoring sessions with teaching assistants, or if you're at a smaller college, you might even have the opportunity to have one-on-one meetings with your professors to help navigate the coursework.

So remember, even if Math isn't your preferred subject, don't let that deter you from pursuing a career in Finance. As you progress through your classes and hone your analytical abilities, you'll find that understanding and applying mathematical concepts will become increasingly easier.

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sharyl Allen

Lead and Coach

8 Answers

Helena, Montana

Updated · ·

sharyl’s Answer

Hi Maggie,

When it comes to finance, the route you choose can influence the skills you'll need. But don't worry, it's not as daunting as it may seem! At the very least, you'll want to be comfortable with business calculus, statistics, and financial accounting.

Remember, math isn't an exclusive club - it's something everyone can learn, including you! If you're feeling a bit uneasy, try to identify what's causing your apprehension. A great resource to help you shift your mindset is Dr. Jo Boaler's "Mathematical Mindset". It's an amazing tool for anyone who might think they can't conquer math. Trust me, you can and you will!

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Dana Hunt

PwC | Partner, Insurance Risk & Capital Leader

10 Answers

San Antonio, Texas

Updated · ·

Dana’s Answer

Agree with previous answers. To follow on, if you want to pursue a career as an actuary, you can consider actuarial sciences track available at multiple universities. If no university in your state offers actuarial science, look into whether or not the out of state tuition is waived for you if attending college in another state. An actuarial science degree will have a curriculum with the right mathematics (and statistics) courses, as well.

If you want a career in finance, more generally, it's still good to take college level math and stats classes. Recommend you also consider courses in data analytics and AI. Take courses that help you understand macro-economics and the world around you. Courses that help you understand the M&A environment will also be helpful.

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S Cravin, M.B.A., SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Human Resources

6 Answers

Houston, Texas

Updated · ·

S’s Answer

Usually, if you're considering a finance major in college, it's suggested that you finish around three to four years of math during your high school years. The most advanced level you might need to reach varies based on the college you're interested in, but it could be as high as Algebra II or Pre-Calculus. Once you're in college, the focus shifts more towards subjects like economics and financial accounting.

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Alireza Poostindooz

financial consultant

41 Answers

Isfahan, Isfahan Province, Iran

Updated · ·

Alireza’s Answer

Some of the college courses you might be required to take for a degree in finance include:
1. Calculus – studies the rate of change of a function in terms of variables
2. Statistics – focuses on analyzing and interpreting data
3. Accounting (and/or Financial Accounting) – studies how businesses and organizations record financial transactions
4. Economics – analyzes the behavior of consumers, producers, and government in the economy
5. Financial Management – covers the financial decisions and risk management strategies of a business.

A college degree in finance can be demanding, but it can also be extremely rewarding.

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Shelly-Ann Harper

Strategy and Enterprise Value

7 Answers

Baltimore, Maryland

Updated · ·

Shelly-Ann’s Answer

Hi Maggie,

It depends on what facet of finance you would like to get into. If you are interested in actuarial science, you will need a tremendous amount of math in college and afterwards, because of the nature of the statistical calculations required of the fields. However, if you're more interested in say accounting, then certainly you will need to able to manipulate data mathematically, but not at such a complex level.

Math courses that expose you to logic and analytics will be fantastic for most careers especially finance.

Good luck!

Shelly-Ann recommends the following next steps:

Pinpoint what aspects of math you enjoy

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What level of math do you need to complete to be in finance? (2024)

FAQs

What level of math do you need to complete to be in finance? ›

Usually, if you're considering a finance major in college, it's suggested that you finish around three to four years of math during your high school years. The most advanced level you might need to reach varies based on the college you're interested in, but it could be as high as Algebra II or Pre-Calculus.

What level of math do you need for finance? ›

Finance degrees will often cover more basic mathematical concepts such as algebra and statistics, as well as more industry-specific math courses such as probability and business mathematics.

What kind of math is used in finance? ›

Financial Mathematics is the field of applied mathematics that involves defining problems in finance and providing solutions using methods that draw from probability, statistics, differential equations, optimization, numerical methods, and data science.

How hard is math in finance? ›

One thing that's for sure is the high amount of math you will need to study. Finance is a mathematical discipline, so if you aren't as comfortable with math as with other ways of thinking, you may find it more challenging. Additionally, finance also makes use of a vast, highly specific vocabulary.

What grade level is financial math? ›

Financial Math - Mathematics Grades 10-12 - Resources at Alberta Teachers' Association.

Can I study finance if I'm bad at math? ›

It's normal to have these thoughts and it's good to ask these kind of questions before you get into it. Believe it or not, mastery of advanced math skills is not necessary to have a career in finance. With today's technology, all math-related tasks can be done by computers and calculators.

Is finance major a lot of math? ›

While finance requires some mathematics training and some knowledge and skills in accounting and economics, it's not necessarily more difficult than any other field of study, particularly for people with an aptitude for math.

Is finance a hard major? ›

Finance degrees are generally considered to be challenging. In a program like this, students gain exposure to new concepts, from financial lingo to mathematical problems, so there can be a learning curve.

Does finance pay well? ›

Salaries in the finance industry

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics (BLS), careers in finance pay a median salary of $76,850 — 66% higher than the median salary for all occupations in the nation ($46,310).

Is calculus needed in finance? ›

Having calculus under your belt will make you a more competitive applicant at certain top schools. It's certainly not required that you need HS Calculus to study Finance but without it, you are going to have take Calculus in college as a core requirement for Finance degrees.

Is finance harder than accounting? ›

Is finance harder than accounting? Accounting relies on precise arithmetic principles, making it more complex, whereas finance requires a grasp of economics and accounting without as much mathematical detail.

Is finance harder than economics? ›

As a finance degree heavily depends on financial analysis and modeling, students may find the material more difficult if they struggle with mathematical concepts. However, students seeking an economics degree might have difficulty understanding abstract ideas like economic theory and policy analysis.

Is finance major worth it? ›

High earning potential: Many jobs in finance offer high salaries and growth potential, making it a lucrative career choice. Diverse career opportunities: With a finance degree, you can work in various roles and industries, from investment banking to risk management to financial planning.

What is finance math called? ›

Financial Mathematics is the application of mathematical methods to financial problems. (Equivalent names sometimes used are quantitative finance, financial engineering, mathematical finance, and computational finance.)

What math is needed for financial mathematics? ›

All candidates should have a solid background in mathematics. The minimal math prerequisites are the successful completion of at least multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and probability.

What level of math is accounting? ›

Accountants need to be proficient in basic arithmetic, algebra, and statistics to analyze financial data, prepare reports, and ensure accuracy in their work. They may also use mathematical principles to perform tasks such as budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.

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