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 · 1825 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? ›

Some of the main math-related skills that the financial industry requires are: mental arithmetic (“fast math”), algebra, trigonometry, and statistics and probability. A basic understanding of these skills should be good enough and can qualify you for most finance jobs.

What level of math is needed for 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 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.

Is finance class a lot of math? ›

Math is used in finance to a certain degree. However, this is more in terms of using it to make analyses and understand logical trends than it is used as theoretical math. Advanced theory is not usually required for a career in finance.

Is finance major math heavy? ›

Students interested in earning a degree in finance may find themselves wondering what the finance major math requirements are. While each program will vary slightly, students earning a finance degree can expect to take a sizable amount of math classes.

Is a finance major hard? ›

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? ›

Finance professionals also earn above-average salaries. BLS data indicates that personal financial advisors earned a median annual income of nearly $95,390 as of 2022, more than double the median annual salary for all occupations nationwide.

Is pre-calc good for finance? ›

Many business degrees require courses in statistics, accounting, and finance, all of which rely on mathematical concepts. Taking pre-calc in high school is a good way to show colleges that you're prepared for these types of courses and have a strong background in math.

Does finance use calculus? ›

Mortgage financing where calculus is used to calculate monthly mortgage payments, determine amortization schedules, and assess the financial feasibility of real estate investments.

Is finance harder than accounting? ›

While both finance and accounting can be difficult majors, accounting is considered more difficult because it requires more discipline and a lot of math. Accounting is more complex because it relies on precise sets of arithmetic principles.

Is a finance degree 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.

Is finance or economics harder? ›

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.

What is the hardest math class? ›

Generally speaking, the most rigorous math courses in high school include Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB and BC, AP Statistics, and for some, Multivariable Calculus (which might be offered at your school or at a local college).

Is accounting or finance more math? ›

Accounting and Finance are more about analyzing the financial transaction with little math problems. In accounting, the most common math procedure that could be used is the basic arithmetic while for the Finance a bit complicated math formula can be used particularly in the investing and quantitative analysis.

Do you need linear algebra for finance? ›

Linear algebra is used to study financial trading strategies and expectations. Financial conditions are examined via matrix equations, using rank, column space, and null space arguments.

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