Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance presents a vast scope of career opportunities in the banking and financial sector. MBA Finance is regarded as the most lucrative field of management. No doubt, Finance is one of the most pursued specializations of MBA!

MBA Finance is generally a two-year program that focuses on global and local economics, investment strategies, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), risk management, and related financial theories. Post-completion of the course, the graduates, can establish a promising career in banking, financial planning, accounting, or corporate finance. Some of the top recruiters in this field are Goldman Sachs, Accenture, TCS, EY, Morgan Stanley, ICICI, Genpact, BCG, and Deutsche Bank.

MBA Finance Salary in India

MBA Finance is a great option for students with good mathematical skills and an inclination towards accounting. Every industry requires financial managers to take care of investments, stock values, economic reports, and other similar things. This gives rise to a variety of work profiles in the sector, namely, financial analyst, investment banker, equity analyst, risk manager, portfolio manager, financial planner, etc.

The annual salary of MBA Finance graduates is between Rs. 3.5 lakhs to Rs. 15 lakhs, depending upon the specific job post and the recruiter. Given below are the details of MBA Finance salary in India as per the popular job profiles:

1. Financial Planner

Financial Planners assist organizations and individuals in financial goal setting and budget planning. This involves implementing taxation strategies, retirement plans, estate plans, etc. The core idea of financial planning is to make the most out of the available resources.

These professionals spend long hours into research and analysis in order to come up with the best strategies. They may also hold seminars to guide their clients and help them in setting new businesses. Financial planners are usually employed in banks or investment companies.

The average starting salary of financial planners in India is Rs. 3.5 lakhs per annum. In the initial phase, the fresh graduates may be hired as assistants or associate financial planners while they undergo training to become full-fledged financial planners. After 5-10 years of experience, financial planners earn around Rs. 7-12 lakhs annually.

2. Investment Banker

One of the highest-paid financial jobs, investment banking, is an essential part of the private and government sectors. Investment bankers mainly work in investment banks that intend to raise funds and capital for different organizations. The average starting income of investment bankers in India is Rs. 7.5 lakhs per annum. Following an experience of 5-10 years, their salary is raised to Rs. 17 lakhs per annum.

With their great analytical abilities, these experts study companies’ financial health and suggest appropriate investment strategies. Investment bankers play a critical role in mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring. They develop detailed financial models and help organizations in identifying profitable investment opportunities. Further, investment bankers need to have effective communication skills to persuade and retain clients.

Read: Career Options After MBA in Digital Finance and Banking

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3. Risk Manager

Risk managers are in charge of tackling financial risks for companies. They keep an eye on the probable risks that can impact an organization’s financial growth and safety. Risk Managers may work with a particular company or extend consulting services to several companies.

In an organization, these professionals are generally tasked with running audits and conducting periodic checks to ensure that the employees are working as per the standard safety regulations.

The initial income of a risk manager ranges between Rs. 5 lakhs to 7 lakhs per year. After 5-10 years of experience, their pay is hiked to more than Rs. 10 lakhs annually. An aspiring risk manager may be hired as a risk management analyst, credit analyst/ manager, or relationship manager in a company. These managers and analysts are required to coordinate with other employers to implement risk management plans and related strategies.

4. Equity Analyst

An equity analyst looks after the company’s investments and also determines a suitable time to invest more. Depending upon the organization’s type, the investments may imply material goods, real estate, or stocks.

Equity analysts specifically deal with private equity funds and mutual fund houses. They utilize different tools to carry out technical or financial analysis and present the related data on a periodic basis. Based on their findings, analysts give recommendations for modifications in the company’s investment criteria.

The average starting salary of equity analysts in India is around Rs. 4 lakhs per year. Analysts with an experience of 5-10 years earn up to Rs. 7-8 lakhs annually. At the entry-level, MBA finance graduates may be hired as financial analysts or research analysts before being promoted to the post of an equity analyst. In some organizations, they may be known as investment analysts or venture capital analysts.

5. Financial Advisor

A financial advisor provides guidance to individuals and organizations as per their financial needs. Financial advisors are usually employed with financial institutions like banks, insurance companies, and mutual fund companies. They help people make decisions regarding real estate investments, money markets, stocks and bonds, insurance plans, etc. The initial salary of a financial advisor in India is Rs. 3 lakhs per annum. Subsequent to 5-9 years of experience, the financial advisors earn more than Rs. 5 lakhs per year.

An aspiring financial advisor should be well-versed with the Governmental laws and regulations to give their clients the right advice. People seek help from financial advisors for fulfilling their short-term as well as long-term goals.

Advisors often oversee the client’s investment accounts, study investment portfolios, and suggest opportunities that can maximize profits and limit associated risks. In some companies, these professionals are recruited as compliance managers or officers.

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6. Finance Manager

Finance managers form a crucial part of every organization. They develop budgets and make forecasts about the financial future of the company. Their regular tasks involve monitoring and evaluating the progress of projects and giving timely feedback to other employees.

The financial statements and annual reports of any company are the results of its finance managers’ teamwork. In other words, the finance department and financial documents of an organization are solely handled by its finance managers. Further, they must also have the requisite skills to lead meetings and give presentations.

The starting salary of finance managers in India lies somewhere between Rs. 5 lakhs to 7 lakhs per year. Finance Managers with an experience of 5-9 years usually earn over Rs. 10 lakhs annually. In their later years, the finance manager is promoted to the position of finance director or controller and may also become the company’s CFO (Chief Financial Officer).

7. Business Analyst (Finance)

A business analyst collects, analyses, and interprets the financial data of an organization. This data mostly relates to budgets, forecasts, cash flow projections, and similar company’s financial information. The major aim of business analysts is to improve operations efficiency and help the organization adopt the required changes.

They also aid in recognizing potential problems in a business and finding feasible solutions to fix them. Analysts coordinate with other employees to implement operational procedures for the fulfillment of organizational goals.

The average initial salary of business analysts in India lies between Rs. 4-5 lakhs per annum. After 5-10 years of experience, they usually make around Rs. 8-9 lakhs per year. An aspiring business analyst needs to have excellent critical thinking abilities and a detail-oriented mind to examine the relevant industry data. In some companies, prospective business analysts may be recruited as financial analysts or operations managers. 

8. Portfolio Manager

Portfolio managers take care of the hedge funds of an individual or company. They may work independently or as a group in an organization. These managers regularly scrutinize market conditions and make investment decisions on behalf of their clients.

People and organizations need help from portfolio managers to meet their long-term financial goals. The average annual salary of entry-level portfolio managers in India varies from Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 7 lakhs. Following an experience of 5-10 years, they earn an income of over Rs. 10 lakhs per year.

The aspiring portfolio managers should be aware of the intricacies of financial assets management and investment. With this kind of knowledge, the portfolio experts assist their clients in attaining the pre-established financial targets.

Read: Future Scope of MBA in Finance: Career Options, Top Recruiters & Salary

Wrapping up

Reputed universities in alliance with educational platforms offer online courses in MBA Finance. upGrad is one such higher education platform that extends industry-focussed MBA programs affiliated to the world’s top institutes.

With upGrad, aspirants can choose to pursue MBA in Finance specialization from Liverpool Business School or MBA in Digital Finance and Banking from O.P. Jindal Global University.

Ranked among the top B-schools of the UK, Liverpool Business School provides a 20-month MBA Finance course online, including a one-week immersion program at the university campus. The course comprises simulations and case studies from Harvard Business Publishing. During this program, the students get a chance to be mentored one-on-one by the industry leaders.

MBA (Digital Finance and Banking) from the renowned O.P. Jindal Global University is a 24-month online program designed to lend knowledge about blockchain technology and machine learning with respect to the financial sector.

This course is formulated considering the scope of banking and financial services in the near future. After the course, students can make a career in the existing financial institutions and the growing fintech organizations.

There always has been a significant demand for MBA Finance graduates, and it is expected to soar even more in the upcoming years.