A career in finance : Careers and training

Finance is one of the most demanding sectors in the professional world, and also the most sought-after by students at the TOP 10 Grandes Écoles de Commerce, according to a study conducted by specialist firm NexGen Partners.
This field encompasses a wide range of professions: market finance, corporate finance, auditing, management control, private equity, banking, fintech, asset management, among others. These are all careers with varied missions, but all requiring a high level of expertise.

So what are the most emblematic opportunities in finance? Let's find out from SKEMA Business School, a leading school in the field, whose MSc Financial Markets & Investments program has just been ranked 2nd best in the world by the Financial Times!

Read more : Les 10 certifications à avoir en finance (CFA, AMF, Bloomberg, Trainy…)

Overview of the main finance professions

Financial analyst

This profession involves studying the financial health of companies, sectors or markets in order to guide investment decisions. Analysts may work for banks, asset management companies, rating agencies or consulting firms. They forecast future performance, value companies, draw up reports and make recommendations.

Financial controller

The management controller supports the operational departments by providing them with financial analyses. Working directly with the company's strategy, they draw up budgets, monitor variances, propose action plans and optimize performance.

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) analyst

The M&A analyst plays a central role in business combinations. He/she assesses the strategic and financial viability of targets, models scenarios, anticipates synergies and values companies (DCF, comparables, transactions). They also help to structure deals, draft key documents (pitches, memorandums) and coordinate stakeholders. The job demands rigor, responsiveness and stamina, but offers prestigious opportunities in finance.

Many SKEMA graduates work in this sector, like Raphaël Roch Chardet (SKEMA 2006), M&A analyst at Lazard and jury member for the M&A Contest organized by the SKEMA Finance association.

Financial auditor

Verifies the conformity and reliability of a company's financial statements. Working mainly in audit firms (Big Four or independent firms), he or she takes part in control, procedure analysis and risk assessment missions.

SKEMA's MSc Auditing, Management Accounting & Information Systems prepares students effectively for these roles.

Portfolio manager / Asset manager

Responsible for managing the financial assets in a portfolio, the portfolio manager analyzes market trends and adapts the investment strategy in line with set objectives. They generally work for an asset management company, a bank or an insurance company.

Private equity analyst

Identifies high-potential companies, values targets and supports their post-investment development. It's a highly selective profession, but one that's accessible after good training.
In France, a number of leading private equity funds hire graduates of French “Grandes Écoles” like SKEMA every year: Ardian, Eurazeo, PAI Partners, Bpifrance, Astorg...

Strategy or finance consultant

The consultant assists companies with their most structuring decisions: investment choices, fund-raising operations, mergers & acquisitions, internal reorganizations or digital transformations. They act as external experts to analyze financial data, challenge strategic orientations, model different scenarios and recommend appropriate action plans.
These professionals work for both generalist consulting firms (such as McKinsey, BCG or Bain) and specialist finance firms (such as Accuracy, Eight Advisory or Roland Berger).

Every year, SKEMA trains a large number of students for these positions through its strategy, corporate finance and data for business courses, with strong exposure to quantitative tools, real-life case studies and partnerships with renowned firms. An ideal springboard to a demanding, high-impact career.

Chartered accountant/auditor

These positions require a solid command of accounting, tax and legal issues. They can be studied via a DSCG or directly via a compatible course offered by SKEMA.

Read more : Enquête sur le salaire après SKEMA

SKEMA Business School: a benchmark in finance

To work in one of these finance-related professions, you need a solid education at a recognized school.

SKEMA is strategically located on campuses in the heart of major financial centers: Paris - La Défense, New York, Montreal, Shanghai and Cape Town, and offers its students a thorough immersion in the sector thanks to a number of recognized courses.

Programme Grande École (PGE) - Finance specialization

Within the Programme Grande École, students can specialize in finance from the second year onwards. The course covers all the major areas of the sector: corporate finance, market finance, management control, auditing, risk management, financial modeling, M&A, etc. It can be taken 100% in English, and gives access to numerous international double degrees (University of California, Berkeley; Stellenbosch; FGV...).

MSc Financial Markets & Investments

Ranked 2nd in the world (pre-experience) by the Financial Times in 2025, this program trains students for careers in market finance : trading, risk management, sales & trading, structuring and investment consulting. It is based on a practical approach, in line with post-crisis developments in the sector, and is taught in Paris, Sophia Antipolis and Raleigh (USA).

MSc Corporate Financial Management

This program prepares students for the strategic functions of corporate finance in a global environment. It combines technical skills (financial analysis, performance management) with cross-disciplinary skills (communication, leadership, strategy). The program is offered in Paris, Sophia Antipolis, Suzhou (China) and Belo Horizonte (Brazil).

MSc Auditing, Management Accounting & Information Systems

This MSc trains specialists in auditing, management control and information systems, capable of meeting the challenges of the digitalization of finance. It also integrates notions of artificial intelligence, process robotization (RPA) and managerial innovation. Delivered in Paris, this program is also compatible with the DSCG for students wishing to go on to become chartered accountants.

MSc Sustainable Finance & Fintech

This program combines traditional finance, sustainable finance (ESG, CSR, impact investing) and technological innovations (AI, blockchain, fintech). It prepares students for the new demands of the financial sector, in banking, asset management or investment funds. It is taught in English in Paris, and meets the market's need for hybrid profiles that are both responsible and technophile.

Mastère Spécialisé ® Expert en Contrôle de Gestion, Audit et Gestion de Système d’Information

Available in Paris and Lille on a sandwich course basis, this MS offers a global and operational approach to internal and external audit, performance management and IS management. Combining finance, management and digital transformation, it trains professionals to become agents of change. The program is taught 50% in French and 50% in English.

In conclusion, finance is a sector for high-potential profiles, requiring both rigor and technical expertise. Thanks to a comprehensive range of courses, from the Programme Grande École to Masters of Science and Mastère Spécialisé ®, SKEMA Business School is positioned as a key player in preparing the future talents of finance. Its international campuses, prestigious rankings and links with the corporate world guarantee graduates a successful integration into the world of work.