A career in finance : Careers and training

Finance is one of the most demanding sectors in the professional world, yet it is also one of the most popular among students at the top 10 business schools, according to a study conducted by the specialist firm NexGen Partners.
This field encompasses a wide range of professions, including market finance, corporate finance, auditing, management control, private equity, banking, fintech, and asset management, among others. These are all careers with varied roles, but they all require a high level of expertise.
So what are the most iconic career opportunities in finance? SKEMA Business School, a leading school in this field whose MSc Financial Markets & Investments program is ranked second best in the world by the Financial Times, provides some answers!

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

Overview of the main finance professions

Financial analyst

As keen observers of the markets, financial analysts assess the financial health of companies, sectors, and markets in order to guide investment decisions. Analysts may work in banks, management companies, rating agencies, or consulting firms. They anticipate performance, value companies, publish reports, and issue recommendations. Their strategic role makes them an essential link in the financial decision-making chain.
Students wishing to pursue these careers can choose the Finance track of the Grande École Program (PGE) or opt for the MSc in Financial Markets & Investments at SKEMA.

Financial controller

Responsible for performance management, the management controller draws up budgets, analyzes variances, and proposes action plans to optimize resources. Working directly with the company's strategy, they provide operational departments with accurate numerical analyses and a detailed understanding of economic levers.
At SKEMA, these professions are specifically prepared for through the Finance & Quants track of the PGE program, which focuses on performance management, modeling, and quantitative tools, as well as through the MSc in Corporate Financial Management (performance management track) and the MSc in Auditing, Management Accounting & Information Systems, which combines management control and information systems.

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) analyst

The M&A analyst plays a central role in business merger operations. They assess the strategic and financial viability of targets, model scenarios, anticipate synergies, and value companies (DCF, comparables, transactions). They also help structure deals, draft key documents (pitches, memoranda), and coordinate stakeholders. This profession requires rigor, responsiveness, and endurance, but offers prestigious opportunities in finance.
Students interested in these careers can pursue the Finance specialization of the PGE as well as the MSc in Corporate Financial Management (which includes advanced courses in M&A and restructuring). Many SKEMA graduates work in this sector, such as Raphaël Roch Chardet (SKEMA 2006), M&A analyst at Lazard and jury member for the M&A Contest (an inter-school merger and acquisition competition) organized by the SKEMA Finance association.

Financial auditor

Financial auditors verify the compliance of a company's financial statements and ensure their reliability. Working mainly in audit firms (Big Four or independent firms), they participate in control, procedure analysis, and risk assessment assignments.
SKEMA effectively prepares students for these roles through its MSc in Auditing, Management Accounting & Information Systems, taught on the Paris campus, as well as through DSCG-compatible courses integrated into the PGE program.

Portfolio manager / Asset manager

Responsible for managing the financial assets in a portfolio, they analyze market trends and adapt the investment strategy according to the objectives set. They generally work in a management company, bank, or insurance company.
This type of career is particularly sought after by students on the MSc Financial Markets & Investments program, which combines theoretical knowledge, practical case studies, and preparation for the CFA® exams.

Private equity analyst

They identify companies with high potential, evaluate targets, and support their post-investment development. It is a highly selective profession, but one that is accessible after solid training.

In France, several private equity funds stand out and hire graduates from French Grandes Écoles such as SKEMA every year: Ardian, Eurazeo, PAI Partners, Bpifrance, Astorg, and others.

Strategy or finance consultant

Consultants assist companies with their most fundamental decisions: investment choices, fundraising operations, mergers and acquisitions, internal reorganizations, and digital transformations. They act as external experts, analyzing financial data, challenging strategic directions, modeling different scenarios, and recommending appropriate action plans.
These professionals work in both generalist consulting firms (such as McKinsey, BCG, and Bain) and finance-specialized firms (such as Accuracy, Eight Advisory, and Roland Berger).
Every year, SKEMA trains many students for these roles through its programs in strategy, corporate finance, and data for business, with a strong focus on quantitative tools, real-world case studies, and partnerships with renowned firms. It is an ideal springboard to a demanding and impactful career.

Chartered accountant/auditor

These positions require a solid understanding of accounting, tax, and legal matters. The path to these careers can be through the DSCG (Diplôme Supérieur de Comptabilité et de Gestion) or the PGE (Programme d'Études Supérieures) in Accounting and Auditing, designed to maximize exemptions and ensure thorough exam preparation.

Read more : Enquête sur le salaire après SKEMA

SKEMA Business School: a benchmark in finance

To pursue a career in finance, solid training at a recognized school is essential.
SKEMA has 10 strategic locations across five continents and regularly organizes study tours to major financial centers such as Paris, New York, Montreal, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Dubai. The school offers its students a high-quality immersion in the financial sector through several specialized programs ranked among the best internationally.

Programme Grande École (PGE) - Finance specialization

Within the Grande École Program, students can specialize in finance starting in their second year by choosing specific tracks such as Finance & Quants or Accounting & Auditing.
They take fundamental courses in management (finance, marketing, strategy, operations), then gradually specialize in corporate finance, market finance, management control, auditing, risk management, or data applied to finance at the PGE's various international campuses. It can be taken entirely in English and gives access to numerous international dual degrees (University of California, Berkeley; Stellenbosch; FGV, etc.).

MSc Financial Markets & Investments

Ranked second in the world (pre-experience) by the Financial Times in 2025, it offers highly practical, market-oriented training. It prepares students for careers in investment banking, financial analysis, trading, risk management, and asset management, thanks to a teaching approach that combines academic rigor, practical case studies, and real-world market scenarios. 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 (United States).

MSc Corporate Financial Management

This program develops advanced expertise in corporate finance in an international context. It prepares students for roles in financial management, M&A, financial consulting, treasury, and performance management by combining technical expertise (financial analysis, risk management, modeling) and managerial skills (leadership, communication, strategy).
The program is offered in Paris, Lille, 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 who are capable of tackling the challenges of financial digitization. It emphasizes mastery of standards, reporting tools, and technologies used to digitize financial processes (ERP, data, automation), while preparing students for key roles in internal and external auditing and management accounting. Taught in Paris, this program is also compatible with the DSCG for students wishing to pursue a career in accounting.

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, and investment funds. It is taught in English in Paris and meets the market's need for hybrid profiles that are both responsible and tech-savvy.

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

Available in Paris and Lille on a work-study basis, this master's degree offers a comprehensive and practical approach to internal and external auditing, performance management, and IT 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, promoting integration into international environments.

In conclusion, finance is a sector for high-potential profiles, requiring both rigor and technical expertise. With a comprehensive range of programs, from the Grande École Program to Masters of Science and Specialized Masters®, SKEMA Business School is positioned as a key player in preparing future finance talent. Its international campuses, prestigious rankings, and links with businesses guarantee its graduates a successful transition into the world of work.