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As the world moved away from the barter system, it became more reliant on money systems. Money is now earned and transacted in a variety of ways, which has resulted in the development of rules and regulations for handling your money. On an individual level, almost every adult has gone through the complexity of managing their money, and we cannot even imagine doing that on an organizational level. That’s why many corporations hire corporate finance professionals to assist them with their finances. 

What is corporate finance? 

Corporate finance is a branch of finance that assists businesses with their financial aspects, such as profit maximization or departmental cost reduction. Its work is not limited to large corporations but rather to all types of businesses.

What does a corporate finance professional do?

The duties of a corporate finance professional are broadly concerned with short- and long-term financial plans and their implementation in a business. This includes activities such as analyzing company revenue, managing capital structures, overlooking company accounts, consulting on investment decisions, advising company managers on projects, and writing financial reports and statements, etc.

Is corporate finance a good career option?

If you are someone who likes working with numbers, is detail-oriented, and has a deep interest in the stock market, then this career is for you.

Here are a few reasons why you should pursue a career in corporate finance.

1. Stable career: Every company needs to manage its finances irrespective of the industry. Hence, this career could be considered one of the most stable career options. You also have standard timings and regular holidays that help you have a work-life balance. 
2. Larger impact: As a person working in the field of corporate finance, you will have a chance to impact the success of large organizations directly. You would be actively involved in company management from a financial perspective.
3. Scope for growth: This career offers a lot of scope for growth, may it be from working in a small business to large cooperation or climbing the corporate ladder within a company.
4. Better perks: Being a job that directly impacts the company’s profit and growth, a job in corporate finance often comes with a good compensation package. 
5. Variety in roles: There are multiple roles in corporate finance which have different responsibilities, that you can choose from based on your preferences.

What are the different jobs in corporate finance?

1. Financial analyst – A person in this post prepares financial reports, evaluates budget and income statements, and generates forecasts, keeping the overall development of the company in-sight.
2. Cost analyst – A cost analyst focuses on calculating and analyzing the cost of company operations such as labor cost, manufacturing, inventory, etc.
3. Corporate accountant – A corporate accountant generally keeps track of company finances and prepares financial reports that guide the executives of the company while making strategic decisions. 
4. Investor relations manager – A investor relations manager is responsible for maintaining proper relations between a company and its investors. Their primary job is to meet investors on a regular basis, prepare reports for stakeholders and provide financial information to potential investors. 
5. Benefits analyst/manager – A person in this position is responsible for identifying, analyzing, selecting, and administering a benefits program for the company employees. 
6. Real estate manager – A real estate manager evaluates and secures the commercial property for the business depending on the property value assessment and its future return on investment (ROI). 
7. Financial planning and analysis manager – A person in this position is responsible for making decisions on the company’s investment and day-to-day operations. 
8. Treasurer – A treasurer manages the overall finances of the company. They are responsible for ensuring the financial decisions are in line with the short- and long-term goals of the company.
9. Controller – A person in this position oversees how a company controls its finances in terms of investing, risk management, and payroll duties. 
10. Chief financial officer (CFO) – This is the highest position available in corporate finance. The duties of a CFO entail analyzing a company’s financial performance and developing processes to maintain the company’s financial health among other things. 

What are the skills required