Business relies on financial and personnel managers to keep companies running smoothly. The pathways in the Finance and Business Sector are key to successful business operations and offer a multitude of career opportunities. Students will discover that accounting skills are highly marketable and provide opportunities in many other career paths. Pathway instruction includes basic accounting principles and procedures, as well as computer applications, taxes, investments, and asset management. Someone with an understanding and an affinity for mathematics would thrive in the Finance and Business Sector.
Career Pathways
The job market for accountants and auditors is estimated to grow steadily in the future with job opportunities in high demand. Accounting is essential to business institutions and organizations. Students in the accounting pathway will learn how to prepare, analyze, and verify financial reports, as well as design, install, and maintain general accounting systems.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Accounting
- Loan Officers
- Account Clerks
- Payroll Clerks
- Cost Estimators
- Budget Analysts
- Controllers
- Insurance Appraisers
- Assessors
- Bookkeepers
- Auditors
- Financial Analysts
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Tax Preparers
- Financial Examiners
The Banking and Related Services Pathway can lead to an exciting career while also making you a savvy consumer. Money is something we all deal with on a daily basis and having an arsenal of knowledge on the subject may increase your capital. Students will learn basic concepts of banking and related financial services such as loans, credit, and payment services. Knowledge of banking regulations is also necessary for handling financial transactions.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Bank Tellers
- Loan Counselors
- Claims Examiners
- Credit Analysts
- Loan Officers
- Credit Managers
- Internal Auditors
- Revenue Agents
- Business Teachers
- Actuaries
- Account Collectors
- Budget Analysts
- Escrow Officers
- Appraisers
- Purchasing Agents
Students in the Business and Financial Management Pathway learn how to provide investment analysis and guidance to help businesses and individuals with investment decisions. Insurance, stocks, and commodities are topics covered in this pathway. Students will learn how to explore, apply, and monitor investment opportunities for a stable financial future.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Credit
- Financial and Management Analysts
- Insurance Appraisers
- Loan Officers
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Tax and Claims Examiners
- Underwriters
- Financial Planners
- Securities Officers
- Stock Brokers
- Economists
- Treasurers
- Budget Analysts
- Purchasing Agents
- Arbitrators/Mediators
Programs of Study
| Program of Study | Author | Career Pathway | Download this Program of Study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting | Business Education Resource Consortium | Accounting Services Pathway | |
| Banking | Business Education Resource Consortium | Banking and Related Services Pathway | |
| Financial Management | Business Education Resource Consortium | Business Financial Management Pathway |
Labor Market Information
The information below is just a small sample of the many great employment related resources available on the State of California website www.edd.ca.gov. We encourage you to visit the website and explore the available information.
| Occupation Title | Employment Levels in 2006 | Projected Employment Level 2016 | Projected Job Growth | Percent of Job Growth | 2008 Hourly ¹Mean Wage | 2008 ²Weekly Mean Wage | 2008 ³Monthly Mean Wage | 2008 Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountants & Auditors | 142,300 | 175,500 | 23.3% | $33.08 | $1,323.20 | $5,557.44 | $66,689.30 | |
| Actuaries | 1,000 | 1,200 | 20.0% | $46.71 | $1,868.40 | $7,847.28 | $94,167.40 | |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, & Conciliators | 0.0% | $32.25 | $1,290.00 | $5,418.00 | $65,016.00 | |||
| Bill & Account Collectors | 43,900 | 51,500 | 17.3% | $18.02 | $720.80 | $3,027.36 | $36,328.30 | |
| Bookeeping, Accounting & Auditing Clerks | 232,500 | 267,500 | 15.1% | $18.15 | $726.00 | $3,049.20 | $36,590.40 | |
| Budget Analysts | 11,300 | 12,700 | 12.4% | $35.83 | $1,433.20 | $6,019.44 | $72,233.30 | |
| Credit Analysts | 8,900 | 8,900 | 0.0% | $34.23 | $1,369.20 | $5,750.64 | $69,007.70 | |
| Economists | 0.0% | $47.45 | $1,898.00 | $7,971.60 | $95,659.20 | |||
| Financial Analysts | 21,900 | 27,600 | 26.0% | $44.43 | $1,777.20 | $7,464.24 | $89,570.90 | |
| Financial Examiners | 2,200 | 2,400 | 9.1% | $38.12 | $1,524.80 | $6,404.16 | $76,849.90 | |
| Financial Managers | 68,800 | 78,000 | 13.4% | $56.82 | $2,272.80 | $9,545.76 | $114,549.00 | |
| Financial Services Sales Agents | 46,000 | 49,400 | 7.4% | $45.45 | $1,818.00 | $7,635.60 | $91,627.20 | |
| Financial Services Sales Agents | 46,000 | 49,400 | 7.4% | $45.45 | $1,818.00 | $7,635.60 | $91,627.20 | |
| Insurance Appraisers, Auto | 1,400 | 1,600 | 14.3% | $26.88 | $1,075.20 | $4,515.84 | $54,190.10 | |
| Insurance Underwriters | 9,800 | 10,500 | 7.1% | $32.15 | $1,286.00 | $5,401.20 | $64,814.40 | |
| Loan Counselors | 3,400 | 3,400 | 0.0% | $21.86 | $874.40 | $3,672.48 | $44,069.80 | |
| Loan Officers | 48,000 | 50,000 | 4.2% | $37.52 | $1,500.80 | $6,303.36 | $75,640.30 | |
| Payroll & Timekeeping Clerks | 23,500 | 24,600 | 4.7% | $18.98 | $759.20 | $3,188.64 | $38,263.70 | |
| Personal Financial Advisors | 19,300 | 23,700 | 22.8% | $44.32 | $1,772.80 | $7,445.76 | $89,349.10 | |
| Real Estate Appraisers & Assessors | 8,600 | 9,600 | 11.6% | $34.51 | $1,380.40 | $5,797.68 | $69,572.20 | |
| Tax Examiners,Collectors, & Revenue Agents | 8,100 | 8,600 | 6.2% | $29.63 | $1,185.20 | $4,977.84 | $59,734.10 | |
| Tax Preparers | 8,200 | 8,000 | -2.4% | $25.67 | $1,026.80 | $4,312.56 | $51,750.70 | |
| Tellers | 68,300 | 77,700 | 13.8% | $12.97 | $518.80 | $2,178.96 | $26,147.50 |