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A new report from the CFA Institute shows that finance is the most popular and stable career choice for 18-25-year-olds. It even beats out tech, healthcare, and education!

This group earned a median salary of $80,920—well above the $49,500 for all jobs. While there are plenty of job openings, it’s not easy to land a spot. Finance jobs are getting super competitive, so some college students are already taking the industry’s toughest exam before they even finish school.


In this article, we’ll break down the best entry-level financial certifications for undergraduate students. We will cover the value they bring and how they can enhance your job prospects and long-term career growth.

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Why Financial Certifications Matter for Undergraduates

The financial industry is known for being one of the hardest to break into for two major reasons:

  1. the promise of high earnings
  2. limited availability of the best-paid positions

Undergraduate students looking to gain an edge must demonstrate more than just good grades; they must show initiative, relevant skills, and a serious interest in the field. One powerful way to do this is through entry-level financial certifications.

It shows you’re serious.

The best financial certifications for undergraduates, such as CFA Level I, BMC, or FMVA show commitment to a finance career. Employers see this as a sign that you’re motivated and ready to learn beyond the classroom.

It gives you real-world skills.

These programs teach hands-on skills like Excel, valuation, and modeling—things you’ll actually use on the job. This helps you feel more confident in interviews and internships.

It helps you network.

Certifications often connect you with professionals and alumni. These networks can lead to career advice, mentorship, or even job opportunities.

It improves grades and career focus.

Studying for certifications can help with schoolwork and help you determine which finance path best suits you—banking, investing, or financial planning.

Key Benefits of Entry-Level Financial Certifications

Here’s how entry-level financial certifications can benefit you:

  • Career Advancement: Earning certifications can help you fast-track your career through opportunities for promotions and salary increases.
  • Specialized Knowledge: Many certifications provide deep knowledge in specific areas of finance, like financial planning, investment, accounting, and more, helping you to specialize in the area that interests you most.
  • Networking Opportunities: With certifications, you have access to professional networks, industry events, and even exclusive job fairs that lead to internships or job offers.

Top Entry-Level Financial Certifications for Undergraduate Students

Here are the top 10 finance certifications for beginners:

FINRA Series 6 License

This is one of the best entry-level finance certifications for students looking to sell mutual funds, annuities, or other investment products. It’s perfect for students aiming to get into financial sales or advising.

  • You’ll need to pass an exam that covers things like retirement plans and insurance products.
  • It takes around 2-3 months of prep, and there are no strict educational requirements to get started.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1

The CFA Level 1 is a big deal in finance. It covers the basics of investing, financial reporting, and ethics. If you’re into investment management or financial analysis, this is a solid choice.

  • You’ll need to put in about 300+ hours of study, but it’s worth it for a career in finance.
  • You can take the exam either during college or after finishing your degree.

Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) Certification

Want to show off your financial market knowledge? The Bloomberg BMC is a super quick, self-paced online course that covers things like stocks, bonds, and the economy.

  • It’s affordable and perfect if you’re looking to add something impressive to your resume.
  • The whole thing takes around 8-10 hours to finish, and you don’t need any prior experience.

Certified Financial Planner (CFP) – Education Requirement

While you need some work experience to become a CFP, you can knock out the education part while you’re still in school. As one of the top financial certifications for college students

  • It covers everything from retirement planning to taxes and insurance.
  • You can finish the education requirement before graduation, but you’ll need to do more before getting fully certified.

Chartered Accountant (CA) – Foundation Level

The CA is a worldwide certification for accountants, and it covers everything from taxes to financial reporting. It’s great for anyone interested in accounting or audit work.

  • You’ll start with a foundation exam and then work your way up.
  • It’s a bit of a long haul, usually 2-3 years, but it sets you up for a solid accounting career globally.

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) – Entry Level

The CMA is perfect if you’re interested in business strategy or corporate finance. It’s all about financial management, planning, and budgeting.

  • You’ll have to pass two exams, and you’ll probably need a few months of prep for each one.
  • It’s a great cert if you’re aiming for a career in corporate finance or management.

QuickBooks Certification

This one’s for anyone interested in accounting for small businesses or startups.

  • The QuickBooks Certification teaches you how to handle basic bookkeeping, payroll, and financial reports.
  • It’s cheap and quick, taking just a couple of weeks.
  • It’s among the few financial certifications with minimal experience required—just basic accounting knowledge.

Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM)

If you’re into performance evaluation or asset management, the CIPM is a great cert to add to your list.

  • It’s all about measuring investment returns and analyzing risks.
  • It takes two exams, and you’ll need to spend about 150 hours preparing for each one.

The CIMP is among the most suggested finance certifications for early career professionals in asset management or performance analysis.

FINRA Series 7 License

The Series 7 is one of the top certifications for finance undergraduates in brokerage or financial advisory.

  • It covers everything from stocks to bonds and customer relations.
  • The exam is tough, and you’ll need a couple of months of study to pass it.

Financial Risk Manager (FRM) – Part 1

The FRM is perfect for anyone who loves numbers and wants to dive into risk management.

  • Part 1 of the examination focuses on financial risks like market and credit risks, and it’s pretty math-heavy.
  • You’ll need to dedicate around 300+ hours to studying, but it’s a great cert if you’re looking to work in finance or risk management.

How to Choose the Right Entry-Level Financial Certification

With so many entry-level financial certifications available, how do you find the right one?

Think about your career goals.

Consider your interests and long-term goals. Do you want to work in investment, financial planning, accounting, or risk management? Pick a certification that matches the career you want.

Match certifications to job roles.

Different certifications help with different job roles. For example, if you want to be a financial analyst, look for certifications related to investing and analysis. If you want to be a financial planner, find certifications focused on planning and advising.

Consider time and cost.

Certifications take time and money, so think about how much you’re willing to commit. Some require months of study, while others are quicker and more affordable.

Combine certifications with real experience.

Certifications for starting a finance career are great, but real-world experience is key. Try to get an internship or practical experience in the finance field to boost your chances of landing a job.

The Value of Gaining Certifications Early in Your Career

Becoming certified ahead of time makes you more appealing to employers as it puts you ahead of other applicants who may not possess the same abilities. And certifications can also enable you to learn quicker on the job so that you can advance to higher-level positions sooner.

And don’t miss the networking! Most certification programs include access to events, career fairs, and professional organizations. It’s an excellent way to connect with industry leaders, gain mentors, and even find potential employers.

Conclusion

Earning financial certifications to boost employability is a smart strategy, especially in today’s increasingly competitive market. Here’s a quick recap of the top 10 entry-level financial certifications for undergraduate students:

  1. FINRA Series 6 License
  2. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1
  3. Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) Certification
  4. Certified Financial Planner (CFP) – Education Requirement
  5. Chartered Accountant (CA) – Foundation Level
  6. Certified Management Accountant (CMA) – Entry Level
  7. QuickBooks Certification
  8. Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM)
  9. FINRA Series 7 License
  10. Financial Risk Manager (FRM) – Part 1

These certifications give you useful skills, improve your resume, and open up career opportunities. However, they’re most effective when paired with real-world experience. It’s also important to choose certifications that align with your long-term career goals.

So, take the time to explore!

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