Personal finance is a rapidly growing field.
Financial planning and wealth management - a hybrid area of finance and accounting - is diverse, encompassing concepts and techniques used by individuals and businesses to minimize taxes, plan for wealth transfers, form a financial plan, and design savings plans for retirement.
Why Choose George Mason University?
If you are interested in a future as a personal financial specialist or a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) then this concentration is for you. Mason’s financial planning and wealth management curriculum is a CFP® Board registered program, so upon successful completion you’ll be well on your way to sit for CFP® certification. Plus, personal finance is one of the fastest-growing fields in the Washington, D.C. metro area, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to network and gain experience through connections with area professionals.
Learn about asset valuation, estate planning, retirement planning, managing client portfolios, tax management, tax minimization, portfolio construction, financial planning, behavioral finance, and more. Learn more about the financial planning and wealth management curriculum in the University Catalog.
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Careers in Financial Planning and Wealth Management
As the population ages and life expectancies rise, demand for financial planning services should increase – in fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of personal financial advisors is projected to grow 4 percent between 2019 to 2029. Potential occupations include:
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
- Financial Consultant
- Financial Analyst
- Estate Planner
- Personal Financial Advisor
- Portfolio Manager
- Risk Manager
- Tax Consultant
Median annual wages for personal financial advisors in the top industries as of May 2020:
- Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities: $97,020
- Management of companies and enterprises: $88,780
- Insurance carriers and related activities: $76,760
- Credit intermediation and related activities: $75,730
Careers in this field are supported by several professional associations, including:
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Financial Planning Student Chapter
Join Mason’s Financial Planning Student Chapter and directly engage with employers in the area through invited discussions.
Mentorship from Area Experts
Students in the financial planning and wealth management concentration will have the opportunity to meet and network with many CFP® professionals in the Washington, D.C., metro area – many of whom are looking for interns and full-time employees.
Honors Program
The Costello College of Business Honors Program is a great opportunity for high-achieving students to distinguish themselves academically, gain valuable professional experience, and enhance their resume with unique events led by industry professionals. Learn more about the Costello College of Business Honors Program.
Financial Planning and Wealth Management Advisory Board
The financial planning and wealth management concentration is supported by an advisory board comprised of financial planning professionals in the northern Virginia area that directly engage with you and work to connect you to internships and jobs in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. The board also provides assistance for students in the program to attend networking events and job fairs. Board members also help graduates find employment after graduating. Learn more about current advisory board members.