Finance Graduate Development Programs: A Comprehensive Overview

Many major corporations offer recent finance graduates the opportunity to fast-track their careers through finance graduate development programs. These programs usually last a year or more and let you rotate through different areas such as financial analysis, treasury analysis and investor relations.¹

By participating in a finance graduate development program, you can gain valuable experience in high-level roles and fast-track your career. You’ll also benefit from networking and mentoring opportunities with established professionals and senior leaders.²

This article will explore finance graduate development programs, including the types of jobs available, the benefits you can gain and the skills you can develop.

In most programs, you’ll rotate through two or more roles during your time with the company. The specific roles will depend on the company, but some types of jobs you may experience include the following.

Data-driven organizations such as banks, investment firms, and insurance companies often hire financial analysts to recommend investments or identify business opportunities.³

These finance professionals research, advise and oversee corporate transactions, including debt and equity and mergers and acquisitions.⁴

A risk management associate oversees internal risk management policies and other control procedures for a company. You’ll need to complete three courses to obtain the official certification.⁵

If you rotate into this position, you may get hands-on experience in financial analysis, budgeting and forecasting, data entry and maintenance, and helping with capital investment decisions.⁶

While you’ll work with business finances in many other positions, as a wealth management associate, you may be working directly with clients to build relationships and advise them on how to best grow and manage their wealth.⁷

Although earning an advanced degree is an excellent starting point for launching your career as a business leader, working in a finance graduate development program can help you advance faster than you would with a graduate degree alone.⁸

These programs are designed to train an organization’s future leaders. They offer a competitive salary and benefits usually higher than those provided by entry-level positions. You’ll have direct access to senior-level leadership and professional learning and development opportunities.⁸

Your program will give you the chance to learn from the best and demonstrate your leadership potential on the job. Since these talent development programs are intended to serve as a training ground for the organization’s future leaders, they can open up doors to full-time jobs post-completion.⁸

Whether you choose to stay with the company after you complete the program or not, you’ll develop an extensive professional network in the industry. These connections will be valuable throughout your career.⁸

When you participate in a finance graduate development program, you’ll gain experience with jobs it might otherwise take you years to work your way up to in an organization. Although the specifics will vary depending on what roles you rotate through, you can expect to develop the following skills during your program.

You’ll gain real-world experience and build your technical skills as you work in different roles. In many programs, you’ll participate in a structured training program that’s designed to equip you with specific technical skills.

You can expect to learn or improve on skills such as:⁹

• Financial analysis
• Data analysis
• Financial modeling
• Investment evaluation
• Risk management
• Regulatory compliance
• Financial reporting 

A finance graduate program will also help you develop the soft skills you’ll need throughout your career. For some people, these skills come naturally, but everyone can work on developing them. Although they’re harder to measure, soft skills are critical for your career success. You’ll be able to see successful professionals modeling skills such as communication, leadership, critical thinking, cultural awareness, empathy and adaptability.

Working closely with finance leaders will expose you to industry knowledge you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. You’ll see how industry insiders gain and use their knowledge on market reports and trends, compliance and government regulatory requirements and ethical standards.⁸

Many corporations offer a graduate program in finance, not just financial institutions. If you want to enter a specific industry, look into the large corporations operating in that space. All businesses need financial expertise.

However, many of the top companies that host finance graduate development programs are financial organizations, including the following:

• JPMorgan Chase Global early-career program¹⁰
• Goldman Sachs New Analyst Program¹¹ 
• Citi early-career programs¹²
• Barclays graduate programmes¹³

The training you’ll receive as part of a finance graduate development program is specifically designed to develop future leaders. It’s much more extensive than the type of training you’d get if you were to take an entry-level position with the same company.¹⁴

You’ll already have a foot in the door, so you’ll be ideally situated to receive a permanent offer from the organization. Many businesses use their development programs to recruit their next leaders. Cigna’s current CEO, for example, graduated from the company’s financial leadership development program.²

Which type of career development is best for you? Consider this roundup of the differences and similarities between a finance graduate development program and a master’s program in finance.

Structure and Format:

• Typically company-sponsored, often designed for recent graduates or early-career professionals
• May include rotations through various departments within a finance organization
• Emphasis on on-the-job training, mentorship and leadership development
• Typically 1-2 years in duration

Focus and Content:

• Practical, hands-on experience in different areas of finance, such as corporate finance, risk management and financial planning
• Skills development aligned with the company’s specific needs and culture
• Often includes networking opportunities within the company and industry

Outcome and Career Impact:

• Direct pathway to leadership roles within the sponsoring company
• Typically leads to a higher likelihood of retention and promotion within the organization
• Builds company-specific expertise and internal networks

Structure and Format:

• Academic degree offered by universities
• Comprehensive curriculum covering a wide range of finance topics, both theoretical and applied
• Can be completed full-time or part-time, typically over 1-2 years
• May offer specializations in areas such as investment banking, financial analysis and risk management

Focus and Content:

• In-depth theoretical knowledge and advanced analytical skills
• Courses may include corporate finance, financial modeling, quantitative methods and financial markets
• Often includes projects, internships and research opportunities

Outcome and Career Impact:

• Opens up various career paths in finance, including roles in investment banking, asset management, consulting and academia
• Valued credential in the finance industry, enhancing credibility and employability across diverse organizations
• Provides a broad understanding of finance applicable to any company, not just one

Both pathways offer unique advantages and can significantly enhance your finance career, depending on your personal career goals and learning preferences.

Consider a Finance Graduate Development Program if:

• You prefer practical, hands-on learning within a single organization
• You’re looking to quickly climb the corporate ladder within a specific company
• Strong internal career growth and mentorship appeal to you

Consider a Master’s in Finance if:

• You desire a deeper, theoretical understanding of finance principles
• You want flexibility in career options across various sectors
• You aim for roles that require advanced analytical and technical finance skills

Take your finance skills and knowledge to the next level with William & Mary’s Online Master’s in Finance (MSF) program. Our rigorous curriculum will give you the industry and analytical expertise you need to lead global businesses. You’ll also build a strong network of peers and mentors throughout your program.

As a bonus, when you choose William & Mary’s Online MSF program, you have the opportunity to graduate with both your master’s degree and a specialized finance certificate—either a Corporate Finance certificate or an Investment Management certificate—in as few as 16 months. Earn two credentials and get a deep dive into finance more quickly and thoroughly than you would with a typical MBA.

Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today to learn how you can get started.