Well-rounded financial professionals
AS the financial environment of the modern world has changed considerably in the last few decades, the current crop of finance professionals must stay abreast of new technology, trends, strategies and regulations to ensure they are able to not only provide informed financial advice to the companies they serve but become potential leaders.
The emergence of small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups has added another dimension to the business ecosystem and it is not unheard of for finance professionals to make a career switch from a corporate setting to a start-up or vice versa.
However, along with change in nature and size of a business, the variety and scale of tasks of each job differ.
Dr Zahir Osman, senior lecturer and Master of Business Administration programme director at Open University Malaysia (OUM), believes pursuing further study will prepare finance professionals for the possible challenges they will encounter in their career as well as those who intend to make a career transition.
He says, “Big or small, all companies have a set of financial needs to fulfil and the end objectives will still be the same. However, big companies have an advantage over SMEs as they are likely to have more financing options.
“For example, larger firms deal with a higher volume of assets, enabling them to secure business loans from a bank more easily. It is easier to secure such financial solutions as they are generally viewed to be less risky compared to smaller companies.”
He adds that start-ups and SMEs, on the other hand, would often rely on the proprietors to take personal loans, mortgages or debt financing instead of equity financing to help carry out their activities.
Due to these differences, finance-focused postgraduate programmes are useful for all.
Financial processes become more complex when one enters a corporate setting, where one needs to be accustomed to the diverse scope of responsibilities.
Conversely, people making the opposite move will have an eye-opening experience as they learn to pay greater attention to challenges that occur at the micro-level.
Despite the perception that entrepreneurs and SMEs are more open to risks, adventurous or ready to grow through trial and error, Dr Zahir believes the knowledge imparted through finance-focused postgraduate programmes complements, if not surpasses, of that learnt through personal experience.
“Formal financial education will help you develop and grow to be more well-rounded and
Through its MBA programmes, OUM strives to provide students with quality education that meets the demands and requirements of the industry.
increase your chances of success in business.
“Individuals may be good in certain aspects of finance, but postgraduate programmes such as an MBA, or even those that major in finance, cover topics such as management and economics that will better prepare students.”
Through its MBA programmes, OUM strives to provide students with quality education that meets the demands and requirements of the industry.
Programmes are developed after thorough industry analysis and with continuous feedback from industry experts.
Dr Zahir is quick to point out that though industry expectation is always changing, the university often reviews its programmes to narrow the knowledge gap that may exist between academic studies and industry demands.
Students who enrol in OUM postgraduate programmes will gain theoretical and practical knowledge under the guidance of tutors who have vast industry experience.
Real-life case studies for group analysis is also a norm in each course, encouraging students to apply their knowledge to better understand how the world works and come up with suitable solutions.
MBA candidates at OUM have the option of majoring in marketing, human resource management, entrepreneurship, project management, project management, conventional finance or Islamic finance.
For more information, visit www.oum.edu.my