MS Blog

Masters in Accounting vs Masters in Taxation: Which is Right for You?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 16:58:40 +0000

Masters in Accounting vs Masters in Taxation: Which is Right for You? Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/25/2023 - 10:58

Here’s how to know whether accounting or taxation is the right next step for your career.

When you’re ready to advance your career in accounting or taxation, there are different options for continuing your education. At the Leeds School of Business, the Masters in Accounting and Masters in Taxation are related programs. Both are grounded in a common core curriculum but evolve into two different areas of focus. Here’s a guide to know which path is the right one for you.

The Masters in Accounting at Leeds

The MS Accounting degree at Leeds teaches students strategic thinking and decision-making skills in accounting principles, auditing standards, financial accounting, corporate taxation, and financial reporting systems.

Within the electives of the MS Accounting degree, Leeds offers several opportunities to access data analytics courses, ESG reporting, and more.

A degree in accounting opens the door to career opportunities in audit, assurance, risk management, consulting, financial planning, and analysis. While a Masters in Accounting doesn’t in and of itself result in eligibility to take the CPA Exam, we do offer the courses needed to satisfy the requirements.

Leeds graduates with an MS in Accounting have a proven track record of succeeding on the CPA exam.

Masters in Accounting curriculum

The Leeds MS Accouting program gives students the opportunity to learn in the classroom and in the real world. A majority of MS Accounting student participate in paid internships during the accounting busy-season to help them connect classroom theories with real-world experience and bolster their resumes.

In the classroom, students take a variety of courses, including:

Advanced Business Law
Corporate Taxation
Auditing and Assurance Services
Business Risk & Decision Analysis in Auditing
Advanced Financial Accounting
Current Issues in Professional Accounting (Ethics)

Students can further specialize their Masters in Accounting by choosing from a variety of electives:

Financial Statement Analysis
Accounting Information Systems
Data Analytics for Accounting
Social Responsibility Reporting (ESG)
Textual Analysis in Business
Business Analytics

Masters in Accounting salary and careers

Careers with a Masters in Accounting including auditors, accountants, consultants, CPAs, financial analytics, and more. Graduates from the MS Accounting from the Leeds School of Business have found opportunities with public accounting firms, divisions within a variety of companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with a Masters in Accounting earn between $44,000 and upward of $124,000 a year, with the national average being around $72,000.

The Masters in Taxation at Leeds

For those who are more interested in the taxation elements of accounting, the Masters in Taxation provides tailored courses. In a partnership with the CU Law School, tax courses focus on legal and regulatory factors to help students gain an interdisciplinary knowledge of tax law and practice.

Students are prepared to conduct an audit, make strategic tax decisions, and research and write about taxation of individuals and corporations. These in-demand skills ensure that students graduate with an understanding of how to analyze and evaluate tax implications and transitions.

Masters in Taxation curriculum

The MS Taxation program at Leeds is very unique in that 3 of the 10 courses are Law School courses at the University of Colorado. Additionally, the primary MS Taxation elective brings Law School students to Leeds.

The core curriculum of the Masters in Taxation includes:

Advanced Business Law
Taxation of Business Entities
Auditing and Assurance Servicees
Business Risk and Decision Analysis in Audition
Research and Writing in Income Taxation
Taxation of Partnerships (Law School)
Income Taxation (Law School)
Taxation of Corporations (Law School)
International Taxation

Masters in Taxation salary and careers

Opportunities for professionals with MS Taxation degrees have never been greater. Graduates from the program have found tax related jobs with the IRS, prominent accounting firms, nonprofits, and private enterprises.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with a Masters in Taxation earn between $51,000 and upward of $130,000 a year, with the national average being around $90,000.

***

With either a Masters in Accounting or a Masters in Taxation, you will set your career on an exciting path. To learn more about the programs at Leeds, explore the program page.

Traditional

White

Find the Best Masters in Accounting Programs for You

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 16:46:30 +0000

Find the Best Masters in Accounting Programs for You Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/25/2023 - 10:46

There are many Masters in Accounting programs around the country. Even with major news outlets coming out with rankings of the best Masters in Accounting programs every year, how do you know which one is the right fit for you? Here are several ways you can find the best Masters in Accounting programs for your career goals.

Masters degree in accounting location and timing

One of the biggest factors in picking the best Masters in Accounting program for you is to consider how long the degree will take to complete and where you will have to study. For some students, moving to another state is feasible, while for other students, staying close to home is important.

Similarly, some programs take two years, while others only take one. Shorter programs will provide a fast-paced learning environment that can be beneficial if you want to start your career more quickly. Longer programs, on the other hand, provide more time to study and connect with faculty.

Some Masters in Accounting programs also provide undergraduate finance and accounting students an accelerated pathway to the graduate degree. This option usually gives undergrads the ability to take Master’s courses in their junior or senior year. By doing this, students can usually save time and/or money while completing both degrees.

Consider the curriculum for a Masters in Accounting

Because MS Accounting programs can differ significantly in terms of curriculum, reviewing the required courses and specialization options are important to making a choice about the best Masters in Accounting for your needs.

Most programs cover elements of audit, assurance, risk management, ethics, analysis, and tax law. Reviewing the classes offered will give you insight into the balance and specific focus of the program.

For example, the Leeds School of Business MS in Accounting program has a wide variety of classes that prepare students for in-demand jobs and to take the CPA exam:

Advanced Business Law
Advanced Financial Accounting
Taxation of Business Entities
Auditing and Assurance Services
Business Risk & Decision Analysis in Auditing
Current Issues in Professional Accounting (Ethics)
Financial Statement Analysis
Accounting Information Systems
Data Analytics for Accounting
Social Responsibility Reporting (ESG)
Oil and Gas Accounting
Business Analytics
Textual Analysis in Business

Another element of curriculum to take into consideration is whether there are any specializations you want to pursue. For example, programs might offer additional courses to further prepare you for careers in international accounting, taxation, bookkeeping, or forensic accounting. At Leeds, there is a separate and distinct MS Taxation degree that will prepare students to work with the IRS, nonprofits, and accounting firms.

Career paths for Masters in Accounting graduates

A Masters degree in accounting sets students up to pursue a career as accountant, auditor, consultant, treasurer, CPA, financial planner and analyst, and more. When looking for the best MS in Accounting program for you, it’s worth considering what internship opportunities and company connections exist at the school.

Some universities will help students find internships for pay and school credit. This helps with building a strong resume and getting a foot in the door at future employers. For example, at Leeds, over 80% of students work with accounting organizations during the busy season or summer to prepare for their career.

Researching where recent graduates from the program work and how involved alumni are with the program. Having opportunities to network with alumni and companies that you’re interested in working with can help you figure out how to prepare to apply to the company and build connections in the industry.

***

As you narrow down which Masters in Accounting program is best for you, explore the what the Leeds MS Accounting or MS Taxation programs have to offer.

Traditional

White

Everything to Know about the BAM Program in Accounting and Taxation

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 16:40:41 +0000

Everything to Know about the BAM Program in Accounting and Taxation Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/25/2023 - 10:40

The bachelor’s accelerated master’s (BAM) program in Accounting or Taxation allows current CU undergraduate finance and accounting students to complete their bachelors and masters degrees in four-and-a-half to five years at a reduced tuition rate. Here’s a deeper dive into the value of this accelerated program.

Who is the BAM program in Accounting designed for?

The BAM program is designed for current Leeds Undergraduate students who are studying finance, accounting, or both as their area of emphasis. The program allows undergraduate students to take masters level courses while they are still working on completing their undergraduate degree. For students who are planning on getting an MS in Accounting or MS in Taxation, the BAM program allows them to minimize the time that they are in school and save tuition dollars. Instead of a traditional two-year master’s program, students in the BAM program will be able to graduate with their masters within a year after finishing their undergraduate degrees.

How does the BAM program in Accounting work?

Students in the BAM program will be able to take up to four MS courses while they are working on their undergraduate degree. This adds up to a potential total of 12 credit hours that count towards the 30 credit hours required for a master’s degree. Additionally, three of those courses can replace upper-division undergraduate degree requirements, meaning students aren’t taking a series of additional courses.

After graduating with an undergraduate degree, students are automatically a part of the master’s program at Leeds, where they can then complete the remaining MS coursework.

Interested students should talk to their academic advisors during their junior year. All BAM programs at CU require the student to have at least a 3.0 GPA and the completion of all MAPS requirements, although program-specific requirements will also apply.

What are the additional benefits of the BAM program in Accounting?

Beyond allowing students to finish their degree in less time, there are several key benefits of the program.

Financial Savings

Because students are taking up to 12 credit hours of their master’s degree during their undergraduate career, the credits are billed at the undergraduate rate. This means that students are able to save on tuition for close to half of the required MS credits.

Preparation for the CPA

Receiving your MS in Accounting or Taxation will prepare you for the CPA. As of the last publication of the AICPA’s pass rates, the CPA exam pass rate for MS Accounting and Taxation students from the Leeds School of Business exceeded the national average by over 10%.

In Colorado, the CPA requires that you have taken 150 credit hours. By taking accounting courses at both an undergraduate and graduate level, students will be able to meet this requirement. Be sure to work with your academic advisor to ensure you have taken enough credits before graduation.

Opening new Career Paths

Many graduates begin careers with public accounting firms in audit, tax or business services. Other students will be able to access careers in information management, tax, consulting, or compliance. Completing an MS in Accounting will also open doors in financial/wealth management, government agencies like the IRS, and non-profit organizations.

Traditional

White

Data Analytics Best Practices: Best Machine Learning Model for Sparse Data

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 17:29:57 +0000

Data Analytics Best Practices: Best Machine Learning Model for Sparse Data Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/24/2023 - 10:29

Sparse data can impact the effectiveness of machine learning models. As students and experts alike experiment with diverse datasets, sparse data poses a challenge. The Leeds Master’s in Business Analytics teaches students how to manage different types of data and use the learnings from models to make business decisions. In order to make the best decisions from data, the predictive models used must be accurate, which means that learning how to handle sparse data is critical.

What is sparse data?

Sparsity occurs in matrices where most of the cells in the matrix are empty. Here’s a simple example. You asked every person who came into a movie theater one day to rate each movie they saw on a scale from 1 to 5 or to mark a zero if they hadn’t seen the movie. You would expect to have a data set with lots of empties because most people only saw and rated one movie at the theater. Because of the high number of missing data in the dataset, this would be considered a sparse dataset.

This sort of sparse data often occurs in scenarios when zero or a null (a word that denotes a “vacuum”) is used to represent information in the dataset. We simply do not know what they would think of the movies they have not seen.

This also demonstrates the difference between sparse and missing data. Sparse data is still representing something within the variables. Missing data, however, means that the data points are unknown.

Challenges in machine learning with sparse data

There are several problems in using sparse data to train a machine learning model. If the data is too sparse, it can increase the complexity of the machine learning model. This means that the model will take up more storage space and take longer to process.

Beyond this, there are several other challenges that appear with sparse data. First is lack of representativeness. Sparse data might not accurately represent the distribution of the data, which can lead to worse performance in the trained model. Overfittting is another issue. A model trained on sparse data is more likely to overfit to the limited data. This means that the model will struggle to generalize new data when given new data.

Likewise, the model can behave in unexpected ways when provided a sparse dataset. Certain models might underestimate the importance of sparse variables and give preference to denser variables, in other words, variables with more non-zero datapoints. This can happen even when the sparse data might be more predictive.

Best machine learning model for sparse data

To help combat these issues that arise with sparse data machine learning, there are a few things to do.

First, because of the noise in the model, it’s important to limit variables with sparse data before “training” the training set. Second, it’s helpful to find ways to make it denser. For example, using principal component analysis or feature hashing. Both of these practices help to remove unnecessary variables in the training set to help the model perform better.

Most importantly, it helps to pick a machine learning model that will work better with sparse data. Linear regression and tree-based models are both at risk for needing more memory space and taking longer to process. Linear regression runs into this issue because it needs to fit more coefficients, while tree-based models need a greater depth to incorporate all of the variables.

Tree-based models also struggle to equally weigh denser data with sparser data. This means that a tree-based model might leave out a highly-predictive variable because it gives preference to the denser variables.

If tree-based models and linear regression struggle, then what is the right fit? While no one model is designed to be the fix for sparse data, studies suggest that there are a few models that are performing well with limited data.

For example an entropy-weighted k-means algorithm performed better with sparse data than its standard k-means counterpart. It does this by weighting different variables to ensure that the most predictive aren’t excluded because of being sparse. Ensemble SINDy works by reducing noise in the data to prevent overfitting. And the Lasso algorithm has been shown to better apply sparse datasets to real world samples because it is able to work through which variables are impacting each other within the model.

As machine learning evolves, more variations of machine learning models will be developed and tested on sparse data. Students and professionals using the skills learned in a master’s in business analytics can help to discover and refine these models, and ultimately use them to inform critical business decisions.

Traditional

White

How a Leeds Master’s of Science in Real Estate Advances Your Career

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 19:51:28 +0000

How a Leeds Master’s of Science in Real Estate Advances Your Career Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 01/12/2023 - 12:51

Want to take your real estate career to the next level? Maybe it’s time to consider a Master's in Real Estate—and discover all the career opportunities waiting for you.

Find out how a graduate degree from the Leeds School of Business prepares students for exciting careers in commercial real estate ranging from real estate development to traditional roles like sales, leasing and marketing—in just 9 months. Also discover the integral role of the CU Real Estate Center with co-curricular learning opportunities, job placement support and networking events.

1. Real Estate Development and Other Career Opportunities in Commercial Real Estate

People who gravitate towards commercial real estate and real estate development get excited about topics ranging from real estate investments to zoning ordinances and economic real estate projections—to the acquisition and selling of office and retail space, development projects with industrial and mixed-use properties—to legislative topics dictating affordable housing provisions in multi-million-dollar developments. [Source: commercial real estate development association]

QUESTION: How do people find exciting jobs that feed these interests?

Let’s take the mystery out of landing real estate development jobs. For some people, commercial real estate jobs fall right into their lap. But for those who cannot wait, it makes sense to fast track their career with a Masters in Real Estate. Here are some of the valuable skills that come with an advanced degree in real estate.

Land Use Law
Quantitative Financial Analysis
Complex Valuation Techniques
Asset Management
Investment and Risk Management
Data Analytics
Business Leadership

Alumni Success

Brooke Rose

Acquisitions Associate, Ares Industrial Management

"My experience as a MSRE student was meaningful and worthwhile. I am proud to be an alumni of the MSRE program."

2. Sample job titles with a Master’s in Real Estate from the Leeds School of Business.

A real estate career is more than just selling residential homes with white picket fences and buying trendy commercial properties. Here are some additional real estate jobs you may have overlooked. Proof that a real estate career can take you in many new and exciting directions and with rewarding returns on salary.

Financing, Lending, Capital Markets
RE Investment/Acquisitions
Portfolio Management
Operations and Asset Management
Asset/Property Valuation
Real Estate Development
Sales, Leasing and Marketing

Download the Master's In Real Estate Career Sheet to learn more about the career opportunities connected with the MSRE program.

Alumni Success

CJ Montante

CEO, Terzo Development Company

"CU Boulder’s MSRE program was exactly what I was looking for and then some. Not only did I feel confident in my real estate skills upon graduation, but I left with a network and connections that are still paying dividends in my career today."

3. Resources to prepare you for a career in Commercial Real Estate, Leeds' Centers of Excellence—interdisciplinary research, academic and industry specific resources structured for each of our five business disciplines.

At the Leeds School of Business, we care about helping students advance their business careers. Leeds provides students a unique collection of experiential tools through our Academic Centers of Excellence—designed to enhance the student academic experience through experiential learning, academic research, community engagement and industry exposure.

Mentors and business professionals at the CU Real Estate Center (CUREC) help students transfer classroom concepts into real world solutions by working on real projects attached to real budgets. Our world-class Center also hosts national competitions that test the skills and knowledge students acquire through this rigorous program.

CUREC provides research tools and training courses like Advanced Excel, ARGUS and USGBC LEED certification—all of which ensure our students’ resumes stand out during the job search. The right mix of certifications and academic training prepare students to work in today’s top-ranked real estate firms in the world.

To round out the academic experience, students are connected to a professional network of developers, investors and real estate managers. Exposure to these industry professionals at networking events boosts their knowledge of trending topics. This in turn arms students with the confidence to discuss industry challenges and devise feasible solutions. Plus, the Center hosts the region’s premier annual real estate conference and networking event which brings industry leaders together while introducing students to their future colleagues.
Visit the Center to find out more about internships and job placement to winning the interview and landing the job.

Industry Engagement Events

Careers in RE Events (Roadshows, NAIOP)
International Advisory Board Meetings
CUREC Events- Annual RE Forum Holiday Event
Alumni Meet & Greet

Mentoring/Support

Internship/Placement Committee (MSRE & MBA)
Introductions to Industry (MSRE & MBA)
Mentor Program (MBA students)

Real Estate Focused Recruitment Fairs

Fall Event
Two Spring Events

“Over 90% of graduates from CU Real Estate programs are placed in full-time real estate jobs within 90 days of graduation,”

said Executive Director Michael Kercheval CU Real Estate Center.

4. Job search timeline

HR Departments start recruiting job candidates as early as August. For this reason, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your Graduate Career Management advisor around the time orientation ends. Use this time to discuss job search strategies and build an individualized timeline to land your dream job.

Job Placement Examples from Leeds MS Real Estate:

Real Capital Solutions
Tangible Wealth Solutions
H2 Properties
OZ Architecture
Council Oak Investment Company
Mileander White
McWhinney
National Valuation Consultants, Inc.
ProLogis
Greystar

UDR
Schnitzer West
US Bank
Vail Resorts Management Company
DR Horton
Ares Management
CBRE
Cushman Wakefield
Brookfield Properties

Alumni Success

Joe Donadio

Director of Commercial Leasing and Retail Real Estate, Vail Resorts

"The CU MSRE program provided me with a great foundation for professional success in today's real estate industry through the combination of financial and development courses offered."

Alumni Success

Simon Egerton

Business Development Associate, Piper Sandler & Co.

"The teaching and support of the CUREC and MSRE program gave me the understanding and skills that I needed to be successful and adaptable in my career. I am forever thankful for my experience, and know I will continue to leverage it for years to come."

Want to learn more about the Leeds School of Business MS in Real Estate and discover how we set graduates up for career success? Request information about the MSRE program here.

Traditional

White

Business Analytics Careers: Find the Right Track for You

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 22:39:57 +0000

Business Analytics Careers: Find the Right Track for You Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 01/05/2023 - 15:39

Want to take charge of your career? A Master’s in Business Analytics program that provides graduates with the skills to analyze complex data sets and deliver analysis to decision-makers can support your career goals and salary aspirations.

Find out how MSBA programs at Leeds blend technical analytics skills with computer science, operations, marketing, and statistics. Here we share the reasons why our program helps students stand out from the crowd when they pursue rewarding careers in business analytics.

Sample job titles with a Master’s in Business Analytics:

Regardless of the current economic climate, the job market is bustling with a wide range of business analytics career opportunities. Reports suggest there are not nearly enough people to fill all the tech jobs—especially those focused on data and analytics for decision making.

High demand for jobs in this category is expected to continue, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, (BLS) top 20 fastest growing jobs report. The Operations Research Analysts job outlook is expected to grow “much faster than average” at 23 percent, through 2031, according to BLS.

*New job titles continue to emerge in the business analytics field. Here is the short list.

Lead Analyst
Data Strategist
Statistical Analyst
Marketing Analyst
Supply Chain Analyst
Management Consulting
Healthcare Business Analyst
Clinical (Healthcare) Data Analyst
Healthcare Modeler

Review the Leeds Masters in Business Analytics Career Success Page to see which companies hire people with an advanced degree. Want more insight about Business Analytics Careers? Visit our blog on Business Analytics Careers.

Academic resources to prepare you for a career in Business Analytics

At the Leeds School of Business, our instructors help students advance their business careers solving some of today’s most complex data problems.

Our extensive curriculum in the Master’s in Business Analytics program offers four distinct tracks.

Marketing and Advertising
Decision Science
Healthcare Analytics
Security Analytics

Want more info about these specialties? Download the MS in Business Analytics fact sheet.

While our rigorous academic program prepares students with the technical, quantitative, and statistically intensive skills needed in business analytics jobs, we don’t stop there.

The program also prepares students by providing access to industry professionals and events through our Centers of Excellence — created to enhance the student academic experience through experiential learning, academic research, community engagement and industry exposure.

Sample functional areas in Master’s in Business Analytics:

Careers in business analytics span a variety of roles and functions. Nearly every industry from healthcare and high-tech companies to aerospace, transportation, telecom, higher education and government hire business analytics professionals. Depending on your business specialty, people who work in business analytics can look forward to a long and prosperous career across many industries.

Whether you’re intrigued how data analytics helps solve supply chain issues, provides clues about customer buying behavior or improves healthcare outcomes and data security, here are some ways to apply the skills acquired from a Master’s in Business Analytics.

Marketing Data Analyst—Use complex data models to interpret and forecast buyer behavior. Run A/B testing to measure marketing campaign strategy effectiveness.
Operations Research Analyst— Collect data and create mathematical models that identify inefficiencies. Identify ways to improve manufacturing production processes to employee productivity.
Computer Analyst—Use data to track performance of hardware and software. Monitor security systems that protect customer data and internal data from hackers and other threats.
Statistician—Develop models to extrapolate information from large data sets. Use quantitative analysis to translate and summarize data into reports used by decision makers and key stakeholders.
Quantitative Analyst-Develop mathematical models used for financial analysis. Help businesses lower risks and increase revenue by identifying patterns and providing solutions.

Having strong skills like problem solving, communication, and project management proves beneficial in data analytics roles. [Sources: Indeed.com Informs.org BLS]

Key job skills required for work in Business Analytics:

Executive leadership relies on analytics experts to develop business models that identify revenue draining inefficiencies so they can improve operations that drive strong profit margins. Without robust data analytics reporting, it leaves decision makers guessing at how to solve problems. Because data alone cannot solve complex business problems. Believe it or not, humans play an integral role in complex problem solving thanks to the help of trusted technology.

Data analytics professionals run reports and translate random data sets into valuable information that often reveals costly and disruptive patterns that require corrective actions. Executive leadership relies on this information to optimize business operations and hit revenue projections.

Skills you need – at a glance

Define and capture data
Develop statistical models to interpret market data
Write software programs that perform customized functions
Create databases for electronic data storage
Machine learning (Python and R)
Prepare analytical reports from data sets
Translate data into useful information
Develop communication procedures and reporting methods
Deliver reports to decision makers and peers

[Source: O-Net & Leeds MS Business Analytics Curriculum)

Business Analytics Job Search Timeline:

Corporations have varying recruiting timelines and start as early as August. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to set up an appointment with a Graduate Career Management team member soon after orientation concludes to discuss strategy and create an individualized timeline.

Learn more about the Leeds School of Business Master’s in Business Analytics and our graduates’ career success.

Traditional

White

Investment Management Career Opportunities With a Master’s in Finance

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Investment Management Career Opportunities With a Master’s in Finance Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 12/13/2022 - 00:00

How a Leeds Master’s in Finance prepares you for a career in finance.

Want to discover which investment management jobs you could land with a Master’s in Finance? Here we share resources to help steer your career in finance—and help you discover which educational path might work for you. Plus, see how to refine the job search process so it matches your career and educational goals.

1. Investment Management and Other Career Opportunities in Finance.

When it comes to a finance career, investment management jobs grab all the attention. We can thank Hollywood for adding so much flavor to the ordinary lives of stockbrokers and portfolio managers. But the allure doesn’t stop there, especially when investment management leaders rise to the top and claim prestigious corner office job titles like Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. [Source: OpsDog]

No doubt, investment management jobs are popular, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. At Leeds School of Business, we offer two tracks in our Master’s in Finance program—investment management and corporate finance and consulting. We encourage you to explore our curriculum page to compare both tracks.

Taking the corporate finance track offers an extensive variety of jobs that you may not have even considered. Take the non-profit sector and its reliance on financial planning and portfolio management—to roles in real estate finance, insurance, and venture capital, to lucrative careers in FinTech or international investment management & advisory.

Bottom line. The finance profession offers plenty of rewarding career options across many industry segments and with opportunities located throughout the world. [Source: CFI]

2. Sample job titles with a Master’s in Finance

To save time during a job search, it helps to know which job titles recruiters post when looking for candidates with a Master’s in Finance. These include jobs at banks, corporations and institutions. Here’s a shortlist of job titles that match the career path of graduates with advanced finance degrees like a Master’s in Finance.

Investment Banker
Equity Research Associate
Private Wealth Management
Credit Analyst
Financial Analyst
Senior Loan Officer
Financial Planner
Equity Research Associate
Analyst/Manager – Corporate FP&A

[Source: CFI and CU Career Fact Sheet]

3. Resources to prepare you for a career in finance

When comparing different graduate programs, you might wonder how well Leeds prepares its students for the real world. From the beginning, we immerse students into cutting edge technologies and systems used by today’s finance professionals.

The University of Colorado’s Burridge Center for Finance is one of our Finance Department’s greatest assets. That’s because it connects students to our partners who are industry leaders in finance.

Beacon’s Integrated Development Environment
Bloomberg Lab

Students use these connections to build relationships while gaining valuable hands-on experience. Partnerships like this set our curriculum apart from other university finance master’s programs in the United States.

It’s critical that graduate students learn valuable problem-solving skills they can bring into their next job. That’s why Leeds lets students put their hands on powerful technology platforms like Beacon’s Integrated Development Environment--a web-based resource for developers to build, test and deploy applications and analytics. Technology like this prepares people called to FinTech and analytics roles.[EO3]

Leeds also provides students with access to Bloomberg Professional Services which includes the Bloomberg Lab. Here students learn about the inner workings of Bloomberg with access to Bloomberg Terminal. This is your gateway into a curriculum that teaches you how financial markets operate in real time. These innovative trading tools are used by today’s finance professionals—and students at Leeds. Plus, you will gain access to proprietary data and breaking financial news that guides successful decision making on the job.

Leeds offers Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC), a course that prepares students to use over 70 features in the Bloomberg Terminal. Upon completion, students receive Bloomberg Certification credentials, a valuable asset for ambitious finance professionals. Why? Because it shows your demonstrated knowledge.

Take a look at our BMC offering to gain more insight on the many ways Leeds prepares you for an enduring yet rewarding profession in finance.

4. Job search timeline

Want to learn more about the Leeds School of Business MS in Finance and discover how we set graduates up for career success?

Learn More

Alumni Success

Arthur Padilla (MSFin’21)

Debt Management Analyst, Chatham Financial

"I’m inspired by the ever-changing nature of business."

Arthur received his MS in finance because he likes to create forecasting models that predict business success. He also uses data modeling software to identify areas for improvement. Arthur believes that companies with diverse teams perform much better. “I hope we will all be moved to fight for racial equity in our personal, professional and political lives,” he said.

Traditional

White

Data, ethics and AI: Learning about the Leeds MS in Business Analytics

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Data, ethics and AI: Learning about the Leeds MS in Business Analytics Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 02/24/2022 - 00:00

A discussion with Faculty Director Kai Larsen

Looking to pursue a career in business analytics? With constant advancements in technology and analytical tools, the opportunities for harnessing big data continue to grow—as does the value of professionals in this occupation. The Leeds MS in Business Analytics prepares students for a data-driven future rooted in ethical business.

Faculty Director Kai Larsen shared his insights on artificial intelligence in today’s business world and how Leeds is preparing students to harness data and build ethical models that propel businesses forward.

Engineering decisions from data

Designed to imitate the decision-making ability of a human expert, an expert system uses data to solve particular problems. While a consultant on Norwegian banking early in his career, Professor Larsen gained exposure to expert systems and the power of using data to make decisions.

“In those early days, we would interview experts like loan processing officers to build ‘if–then’ statements, and focus on developing systems that built that person’s knowledge into technology,” said Larsen. “So essentially, we were addressing the question of: Can you automate the process of giving loans based on, not the data, but the officer?”

The revolution in analytics that has happened since then, explained Larsen, has been in shifting the focus to collecting, integrating, and analyzing the data about the behavior of consumers before and after receiving loans. Artificial intelligence algorithms, properly configured, take care of the rest.

To Larsen, using analytics in this way means the ability to solve problems in novel ways and fuels efficiency through automated processes. The potential for positive impacts, however, is balanced out by a fair amount of negative possibilities—which is why Larsen finds it crucial that analysts are trained to think critically about data.

Artificial intelligence and consequence ethics

After years of collecting data from algorithms that were created to behave like experts, professionals now have a plethora of evidence they can examine in order to unearth issues and enhance automated systems.

“We have an A.I. model of, for example, who deserves a loan or not. That can be torn apart and examined. Well, it turns out that these algorithms—just like the humans they’re based on—are biased. And that you’ve now automated a biased process.”

Further illustrating the complexity of analytical models, Larsen outlined how a system is comprised of and impacted by both nonexistent and existent data. For example, if loan officers preferred to provide loans to people of a certain race, ethnicity or gender, then the data set and automated system created does not represent the groups of people who were less likely to receive loans.

“Initially, a person might argue that not having that data could be a good thing. So now, those groups of people who didn’t proportionally receive loans can simply apply and the identifying factor that once prevented them from getting a loan, such as their race, ethnicity or gender, can just be omitted from the data—so the algorithm can’t figure out what that identifying factor is.”

However, a society’s systems and all issues within those systems are deeply connected. External influences and circumstances, all rooted in social identities, help construct people’s individual opportunities and realities. For artificial intelligence, this means that omitting an identifying factor from a data set in order to help right a historical wrong is not that simple.

“Depending on your social identities, you will have had different opportunities in life. Maybe you grew up in a certain area because of your race or ethnicity, which impacts the education you received, what career you have and whether or not you own your house. All of these individual data points, from the products you buy to the car you drive, give hints about your social identities. This makes it very difficult to develop algorithms properly and to prevent any unintentional biases.”

In other words, Larsen explained, the more data you have and the more varied that data, the harder it is to create fair algorithms.

The Leeds approach to business analytics

Training students to not only understand the field of business analytics but also the larger issues in the world is what Larsen finds most exciting about his role. As this discipline continues to evolve, he believes it’s crucial to incorporate ethics when teaching tomorrow’s leaders.

“Today, artificial intelligence is changing the things we can do in a way that’s creating all kinds of challenging and interesting situations. So, training students well enough that they can chart a course through these issues is to me the exciting part. It’s no longer just about training them to be able to create artificial intelligence solutions—it’s about also training them to do so ethically.”

The Leeds MS in Business Analytics is a ten-month program, where students can choose to learn on campus or online. Shaping students into data experts, the program first teaches how to capture, analyze and translate data sets for actionable insights, before diving into artificial intelligence and social issues.

“The reality is, we all as human beings have different goals and tasks that we’re trying to carry out, ethical or otherwise. And these algorithms, these approaches, don’t come with ethical guidelines,”

said Larsen.

Fortunately, this grey area is where engineering and social sciences are coming together in unprecedented ways. Students in the program can expect to not only become experts in knowing how to deal with data and drive value for businesses, but they can also anticipate being challenged to think critically about the data and its connections to larger world issues.

“We’re not engineers, we’re not computer scientists—that’s not our goal. Our goal is to teach all of these things in the context of business. With every class the students take, it’s about learning the statistics, the machine learning tools and the coding—but always with a goal toward ethical business. It’s also a fairly diverse program, which allows for greater opportunities to talk about social issues.”

Business analysts and their growing value in the workplace

By teaching students the skills necessary to go from data to value, the MS in Business Analytics program at Leeds prepares them to create change in a variety of workplaces—from healthcare to consulting. With this versatile skill set and the growing opportunities for companies to use big data, business analysts have a bright future in the workplace.

“Can you learn how to take all the data that’s available right now in a company, figure out what’s actually important in that data, and create a model in a way that can drive value for a company? That’s how we train our students. But the actual value comes in when a company makes changes based on what you discover from the model.”

To learn more about Faculty Director Kai Larsen’s unique insights and his story, read From Norway to Boulder: A professor’s journey in business analytics.

Traditional

White

From Norway to Boulder: A Professor’s Journey in Business Analytics

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 16:16:57 +0000

From Norway to Boulder: A Professor’s Journey in Business Analytics Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 11/30/2021 - 09:16

How Faculty Director Kai Larsen went from designing banking systems to training tomorrow’s analytics leaders

For Faculty Director Kai Larsen, the future of business analytics presents exciting problem-solving possibilities and challenging questions about ethics. He’s been honing his expertise in analytics for over 30 years, and his unconventional journey lends a world perspective to his teachings. Through his unique professional experiences and insights on this dynamic discipline, he’s training students to drive value in the workplace.

The problem-solving possibilities of analytics

At the beginning of his analytics career, Professor Larsen served as a consultant in bringing Norwegian banking into the future. His work helped create the first Norwegian Internet banking system, as well as a central billing system—which altered the way people received bills in the mail and automated their payment process.

“Instead of a bill per day, all bills would arrive in one envelope every two weeks,” said Larsen. “If you did nothing, then they would just get paid. So that’s sort of a case of automating an existing process and making it easier.”

Using analytics to design automated systems was an exciting combination for Larsen, and it meant the ability to solve problems in a way that hadn’t been possible before.

“To me, it was always about innovating processes—automating and innovating,” said Larsen. “So, can you take something people are doing and make it way easier? Analytics and artificial intelligence is just one more really cool toolset for tackling processes and problems."

An introduction to machine learning

While a consultant in Norway, Larsen began working on expert systems and automating processes that normally require human expertise. By interviewing area experts, such as loan processing officers, he was then able to create enormous collections of ‘if–then’ statements based on their knowledge. This would serve as a foundation for automating these processes with machine learning.

“If someone walked in asking for a business loan, a loan processing officer would follow up with a set of questions. At the end of those questions, that officer would then say if you could get a loan or not. So, what we would focus on there was developing systems that built that expert’s knowledge into technology. These ‘expert systems’ were expensive to build, and it was never quite clear whether automating past processes would lead to fair and correct answers.”

Shortly after his consulting work on expert systems in Norway, Larsen moved to the U.S. to pursue a PhD. At that time, he became more familiar with machine learning, its role in cutting the individual expert out of the process, and it’s relationship with the human knowledge and biases it’s created from.

Defining systems from data

In using analytics to automate processes, Larsen explained that the method relies upon past evidence, or the history of data, that’s available. That data makes it possible to then determine the guidelines, or rules, that will drive an automated system.

“If you’ve already given out ten thousand loans, then we know how those people who received loans behaved—and we can set up a definition of success or failure,” said Larsen. “So maybe they didn’t make a payment in 60 days, or maybe they paid the whole loan on time. You can define what ‘success’ and ‘failure’ for a system looks like.”

In addition to people’s loan repayment behaviors, all of the collected information about those individuals is also fed into the system—such as purchase history, credit rating, demographic information and more. Using all of this data, an expert—or in automated cases, the algorithm—tries to figure out the ‘rules’ that will drive future decisions, like whether or not someone qualifies for a loan.

“But there’s enormous bias in that decision-making, right? We know for a fact that certain groups of people, often because of their race, ethnicity or gender, have traditionally had a hard time getting loans because of the biases of the loan officers and other systemic issues.”

For Larsen, this question of human biases in analytics and the consequent ethics of machine learning means it’s crucial for students to be properly trained on these issues before they enter this increasingly complex discipline.

“Initially, we were excited about machine learning because we would give that algorithm all the data and it would come up with a ‘model’ that behaved like an expert. But what people often forget in cases like that, is that the machine and its data is still just based off the biased intelligence and social systems it was created from.”

Training tomorrow’s leaders

Now an associate professor and faculty director at Leeds, Larsen puts his expertise to use by preparing future generations in the field. His comprehensive approach to teaching business analytics includes shaping students into experts while incorporating ethics and social issues into their coursework. From the undergraduate Business Analytics Track to the Master’s in Business Analytics program, students are challenged to think critically about data and to create models in ways that glean insights and drive value. The skills that Larsen’s students develop throughout the programs mean that, by the time they graduate, they’re prepared to operate in a variety of business landscapes and to always have an eye for ethical business.

“My classes tend to start very technical at the undergraduate level. First, I teach students all about transforming data and everything they can do. Then, we go into machine learning and how to develop models. They have to have these skills before we can teach them how to use this knowledge ethically. And for our ten-month graduate program, we first make students into business analytics experts and then get more into the social issues in the spring.”

Read more on Data, ethics and AI: Learning about the Leeds MS in Business Analytics to discover more insights on artificial intelligence from Faculty Director Kai Larsen.

Traditional

White

Top 5 Reasons You Should Get a Master’s in Real Estate

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 03:19:55 +0000

Top 5 Reasons You Should Get a Master’s in Real Estate Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/27/2021 - 21:19

What you can do with a MSRE and advance your career in commercial real estate.

It’s an exciting time to be involved in real estate as new technology rapidly transforms the industry landscape. And the advent of iBuyers like Zillow and Opendoor, alongside the digital disruption PropTech is creating industry-wide, provides great opportunity for those interested in entering the field at this moment in time. Getting a master’s degree in real estate will also help propel you as a candidate above the rest because of the cutting-edge skills and preparation an advanced program offers. Almost convinced? Read on to find out our top five reasons why you should pursue an MS in real estate.

1. You’ll have access to a powerful network of industry professionals.

Like most business world interactions, a strong professional network will play a key role in the success of your real estate career. An MS in real estate provides an environment to consistently network with fellow students and build professional connections prior to setting out in the field. You never know if the person sitting next to you will become your future business partner or collaborator. The courses for this degree also provide a channel for the flow of ideas, market knowledge, and sharing differing perspectives, which can lead to future opportunities.

Leeds’ MS in Real Estate program is integrated with the CU Real Estate Center (CUREC) and its international network of established real estate professionals, many who are alumni of Leeds. In addition, CUREC provides access to hundreds of jobs and internships, mentors and career-focused treks to help you achieve your career goals.

CUREC’s International Advisory Board was established to provide a connection between the Center and top real estate executives, national markets and international networks. The international advisory board features members from CBRE, Centennial Realty Advisors, Hines, Conscience Bay Company, Holland & Hart LLP and JLL Capital Markets.

The CU Real Estate Center also connects students with members from the CUREC Council. The council membership organization gathers quarterly and meetings cover everything from market conditions and the latest economic data to CU Boulder updates. Student mentoring, hands on internship and job placement, networking, and industry-engagement opportunities are also discussed.

2. You’ll find and focus your niche.

Real estate has multiple facets and specializations within the field. By pursuing the MS in real estate, you’ll have the opportunity to explore its different areas and hone in on the certain sector(s) that you prefer. The courses incorporate financial, management and operations aspects of real estate to give you a broad overview of the industry and its nuances. With the changes spurred by new technologies, a MSRE program also provides you with the knowledge you need to be a part of reimagining the industry and its impact on global markets.

Learn more about the industry though networking with faculty members, leading professionals and other students. Career treks are becoming increasingly popular. Career treks include visits to several host-businesses and provide students with the opportunity to see and hear first-hand from experienced professionals already working in the industry.

Alumni Success

Jack Mangini (MSRE'20)

CU Real Estate Center’s Academic Achievement Award 2020

I would say the best part of the program is the people. From the teachers and students who make the classes worthwhile, the alumni who offer guidance and mentorships, and the faculty who make it all possible, this program is made truly great by the individuals involved.

3. You can accelerate your path to career success.

Quite possibly the most important reason for choosing to pursue an MS in real estate is the increased speed (and overall time saved) in advancing your career. Instead of having to work up the real estate ladder to hopefully reach a career goal, you’ll slingshot forward by having unique learning and networking opportunities within the program that you may not have otherwise.

This also means you’ll be able to optimize your career potential and increase financial gain sooner while opening doors to even more opportunities from within the field.

4. You’ll be able to actually make a tangible difference in the world.

Real estate touches the lives of every individual on the planet; it’s where you work, live, shop, recreate, worship, educate, etc. Communities are comprised of real estate—buildings and infrastructure, and improving communities improves lives. Being a top-trained professional in the real estate industry provides an unparalleled opportunity to make a positive impact on the world.

To compliment your studies on equitable approaches to real estate it is important to attend workshops and seminars. Universities and academic centers including CU Boulder, the CU Real Estate Center and the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility host webinars and discussions focused on faculty research and community engagement on the topics of equity in commercial real estate.

5. It’s where the jobs are.

More global wealth is invested in real estate than all the world’s stocks and bonds combined, yet the number of real estate investment professionals is a fraction of the total finance and investments workforce. There is also the explosion of PropTech (or Property Technology) that is shaping the industry dramatically through the use of varied technology tools—and creating new jobs and opportunities at the same time.

You can read more about PropTech at Leeds in the article titled "CU Real Estate Center’s Technology Program Invites Major Industry Leaders to Its Virtual Classroom."

Real estate has also been attracting more and more women to its wide array of sectors, from commercial real estate to construction, and many are also stepping into leadership positions in numerous organizations across the industry.

Job Placement Examples from Leeds MS Real Estate

Real Capital Solutions
Tangible Wealth Solutions
H2 Properties
OZ Architecture
Council Oak Investment Company

Learn more about the MS admissions process and the path to a Master’s in Real Estate at the Leeds School of Business.

Traditional

White