Career in retail investment: BFM courses, eligibility and job roles

If you’re interested in equity markets, investments, trading and portfolio management or banking, a bachelor’s degree in Financial Markets can set you on course for a promising career in retail investment and financial markets.

What is a BFM degree?

A Bachelor of Financial Markets (BFM) is an undergraduate degree that specialises in financial markets. This three-year course covers modules such as equity markets, debt markets, portfolio management, risk management, commodities markets, micro and macro economics, corporate finance and global capital market. This course makes you familiar with trading regulations, market conditions and other practical aspects of the financial sector.

Studying Financial Markets

• You need to complete your Class XII board exams or any equivalent programme with 50-55% aggregate in any discipline.
• However, some colleges may prefer students who had Maths, Accounting/Finance, Stats or Economics as mandatory subjects in their Plus-Two curriculum.
• Admission is based on merit or your performance in entrance exams conducted by colleges or universities, depending on the policy set by individual institutes. You may have to appear for a personal interview (PI) and group discussion (GD) for final selection.

Some top institutes offering BFM courses:

Mithibai College of Arts, Chauhan Institute of Science & Amrutlal College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai

Duration: Three years.

• Eligibility: You need to clear your Class XII board exams conducted by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education/other Indian state boards or any equivalent exams to appear for a qualifying exam.
• Admission: Depends on your performance in the entrance exam. The University of Mumbai sets the admission guidelines and schedule.
• Check here for more details.

Smt. MMK College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai

Duration: Three years,

• Eligibility: You need at least 45% aggregate (40% for reserved categories) in your Class XII board exams in the Commerce stream from the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education/other Indian state boards or any equivalent exams.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• Check here for more details.

MK Sanghvi College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai

• Eligibility: You need at least 45% aggregate (40% for reserved categories) in your Class XII board exams in Commerce or Science streams.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• Check here for more details.

Job roles with a BFM degree:

• Financial planners/consultants: They guide clients and strategise a financial game plan for the overall well-being of organisations. They also audit their clients’ present financial positions to chalk out a plan for the future.
  
• Accountant: They are responsible for all financial records of a businessperson or an organisation. These professionals analyse financial reports and are committed to performing a number of finance-related tasks.
  
• Finance manager: They distribute the financial resources of a company among different departments and sections. They are also responsible for budget planning and discussing important financial matters with the management team. Their job is to help the company make the right financial decisions.
  
• Stock trader: They are involved in the trading of equity shares or securities and aim at profit-making through purchase or sale of such securities. He may be part of a firm dealing in equities or may be employed in a stock exchange.
  
• Financial analyst: They conduct financial analysis for clients, both external and internal. They can be categorised as equity analysts, securities analysts, research analysts or investment analysts. In some industries like banking or in equity markets, the role may include financial and/or risk management.
  
• Wealth manager: They advise high-value clients on financial matters. They also prepare financial plans and manage investments through portfolios while generating wealth for their clients.
  
• Research analyst: They prepare investigative reports on assets and securities for clients. They may also work as a securities analyst, investment analyst, equity analyst and rating analyst.
  
• Assistant finance manager: They look after the day-to-day financial functions of their clients. They ensure that bookkeeping is in order for budgets and taxes.