An MBA can be an attractive development option for finance professionals with ambitions of landing an executive leadership role. As well as enabling them to enhance their broader business acumen and management capabilities, studying for an MBA can be a great way for finance professionals to develop cross-functional knowledge, hone their interpersonal skills and build a robust professional network that will provide invaluable advice and support as they advance their careers.
The content of an MBA programme typically covers key business disciplines such as strategic leadership, business transformation, finance, marketing, operations and organisational behaviour. As well as compulsory modules, there are usually elective options. Face-to-face teaching is often blended with online learning, teambuilding and networking activities, and guest speaker events.
It is important to weigh up the cost of the course against its quality and reputation
During an MBA programme, students can expect to learn from real business leaders and analyse real-world company problems with the aim of proposing actionable solutions. They undertake activities such as case studies, simulation scenarios and team projects – activities that will help them to develop their decision-making, critical thinking and collaboration skills. They may also get the opportunity to benefit from coaching and mentoring, as well as summer internships or overseas trips that provide international insights and exposure.
Requirements
Exact MBA admission requirements vary by programme provider, but students will normally be expected to have an undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification, several years’ managerial experience, and professional or academic references. They may also be required to complete the Graduate Management Admission Council’s Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or its Executive Assessment test and to provide answers to essay questions.
A traditional full-time MBA takes one or two years to complete at a business school campus. Nevertheless, MBA programmes are also available in other formats, including part-time MBAs and executive MBAs (programmes for senior professionals, where teaching is done at the weekend or in modular blocks), as well as online MBAs for self-paced learning over several years.
Investing in the right course can pay off within a comparatively short time
The cost of an MBA can vary considerably. In the UK, it can range from less than £10,000 for an online programme to over £120,000 for an on-campus option, for example.
When choosing a programme, it is important that students weigh up the cost of the course against its quality and reputation. They should also consider which format is most appropriate given their circumstances, career goals and current level of work experience. Investing in the right course can pay off within a comparatively short amount of time, however. Data gathered by the Financial Times suggests that it is common for MBA graduates from top business schools globally to more than double their pre-MBA salaries within three years of completing their programme.
A case in point
The Oxford Brookes Global MBA programme is flexible to accommodate the needs of experienced professionals, aims to foster leadership and strategic thinking, and focuses strongly on innovation and change leadership.
Rita Purdeen-Nandlal FCCA, a senior audit manager with rum producer Angostura, took the programme to build her knowledge and enhance her business acumen. She says: ‘The Oxford Brookes Global MBA is exceptionally regarded for its calibre and flexibility, which aligned with my personal and professional goals.’
Rita says she strengthened her knowledge base in critical areas, and developed a global mindset, strategic thinking skills and specialised skills in sustainability. It helped her to ‘think innovatively and lead change initiatives’ and proved instrumental in ‘accelerating my leadership development and providing a roadmap for future personal growth’.
Diana Creciun FCCA, a director at PwC Cayman Islands, also took the course and particularly praises the module on personal and professional development. ‘The next development need I identified was improving my public speaking skills, so after finishing the MBA I joined Toastmasters International,’ she says.
Diana had not previously seen entrepreneurship as a suitable career pathway for her, but the MBA programme changed her mind. ‘I learnt that entrepreneurs can be both “born” and “made” with support from the environment and through self-education,’ she explains. ‘The programme made me more aware of entrepreneurial thinking, and I no longer rule out the idea of starting a business.’
New opportunities
A good MBA acts as a passport to career advancement. As well as opening the door to more senior roles and greater earning potential, it can pave the way to new opportunities in different industries and sectors, and ease the transition from technical finance roles into more general business roles and consultancy. An MBA can be a competitive advantage for any ambitious finance professional looking to get ahead.
More information
ACCA has been partnering with Oxford Brookes University on their AMBA- and EFMD-accredited MBA programme since 2001. The application deadline for starting the 2026 programme is 1 September. Apply now or request a brochure. The start date for the next course is March 2027.
