High School
High school classes that will prepare you for college and an eventual career in risk management include English, speech, business, economics, mathematics, accounting, computer science, history, and social studies.
Postsecondary Education
Risk management professionals typically have bachelor’s degrees in risk management, insurance, finance, economics, business, accounting, computer science, or management information systems. Some companies prefer to hire those with graduate degrees—especially for high-level risk management positions. Fewer than 65 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada offer degrees in risk management. Visit http://aria.org/education for a list of schools that offer certificates and bachelor’s and graduate degrees in the field.
Other Education or Training
Participating in continuing education (CE) classes, workshops, and webinars is a great way to keep your skills up to date and learn about new developments in risk management; CE credits may also be required to renew one’s certification. Professional associations offer many CE opportunities. For example, RIMS-The Risk Management Society provides in-person workshops as well as webinars. Recent offerings included Cyber Risk and Data Security, Risk Management Techniques, Risk Analysis Forecasting Tools, and Applying Enterprise Risk Management Theory. The Global Association of Risk Professionals and Public Risk Management Association also provide professional development opportunities.
Certification
The Professional Risk Managers’ International Association offers the associate professional risk manager; credit and counterparty manager; market, liquidity, and asset liability management risk manager; and operational risk manager certificates. Visit https://prmia.org/Public/Certificates to learn more. The Institute of Risk Management awards the international certificate in risk management to applicants who pass multiple-choice and written examinations. Visit https://www.theirm.org/qualifications for more information.
- Financial Quantitative Analysts
- Mutual Fund Accountants and Auditors
- Mutual Fund Analysts
- Mutual Fund Compliance Professionals
- Mutual Fund Customer Service Representatives
- Mutual Fund Financial Managers
- Mutual Fund Lawyers
- Mutual Fund Marketing Specialists
- Mutual Fund Portfolio Managers
- Mutual Fund Wholesalers