Courses in finance are required to pursue a marketing degree. Required courses focus on principles of finance, including the structure and operation of financial management, planning and control, valuation and problems of internal financial analysis. Financial knowledge helps students understand how financial statements and other financial matters affect marketing decisions. Marketing professionals commonly work with financial professionals to develop plans best-suited for their business.
Economics and the state of the economy drive marketing decisions, which is why courses in economics are required in a marketing degree. Students can expect to take microeconomics and macroeconomics, covering economic forces in small business and the private sector as well as the government and public sector. Specific topics include supply and demand, analysis of market structures, employment and the quantity of money supplies and inflation, to name a few.
Effective marketing results in increased profits and enhanced sales. Because of this, knowledge of financial sheets and basic accounting principles such as assets, liabilities, equities, revenues and expenses are useful. Courses in managerial accounting are often necessary for marketing degrees. Topics include the use of accounting information for planning, performance evaluation, decision-making and financial statement analysis. By understanding accounting, marketing professionals can make informed decisions about an appropriate marketing strategy.
Marketing majors take courses on marketing principles after they have a solid foundation of financial and business knowledge. Topics include product planning, analysis of relevant opportunities and restraints in consumer markets, pricing, promotions and distribution of institutions and activities. Senior-level courses include the fundamentals of market research and marketing management. These courses are designed to deal with real-world application of marketing skills so students are prepared to enter the professional realm.