For those of you looking to go into a career in business and finance, it might be a good idea to plan ahead and keep in mind how long it will take for you to finish your training and education. Finance-related jobs usually take from 2-4 years to complete, some with 1- to 2-year programs, depending on the profession.  Below are just some of the top business and finance careers and the amount of time it takes to complete a program in the respective professions.

The salary data represented below is the average salary of annual wage in May 2008, according to the Department of Labor.

Manager – Most administrative managers direct, plan, and coordinate a number of services that enable the company or organization to operate in an efficient manner. Specific duties usually vary depending on the company size.
Average Salary: $100,310
Time to Complete Study: 1-4 years

Human Resource Specialist – Human resource specialists or training managers are usually responsible for the administrative duties that handle employee benefits, recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff as needed by the administration.
Average Salary: $58,230
Time to Complete Study: 4-6 years

Accountant – Accountants keep track of public records, taxes, and other financial information necessary to ensure that the company is running efficiently. They also prepare, analyze, and verify documents in order to provide clients financial information.
Average Salary: $65,840
Time to Complete Study: 4-6 years

Financial Analyst – Financial analysts are those that give advice and provide guidance to individuals or businesses that are making investment decisions. They analyze stocks, bonds, commodities, and investment performances to make sound decisions for their clients.
Average Salary: $84,780
Time to Complete Study: 4-6 years

Marketing Research Analyst – Marketing analysts generally work with the advertising and promotion department for the organization. They help estimate the demand for the products and services provided by the company and come up with different strategies to help maximize profits.
Average Salary: $67,340
Time to Complete Study: 1-4 years

Advertising Agent – Advertising agents usually sell advertising to newspapers, periodicals, radio, television, telephone directories, and websites, among other venues.
Average Salary: $53,170
Time to Complete Study: 1-4 years

Administrative Assistant – Administrative assistants coordinate and perform office activities, as well as store, retrieve, and integrate information for the staff and the clients.
Average Salary: $42,340
Time to Complete Study: 1-2 years

Insurance Agent – Insurance agents sell one or more types of insurance, in most cases life, health, disability, long-term care, and casualty insurance.
Average Salary: $60,440
Time to Complete Study: 2-4 years

Public Relations Specialist – Public relations specialists are there to support clients when it comes to them seeking to build and maintain relationships with the public. Public relations officers are relied upon to provide strategy and policy for communications.
Average Salary: $58,960
Time to Complete Study: 4-6 years