About Brian
Previous University: Northeastern University
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, dual concentration Financing and Accounting
Q: What was your background before pursuing your graduate education?
A: I graduated from Northeastern University with my Bachelor's in Business Administration with a dual concentration in finance and accounting. I took my first job at Kelmar Associates as an Audit Associate, and I was at that company for about 1.5 years. Next, I joined the Client Reporting Group at Acadian Asset Management, where my official role was Contract Client Reporting Associate.
I was brought on full-time about a year later, and I've continued to move up in the company. As of August 2020, I've been a Senior Client Reporting Associate within our Client Reporting Group. Along with the other Senior Associates on the team, I assist in managing the day-to-day, especially in terms of making sure all reporting is reviewed before it is sent to our clients by their requested deadlines. This is in addition to reporting that I am responsible for completing. I also help with mentoring the Client Reporting Associates and take the lead in projects with other associates.
Q: What inspired you to choose a combined MS in Finance/MBA?
A: The MS in Finance/MBA program was the right track for me for several reasons. I wanted to get an MBA, because the degree is very good to have in the business world in general. It gives you the tools you need to face company problems with confidence and strategize solutions. I'm really looking to continue my career in finance and develop as a manager and leader. The Master's in Finance portion broadens my knowledge of finance and strengthens my day-to-day work at Acadian. I chose a concentration in investments to do a dive deep into this aspect of finance.
That's really what drew me to getting the combined degree, at the end of the day. I want both the well-rounded knowledge that pertains to business, but also the ability to dive deeper into finance.
Q: What made you continue your learning experience at D'Amore-McKim?
A: I think the main thing that really drew me to Northeastern is that I had a great experience as an undergrad!
I had a conversation with my manager at the time, and she shared how her husband, a fellow Acadian employee, completed the combined Master's in Finance/MBA Program at Northeastern. The combined degree was only 12 more credits on top of the MBA, which meant I could receive the degree with just four more classes. That definitely influenced my decision to pursue the combined master's degree.
Q: Can you provide an example of how you are able to apply what you learn in class to your work?
A: It's been very useful to apply what I'm learning in class to my responsibilities at Acadian. At Northeastern, I've improved my understanding of finance, especially in terms of comprehending different financial strategies. Through my classes, I've improved my Excel skills, including learning certain formulas and gaining a deeper understanding of important financial terms like beta, standard deviation, and alpha. A lot of this knowledge has helped me grow as a finance professional.
Another thing I've learned is how to collaborate with other team members. I've been put in many group projects, and through these interactions I've been able to strengthen my expertise and take the lead when necessary. I've been able to apply these real-life skills to my current Senior Associate role.
I now better understand of how business leaders make decisions on behalf of their company, and with a global perspective. Acadian has offices in other countries and they invest on behalf of international clients, so this is especially applicable.
Q: What do you want to do after the program concludes and how do you expect your MS in Finance/MBA to help you succeed?
A: I hope to continue taking on more responsibility and moving to more senior roles in investment management. No matter what company I work for, I hope I'll be in a leadership role where I'm providing value and really helping the firm.
Q: What would you tell other prospective graduate students that are considering a combined MS in Finance/MBA degree?
A: Don't be afraid to explore. Whenever the opportunity arises, find classes that interest you, even if they might not directly relate to your career. One-credit classes are also a good way to chip away at your credits while gaining exposure to new and interesting topics.
