<p>Will a bachelor's degree in finance suffice? Or are there some reasons one may want to pursue a master's?</p>
<p>Becoming a financial analyst and a personal finance advisor are both different jobs. To be a financial analyst you usually need a bachelors degree in finance to get a job. After you get your first job you can decide whether you want an MBA or CFA or any other designations. It depends on what you want to do. To be a personal finance advisor, you don't necessarily need a degree in finance....it can be anything but business and math degrees are usually helpful. You just need to find a job at a firm that has a trainee program. Later you will have to pass the securities exams such as series 7 and 66. You may also want to get the CFP designation. Being a personal financial advisor is all about sales and commissions are a big source of your income. Since they are both different paths you should decide which one is better for you. Therefore it is not necessary to pursue a masters degree unless the career path you are interested in requires an MBA.</p>