PUBLIC FINANCE

In the context of the increasingly complex and developing global economy, understanding and effectively managing public finance has become a crucial factor for the sustainable development of each nation.

Program Introduction

The term "public finance" may seem distant from our daily lives, but in reality, it is closely related to everyone. When you go to school or work, taking a taxi may cost dozens of dollars, while a bus or subway ride costs only a few. Who bears the cost of installing elevators in old residential buildings? Who pays for COVID-19 vaccinations when individuals do not have to cover the cost? Public finance can provide answers to these questions.

Yang Yan, a famous financial expert of the Tang Dynasty, said, "Fiscal revenue is the foundation of a country." British classical economist Adam Smith stated, "Finance is the mother of governance; where there is governance, there must be finance, and finance is the capital of governance." Public finance is a significant public and national issue, affecting people’s well-being and national prosperity. But what exactly does public finance study?

According to Professor Wen Laicheng, public finance mainly explores the laws governing national income distribution activities led by the government, along with corresponding fiscal policies, financial systems, and laws. This discipline aims to train government finance, taxation, and economic management personnel for national financial and tax agencies, as well as research and academic professionals for institutions and universities. Additionally, it prepares management personnel for accounting firms, enterprises, and social organizations engaged in fiscal and tax services.

Educational Objectives 

This program requires students to master solid quantitative analysis, economic theory, and fundamental knowledge of fiscal and tax policies. Students are expected to become proficient in the application and analysis tools related to fiscal and tax policies, with a particular emphasis on using economic models and quantitative methods to analyze real-world issues.

The program also incorporates interdisciplinary courses related to other fields of economic management, providing students with a broad foundation for future career development. Moreover, it places a strong emphasis on developing students’ English communication skills.

The program fosters students' research abilities and practical skills and encourages their participation in relevant research projects.

Graduation Requirements

Students in this program will study fundamental theories and knowledge of economics, taxation, public asset management, and accounting. Upon graduation, they should possess the following skills and competencies:

1. Master fundamental theories and knowledge of economics, public finance, taxation, and accounting, and receive systematic training in analytical thinking and technical skills.

2. Receive comprehensive training in knowledge, skills, and professional qualities. Understand government finance, budgeting, and public asset management, and develop practical skills in tax calculation, tax auditing, tax consulting, and tax planning to serve local economic development.

3. Develop the ability to apply professional knowledge to identify, analyze, and solve problems, along with basic research and innovation capabilities.

4. Gain familiarity with national economic policies, particularly those related to public finance and taxation.

5. Stay informed about cutting-edge theories, developments, and industry trends in fiscal and economic management.

6. Master fundamental methods of literature retrieval and data collection, acquiring essential research and practical skills.

7. Become proficient in empirical, normative, statistical, and case analysis techniques, along with computer application skills.

Core Courses

1. Ideological and Moral Cultivation & Legal Foundation

2. Fundamentals of Marxism

3. Introduction to Mao Zedong Thought & Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

4. Outline of Modern Chinese History

5. Current Affairs & Policies

6. Political Theory Practice

7. Advanced Mathematics B (I)

8. Advanced Mathematics B (II)

9. Linear Algebra B

10. Probability Theory & Mathematical Statistics B

11. Mathematical Experiment

12. College English (I)

13. College English (II)

14. College English (III)

15. Physical Education (I)

16. Physical Education (II)

17. Physical Education (III)

18. Physical Education (IV)

19. Military Theory

20. Military Training

21. Fundamentals of Computer Science

22. Database Fundamentals & Applications

23. C Programming

24. C++ Programming

25. Java Programming

26. Mental Health Education

27. Career Planning & Development

28. Employment Guidance

29. Statistics

30. Introduction to China’s Foreign Trade

31. Introduction to Economics & Specialized Fields

32. Microeconomics

33. Finance

34. Macroeconomics

35. Commercial Banking

36. Accounting

37. Operations Research

38. Investment (Bilingual)

39. International Finance

40. Multivariate Statistical Analysis

41. Corporate Finance (Bilingual)

42. Public Finance

43. Investment Banking

44. Econometrics

45. Insurance Theory & Practice

46. Financial English

47. Securities Investment Analysis

48. Financial Engineering

49. Central Banking

50. Financial Law

51. Financial Analysis

52. International Settlements

53. Internet Finance

54. Advanced Topics in Finance

55. Matlab & Financial Computing

56. Game Theory

57. Financial Mathematics

58. Fixed Income Securities

59. Risk Management

60. Financial Intermediation

61. Stochastic Processes

62. Trusts & Leasing

63. Actuarial Science

64. Financial Accounting

65. Behavioral Finance

66. Practical Internship

67. Professional Internship

68. Virtual Simulation Training (VBSE)

69. Graduation Thesis

70. Entrepreneurship Basics

71. College Student KAB Entrepreneurship Basics

Research Directions in Public Finance

1. Public Fiscal Management – Studies government fiscal operations and management.

2. Tax Policy & Reform – Examines tax system optimization and reform pathways.

3. Local Finance & Regional Development – Investigates the role of local finance in regional economic growth.

4. Fiscal Policy & Macroeconomic Regulation – Analyzes the role of fiscal policy in economic regulation.

5. Social Security & Public Expenditure – Studies the efficiency of public spending and its impact on social welfare.

Degree Awarded

Graduates receive a Bachelor's Degree in Economics.

Career Prospects

Public finance involves government fiscal activities, focusing on fund allocation and resource management to meet public needs. It explores government revenue and expenditure, tax policies, and financial regulations, alongside corporate taxation and accounting.

Graduates in public finance typically begin with lower starting salaries compared to other fields, but career prospects improve with experience and expertise. If aiming for a banking career, postgraduate education is highly recommended.

Employment opportunities include financial departments in enterprises, government agencies (finance and taxation), accounting and auditing firms, asset evaluation firms, and financial journalism.

Common Career Paths

• Civil Servant

• Accountant

• Financial Assistant

• Public Institution Employee

• Business Analyst

• Audit Specialist

• Personal Banker

• Bank Teller

Related Majors

• Economics

• National Economic Management

• Public Finance

• Taxation

• Finance

• Investment

• Credit Management

• Financial Engineering

• Insurance

• International Economics & Trade

• Trade Economics

• Statistics

Top Universities for Public Finance

1. Peking University

2. Renmin University of China

3. Central University of Finance and Economics

4. Shanghai University of Finance and Economics

5. Fudan University

6. Nankai University

7. Shandong University

8. Xiamen University

9. Southwestern University of Finance and Economics

10. Zhejiang University

11. University of International Business and Economics

12. Xi’an Jiaotong University

13. Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

14. Hunan University

15. Dongbei University of Finance and Economics

16. Wuhan University

17. Nanjing University

18. Jilin University

19. Jinan University

20. Liaoning University

21. Sichuan University

22. Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics

23. Huazhong University of Science and Technology

24. Capital University of Economics and Business

25. Nanjing Audit University

26. Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics

27. Nanjing University of Finance and Economics

28. Shandong University of Finance and Economics

29. Anhui University

30. Tianjin University of Finance and Economics