From accountants and economic analysts to other fulfilling career options, such as investment bankers and portfolio managers, the opportunities are limitless.
What’s it like to work in a finance job?
Personal finance, corporate finance, and government finance are widely recognized as the three finance subfields. Other subfields include investments, money and credit markets, and financial management. Graduates and working professionals can pursue careers in corporate financial management, securities analysis, and commercial lending, along with several other financial career institutions. Finance professionals typically interact with attorneys, accountants, and insurance agents. In the right work setting, both introverts and extroverts can enjoy rewarding financial jobs and long-term careers. Finance job seekers may seek remote opportunities as financial analysts, financial advisors, accountants, and other offsite career opportunities. Industry professionals may work between 50 and 70 hours per week. Investment bankers may log as many as 70 to 100 weekly hours. Long hours can contribute to burnout. Salaries range from $61,000 to $137.000 plus. Finance professionals are driven by a lively, exciting, and challenging workplace with advancement opportunities and unlimited career opportunities around the world.
Finance career options
The finance industry is ever-growing for those who possess a finance degree and strong analytical and accounting skills. Explore your finance career options below and check out the best online finance master’s programs.
Accountant
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $73,560 Good fit for individuals who:
Are organized professionalsAre skilled at working with numbersPossess strong analytical skillsLike collaborating with a diverse clienteleAre current with accounting trends
Accountants assemble, examine, validate, and organize financial documents. They also monitor the organization’s cash inflow and expenditures and ensure the legalities of financial transactions. Accountants operate with integrity, comply with accounting control procedures, and resolve accounting discrepancies.
Actuary
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $111,030 Good fit for individuals who:
Are detailed-oriented professionalsAre organized and self-motivatedPossess strong project management skillsPossess advanced statistical analysis and database manipulation training
Actuaries investigate financial outcomes and risk. They also apply financial theory alongside math and statistical data to examine the uncertainty of events and reduce their organization’s risk. Actuaries assist top executives with preparation for risk management, strategic solutions, and company-wide growth.
Budget analyst
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $78,970 Good fit for individuals who:
Possess advanced mathematical and analytical skillsHave strong knowledge of economic trendsAre well-versed in financial markets and bankingAre experienced in resource allocation
Budget analysts prepare income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Additionally, budget analysts review the organization’s accounting documents, expenditures, and revenue. Budget analysts oversee payouts, resolve accounting issues, and generate regulatory reports.
Chief financial officer
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $137,390 Good fit for individuals who:
Are results-oriented professionals Possess leadership and team-building skillsHave excellent communication skillsHave cash management, financial accounting, and corporate finance competencies
The chief financial officer (CFO) is the organization’s top-ranking finance executive, balancing expenditures and revenue, monitoring financial planning and analysis, and overseeing the company’s overall fiscal health. Additionally, CFOs manage cash flow along with the organization’s assets, mergers, and funding.
Corporate finance manager
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $93,714 Good fit for individuals who:
Have management consultative experiencePossess communication and organizational skillsAre proficient in mathPossess solid technical skills
Corporate finance managers identify the organization’s financial resources, evaluate and forecast financial earnings and risks, and offer investment recommendations. They also guide leadership on achieving targets, generating capital, and preparing legal records.
Credit analyst
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $86,170 Good fit for individuals who:
Can communicate effectively with colleagues, superiors, and subordinatesEnjoy collecting and processing dataLike programming and writing softwareCan evaluate informationEnjoy gathering information from resources
Credit analysts evaluate prospective borrowers’ eligibility for loan approval and repayment. They also evaluate credit data and financial records and generate reports for credit risk. Credit analysts validate financial and credit operations and collect debt for past due balances.
Economic analyst
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $61,322 Good fit for individuals who:
Are organizedPossess analytical thinking and problem-solving skillsHave programming expertisePossess statistical and database software experience
Economic analysts study economic trends and develop forecasts about the economy. Additionally, economic analysts use their math and programming knowledge to gather financial data and predict financial outcomes. Economic analysts perform microeconomic analyses and determine the best times to invest the organization’s assets.
Financial analyst
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $83,660 Good fit for individuals who:
Are analytical and strategic thinkersHave excellent presentation skillsAre technologically proficientAre detail-oriented
Financial analysts research business and economic trends, analyze financial records, and define the organization’s value. Financial analysts also explore the organization’s financial projections, weigh the leadership team’s capacity, and propose assortments of investments.
Financial examiner
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $81,430 Good fit for individuals who:
Possess strong analytical skillsAre detail-orientedAre proficient in math, economics, and accounting Have experience with compliance software
Financial examiners evaluate the organization’s profits and losses along with their assets, equity, and liabilities. Additionally, financial examiners guarantee compliance with governing laws for financial institutions and form guidelines that abide by the most improved and latest regulations. Financial examiners generate reports of the organization’s safety and soundness.
Financial manager
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $134,180 Good fit for individuals who:
Are proficient in math Possess strategic and analytical skillsHave strong oral and written communication skillsHave commercial awarenessPossess problem-solving skills
Financial managers monitor the assets of large-scale and small-scale organizations. Additionally, financial managers and their team members manage accounting processes and prepare fiscal reports, cash flow statements, and profit and loss forecasts. Financial managers adhere to laws and regulations and assist employees with understanding the organization’s reports.
Financial planner
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $64,993 Good fit for individuals who:
Are knowledgeable about personal financeHave budgeting and investment experiencePossess analytical skillsHave debt management experience
Financial planners assist clients with investing, retirement savings, and maintaining wealth. These professionals also develop and monitor financial programs for employee benefit packages. Financial planners may specialize in niche areas such as estate planning, risk management, and tax planning.
Insurance agent
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $52,180 Good fit for individuals who:
Possess strong customer service skillsHave sales and marketing experiencePossess solid math and critical thinking skillsAre knowledgeable about legal codes and laws
Insurance agents market health, long-term care, life, and property and casualty insurance along with several other insurance types. They also review insurance policies, personalize insurance plans, and maintain policy renewals with new and existing clients.
Investment banker
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $101,237 Good fit for individuals who:
Possess analytical and numerical skillsHave interpersonal SkillsAre well-versed in financial marketsHave a background in investment trading
Investment bankers raise capital for an organization’s expansion and improvement efforts. Investment bankers also negotiate mergers, arrange bond offerings, and organize the confidential placement of bonds. Investment bankers crunch numbers and effectively communicate with financial institutions.
Loan officer
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $63,960 Good fit for individuals who:
Are data-driven and organizedAre accountable and responsivePossess excellent communication skillsWelcome and encourage questions
Loan officers communicate with applicants to assess their needs for loans. Additionally, loan officers discuss loan options and terms, respond to applicants’ questions, and review financial documentation. Loan officers approve or deny applications, examine loan agreements, and adhere to federal and state regulations.
Management analyst
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $87,660 Good fit for individuals who:
Are accounting professionalsHave auditing experiencePossess analytical and communication skillsHave a background in computer systems analysis
Management analysts evaluate financial records such as profits, costs, and employment reports. These professionals also propose organizational changes, methods, and systems. Management analysts interview staff and administer in-person observations to assess the organization’s needs.
Personal finance advisor
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $89,330 Good fit for individuals who:
Have a background in accounting and economics Possess math and analytical skillsAre good at public speaking Have sales experience
Personal finance advisors communicate with clients and ascertain their income, costs, and insurance coverage while assessing their financial goals and risk tolerance. Additionally, personal finance advisors develop financial plans, oversee clients’ portfolios, and provide cash management and investment planning strategies.
Portfolio manager
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $89.286 Good fit for individuals who:
Are leadership ProfessionalsAre goal-orientedPossess analytical and quantitative skillsExhibit initiative
Portfolio managers invest mutual, closed-end funds or exchange-traded holdings. They also institute investment plans and monitor daily portfolio trading. Portfolio managers develop investment strategies and determine the best times for purchasing and selling assets.
Quantitative analyst
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $83,660 Good fit for individuals who:
Are economics and accounting professionalsPossess statistical and complex problem-solving skillsHave expertise in computers and electronics Are good critical thinkers
Quantitative analysts apply math techniques to assist organizations with business and financial decisions. Quantitative analysts also determine lucrative investment opportunities and minimize risk. Quantitative analysts evaluate the cost-effectiveness and benefits of the organization’s developments, products, and services.
Risk specialist
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $83,660 Good fit for individuals who:
Possess analytical or scientific software skillsHave financial analysis and word processing software skillsAre good problem-solvers and project managersPay attention to details
Risk specialists investigate potential risks that could reduce cash flow and increase the organization’s insurance rates. They also develop strategic plans to lessen the organization’s losses. Risk specialists examine financial records, design risk assessment models, and institute contingency plans.
Trader
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $131,000 Good fit for individuals who:
Are analytical professionalsAre excellent at product salesEnjoy working with financial dataAre detail-orientedPossess solid customer service skills
Traders purchase and sell securities such as stocks and profits to generate revenue. These professionals may work for large-scale investment management firms, banks, or exchanges. Traders are typically hired by hedge funds or partnerships investing in stocks, currencies, and other investment options.
Venture capitalist
Minimum degree level required: Bachelor’s Salary expectations: $192,525 Good fit for individuals who:
Are detail-orientedHave excellent decision-making skills Are excellent notetakersHave experience in the financial sectorAre proficient in locating new profit opportunities
Venture capitalists supply investments at various stages of the venture process. These professionals are also private equity investors that allocate capital to organizations with strong potential to generate large financial gains. Venture capitalists provide capital for startup companies and small businesses seeking to expand their products and services.
