financial career options for professionals
DESCRIPTION
magazine article about financial career optionsTRANSCRIPT
A career in finance isn't all about money, but it's close. For the businessA career in finance isn't all about money, but it's close. For the business
graduate, obtaining a degree is just the beginning. What's left is to take a closergraduate, obtaining a degree is just the beginning. What's left is to take a closer
look at available career options, measuring which industry sectors have thelook at available career options, measuring which industry sectors have the
greatest need for new professionals. The finance industry is multifaceted,greatest need for new professionals. The finance industry is multifaceted,
offering a variety of positions catering to a number of different skills andoffering a variety of positions catering to a number of different skills and
interests. Financial services have multiple sub-industries encompassing nicheinterests. Financial services have multiple sub-industries encompassing niche
opportunities. The key to individual success is to research, locate and land theopportunities. The key to individual success is to research, locate and land the
financial job that has the greatest compatibility with your skills and interests.financial job that has the greatest compatibility with your skills and interests.
The same is true for professionals seeking a change in scenery and who want toThe same is true for professionals seeking a change in scenery and who want to
give a new sector a shot.give a new sector a shot.
Considering Career PathsConsidering Career Paths
Here are some common career paths in the financial-services industry:Here are some common career paths in the financial-services industry:
Corporate FinanceCorporate Finance
Corporate finance jobs involve working for a company in the capacity of findingCorporate finance jobs involve working for a company in the capacity of finding
and managing the and managing the capitalcapital necessary to run the enterprise. This is done while necessary to run the enterprise. This is done while
maximizing corporate value and reducing financial maximizing corporate value and reducing financial riskrisk..
The functions you may implement while in such a position include theThe functions you may implement while in such a position include the
following:following:
Setting up the company's overall financial strategySetting up the company's overall financial strategy
ForecastingForecasting profits and losses profits and losses
Negotiating Negotiating lines of creditlines of credit
Preparing financial statementsPreparing financial statements
Coordinating with Coordinating with outside auditorsoutside auditors
More sophisticated corporate finance jobs might involve mergers andMore sophisticated corporate finance jobs might involve mergers and
acquisitions activity, such as calculating the value of an acquisitions activity, such as calculating the value of an acquisition targetacquisition target or or
determining the value of a division for a spinoff. Corporate finance positions candetermining the value of a division for a spinoff. Corporate finance positions can
be found in companies of all sizes, from large, international entities to smallbe found in companies of all sizes, from large, international entities to small
startups. Additional corporate finance positions include startups. Additional corporate finance positions include financial analystsfinancial analysts,,
treasurers and treasurers and internal auditorsinternal auditors..
Commercial Banking Commercial Banking
Commercial banksCommercial banks, from large entities to local institutions, offer a range of, from large entities to local institutions, offer a range of
Signup for a free email Trading CourseSignup for a free email Trading Course
Easiest Way to Pull Profits from the Market...Easiest Way to Pull Profits from the Market...
Exclusive: Learn the "House Odds" of InvestingExclusive: Learn the "House Odds" of Investing
FREE Award-Winning Software - Ninja TraderFREE Award-Winning Software - Ninja Trader
Complimentary Futures Trading KitComplimentary Futures Trading Kit
Are you interested in generating income?Are you interested in generating income?
PROFESSIONALSPROFESSIONALS
What's the average salary ofWhat's the average salary ofsomeone ...someone ...By InvestopediaBy Investopedia
SPONSORED BYSPONSORED BY
Five Chart Patterns YouFive Chart Patterns YouNeed To KnowNeed To Know
PROFESSIONALSPROFESSIONALS
Financial Career Options For ProfessionalsFinancial Career Options For Professionals
You may also like:You may also like: Five Chart Patterns you need to know…Five Chart Patterns you need to know…
AAAAAA | | By By David David KochanekKochanek
MarketplaceMarketplace
RELATED ARTICLESRELATED ARTICLES
Continuing EducationContinuing Education Exam Prep QuizzerExam Prep Quizzer FAQsFAQs
DICTIONARYDICTIONARY INVESTINGINVESTING MARKETSMARKETS PERSONAL FINANCEPERSONAL FINANCE ACTIVE TRADINGACTIVE TRADING FINANCIAL ADVISORSFINANCIAL ADVISORS EXAM PREPEXAM PREP TUTORIALSTUTORIALS VIDEOVIDEO SIMULATORSIMULATOR
Free Newsletters || Free Annual ReportsFree Annual Reports || RegisterRegister || Sign inSign in
Search InvestopediaSearch Investopedia SymbolSymbol SearchSearch
financial services, from financial services, from checkingchecking and and savings accountssavings accounts to to IRAsIRAs and loans. Career and loans. Career
options available in this sector include bank tellers, options available in this sector include bank tellers, loan officersloan officers, operations,, operations,
marketingmarketing and branch managers. Talented professionals can advance from a and branch managers. Talented professionals can advance from a
local branch job to a position in corporate headquarters. Such a promotionlocal branch job to a position in corporate headquarters. Such a promotion
would expose you to a number of other areas, such as international finance.would expose you to a number of other areas, such as international finance.
Investment Banking Investment Banking
Some of the most glamorous - and intense - financial careers are jobs inSome of the most glamorous - and intense - financial careers are jobs in
investment bankinginvestment banking. . Investment-banking jobsInvestment-banking jobs deal with facilitating the issuance deal with facilitating the issuance
of corporate of corporate securitiessecurities and making these securities available for investors to and making these securities available for investors to
purchase, all while trading securities and providing financial advice to bothpurchase, all while trading securities and providing financial advice to both
corporations and wealthy individual investors.corporations and wealthy individual investors.
Typically, investment-banking firms have a number of different divisions andTypically, investment-banking firms have a number of different divisions and
groups with many different objectives and responsibilities. Working in agroups with many different objectives and responsibilities. Working in a
traditional investment-banking firm would allow you to interact with issuers oftraditional investment-banking firm would allow you to interact with issuers of
securities, securities, mergers and acquisitionsmergers and acquisitions professionals or the professionals or the trading desktrading desk, which, which
trades trades stocksstocks, , bondsbonds and other securities in the secondary market. and other securities in the secondary market.
Hedge FundsHedge Funds
Hedge fundsHedge funds are largely unregulated private investment funds whose managersare largely unregulated private investment funds whose managers
can buy or sell a wide array of assets and financial products. Because of thecan buy or sell a wide array of assets and financial products. Because of the
mystery that surrounds this type of entity, mystery that surrounds this type of entity, hedge-fund jobshedge-fund jobs are also considered are also considered
by many to be somewhat glamorous.by many to be somewhat glamorous.
Typical hedge-fund jobs include the following:Typical hedge-fund jobs include the following:
Financial analystFinancial analyst
TraderTrader
Regulatory compliance officerRegulatory compliance officer
Quantitative analystQuantitative analyst
Marketing managerMarketing manager
Portfolio managerPortfolio manager
Private Equity and Venture CapitalPrivate Equity and Venture Capital
Private-equityPrivate-equity professionals help businesses find capital for both expansion and professionals help businesses find capital for both expansion and
current operations. They also provide financing for a number of corporatecurrent operations. They also provide financing for a number of corporate
business transactions, such as managed business transactions, such as managed buyoutsbuyouts and and restructuringsrestructurings. At times, a. At times, a
private-equity job may involve working as an interim executive at a strugglingprivate-equity job may involve working as an interim executive at a struggling
company where your success helps determine the fate of the company.company where your success helps determine the fate of the company.
Venture-capitalVenture-capital professionals (VCs) professionals (VCs)
spend most of their time withspend most of their time with
startups or small, fast-growthstartups or small, fast-growth
companies. Venture-capital firmscompanies. Venture-capital firms
evaluate pitches by founders andevaluate pitches by founders and
small-company leaders to determinesmall-company leaders to determine
if the firm will make an investment.if the firm will make an investment.
Sometimes referred to as "Sometimes referred to as "vulturevulture
capitalistscapitalists,," VCs are known to" VCs are known to
structure deals that favor thestructure deals that favor the
investor, not the company receivinginvestor, not the company receiving
funding. The hope of the VC is that the funded company will some day funding. The hope of the VC is that the funded company will some day go publicgo public
– that is, make its stock available on the public – that is, make its stock available on the public stock marketstock market. . Venture capital is aVenture capital is a
Financial Careers AccordingFinancial Careers AccordingTo HollywoodTo HollywoodBy Brian PerryBy Brian Perry
PROFESSIONALSPROFESSIONALS
Time Management Tips ForTime Management Tips ForFinancial ProfessionalsFinancial ProfessionalsBy Marv DumonBy Marv Dumon
PROFESSIONALSPROFESSIONALS
Standards And Ethics ForStandards And Ethics ForFinancial ProfessionalsFinancial ProfessionalsBy Investopedia StaffBy Investopedia Staff
Subscribe to our Free Newsletters!Subscribe to our Free Newsletters!
Enter e-mail addressEnter e-mail address Sign UpSign Up
Learn More »Learn More »
Trading CenterTrading Center
tough businesstough business where the failure rate is high and the rewards, when they are where the failure rate is high and the rewards, when they are
realized, are huge.realized, are huge.
Financial PlanningFinancial Planning
Financial planners Financial planners help individuals develop planshelp individuals develop plans that will ensure their present that will ensure their present
and future financial stability. Typically, they review a client's financial goals andand future financial stability. Typically, they review a client's financial goals and
generate an appropriate plan for saving and investing that fits the client'sgenerate an appropriate plan for saving and investing that fits the client's
individual needs. The plan may focus on wealth preservation or investmentindividual needs. The plan may focus on wealth preservation or investment
growth and may even include growth and may even include estateestate and tax planning. Most financial planners and tax planning. Most financial planners
work in either large, nationwide groups or smaller, locally based firms. Somework in either large, nationwide groups or smaller, locally based firms. Some
planners charge planners charge flatflat fees, others a percentage of assets under management, fees, others a percentage of assets under management,
receiving receiving commissionscommissions on the products they sell (such as on the products they sell (such as mutual fundsmutual funds).).
Generally, financial planners with the Generally, financial planners with the Certified Financial Planner®Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) (CFP®)
designation are the most in-demand, as they must obtain three years ofdesignation are the most in-demand, as they must obtain three years of
financial-planning experience, pass several exams (including a two-day, 10-hourfinancial-planning experience, pass several exams (including a two-day, 10-hour
case-study exam) and meet continuing-education requirements.case-study exam) and meet continuing-education requirements.
InsuranceInsurance
Finance jobs in the Finance jobs in the insuranceinsurance industry involve helping businesses and industry involve helping businesses and
individuals anticipate potential risks and protect themselves from losses. Mostindividuals anticipate potential risks and protect themselves from losses. Most
insurance jobs are with large insurance companies. You could insurance jobs are with large insurance companies. You could begin a career inbegin a career in
this sectorthis sector working as a sales rep selling insurance policies, as a customer working as a sales rep selling insurance policies, as a customer
service rep working with existing clients or as an service rep working with existing clients or as an actuaryactuary computing risks and computing risks and
premiumpremium rates according to probabilities based on historical, quantitative data rates according to probabilities based on historical, quantitative data
sets.sets.
Public AccountingPublic Accounting
The field of public accounting is broad, with many opportunities. The field of public accounting is broad, with many opportunities. PublicPublic
accountantsaccountants help businesses and individuals keep track of their finances help businesses and individuals keep track of their finances
according to according to generally accepted accounting principlesgenerally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Public (GAAP). Public
accountants record business transactions, help prepare financial statements,accountants record business transactions, help prepare financial statements,
audit financial records, prepare income audit financial records, prepare income tax returnstax returns and provide related and provide related
consulting services.consulting services.
Accountants Accountants generally work in partnershipsgenerally work in partnerships. The largest partnerships are known. The largest partnerships are known
as the as the Big FourBig Four (previously the Big Eight and the Big Six) and include Deloitte (previously the Big Eight and the Big Six) and include Deloitte
Touche Tohmatsu, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and KPMG. ButTouche Tohmatsu, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and KPMG. But
many jobs also exist at many smaller firms. Typically, new hires start as a staffmany jobs also exist at many smaller firms. Typically, new hires start as a staff
accountant, then advance to audit manager, then tax manager and eventually, ifaccountant, then advance to audit manager, then tax manager and eventually, if
they can maintain the tough working schedule for many years, a partner in thethey can maintain the tough working schedule for many years, a partner in the
firm.firm.
Finding Financial Job OpportunitiesFinding Financial Job Opportunities
Financial jobs exist at almost every company in almost every industry. There areFinancial jobs exist at almost every company in almost every industry. There are
two ways to find openings - online and offline - and it's a good idea to use bothtwo ways to find openings - online and offline - and it's a good idea to use both
methods. Keep in mind that financial jobs are highly specialized, so generic jobmethods. Keep in mind that financial jobs are highly specialized, so generic job
boards are not the best places to seek such positions. Instead, consider nicheboards are not the best places to seek such positions. Instead, consider niche
sites, such as sites, such as Job Search DigestJob Search Digest. When looking offline, specialized executive. When looking offline, specialized executive
recruiters (a.k.a. headhunters) can be excellent resources for both financial jobrecruiters (a.k.a. headhunters) can be excellent resources for both financial job
opportunities and career advice. Your university's alumni association can alsoopportunities and career advice. Your university's alumni association can also
be very helpful by putting you in touch with industry insiders who are willing tobe very helpful by putting you in touch with industry insiders who are willing to
provide some insight and sometimes job leads.provide some insight and sometimes job leads.
License ContentLicense Content Order ReprintsOrder Reprints
Industry conferences and other networking events are also great places to lookIndustry conferences and other networking events are also great places to look
for financial jobs. Concerning networking, never forget the value of personalfor financial jobs. Concerning networking, never forget the value of personal
interaction - everyone you meet could know someone who knows of a jobinteraction - everyone you meet could know someone who knows of a job
opening. Keep your avenues of communication open by following up in aopening. Keep your avenues of communication open by following up in a
professional, yet personal way, such as a hand-written note or forwarding anprofessional, yet personal way, such as a hand-written note or forwarding an
article of common interest.article of common interest.
Choosing the Right Direction for YouChoosing the Right Direction for You
It is always wise to consider the direction of the market before seeking aIt is always wise to consider the direction of the market before seeking a
financial job. To effectively pursue jobs with the highest probability of success,financial job. To effectively pursue jobs with the highest probability of success,
you must measure the demand for the position. Different financial jobs requireyou must measure the demand for the position. Different financial jobs require
different skills and present vastly different work environments, so it's wise todifferent skills and present vastly different work environments, so it's wise to
select one that select one that aligns with your long-term interests and abilitiesaligns with your long-term interests and abilities. Someone with. Someone with
solid interpersonal skills, for example, might do well as a financial advisor, whilesolid interpersonal skills, for example, might do well as a financial advisor, while
someone who enjoys crunching numbers might do better in public accounting.someone who enjoys crunching numbers might do better in public accounting.
Do the research first to discover your options. The time spent uncovering theDo the research first to discover your options. The time spent uncovering the
most interesting possibilities to you can be time saved working in a job that justmost interesting possibilities to you can be time saved working in a job that just
doesn't fit.doesn't fit.
Get Out of Debt – Start Making MoneyGet Out of Debt – Start Making Money
Want to get out of debt, get a mortgage and save for retirement? Investopedia’sWant to get out of debt, get a mortgage and save for retirement? Investopedia’s
FREE Personal Finance newsletter shows you FREE Personal Finance newsletter shows you 7 Steps to Become Financially7 Steps to Become Financially
Independent. Independent. Take control of your money and Take control of your money and Click hereClick here to start managing your to start managing your
finances like the pros.finances like the pros.
TAGS:TAGS:
CFPCFP Career AdvancementCareer Advancement Commercial BankingCommercial Banking Finance CareersFinance Careers
Investment Banking CareerInvestment Banking Career
AdsAds
Financial Planning CareerFinancial Planning Careerwww.cifp.cawww.cifp.caStudy for the CFP Online with CIFP + CFP Exam Prep & Capstone CourseStudy for the CFP Online with CIFP + CFP Exam Prep & Capstone Course
Affordable CFO in CalgaryAffordable CFO in Calgarywww.melroseinc.cawww.melroseinc.caSenior executive financial services at affordable rates.Senior executive financial services at affordable rates.
Wealth ManagementWealth Managementlivingstoneinvestmentpartners.comlivingstoneinvestmentpartners.comProvides Tailored Discretionary Investment ConsultingProvides Tailored Discretionary Investment Consulting
YOU MAY ALSO LIKEYOU MAY ALSO LIKE
CONTENT LIBRARYCONTENT LIBRARY
ArticlesArticles TermsTerms VideosVideos TutorialsTutorials SlideshowsSlideshows FAQsFAQs CalculatorsCalculators Chart AdvisorChart Advisor Stock AnalysisStock Analysis
Free Annual ReportsFree Annual Reports Stock SimulatorStock Simulator FXtraderFXtrader Exam Prep QuizzerExam Prep Quizzer Net Worth CalculatorNet Worth Calculator
CONNECT WITH INVESTOPEDIACONNECT WITH INVESTOPEDIA
WORK WITH INVESTOPEDIAWORK WITH INVESTOPEDIA
License ContentLicense Content Advertise With UsAdvertise With Us Write For UsWrite For Us Email DeploymentEmail Deployment Contact UsContact Us CareersCareers INV SwedenINV Sweden Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters!Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters! SubscribeSubscribe
TOPTOP
PARTNERS:PARTNERS:
DICTIONARY:DICTIONARY: ## AA BB CC DD EE FF GG HH II JJ KK LL MM NN OO PP QQ RR SS TT UU VV WW XX YY ZZ
© 2015, Investopedia, LLC.© 2015, Investopedia, LLC. All Rights ReservedAll Rights Reserved Terms Of UseTerms Of Use Privacy PolicyPrivacy Policy
Search InvestopediaSearch Investopedia SymbolSymbol SearchSearch
How To Negotiate AHow To Negotiate ALower Price OnLower Price OnAnythingAnything
6 Money Goals You6 Money Goals YouShould Conquer inShould Conquer in
Your 20'sYour 20's
Millennials AreMillennials AreCompletely BrokeCompletely Broke
4 Things Millionaires4 Things MillionairesKnow That You ShouldKnow That You ShouldUse to Your AdvantageUse to Your Advantage
The Men Who AreThe Men Who AreReally Running TheReally Running The
WorldWorld
20 Richest World20 Richest WorldLeaders, Ranked ByLeaders, Ranked By
Net WorthNet Worth
Are PrePaid CellAre PrePaid CellPhones Worth ThePhones Worth The
Buck?Buck?
Will Gold Coins SufferWill Gold Coins Sufferthe Fate of thethe Fate of the$10,000 Bill?$10,000 Bill?