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If you’re planning a future in finance, you’ll need to be familiar with careers in finance to consider. Finance is one of the most diverse general career fields, with dozens of different job types. You’ll need to know which will best match your own skill set, career expectations and preferences.
If you are looking for a job in finance, we recommend starting your search on ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is one of the highest rated job search sites! You can also upload your resume to ZipRecruiter’s resume database so that recruiters and employers can find you.
Types Of Finance Careers
There are many variations within the finance field, with the list below as a sample:
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Actuary. Analyzes risk of monetary consequences with financial theory, statistics, and math, for the purpose of projecting financial outcomes.
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Economic Analyst. Measures major changes in the economy and in the financial markets.
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Investment Banker. Works to raise money for clients using stocks and bonds, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, and public offerings.
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Securities Trader. Buys and sells securities for the assets managed by the firm they work for, like commercial banks, investment banks, asset management firms, hedge funds, and more.
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Portfolio Manager. Provides comprehensive money management for institutions and clients.
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Quantitative Analyst. Use mathematics to help companies make financial and business decisions.
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Financial Planner. Creates plans for individuals to manage current and future finances
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Financial Analyst. Analyzes potential investments and helps traders, portfolio managers and businesses make sound financial decisions.
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Accountant. Records income and expenses, prepares tax returns and financial statements, and conducts audits.
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Banking. Opening and maintaining deposit and loan accounts, helping customers with financial and bank decisions.
5 Of Top Careers in Finance
1. Personal Financial Advisors
Average Salary: $94,170
Minimum Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree, but a Master’s degree, as well as relevant certifications are preferred.
Personal financial advisors find employment across the country. Many are also self-employed. The basic job is to assess the financial needs of individuals and help them make decisions on how to invest and manage their money.
They regularly meet with clients to determine and discuss their financial goals, as well as educate them about investment options, and answer any questions they have. Financial advisors may also recommend specific investments, or even design an entire portfolio. The advisor may also monitor financial accounts and make adjustments as necessary.
2. Budget Analysts
Average Salary: $79,940
Minimum Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree, including courses in accounting, economics, and statistics.
Budget analysts can work in private companies, universities, and government agencies. They work with program and project managers to develop the organization’s budget. They also review budget proposals and funding requests, and even explain those requests to others in the organization, as well as the public or government officials.
Budget analysts may also be called upon to find ways to better manage budgets, which includes monitoring organizational spending. They’ll make alternative proposals if the budget has been determined to be unsatisfactory. They can also be involved in projecting future financial needs.
3. Insurance Underwriters
Average Salary: $76,390
Minimum Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree, though work related experience and strong computer skills may get you in the door.
Insurance underwriters typically work full-time for insurance companies. There, they review and analyze insurance applications, assessing the risk involved in insuring each client who applies. Insurance underwriting involves a great deal of underwriting software, which the underwriter must evaluate in relation to the applicant.
The position involves a generous amount of contact with field representatives, medical personnel, and others needed for making policy decisions for each applicant. The underwriter will not only approve or deny the application, but also sets the premium that will be paid for the policy.
4. Cost Estimators
Average Salary: $65,170
Minimum Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree, though several years’ experience in construction may be accepted.
Cost estimators are primarily in the construction field, though they’re usually based in an office setting, with visits to construction sites and suppliers. The job involves identifying any factors affecting costs, which is a combination of time, materials, and labor.
Cost estimators need to be able to read blueprints and technical documents, then collaborate with engineers, architects, contractors and clients, to calculate, analyze and adjust estimates, and recommend ways to cut costs. They frequently work with sales representatives to generate estimates for bids made for clients.
5. Insurance Sales Agents
Average Salary: $49,840
Minimum Education Requirement: High school diploma or equivalent, though many do have bachelor’s degrees; state-level licensing required.
This is one of the most common financial positions, with over 500,000 jobs. Insurance agents work for either insurance companies or insurance brokers (which may involve representing policies for multiple companies).
Selling insurance is most of what insurance agents do. They maintain contact with clients and potential clients, to build a customer base. They’ll approach and market those individuals with the policies they offer. This often involves face-to-face meetings and providing detailed instruction and information about the programs offered. Many insurance agents work primarily on commission.
Where To Find Finance Jobs
Here are some of the best places to find finance jobs. Before you start applying for careers in finance, you may need to polish your finance resume.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter makes it easy to create a personalized profile to go with your resume to make job hunting easier. Not only is it free for job hunters, but they also give you access to more than 100 of the top job boards in the industry.
For more information, check out our ZipRecruiter review.
eFinancialCareers
eFinancialCareers is a financial job site with listings posted in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. Openings are available from the highest paying to lowest paying finance positions. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for an international finance position. But be aware that it’s also a site that focuses on technology positions.
Indeed
Indeed is popular among jobseekers because it aggregates jobs from other job boards, as well as local sources, like newspapers, And, like ZipRecruiter, it’s free to use for job hunters. They also provide reviews of employers, to help you better determine which ones you want to apply with.
For more information, check out our Indeed review.
If you’re an employer looking to fill a finance job, or any other position, check out our list of the best free job posting sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest paying jobs in finance?
Financial managers, actuaries, investment bankers, quants, securities traders, and portfolio managers are best paying jobs in finance. These positions tend to require a substantial amount of schooling, mostly in economics, math, and statistical disciplines.
What is the most common career in finance?
Banking currently employs nearly 2 million people. Working in a bank is a good way to get your foot in the door when it comes to working in finance. Many banks offer training programs and promote from within.
Is a finance degree required?
For most financial careers, especially higher paying ones, a bachelor’s degree in finance will absolutely be required for even an entry-level position. Different positions may also require advanced schooling or training.
Can I get a finance job without a degree?
Yes. Positions such as bank tellers, cashiers, bookkeepers, and bill collectors are all entry-level positions that don’t require a degree but are still careers in finance. That being said, your salary will be lower than it would be with higher levels of education. You should plan to take advantage of the best resume writing services, but especially if you don’t have a degree.
Which finance degree is best?
The short answer is that a bachelor’s degree in finance is enough to get you an entry-level position. However, depending on how far you want to get into the finance field, there are also degrees in business, information technology, economics, accounting, financial engineering, and engineering/mathematics/statistics/physics that are helpful. A master’s in business administration (MBA) will increase promotion opportunities.
The Bottom Line
No matter your strengths and weaknesses, it’s important to weigh your options when deciding your position in the financial field. It’s not always about getting the highest salary. You’ll need to highlight your skillset, especially if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, or if you’re seeking a position in a competitive field.
To get the best job we recommend you begin your search with ZipRecruiter, to land a position the fastest!