Finance

Trade Schools with Finance Programs

Money makes the world go ’round, and those who attend a finance school have the chance to handle it directly. From researching services to setting the stepping stones of a client’s financial future, these employees meet with customers to develop personalized spending plans for investments like retirement.

Anyone interested in learning the ins-and-outs of the trade can enroll in finance classes. These courses usually include accounting, business, and economics. Once they’ve finished their finance education, qualified candidates often seek employment as bankers, analysts, and more.

What Is Finance?

Whether you’re looking for finance work as a bank teller or wish to one day manage the funds of a major corporation, this diverse field offers a wide variety of opportunities for students. Typically, those who have a knack for math, business, and economics do well in these positions.

Finance degrees give individuals the chance to learn how to manage money, create detailed savings plans, and help others invest in their futures. After graduation, hopefuls can seek finance jobs in places like insurance agencies and banks.

New hires typically spend more than 40 hours a week in the office, with the occasional need to work weekends and holidays. However, there is room for growth and advancement within this highly competitive industry. Those who put in the time and effort receive pay raises and more finance benefits.

What Are Other Financial Analyst Job Duties?

Employees perform a range of finance duties. In some settings, an associate must do heavy research to compare economic trends and outcomes in order to create a personalized plan for their customers. Based on this data, they recommend the best services and plans to meet their customers’ needs.

In law firms and other businesses, some individuals may assist their coworkers in gathering information and writing press releases to send throughout the industry. It’s important for interested candidates to possess good communication skills.

Analysts often spend time discovering new financial patterns. They then use that data to create spreadsheets full of information about stocks, bonds, and other investment types for customers or businesses. Because of this, organizational and technical abilities are key. Many employers provide on-the-job finance training for new hires. However, those candidates that stand out most familiarize themselves beforehand with the following finance tools:

Excel
PowerPoint
ReadyRatios
PlanGuru
MATLAB

What Types of Skills Should Finance Workers Possess?

Those who are good at math tend to succeed in finance careers. In positions like bankers and advisors, these employees spend the day crunching numbers and keeping revenue in check for businesses. A proficiency with numbers ensures that fellow team members and bosses get accurate results to best serve the company.

Additionally, employers look for people who are problem-solvers. As in most positions, unplanned issues arise that need immediate attention. Successful individuals quickly refer to their finance education and can easily find a solution.

In some cases, those in finance careers may need to oversee the projects of a large group of people. The ideal candidate can take on a leadership role, delegating responsibilities and making sure everyone is on the path to success. Likewise, hiring managers seek team players who follow directions and work well with others.

How Do Financial Analysts Maintain Their Workspace?

Financial analysts typically sit at a desk. Because of the long hours spent in meetings, hosting seminars, and conducting research, many employees try to make their offices as comfortable as possible. In addition to computers, they use standard finance equipment and supplies like calculators, printers, scanners, and more each day.

Why Do Financial Analysts Need the Ability to Communicate?

Analysts often meet face-to-face with customers to help them manage their personal funds and meet their short- and long-term goals. This can be an overwhelming experience for some people. As a financial analyst, it’s important to have the ability to translate finance jargon into everyday terms.

How Do Financial Analysts Promote Their Work?

In order to promote their services, financial analysts often hold forums for potential clients. These events provide the opportunity for a recruit to highlight their marketable finance skills while networking. Many hopefuls use this time to exchange portfolios with others.

Some workers may also create a website to promote their business. Having a solid platform that customers can access anywhere allows associates to gain more supporters and exposure. This is also a good place to display a finance resume and to elaborate on offered services.

What Are Useful Skills and Traits for People in This Field?

Strong attention to detail
Ability to take on multiple tasks and projects at once
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Familiarity with computer programs and IT software

Analytical mindset with a research-based background
Willingness to follow all necessary state and federal guidelines
Acknowledge the importance of meeting deadlines
Ability to both lead and perform as a part of team

Are There Special Requirements for Finance Jobs?

When it comes to finance requirements, recruiters mainly look for candidates who have finished their finance classes from colleges or trade schools. For most entry-level positions, an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business is sufficient.

After gaining finance experience for their resumes through internships or other relevant positions, some pursue finance certificates. These certifications showcase a workers’ area of expertise. Some common examples are:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Certified Financial Planner (CFE)
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

What Is the Outlook for
Finance Jobs?

As the economy continues to change, so does the demand for finance careers. The general trend, however, is positive. As this field is continuously growing, there is a high amount of competition. Job hopefuls can seek finance work in banks and large corporations.

Salaries greatly depend on a candidate’s level of finance education, expertise, and location. On average, entry-level staff members can earn anywhere from $47k to $52k annually. Those with plenty of experience even make upwards of $90k or more each year.

Along with competitive pay, employees often find several finance benefits, including:

Job security
Medical insurance
401(k) plans
Paid vacation and time off
Healthcare coverage

What Should Workers Expect?

Most new hires work more than a 40-hour week. In addition to longer business days, they may need to meet with clients or attend workshops during the evenings and on weekends. Additionally, some entry-level employees earn their money on commission-based projects. As a staff member’s experience grows, their benefits and pay get better.

Where Can Prospects Find Work?

Once a candidate has earned a finance certificate or degree, job hopefuls can apply at places such as:

Banks
Insurance companies
Law firms
Real estate agencies
IT services
Healthcare facilities
Manufacturing industries
Tax centers

Can You Work Remotely?

While there are several in-house opportunities available in this field, candidates can sometimes find remote finance jobs. Associates and their employers communicate electronically to perform a variety of finance duties.

Larger healthcare facilities, law firms, and even some banks looking for financial help often have opportunities for those looking to work from the comfort of their homes. Most commonly, these corporations offer jobs for part-time bookkeepers, accountants, and advisers.

Do Finance Workers Have Any Other Options?

Many companies have some sort of finance work available. For instance, those with a finance degree can work in a bank as a teller or account manager. These individuals help people manage their savings daily and input important data.

After graduation, some finance trade school students can also seek positions at law firms as accounting assistants. Typically, these workers schedule and prepare billing for clients. They also keep records of incoming and outgoing payments. Experienced hopefuls can expect to make about $40k annually.

Medical billing is another option for those with a finance education. People skills are important for these positions, as they spend most of the day calling patients and insurance agencies.

What Are Alternate Careers for Financial Analysts?

Another route for finance careers is a risk analyst. Their main goal is to make sure the company avoids poor investment decisions. Associates assess a business’s portfolios and track their growths and losses. As a full-time staff member, employees can earn about $53k a year.