July 08, 2022
Careers in finance offer professionals the opportunity to work in a field that is diverse and fast-paced. Most careers in the finance field require, at a minimum, a four-year degree and often require degrees in business, math, economics, or statistics. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment in business and financial operations occupations is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations, adding about 750,800 new jobs.
Since the finance industry has a variety of opportunities that cater to unique skills and interests, we’ve compiled a list of careers in the finance industry to help find what to aim for or where to start. Keep reading to see if any stand out to you!
A financial planner meets with clients to review and assess their current and long-term financial goals. In this role, financial planners support clients create a plan to help achieve their goals while helping to limit spending, pay off debts, save, and invest wisely.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business. Some opportunities require a Certified Financial Planner certification.
Financial analysts work in a variety of fields, including business, insurance, and banking. Analysts guide clients to make informed decisions about expending money to attain a profit by monitoring the performance of investments, like stocks and bonds.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree.
Portfolio managers are key investment decision-makers for their clients. Managers are responsible for creating and managing investment portfolios by deciding what investments to buy and sell and when.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree.
If you love numbers, this role is ideal. An actuary is an expert in using math and statistics to monitor the financial impact of uncertainty and consequences for clients’ or companies’ risks.
Education requirements: bachelor’s degree in mathematics, actuarial science, statistics, or in an analytical field. Certifications are often required to become a certified professional.
Investment bankers are responsible for the financial growth of businesses, organizations, or corporate entities. They support corporate restructuring, advisory services, mergers and acquisitions, and raising capital. This role combines a broad range of skills and knowledge, including financial, analytical, and persuasive communication.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in financial-related topics like business administration, finance, commerce, economics, or an analytical field like statistics.
This career option requires expertise in financial operations for businesses and organizations to support successful operations. Typical job duties include reviewing financial statements and account books to ensure the information is accurate and complies with laws and regulations, preparing taxes, identifying risks, monitoring business operations for potential fraud, and offering ideas to reduce costs, promote revenue, and increase profits. There are many types of accountants and auditors that focus on different financial areas depending on their interests, like an environmental accountant.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree, typically in accounting or a related field.
Environmental accountants are responsible for managing a company’s environmental impact. Responsibilities typically include advising clients or businesses on what environmental impact the decisions they may have, how will decisions affect the company’s button line, collecting environmental information, developing reports for investors, and analyzing how natural resources are used.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Retail bankers are responsible for interacting with clients to support their needs. Responsibilities often include providing financial advice, opening and closing checking and savings accounts, signing for loans, moving money, and assisting with questions regarding the bank’s products and services. This role is often entry-level, with the opportunity to grow and move into other roles within the banking industry.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, or a related field.
Underwriters work for insurance companies and determine whether to approve applicants to become insured. Typical responsibilities include reviewing applications, screening applications for their risk level and researching additional applicant information as needed.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree.
A financial broker supports financial functions like managing financial assets, executing financial transactions, and garnering funding businesses need. Typical responsibilities include monitoring market conditions, researching, developing investment plans, and advising on whether to buy or sell business assets.
Education requirements: High school diploma.
Loan officers serve as a representative for financial institutions like banks or credit unions to support interested borrowers with their application process.
Education requirements: High school diploma.
Budget analysts support companies in planning their finances. Typical responsibilities include developing the organization’s budget, reviewing budget proposals, helping analyze proposed plans, ensuring organization spending is within budget, and anticipating future financial needs and changes.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree.
In this complex role, logisticians are responsible for analyzing and coordinating a business’ supply chain. They manage the entire life cycle of a product, including how it is acquired, managed, and delivered typically through software management systems. Logisticians are key to ensuring proper business functionality and often lead key parts of business success, like purchasing product/inventory, managing transportation of the product/inventory, and warehousing storage, all while encouraging cost-saving strategies that minimize overall costs and time required to transport products/inventory. This role offers a variety of opportunities across different industries and specializations.
Education requirements: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
If you are looking for a career change or just starting, a career in the finance industry offers endless opportunities. Check out our job board to find your next opportunity in Metro Detroit. We add new positions daily.
Written by Megan Lasley
