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Finance Jobs

By: EconomyWatch Date: 25 September 2009

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The finance sector can be subcategorized into the banking, investment and insurance sectors, all of which offer a wide range of finance jobs. Finance jobs are highly sought after, since they are typically very lucrative and can be prestigious. Finance jobs are intensely competitive and fast-paced, and require a person to not only have sound knowledge of numbers and concepts, but also have the ability to excel under pressure.

Types of Finance Jobs

The most common finance jobs are for:

Accountants: This word is derived from the Latin word ‘Computare’ and describes a person who has knowledge of bookkeeping, prepares financial reports and maintains and audits financial records. The aim of an account is to ensure that decision makers, such as managers, investors and tax authorities, have the financial data necessary for making tax, investment and savings decisions. In the US, legally practicing accountants are called Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).
Finance auditors: Auditors are practicing accountants who attest the accounting and financial information published by firms. Several companies hire their own internal auditors whose job comprises of maintaining internal controls in the firm. External auditors work independently and may not rely on reports submitted by internal auditors.
Financial controller: The job of a financial controller comprises of overseeing internal accounts and monitoring internal finances. It is usually considered a highly prestigious post, second only to the chief financial officer (CFO) in countries like the US, the UK and Canada.
Investment banker: Investment bankers offer financial advice to their individual and corporate clients. They also offer underwriting, brokerage, research, asset management and forex services. The two most crucial roles of an investment banker are to manage bond and stock issuance and recommend and implement strategies for mergers and acquisitions for corporations.
Fund managers: They are individuals who help funds, such as mutual funds, retirement funds and hedge funds, in implementing their investing strategies and managing their portfolio trading activities.

Financial analyst: These analysts analyze a company’s earnings and growth potential by using technical and fundamental analyses and summarize their opinion on the company in a report. This report helps investors (individuals and firms) in taking investment decisions.
Stock brokers: They help investors in buying and selling securities and their derivatives (executive role). Brokers also help their clients maintain a well-diversified investment portfolio (advisory role). Some stock brokers may also take investment decisions on the client’s behalf (discretionary role).

Underwriters: They are usually employed by banks as well as insurance and investment companies. Underwriters act as intermediaries between their employers and their clients and identify the risk of the former incurring losses from the latter.

Insurance agents/brokers: Insurance agents or brokers may work independently or be affiliated to a company. Their job is to convince customers to buy insurance policies. They are often required to offer after-sales support, when a client needs to make a claim.