Working in the finance sector is a goal for many people. At the end of the day, in a capitalist society, the goal for many people is to make money. While this can be done in many ways, being directly involved in the finance industry puts you up close and personal with the money – which in short is the means by which capitalist success is measured.
Working in finance can be very beneficial as this career path can become your ticket to experiencing high earnings, a balanced lifestyle, flexibility, and room for growth. With the number of businesses and individuals looking for people who have the necessary training and experience in finance, working in this industry allows you to have job security, and even the opportunity to continue your education.
However, working in the finance industry can be daunting as there are lots of jobs and career paths that you could follow. With these options, you’ll likely find yourself clueless on what to choose – you might see yourself reading materials on the ultimate guide on how to become a CFO one moment, but then choose a different career path the next week.
If you know that this is the direction that you want to head in, then here are a few angles or career paths that you might want to consider.
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Auditor
Auditors are essentially the referees who make sure that everyone plays the commercial game according to the same rules. These are the people who come in and make sure that the books are not being cooked, that the investors are getting out what they should and that the correct taxes are being paid.
As an auditor, you have to make sure that all of the money that goes in and out are recorded. Your role as an auditor can make or break the success of a business, especially those that are still new or starting to make a name for themselves. If you’re interested to work as an auditor, integrity is a must as there will be individuals who will try to persuade you to steal money for them or conceal financial documents on their behalf. This is especially true if you get to work with multimillion-dollar businesses.
For those who are interested in this field, there are plenty of auditing courses available to study at tertiary level. It certainly requires some qualifications, but it also requires attention to detail and the willingness to ask awkward questions.
Stockbroker
These are the guys who buy and sell shares and make trades on behalf of their clients. They will often manage large portfolios of assets. Typically, these portfolios are full of listed companies and it is the role of the broker to know what is performing well, what is struggling, how much of each stock to hold and when to offload. It is a great job, seriously challenging and one that requires an intimate knowledge of the stock market – both locally and internationally.
If you want to work as a stockbroker and become the best in the industry, it’s essential that you spend a lot of time understanding how the stock market works. As a stockbroker, your clients will entrust their investments and finances to you, which is why you should make sure that you’re making the right decisions on their behalf. How can you become a reputable stockbroker if you’re only known to lose clients’ stocks in the market?
Book-keeper
These are the people who run the finances for their company. It is a more one the ground role, keeping track of receipts, making payments and updating the various cash ledgers and accounts. The bookkeeper is essentially the ground floor of the accounting and auditing chain. It is often a role that can be filled by somebody with nothing more than school accountancy.
Banking
The banking field is vast and varied and it could be a great place to start your financial industry career. In terms of banking, you could even start out as a teller. The teller is the person who handles the transactions between the bank and the client. But behind the teller, there are bankers and managers and loans consultants. These are all critical roles in the creation of a functioning banking ecosystem.
Advisor
The independent financial advisor is a role that more people should consider making use of. This is a person who looks at your overall financial health and planning. They will assist with retirement planning, income protection, insurance, estates, and general financial planning. Often trained as chartered accountants or brokers, make sure that if you do end up in this position that you do so as an independent broker representing the interest of your clients, and not employed by a financial services institution and representing their interests.
When seeking the services of an independent financial advisor, it is essential to consider their certifications and qualifications. Certifications such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) demonstrate their expertise and commitment to providing sound financial advice. If you’re preparing for the Series 7 exam, you may find it beneficial to access free Series 7 flashcards, which can serve as valuable study aids to enhance your knowledge and preparation for this crucial licensing examination. By engaging with a certified and knowledgeable independent financial advisor dedicated to representing your interests, you can confidently navigate the complex financial landscape and optimize your financial well-being.
A financial advisor usually works freelance. This kind of setup will allow you to experience work-life balance, and increased income as you get to work with multiple clients at the same time. However, for you to become a successful financial advisor, you should be well-versed in the different facets of finance.
About Carson Derrow
