The term “fintech” has come to describe the rapid development of technological solutions in the financial sector. If you’re interested in a career in finance, it’s important to understand the various options open to you. This article first examines finance and accounting industry salaries before listing the best-paying jobs in the field.
Finance Industry Pay Scales
Many jobs in the finance industry can be extremely lucrative for job seekers, and the industry’s median salary is significantly higher than the national average. According to the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in finance pay a median salary of $76,570, which is 67% higher than the national median salary for all occupations ($45,760).
The statistics bureau also forecasts average job growth in the finance industry between 2021 and 2031, with approximately 980,200 openings per year during that time period. As previously stated, numerous career paths are available within the sector, ranging from corporate to advising, fintech, banking and investments, accounting, or lending.
Finance and Accounting Jobs with the Highest Pay
Here are the highest-paying finance and accounting jobs.
Financial Advisor
The national average annual salary is $75,003.
These are professionals who assist customers in identifying short- and long-term financial goals and directing them to appropriate products. An insurance advisor’s responsibilities include being knowledgeable about insurance products, collaborating closely with underwriters and risk assessors, and serving as a primary point of contact for clients.
Read Also: HOW DO FINANCIAL ADVISORS MAKE MONEY? What Does a Financial Advisor Do To Earn.
Senior Accountant
The national average annual salary is $78,341.
Senior accountants are usually at the top of an accounting hierarchy and are in charge of day-to-day accounting duties. They are responsible for budget adherence, meeting accounting goals, and overseeing corporate expenditures.
Read Also: Senior Accountant: Overview, Salary, Job Description, Jobs
Investment Banker
The national average annual salary is $84,509
Investment bankers manage the portfolios of businesses and government agencies that invest in a variety of industries. These professionals assist clients in raising and investing capital in order to help the business achieve its financial growth objectives.
Read Also: INVESTMENT BANKERS: What Do Investment Bankers Do?
Hedge Funds Manager
Annual salary in the United States: $86,544
Hedge fund managers have similar responsibilities to investment bankers, but they work with higher risk and reward portfolios for investors who pool their capital to invest in hedge funds. They must monitor markets to protect investors, so they are up early and leave the office late. This type of investing is rarely a full-time job with regular hours.
Read Also: HEDGE FUND: Meaning & How They Work
Financial Analyst
The national average annual salary is $95,570.
Financial analysts sift through financial data to assist business stakeholders in making informed decisions about the company’s finances. They work for financial institutions such as banks, funds, insurance companies, and others to support customers’ purchasing decisions and needs across the country.
Read Also: Certified Financial Analyst: Definition, Requirements, Fees, Salary (+ quick tips)
Information Technology Auditor
The national average annual salary is $98,026.
IT auditors typically work for government agencies or private companies to ensure that the technology infrastructure meets compliance and other enterprise IT requirements. They spend their days performing audits and should be skilled at it, which may necessitate certification.
Read Also: IT AUDITOR SALARY: Average Salaries (Updated!)
Financial Software Developer
The national average annual salary is $109,117.
Financial software developers work in the rapidly expanding Fintech sector, developing programs that meet the needs of financial institutions and end users.
Private Equity Associate
The national average annual salary is $111,388.
These professionals network with investors in order to obtain private equity, which is then applied to business investments that diversify investors’ portfolios.
Chief Compliance Officer
The average annual salary in the United States is $137,271.
Chief compliance officers supervise all duties and departments involved in meeting compliance standards. CCOs are in charge of policy management and compliance monitoring to help businesses run more efficiently and avoid non-compliance fees.
Chief Financial Officer
The national average annual salary is $148,750.
A CFO’s primary responsibilities include supervising analysts and budgeting, making cost-related decisions about technology infrastructure, and managing financial teams.
Read Also: CFO (Chief Financial Officer): How to become a thriving CFO (+ free tips)
8 Highest-Paying Entry-Level Finance Jobs
Some of the highest entry-level jobs are available in the finance industry. Top-paying entry-level finance jobs are currently in high demand. Identifying the best jobs for salary and future career prospects is critical when deciding which job is right for you.
You can take numerous career paths with a finance degree, so it’s critical to educate yourself on your options and explore various career options. Searching for positions that best match your experience, interests, and skills will increase your chances of getting a job offer. Here, we’ll look at some of the highest-paying finance jobs available to newcomers to the industry and some of the highest-paying finance jobs.
Finance Manager
Financial managers are among the highest-paying finance jobs available right out of college, and demand is increasing. Financial managers are similar to personal finance advisors in that they manage the financial health of a company rather than individuals. The position necessitates extensive market knowledge, which may include financial management experience.
Annual salary range: $59,779 - $106,395
- Skills: Leadership, business communication, interpersonal communication, decision-making, investment principles, cash flows, financial data analysis, expense forecasting, government contracts, financial management systems, advanced mathematics, economics, statistical modeling software, market research, and trends.
- Bachelor’s degree and experience in a related field are required.
- Certifications: Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Financial Risk Manager Certification (FRM), Financial Modelling Certification, Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Fund Specialist (CFS), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), and Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA).
Personal Finance Advisor
Personal finance advisors are among the highest-paid finance professionals. These financial advisors assist clients in making strategic decisions about their short and long-term objectives. Personal finance advisors assist people in a variety of ways, including investments, insurance, savings, estate planning, retirement, and taxes.
Annual salary range: $74,203 - $89,296
- Skills: Client communication, critical thinking, analytics, writing, information technology, sales, economics, market research and trends, and retirement planning.
- Bachelor’s degree and experience in a related field are required.
- Certifications: Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Management Analyst
Management analysts are the third-highest paid finance jobs right out of college. By examining current procedures and developing solutions, these finance professionals improve company efficiency. The position necessitates data collection abilities as well as above-average communication abilities.
Annual salary range: $54,532 - $74,189
- Skills: Interpersonal communication, problem-solving, business structures, stakeholder analysis, cost-benefit analysis, process modeling, SAS, SQL databases, database query languages, and programming languages.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required, as is a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
- Certifications: ITIL Foundations Certification (ITIL), Six Sigma Green Belt, Project Management Professional (PMP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and Master Project Manager (MPM).
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts assist businesses and individuals in diversifying and investing their assets. They monitor economic trends, advise clients, assess financial risks, and determine value. It is one of the highest-paying finance jobs available right out of college, requiring technical and financial consulting abilities.
- Skills: Accounting, SEC filings, corporate finance, financial modeling, corporate valuation, developing forecast models, analytics, information technology, insurance, and interpersonal and presentation communication skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting and relevant experience are required.
- Certifications: FINRA license, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and master’s degree in accounting are all beneficial certifications.
Financial Examiner
Financial examiner is one of the highest-paying entry-level jobs, with opportunities for growth that are above average. They are in charge of risk management, as well as ensuring that financial institutions follow the law and that banks have enough cash to manage liquidity and unexpected losses.
Annual salary range: $31,000 - $43,101
- Skills: Knowledge of federal and state laws, accounting, finance, risk management, reading comprehension, attention to detail, writing, and data analytics.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting and possibly a master’s degree are required.
- Certifications: Accredited Financial Examiner, Certified Financial Examiner, and Automated Examination Specialist.
Budget Analyst
Budget analysts are similar to accountants in that they help businesses and individuals budget by adhering to laws and regulations. Budgeting can be difficult for some companies or individuals, so Budget Analysts are brought in to help organize the overall finances and plan for future spending.
Annual salary range: $53,690 - $68,490
- Skills: Strong math skills, knowledge of statistical methods and models, computer skills, familiarity with Big Data and machine learning, federal and state laws, spreadsheet program fluency are all required.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field and possibly a master’s degree are required.
- Certifications: Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Project Management Professional (PMP).
Accountant
Accountants ensure that you have accurate tax information, and they can work for both businesses and individuals. Accountants may work for large, medium, or small businesses, nonprofit organizations, or any size accounting firm. If you think analytically and enjoy problem solving with financial data, this is the role for you.
Annual salary range: $53,101 - $64,201
- Skills: Analytical thinking, generally accepted accounting principles, federal and state laws, interpersonal communication, balance sheets, tax returns, accounting software.
- Qualifications required include a bachelor’s degree in accounting or an Association of Accounting Technicians course, as well as the possibility of a master’s degree.
- Certifications: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Loan Officer
Loan officers approve and evaluate loans for individuals and businesses. They frequently work for a bank, credit union, or other financial institution, determining who is qualified for a loan. This position necessitates interpersonal communication skills as well as a thorough understanding of banking industry protocols.
Salary range: $40,101 - $59,701 per year
- Skills: Lending products, banking rules, regulations, and documents, math, analytics, interpersonal communication, customer service, sales, and decision-making.
- Qualifications required: a bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred.
- Certifications: Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO), Certified Financial Marketing Professional (CFMP), Certified Lender Business Banker (CLBB), and Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA).
Skills Needed for Jobs in Finance
Finding a job in the financial industry with only industry-specific skills is difficult. Interpersonal skills demonstrating your ability to comprehend, communicate, solve problems, and lead are sought. Here is a list of some of the skills that employers in the finance industry look for in candidates.
Industry-Specific Knowledge
- Financial Planning: Create strategies to meet a variety of short- and long-term financial objectives.
- Financial Reporting: Create documentation on a variety of scales, large (company-wide) or small (division-wide), that demonstrates financial status to internal and/or external audiences (such as management, investors, or the government). Monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing cash flow allows a company to capitalize on opportunities, avoid financial loss, and make more effective business decisions.
- Accounting: Accounting is the process of recording, tracking, summarizing, managing, and reporting a company’s financial transactions.
- Budgeting: The effective management of a large sum of money by allocating it to various areas of an organization.
- Risk Analysis: Examine financial documents for any areas that reveal a company’s or organization’s actual or potential financial risk.
- Financial Software: Knowledge of software that automates tasks and serves as a digital platform/interface for financial processes, such as analytics and accounting software.
- Mathematics—Arithmetic, Algebra, Statistics: Arithmetic is a fundamental skill for any financial profession. Algebra can be useful despite the use of software programs for many processes. Statistics is concerned with gathering and analyzing data on topics such as market trends and investment recommendations.
Interpersonal abilities
- Attention to Detail: Whether observing or entering data, dealing with it carefully and precisely is critical for financial accuracy and successful financial work on behalf of a company and its clients.
- Understanding: Thoroughly understand tasks, the process for completing them, and the best ways to obtain what may be required from others to achieve the goal.
- Working with others, whether as part of a team or when interacting with people in departments, management, or the executive suite, requires properly formulating messaging (reports, proposals, summaries, recommendations, etc.) and conveying it to others clearly and unmistakably.
- Client Interaction: Some jobs may necessitate direct interaction with clients. This could include discussing market conditions, trends, portfolio values, and investment opportunities. It is critical that applicants communicate effectively.
- Problem-solving is another term for solution development. Create ideas to make things work and run smoothly. Handle difficult situations and people successfully. Do whatever is required to complete the task.
- Decision-Making: Demonstrate the ability and willingness to identify options and choose the ones that best address the problem at hand.
What Exactly Is a Portfolio Manager?
A portfolio manager is someone who manages the buying and selling of investments for their employer’s or client’s portfolios. Clients can be large institutions, small businesses, or individuals. Portfolio managers are employed by businesses. For example, Warren Buffett, the owner of Berkshire Hathaway, manages his company’s portfolio.
Are Finance Jobs Only Available at Large Institutions?
No, they can be found in all sizes of businesses throughout the country. It all depends on the type of job you’re looking for. Accountants, finance managers, and economists can be found in small and large businesses, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations.
What Education Level Is Required for Jobs in the Financial Industry?
Although it isn’t a given, a bachelor’s degree is typically required to obtain employment. Higher-level degrees allow you to advance your career more quickly and may provide you with a higher salary.
In Conclusion
Despite their differences, many financial professions share common characteristics. There is fierce competition among applicants, as well as high entry barriers. While work environments can be demanding, most jobs involve interaction with highly motivated and intelligent coworkers. Most jobs necessitate a substantial amount of education as well as exceptional academic performance.
Many people are drawn to the financial industry because of the possibility of making a lot of money. On the other hand, those who are the most successful have a strong passion for their job—in some finance professions, new employees can expect to work 70 to 90-hour work weeks. The job is stressful, but if you can get through the first few years, you will be rewarded handsomely.
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Best Paying Jobs in Finance and Accounting: References
