Jobs in the finance industry

Jobs in the finance industry by Michael Cheary Are you looking for a career where money really does matter?  Do you pride yourself on having excellent attention to detail, a methodical approach to your work and a mathematical mind? If so, working in finance could be the perfect career move for you. And if youre not sure what the right role is,  we’ve got you covered.Here are some careers to consider in the finance industry and some of our top tips to help you get there:AccountantWhat they do:  Prepare organisations’ accounts, which can then be used to give an overview of their financial status. By tracking all of a company’s financial transactions, any irregularities or risks can be reported, and the business can plan better moving forward.What you need:  The success of an Accountant is heavily dependent upon their numerical ability, not to mention a passion for mathematics and a close attention to detail. A degree is preferable, but not essential, although you will need to have some knowledge of standard accounting practices for most entry-level positions.What you can earn:  Around £22,000 as an entry-level salary, raising to £30,000+ with the right level of experience and specific accountancy qualifications.Perfect for:  People with excellent analytical skills.Our advice:  If you have no previous experience as an accountant, don’t panic. There are many industry-recognised courses which teach the fundamentals of accounting and most have no pre-requisites to get started. An  AAT course, for example, will be a valuable commodity when it comes to finding the right role.How to become an AccountantView all Accountancy jobsBookkeeperWhat they do:  Gather and record the financial transactions of a business, detailing how much money the company makes and spends. This includes processing invoices, calculating profit and loss and managing ledgers to make sure the books ‘balance’.What you need:  An organised and methodical approach to your work is essential, as well as a stron g aptitude for numbers. You won’t need previous experience for many entry-level roles, but being able to use specific bookkeeping software will be preferential.What you can earn:  Starting salary will be around the £20,000 mark, rising to around £24,000 and above for a slightly more experienced Bookkeeper.Perfect for:  People who like to keep everything organised.Our advice:  Developing your skills in industry specific software is essential if you want to become a bookkeeper. Programmes like Sage are particularly popular in the bookkeeping world â€" so experience of using this will be sought-after for most roles and will give you a head-start in beginning your bookkeeping career.How to become a BookkeeperView all Bookkeeper jobsPayroll AdministratorWhat they do:  Ensure that all of a business’s employees are paid correctly, incorporating bonuses, salary increases, overtime, sick pay, pension contributions, maternity or paternity pay and any other factors which may affect month ly salaries.What you need:  The ability to work towards strict deadlines, not to mention excellent numeracy skills. With so many people depending on you to make sure they’re paid properly, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure are also essential. A degree generally isn’t necessary.What you can earn:  Entry level is around £15,000, rising to around £24,000 once fully qualified and experienced.Perfect for:  People who thrive on responsibility.Our advice:  When applying for entry-level payroll positions, always try and demonstrate (and quantify) the key skills employers are looking for, namely: numerical ability, timekeeping and an organised approach to work.How to become a Payroll AdministratorView all Payroll jobsMortgage AdvisorWhat they do:  Provide people with advice on which mortgage is right for them. You could be advising individuals or entire businesses and provide guidance on one provider, multiple providers or offer products from the market as a wh ole.What you need:  Excellent commercial awareness and a duty of care to provide your clients with the best possible advice.What you can earn:  A Junior Mortgage Advisor could make around £16,000 when they start the position. However, with a proven track record of success, it’s not uncommon to earn £35,000+, especially if your job includes ‘on target earnings’ (OTE).Perfect for:  People who give great advice.Our advice:  It may sound obvious, but make sure you’ve got your finger on the pulse when it comes to the housing market. It’s essential that you know not only the prices within your area, but also how inflation is impacting the local market and how other factors, such as new legislation, could affect mortgage rates.How to become a Mortgage AdvisorView all Mortgage Advisor jobsStockbrokerWhat they do:  Buy and sell stocks and shares on behalf of corporate or private clients. This could either be in a discretionary capacity (managing all investments and making decisio ns on behalf of the client), an advisory capacity or execution only (buying and selling on instruction without input).What you need:  Excellent analytical skills, confidence and the ability to make decisions under pressure. Trustworthiness will also be of paramount importance to your clients. A degree is preferred, but experience in a similar financial capacity could work as an entry-level requirement.What you can earn:  Initial salary may start at around the £24,000 mark, but successful stockbrokers enjoy extremely lucrative salaries and being paid £50,000+ is a realistic target.Perfect for:  People who like to buy low and sell high.Our advice:  If you’re serious about becoming a stockbroker, you need to know the market. Luckily, there are a number of free programs available which use real-time stock-market figures, and allow you to buy and sell just as you would if investing for real. That way you can learn the process and the trends to follow and, if becoming a Stockbroker st ill seems like it’s for you, you can start investing for real.How to become a StockbrokerView all Stockbroker jobsFinancial AdvisorWhat they do:  Offer financial guidance to help clients choose which products are most suitable for their situation. This could be insurance, loans, investments, savings, pensions or any other service which may improve a client’s current or future finances.What you need:  Excellent communication skills and the ability to simplify complex financial options clearly and concisely. You will also need to build an excellent rapport with your regular clients. A degree is not essential.What you can earn:  Entry-level salary is usually around £22,000, rising to up to the £40,000 mark when you have some good experience and industry-recognised qualifications.Perfect for:  People that spend their money wisely.Our advice:  If you want to be a Financial Advisor, don’t be afraid to start small. Becoming a Paraplanner or even working in a Customer Service role a nd working your way up with some vocational training will take you to where you want to go.How to become a Financial AdvisorView all Financial Advisor jobsOther jobs in finance to consider:  Credit Controller, Ledger Clerk, Investment Banker, Financial Advisor, Broker, Actuary, Trader, Financial Controller.Top tipsHere are some of our top tips for finding a job in the finance industry:Be practical â€" Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom. With the right attitude and experience you will quickly work your way up.Demonstrate your skills â€" Pick out the most relevant attributes from the job description and tailor your CV to emphasise them.Focus â€"  Before you get started, its important to give your search a clear focus. Knowing the industry is one thing, but youll need to narrow down your options if you actually want to succeed.Make sure you’re up-to-date â€" Keep an eye on the latest trends and market developments and use any free software out there to help teach you the tricks of the trade.Start learning â€" If you need an extra qualification to back up your soft skills, take a course or sign up for an internship to help take you to the next level.Ready to find your ideal position in the finance industry?  View all finance jobs now.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Getting Started What job suits me?