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A guide on how to get a job in the finance sector

Management
April 30,
2022

The financial industry is expanding at a breakneck pace, opening up a slew of new job prospects in the corporate world. A vocation in finance could be exciting and financially lucrative, and with so many details available, it’s tough to find helpful advice about getting started. It’s a well-known high-paying profession, with top executives earning six or seven figures in wages and incentives. Compared to other fields, even individuals on the bottom tier may start at a decent salary.

Finance is among the sectors that will always be prominent in various fields, such as business, commerce, retail, banking, etc. As a result, jobs in financial services will always be relevant and growing. You might not land your desired career immediately, but the best part is that finance is such an extensive business that there’s lots of space to grow, shift about, and discover your speciality once you’re there.

Is finance a good career option for the future?

“Why do you want to pursue a career in finance?” To get an answer to this question, read this article till the end.

The finance industry has a plethora of rewarding career options. As the Indian economy increasingly integrates with the rest of the world, more employment opportunities in finance have opened up. High-paying accounting and finance jobs are among the most sought-after, with high salaries, bonuses, and prospects for advancement. Many MBA and business master’s graduates select finance as a career path because of the high pay and opportunity to significantly impact an organisation early in their careers.

There are many prospects for long-term advancement in a financial career path, regardless of the type of industry you join. Most jobs in the finance sector entail handling money, analysing financial data, or executing similar activities. People in this area have a high probability of rapid career advancement because they can constantly transition to different roles based on their talents and interests. With so much room for improvement, this field will be valued and sought in the future.

Career in Finance: List of top 11 jobs in the finance sector

After having completed a finance education, you can pursue various employment positions and careers in finance in India. You can also specialise in specific fields, such as corporate finance and financial accounting. Here’s a rundown of the list of B.Com accounting and finance jobs that might be of preference to you:

  • Financial Analyst
  • Investment Banker
  • Public Accountant
  • Financial Advisor
  • Portfolio Manager
  • Bank Manager
  • Risk Manager
  • Credit Analyst
  • Loan officers
  • Actuaries
  • Accountants

What qualifications do I need to get a job in the finance sector?

We have listed some of the qualifications for you to get a job in the finance sector.

  • College degree

Most professional paths, notably entry-level positions, only require a graduate degree. A liberal arts degree is a fine starting point, but specialisation in economics, finance, business, or accounting are major standouts.

  • MBA degree

Many people regard an MBA degree as merely a filtering tool to assist employers in narrowing down candidates from a vast pool of applications. Even while a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus on-the-job training will suffice, an MBA degree provides an edge in recruitment, raises, and salary.

  • Law degree

Since financial services are extensively regulated, whether personal finances, corporate funding, financial advisory, or insurance, having a law degree is beneficial.

  • Computer knowledge 

Finance professionals, particularly those at the entry-level, such as financial analysts and associates, must process and analyse data regularly. Computer software, which assists with database creation, calculation and modelling, and the creation of charts, graphs, and tables, is the most efficient way to accomplish this.

Steps to start career in accounting and finance

The finance industry is a demanding one to enter into, so you’ll need to put in considerable time and energy if you want to succeed. Here are some helpful hints for starting a career in finance and getting corporate finance jobs.

  • Earn a bachelor’s degree

While a bachelor’s degree isn’t required to find employment in finance, it might give you an edge over a prospective employer and stay consistent with the other applicants for a specific position. College education in finance rather than business or another similar topic will probably assist you, notably if the career you desire is more specialised. Your learning might also introduce you to important financial concepts and knowledge which you can apply to your employment prospects.

  • Pursue an internship

Interning in finance is the finest method to get a solid understanding of the industry. Internships in finance give you real-world exposure, credentials, and plenty of possibilities to network. It allows you to gain experience in the financial business while working for an organisation that can demonstrate to you how your profession may advance. Consider doing multiple internships, each in a various perspective of the finance sector, to broaden your skills and assist you to focus on your passions and preferred career trajectory.

  • Get an entry-level job

An entry-level position is an excellent way to begin to work in finance. Even if the position isn’t in finance, one might achieve raises and eventually take the job they want. 

  • Earn a master’s degree in finance

Pursuing postgraduate finance courses will give you a valuable glimpse into the sector before working in it. A finance degree can assist you in comprehending the fundamental concepts used in the industry so that you might succeed in your job. You can also enrol in a certification or postgraduate study, such as an MA or MBA, to distinguish yourself in the employment landscape. A career after MBA in finance will be highly rewarding.

  • Find a better job

Based on the sector, you might find a job in any business with a degree if you demonstrate that you have the attributes they’re seeking in a skilled employee. After starting with the entry-level position, you continuously need to upskill yourself side by side by pursuing online courses or certifications so that you can find better accounting and finance jobs. Hiring managers frequently need certain degrees or certificates for selection for higher-level roles.

How can you get started in finance without any experience?

Although certain entry-level finance positions don’t need a bachelor’s degree, having one provides you with a competitive advantage — and a higher salary. To start, you’ll have to socialise with people in the financial industry as often as practicable. In many circumstances, it’s more about who you know than just what you know for securing a financial job.

To start off with, begin by approaching individuals you know and asking them to refer you to organisations you want to collaborate with. You can also engage with financial experts on LinkedIn and other social networking sites. 

You can also try enrolling in online certification programmes to improve your finance and investment skills. These programmes can help you get started in the finance field even if you have no prior experience. 

An MBA degree in finance will be a major plus point for your career and professional life.   The banking and finance jobs after MBA will be a breeze. Finally, trade simulators might help you better understand the financial sector. Mock portfolios can be created using a variety of online stock trading simulators.

Financial and non-financial individuals can use this expertise to convince prospective employers with their trade skills and market awareness. To summarise, if you have no prior expertise in finance, you will need to:

  • Build your networking
  • Know the trends in financial institutions
  • Have a mentor in the financial sector
  • Be ready to start from a lower position
  • Enrol in an online finance course
  • Focus on your transferable skills
  • Start a financial blog
  • Use a trading simulator

How much salary can one expect in the finance sector?

A finance degree can lead to a rewarding and steady job in the financial, investment, and business worlds. The fresher salary in India ranges from INR 0.2 Lakhs to INR 8.0 Lakhs, with an average annual salary of INR 2.4 Lakhs. With experience, salary in the financial sector also rises. Let us have a look at the average salary of finance professionals.

Role in financial sectorAverage salary( in INR)
Finance Manager10,05,119
Personal Financial Advisor6,27,776
Management Analyst9,94,044
Financial Analyst4,29,155
Budget Analyst12,60,109
Accountant3,30,000
Loan Officer2,40,000

Jobs after graduation: Top recruiting companies in the finance sector

The companies frequently visit B-schools to recruit finance majors and offer amazing packages to MBA candidates. The following is a list of the top recruiting firms that hire MBA finance applicants.

  • Goldman Sachs
  • Morgan Stanley
  • JP Morgan Chase & Co
  • McKinsey & Co
  • Barclay’s
  • Tech Mahindra
  • KPMG
  • Private Banks (Kotak, ICICI, HDFC etc.)
  • BNY Mellon

These firms hire not only seasoned executives but also freshers. They also offer internship programmes, which are an excellent place to start for any finance graduate.

Do I need a master’s degree for a job in the finance sector?

To work in the financial sector, you’ll need to distinguish in your business endeavours, be inventive with your business concepts, have solid managerial skills, and be familiar with innovative marketing strategies. This does not happen naturally, but you can certainly develop these abilities. 

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in finance is a specialisation that will improve your financial skills, business concepts, and understanding of the nation’s economy. MBA in finance will allow you to lay the groundwork for understanding trading strategies, global and regional economics, mergers & acquisitions, insurance, and business risk, by providing practical and conceptual understanding.

You’ll also receive overall business knowledge, with the core of sessions about financial, investing, and banking themes. As a result, you will have a competitive advantage over your coworkers and peers in obtaining your chosen position in the sector.

Read More: Things You Need to Know About Online MBA in Finance

Tips before entering the finance sector job

Followings are some of the tips for you to enter a job in the finance sector.

  • Enrol in finance professional certificate programmes

Finance programmes are the most prevalent globally because they lead to rewarding and fulfilling professional opportunities. Skilled financial professionals play a critical part in the firm’s expense and accounting management. They are essential in any company, regardless of industry. Finance courses were solely available to accounting professionals or MBA in finance students until a few decades ago.

There are many finance courses accessible now, both long-term and short-term. CA, CS, CFA, CWA, ICWAI, MBA, FPA, and CFP are some of the most popular financial courses.

  • Look for internships in the field and become familiar with financial concepts

Learning from seasoned experts, developing domain expertise, practising fundamental and advanced financial abilities, and networking with others in the financial sector are benefits of interning. You can also gain insight into how a company operates on the inside, which may help you land full-time paid employment over someone who has not worked for the organisation previously.

To thrive in a profession, you must be able to communicate in that lingo. Familiarising yourself with finance related jargon and key financial words will assist you in writing excellent reports and improving your corporate communication abilities, which is one of the important skills in finance.

  • Earn industry licence/certificates

Certifications from renowned organisations enhance your credibility and demonstrate that you can do complex tasks. They can also assist you in improving your current job or switching careers by strengthening your core competencies. They are frequently undertaken for a brief period, allowing you to get many industry certifications.

  • Make use of your peer connections

Breaking into the finance industry requires a lot of networking. Always connect with people you recognise in different businesses and build genuine connections to network effectively. To strengthen your connections, contribute to them and be consistent in your networking efforts. If you have a reference from someone you trust, recruiters may accept the discrepancy in your experience.

  • Develop the skills for the work

Contenders must have a precise set of talents to stand out among the crowd. Here are the important skills in finance you’ll need to exhibit if you want to work for top-tier corporations.

  1. Understanding of financial terms
  2. Working knowledge of numbers
  3. Persuasiveness
  4. Problem-solving
  5. Communication
  6. Management

Master your finance skills with an online MBA from Online Manipal

Advance your career by earning a UGC-accredited online MBA from NAAC A+ Manipal University Jaipur. Attending live or recorded classes allows you to learn from the top professors whenever and wherever you want. This course will teach you comprehensive skills that will help you to deal with difficult financial problems. It also gives you a wide understanding of various financial structures and risk management techniques.

Real-world case studies are included in the teaching style to help you build and increase your critical reasoning skills. The curriculum offers an extensive learning environment with access to enormous e-libraries and study resources. You may keep your knowledge fresh by using pop quizzes and mock exams.

Conclusion

A master’s degree in business administration with a specialisation in finance is essential in today’s job market and in shaping the career of someone with financial interests and a passion for stocks, resources, cash, assets, and commodities.

When choosing an MBA in finance programme, one must plan ahead of time, considering the cost, which is high because this programme combines both theory and practical experience. So, prepare to enter the world of finance with calculators, ledgers, and a laptop as your money management tools, and get ready to dominate the world with excel sheets as your everlasting partner.

Disclaimer

Information related to companies and external organizations is based on secondary research or the opinion of individual authors and must not be interpreted as the official information shared by the concerned organization.


Additionally, information like fee, eligibility, scholarships, finance options etc. on offerings and programs listed on Online Manipal may change as per the discretion of respective universities so please refer to the respective program page for latest information. Any information provided in blogs is not binding and cannot be taken as final.

  • TAGS
  • Finance
  • Master of Business Administration
  • MBA Specialisation
  • online degree
  • online education in India
  • Online MBA

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