Finance:
Skills & Job Outlook for this Career Cluster
On The Job:
- Employees usually work in offices or cubes. A 40-hour workweek is standard. Exceptions are accountants and others who work overtime during tax season.
- The expansion of branch offices in retail locations means more opportunities for working weekend or evening hours.
- Some finance workers oversee monetary concerns for a business, some manage individual accounts, some help customers at banks or credit unions and still others work with insurance agencies to determine payments and liability.
- Finance workers need to loves numbers, be clear communicators and have strong problem-solving skills. Financial positions sometimes involve risky or financially challenging decisions.
- Companies look for financial people with specialized skills and certifications. Contract positions are common for busy periods or special projects.
What Skills Do You Need?
- Accuracy skills for dealing with numbers and money.
- Analytical skills to review information and advise others about financial decisions.
- Communication and speaking skills to explain options and regulations to clients.
- Computer skills for spreadsheet and financial software along with standard office programs.
- Discretion capabilities to protect customers' personal information.
- Instructional skills for advising people about investment opportunities.
- Mathematics skills to calculate transactions.
Job Outlook: GOOD
Hiring demand in finance is high as more consumers are concerned with their personal finances, prompting the need for investment counselors, credit analysts and financial counselors. The growth of mortgage and residential banking has increased the demand for lending originators, processors and underwriters.
Candidates with strong customer service skills are needed to staff bank locations in grocery stores and other convenient locations.
Workers in this industry must have strong computer skills. Finance professionals who can organize fiscal data using various spreadsheet and database software are in demand.
Also needed are people with financial skills in specialized industries, such as health care or construction.
Certifications and continuing education is needed to keep up with ever-changing federal and state laws, as well as technological advances.
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