Finance and Banking

The world of finance is composed of a variety of career options and opportunities. A career in finance means that you will likely be involved in analyzing financial information to produce forecasts of business, industry, and economic conditions for use in making investment decisions. Areas of specialization include commercial banking, corporate finance, financial planning, real estate, insurance, investment banking, and money management.

Sample tasks (from O*Net):

  • Assemble spreadsheets and draw charts and graphs used to illustrate technical reports, using a computer.
  • Maintain knowledge and stay abreast of developments in the fields of industrial technology, business, finance, and economic theory.
  • Interpret data affecting investment programs, such as price, yield, stability, future trends in investment risks, and economic influences.
  • Monitor fundamental economic, industrial, and corporate developments through the analysis of information obtained from financial publications and services, investment banking firms, government agencies, trade publications, company sources, and personal interviews.
  • Recommend investments and investment timing to companies, investment firm staff, or the investing public.
  • Prepare plans of action for investment based on financial analyses.
  • Evaluate and compare the relative quality of various securities in a given industry.
  • Present oral and written reports on general economic trends, individual corporations, and entire industries.
  • ...search for more job descriptions on O*Net 

Sample Career Paths:

  • Actuary
  • Appraiser
  • Audit Manager
  • Bank Manager
  • Branch Manager
  • Budget Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • Business Manager
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Commodity Trader
  • Consumer Banker
  • Controller
  • Credit Manager
  • Estimator
  • Equity Research Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Financial Planner
  • Government Official
  • Insurance Agent/Broker
  • Investment Banker
  • Investor Relations
  • Loan Counselors
  • Loan Officers
  • Mergers/Acquisitions Manager
  • Mutual Fund Manager
  • Operational Risk Analyst
  • Payroll Administrator
  • Portfolio Analyst
  • Property Manager
  • Rate Analyst
  • Real Estate Developer
  • Securities Analyst
  • Securities Broker
  • Stockbroker
  • Tax Specialist
  • Treasury Management Specialist
  • Trust Analyst

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Last Edited: 1/24/2008