- Key Takeaways
- Financial Analysts
- Personal Financial Adviser (Financial Planners)
- Insurance Underwriters
- Financial Brokers
- Financial Examiners
- How to Break In If You’re Switching Careers
- Skills That Differentiate in 2025
- See If Finance Is Right for You
- Further Guidance & Tools
- Next Steps
- Final Words
- Additional Resources
We may earn a commission if you click on a product link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.
Last updated: November 4, 2025
Key Takeaways
- High-Value Roles: Finance careers vary widely in terms of pay and growth; analysts and examiners tend to experience strong trends, while underwriters face a contraction.
- Education Matters: Most career paths require a bachelor’s degree; select roles benefit from certifications or graduate studies.
- Skills That Pay: Excel, financial modeling, and clear communication remain must-haves across titles.
- Licensing & Ethics: Advisory and broker roles often require exams and strict compliance standards.
- Career Fit: Match your tolerance for pressure, regulation, and client interaction with the role’s day-to-day responsibilities.
Finance remains one of the few fields where analytical thinkers can blend challenge, compensation, and long-term growth. Despite market cycles and increased competition, it continues to offer diverse paths — from investment analysis to advisory roles — for those who excel with numbers and strategic decisions.
Finance is probably one of the more challenging careers (high expectations, but great rewards as well) and is not for everyone. But if you are great with numbers and want a meaningful and challenging career, then consider some of the jobs in this post.
This comprehensive careers handbook is packed with ideas and inspiration to set you on the right career path. Tailor made to suit your individual strengths and interests, you’ll work out where you want to go and the exact route to take.
Financial Analysts
- What They Do – Financial analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. They understand and review macroeconomic and microeconomic conditions along with company fundamentals. They review business and industry dynamics and may make recommendations based on their analysis.
- How Much They Make – The median annual wage was $101,910 in May 2024; overall employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034.
- Education and
Training Requirements – While acollege degree is not required, there is an expectation that financial analysts hold an undergraduate degree in Finance or accounting. An MBA or a Master’s will certainly help your career. All Financial Analysts must have good computerskills and should consider Excel training courses.
Personal Financial Adviser (Financial Planners)
- What They Do – Personal financial advisers generally give financial advice to small businesses and individuals. Based on their review of economic needs, they help individuals make informed decisions about investments, other personal financial matters, and retirement planning.
- How Much They Make – The median annual
salary was $100,050 in May 2024; employment is projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034. - Education and
Training Requirements – A bachelor’s degree is generally required. There are also several types of certification, such as a Certified Financial Planner (which can also be helpful). As with Financial Analysts, a master’s degree is also beneficial.
Where financial advisors go for answers--revised and updated to address consequential legal and economic changes.
Insurance Underwriters
- What They Do – Underwriters analyze risks on behalf of
insurance companies. They analyze the risk factors on an application and submit their findings to insurance companies on behalf of individuals and businesses. Mostinsurance underwriters typically specialize in one of the maininsurance fields – life, health, property, and casualty.
- How Much They Make – The median annual
salary was $79,880 in May 2024; employment is projected to decline 3% from 2024 to 2034.
- Education and
Training Requirements – Although not required, a bachelor’s degree is helpful. Strong computerskills are required. Certification is generally needed for advancement to senior roles.
This meticulously crafted guidebook is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel on the insurance adjuster exam. 3 Full-Length Practice Test With Over 280 Questions
Financial Brokers
- What They Do – Like financial planners, financial brokers advise individuals on buying and selling securities (stocks, bonds, and other instruments) that fit their goals and risk profile. They provide information on companies and products and make recommendations on portfolio construction.
- How Much They Make – (BLS category: securities, commodities, and financial services
sales agents) median pay was $75,890 in May 2024; employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034.
- Education and
Training Requirements – No universal degree requirement, but a bachelor’s degree helps. Degrees in Finance,Accounting , Math, or Economics are common. Those with an MBA in finance often have an edge. Various licenses may be required depending on the products and jurisdiction. - Other Resources to Consider – How To Become A Stock Trader
This book contains all the insider tips, tricks, techniques, and secrets you need to know about stockbrokers. What all successful stockbrokers must have - develop these qualities and your success is virtually guaranteed!
Financial Examiners
- What They Do – Financial examiners monitor the financial condition of banks and other institutions. They may work in-house or for regulators (e.g., SEC, Federal Reserve). They review statements, confirm assets and liabilities, and issue reports on compliance with regulations.
- How Much They Make – The median annual
salary was $90,400 in May 2024; employment is projected to grow 19% from 2024 to 2034.
- Education and
Training Requirements – Typically, a bachelor’s degree in Finance orAccounting . Anaccounting degree with an emphasis on auditing can be particularly beneficial.
How to Break In If You’re Switching Careers
Coming from another field, treat your transition like a product launch: define a target role, close the most visible skill gaps, and produce proof. Complete a concise modeling or risk case study, publish a two-page walkthrough of your approach, and quantify results. Translate prior wins into finance outcomes (efficiency gains, error reduction, revenue lift). Aim for internships, fellowships, or project-based contracts that create verifiable experience you can reference in interviews.
Skills That Differentiate in 2025
Beyond fundamentals, employers prize hands-on fluency with Excel modeling and audit-ready documentation, as well as a working knowledge of SQL for analysis and Python for automation. Add competency with BI dashboards, scenario planning, and controls. Strengthen communication by writing short decision memos that explain assumptions, risks, and sensitivities in plain language. This mix shortens onboarding time and signals that you can produce reliable analysis under deadlines.
Explore your creativity with classes in illustration, photography, design, and more. Get unlimited access to classes on illustration, photography, design, film, music, and more.
See If Finance Is Right for You
Before applying broadly, run three micro-projects aligned with your target role: build a discounted cash flow with sensitivity tables, review a mock control environment and identify gaps, and create a simple portfolio rebalancing rationale incorporating risk metrics. Time-box each to one week, document decisions, and track accuracy against benchmarks. These artifacts demonstrate judgment, speed, and integrity—traits
Further Guidance & Tools
- BLS – Financial Analysts: Review duties, pay, and projections on the official handbook page.
- BLS – Personal Financial Advisors: See pay and 10-year outlook on the official occupation page.
- BLS –
Insurance Underwriters: Check current wages and trends on the official page. - BLS – Securities
Sales Agents: Get role details and requirements on the OOH listing. - BLS – Financial Examiners: Explore growth drivers and pay on the BLS page.
Ready to reimagine your career?
Get the skills and real-world experience employers want with Career Accelerators.
Next Steps
- Audit
Skills : List five gaps across Excel, modeling, or regulations this week; enroll in 1 course to close the most significant gap within 30 days. - Target Roles: Choose two titles that fit your
strengths today; alignyour resume bullets to each role’s top 5 duties by Friday. - Validate Fit: Conduct three informational interviews in 14 days with analysts, advisors, or examiners to confirm day-to-day realities.
- Map Licenses: If pursuing advisory or broker paths, identify two required exams now and draft a 60-day study plan.
Final Words
Finance rewards preparation, precision, and persistence. Use current market data to select roles that align with your
Jobscan helps you optimize your resume for any job, highlighting the key experience and skills recruiters need to see.
Additional Resources
-
$6.00Learn MoreA practical guide that explores diverse and rewarding career paths available to finance majors, helping readers align their skills with roles in banking, investment, insurance, and beyond.
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
12/15/2025 12:07 am GMT -
$3.99Learn MoreA Pocket Guide for Grad Level Job Interviews in Financial Services, Funds & Investment Banks
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
12/14/2025 09:00 am GMT -
Learn MoreLearn Finance with Top Industry Experts. The 365 Financial Analyst program equips you with the versatile skillset you need to start a career in data science
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
-
$12.97Learn MoreShowcases superior resumes for a wide range of professionals--from entry-level personnel to senior staff members-in the fields of Accounting, Tax, Finance, and Law, plus other related fields including Information Systems/Information Technology.
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
12/14/2025 02:05 am GMT -
Learn MoreBuilding a successful career in finance requires a combination of education, experience, and a deep understanding of the markets. Fortunately, there are many great books out there that can help aspiring finance professionals develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
-
$137.75$59.73Risk Management and Financial Institutions, Fifth Edition explains all aspects of financial risk and financial institution regulation, helping you better understand the financial markets—and their potential dangers.Learn MoreWe earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
12/14/2025 02:01 am GMT
Mark Fiebert is a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
