Different entry-level finance skills for grads

Different entry-level finance skills for grads

Blog Article

If you are interested in breaking into the financial sector, this article is for you.


Today, technical finance skills are often associated with industry-specific roles, such as accounting, banking, underwriting, financial analysis, or insurance brokerage. As William Jackson of Bridgepoint Capital might know, such financial abilities merely scratch the surface when analyzing the financial industry as a whole and what is required of every professional or applicant in this industry. This is because financial professionals are expected to have an excellent balance between soft and hard skills that allow them to manage stakeholder relationships effectively. Although the finance sector is unique and each position requires varying hard finance skills and experience levels, there are some abilities that are considered essential across all roles in this dynamic industry. For instance, being comfortable with numbers and quantitative skills is definitely up there as an important ability, as you will likely be dealing with numbers and statistical datasets as a financial professional at some point.


Regardless of what particular department you work in, there are some general finance skills that you must have embedded in your resume, as Edward Tilly of Clear Street would know. Accounting skills is one example of this. Nowadays, companies in the finance sector look for accounting backgrounds in graduates, or at least the capacity to dissect financial statements and company documents. This doesn't mean you must have previous experience as a professional accountant, but rather skill in reading and analyzing economic documents. This is because the conclusions that can be derived from such documents are essential for business leaders and stakeholders when it relates to evaluating a company economic health. Additionally, since accounting knowledge is fundamental across a range of diverse financial roles in the industry, companies often to offer competitive salaries for those who have certified accounting qualifications or possess the required accounting skills.


The financial sector in today's world is probably one of the most competitive fields out there, which is why you must build the essential abilities that are required as a minimum in this dynamic and fiercely competitive sector. For instance, relationship-building skills are probably some of the most crucial soft finance skills out there today. As Hugo Bedford of JM Finn would know, reliable connections are integral to success for financial leaders, particularly in times of uncertainty or complexity. As a leader in a financial organization, it's extremely crucial to ensure that your relationships with your clients are strong, as these clients are essentially relying on you with their money, and counting on you to make the best economic choices for them to maximize their capital and resources. Consequently, managing your strategic and long-term professional interactions with your stakeholders successfully takes time to build trust, respect, and credibility with them.