A degree in finance or an interest in numbers offers students a wide range of career options. Almost every company and industry need employees who are good with math and can handle money responsibly. If you’re not sure which position is right for you, keep reading to learn about three career options in finance, and understand the scope of the tasks before you start your job search.
Bank Teller
While online banking has eliminated many of the traditional bank teller jobs, these professionals are still in high demand in banks all across the world. There, tellers work with customers and meet their financial needs. Bank tellers accept cash and checks for deposit in their customers’ accounts and help them withdraw money if the funds allow. In some cases, they handle foreign currencies and large sums of money per customers’ requests.
At the end of each day, bank tellers must reconcile the money in their drawer and confirm that they’ve accepted and distributed the correct amount of funds. Most bank tellers need a basic high school education for an entry-level position, and they make an average of $30,000 per year. Some need more education to advance in this field.
Personal Financial Advisor
More people are hiring financial advisors to help them save money and invest it in the right places to prepare for the future. In some cases, they want stocks and bonds that will grow enough to live off of, while others want to set aside money in retirement accounts to use several decades from now. Either way, everyone’s financial situation is different. That’s why many people seek out financial advisors to offer advice or completely take over their accounts to keep them balanced.
Personal financial advisors are all over the country, and they work in large offices or small practices. You typically need a bachelor’s degree to work as one, and you can make an average of $90,000 annually. This is a great career if you like helping people and working with them one-on-one.
In-House Bookkeeping
Almost every company needs at least one accountant or bookkeeper to make sure the company’s cash flow stays balanced. In some cases, the bookkeeper collects payments from clients and coordinates payments for vendors. In other companies, the bookkeeper sets the budget for spending in each department and decides whether or not the company can afford to start major projects or take on investments.
Most bookkeepers need at least a bachelor’s degree in finance or related field, and they make an average of $37,000 annually. Salaries depend on experience and the size of the company, which means bookkeepers have an opportunity to make much more in large corporations and in big cities.
When it comes to finance career options available students and young professionals, these jobs represent just the tip of the iceberg. To learn more about finance careers in your area, consider getting an internship at a local bank or a financial center to learn more about the day-to-day tasks involved.