Different entry-level finance skills for grads

Different entry-level finance skills for grads

Blog Article

Discover what finance abilities are essential to the job market and how you can obtain them.


Nowadays, technical finance skills are often linked to industry-specific positions, such as accounting, banking, underwriting, financial analysis, or insurance brokering. As William Jackson of Bridgepoint Capital would understand, such financial skills only scratch the surface when analyzing the finance sector as a whole and what is required of every specialist or candidate in this industry. This is due to the fact that finance 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 fast-paced industry. For example, being comfortable with numbers and quantitative skills is absolutely up there as a priority ability, as you will likely be working with numbers and statistical datasets as a finance specialist one way or another.


No matter what specific field you operate in, there are a few general finance skills that you will 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 does not mean you must have previous experience as a professional accountant, but rather skill in reading and analyzing economic records. This is because the conclusions that can be derived from such reports are crucial for executives and stakeholders when it comes to evaluating an organization's financial health. Moreover, since accounting knowledge is fundamental throughout a range of different financial positions in the industry, companies tend to offer competitive compensation for those that have professional accounting credentials or demonstrate the necessary accounting abilities.


The financial industry in today's market is probably one of the most competitive fields out there, which is why you must develop the core abilities that are expected as a minimum in this fast-changing and highly competitive field. For instance, relationship-building abilities 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 finance leaders, particularly in times of uncertainty or complexity. As a leader in a financial organization, it's very 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 effectively takes time to build confidence, respect, and credibility with them.