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Diverse career options in the domain of Finance

The finance industry offers a diverse range of career options to professionals as well as beginners who possess the right skill sets. Possible financial careers include accounting technician, company secretary, corporate treasury management, commodities broker, credit analyst, actuary, financial trader, financial policy maker, financial regulator, loan officer, management consultant, pensions management, financial journalism, public finance accountant, solicitor, stockbroker, retail banker trader, tax advisor or treasurer. Here are a few career options

Financial consultant

This is used fairly broadly to describe a wide range of roles all based on providing advice for clients (individuals or companies) in financial matters. This typically involves assessing the client’s financial situation, developing and presenting strategies and solutions, and then monitoring changes and recommending any further steps as required.
As a financial consultant you’ll spend time gathering as much financial information as you can on your client, looking at factors such as investments, asset allocation, savings, tax planning, retirement planning and estate planning. Consultants may work on a freelance basis or be part of a financial consultancy firm or agency.
Related roles include financial analyst, financial advisor, financial planner, stockbroker, financial counselor and retirement counselor. Depending on the field of expertise and country of employment, many of the roles require specific accreditation. Eg-in UK, financial advisors need to take exams for Certificate in Financial Planning, accredited by Financial Services Authority.

Quant specialist

“Quant” is industry shorthand for “quantitative analyst”. Quant specialist careers are based on analyzing statistics and market trends using high-end mathematics to determine appropriate levels of risk management and derivative pricing. Primary goal is to create models which u present to clients along with recommendations for future investment decisions. For this, you will need to be able to make an educated speculative guess and perform logical analysis using statistics + also keep abreast of current financial trends and past economic patterns. Most jobs will be in bank, hedge fund or investment fund, also in corporate treasury and finance departments of general manufacturing and service firms, + hospitality and tourism, retail and construction.

Investment banking

You will acquire knowledge of the theoretical foundations that underpin modern investment and risk management techniques. Investment banks and banks which help individuals or organizations (including private companies and governments) to raise capital, manage debts, and manage business ventures such as mergers and acquisitions, privatization and venture capital decisions. Roles involve analyzing markets and investment opportunities carefully, to advice clients.
Professionals pursuing investment banking spend hours gathering and interpreting complex data sets, assessing and predicting financial risks and returns, preparing legal documents and liaising with accountants, lawyers and other financial experts. Investment fund managers do a similar job, but usually require less hands-on data analysis, focused on making investment decisions.

Asset Management

Asset Markets takes the student from fundamental concepts to up-to-date applications in fixed-income, equity and derivatives markets. Familiarizes you with the workings of financial markets, and equips you with the fundamental tools of asset valuation. Management of your assets. Assets are all of your financial holdings, but asset management tends to focus on your investments. This includes stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs and other investments you make to try to grow your wealth and prepare for the future.

Audit

Auditors are hired to provide expert advice on the most efficient use of resources, both in the public and private sectors. In many countries all publicly traded and publicly funded bodies are legally required to undergo an annual audit, with requirements for the audit are set down in legislation.
Audit careers involve collecting and analyzing financial details, and forming recommendations for future actions. Write reports on your findings and may have to create and make presentations to managers and directors. Important to stay informed of any changes in relevant laws and regulations. Specializations within audit careers include tax auditing, environmental auditing or going abroad to audit in other countries.

Corporate Finance

Understanding how companies manage their investment and financing decisions. Understand the corporate investment and financing decisions of different companies through project appraisal and firm valuation, financial structure, and pay-out policy.
Corporate finance deals with the sources of funding and the capital structure (composition of finances) of a corporation. Need to be commercially aware and have a broad set of financial knowledge and skills to increase value of your firm through risk management, loss management, resource allocation, capital budgeting, investment analysis and calculating return on investment. The specifics of corporate finance careers will vary depending on the size of the company and your role within the department, but you could expect to spend time dealing with tasks such as structuring and negotiating deals terms, help to prepare business plans, issue of shares/bonds and conduct due diligence analysis on business proposals.

Finance Manager

Also known as finance managers, finance officers are in charge of carrying out various tasks relating to the financial matters of an organization. Involves being responsible for everything from assisting with the monthly budget, preparing monthly financial reports (such as operating costs reports, variance analysis, balance sheets, client statements), controlling and maintaining the nominal ledger, checking payments, carrying out payments, issuing checks, investigating any suspicious account activity, maintaining financial files and records and ensuring security across all financial areas.