Financial services jobs offer excellent prospects for those who want a career in banking, financial advice, or financial control. Positions are available that require different skills and involve vastly different tasks. The reach and scope of the work provide opportunities to secure a role that interests you and matches your lifestyle, aspirations, and qualifications.
Positions in financial services include economist, mortgage broker, finance director, risk manager, and many more.
Qualifications You Need For Working In Financial Services
Entry-level positions may simply require GCSEs, including English and mathematics. However, if you don’t want to start at the bottom and work your way up, qualifications are the key to securing an interview for a more senior position. Some senior positions are only attainable to those who hold certifications or accreditations, so your pre-career or ongoing qualifications will continue to play a crucial role as your career progresses.
The qualifications employers are looking for include:
- One to three A Levels
- Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
- Level 2 Certificate in Accounting
- Level 3 Certificate in Financial Studies
- University Degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Management
Soft Skills To Highlight On Your CV
Aside from having a head for numbers, there are several crucial skills that employers and recruiters for financial services are looking for. Your CV should highlight your work experience or projects that demonstrate your forecasting, budgeting, research, strategising, communication, collaboration, organisation, and tracking skills.
We recommend tailoring your CV to each position and company that you intend to be a candidate for. You can get started with a CV template, which will ensure you include the essentials and provide inspiration and ideas for promoting your soft skills.
Popular Jobs In Financial Services
The most popular jobs in financial services include:
Economist
A Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, finance & accounting, or business studies will help you kick-start your career as an Economist. Several degree apprenticeships will also help you find work, including Level 6 Professional Economist and Level 7 Senior Professional Economist. Furthermore, you can join the Government Economic Service Fast Stream Programme, and start work as an Assistant Economist.
You should engage in further training offered by The Society of Professional Economists and The Royal Economic Society to further your career. When applying for jobs, highlight your analytical thinking, logic, reasoning, and computer skills.
Mortgage Advisor
To secure a Mortgage Advisor job, you will need GCSEs in maths and English and join a bank or building society’s mortgage advisor training scheme. You will need to earn a Financial Conduct Authority recognised qualification and register as an approved person. Qualifications such as T Level in Finance and Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business will help you secure a trainee position.
Your responsibilities will include providing mortgage advice to homebuyers, selling financial products, and dealing with professionals such as valuers and estate agents. You should highlight your communication and customer service skills and experience when talking to a potential employer.
Financial Analyst
Finding work as a Financial Analyst requires a Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, or business. You should be proficient in Microsoft Office and financial software applications. If you have proven leadership or financial industry experience, you are in an excellent position to get a Financial Analyst job.
Your duties will include analysing financial data, conducting economic research, and creating reports and projections. You will enjoy working as a Financial Analyst if you have an eye for spotting and evaluating trends and risks.
Credit Controller
A Credit Controller can work for a company or a debt collection agency. You can begin your career through an apprenticeship or with qualifications such as T Level in Finance, Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Credit Management, or Level 3 Certificate in Financial Studies. Bookkeeping and accounting qualifications are attractive to recruiters, and you should include your experience working with financial software when writing your CV. The best jobs are available to those with a finance or business degree.
Your duties will include liaising with bailiffs and solicitors, approving credit, chasing overdue payments, and setting payment terms and conditions.
Finance Assistant
You will find a job as a Finance Assistant if you have an accounting or finance degree, sound bookkeeping knowledge, and accounting software proficiency. It will improve your odds of employment if you demonstrate your organisational, analytical thinking, and time management skills.
Finance Assistant responsibilities include overseeing client accounts, preparing financial statements, creating invoices from invoice generator, and reviewing reports. If you enjoy finding ways to improve efficiency, accuracy, and costs, then a career as a Finance Assistant is a good match.
Finance Director
A Finance Director usually has significant experience and a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in finance or accounting. To successfully get hired, you will need a strong aptitude for maths, be computer and accounting software literate, and have outstanding communication skills.
To succeed as a Finance Director, you will need to excel in tasks such as overseeing financial controls, conducting audits, ensuring compliance, forecasting, and assessing risks. You will also be responsible for maintaining investor relationships and ensuring financial stability.
Risk Manager
To obtain a Risk Manager job interview, you will need at least two years of experience in a risk management-related role and a degree in economics, business administration, or finance. You should be prepared to give examples when you conducted financial analysis and mitigated risks.
The Risk Manager role typically involves conducting risk assessments, analysing market trends, developing policies, and preparing reports and proposals. You will also be responsible for developing solutions and strategies to control risks and liabilities.
Finance Manager
Strong knowledge of financial reporting, statements, and forecasts are top skills for Finance Managers. You will need a Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting or significant experience in a financial and management role.
You will be responsible for aiding senior managers in making financial decisions and maintaining an up-to-date financial system. To succeed, you should have an interest in market trends, business processes, and maximising profits.
Finance Controller
A Master’s degree in accounting or similar will put you in an advantageous position when applying for a Finance Controller job. The skills and experience you should promote on your CV or during an interview include leadership, communication, a compliance-orientated mindset, and analytical thinking.
You will find the Finance Controller position rewarding if you are adept at managing financial records, monitoring internal controls, developing growth plans, and evaluating risk. Your duties will include coordinating auditing processes, managing transactions, and streamlining accounting functions.
Paraplanner
To earn a Paraplanner position, you will need qualifications explicitly created for the role. RQF Level 4 qualifications are the minimum requirements, and certification is available through The Chartered Insurance Institute, The London Institute of Banking, and The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. Level 6 and Level 7 qualifications will help you further your career.
You will work alongside financial advisers to analyse the needs of clients and recommend financial plans and solutions. Your responsibilities will include researching financial products, presenting financial plans, analysing data, and creating suitability reports.
Mortgage Broker
To become a Mortgage Broker, you will need to complete the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice course, which the Financial Conduct Authority approves. You can study for CeMAP certification directly or with the support of an employer. The course will increase your knowledge of financial regulations, mortgage law, policies, and the housing market.
Your day-to-day responsibilities will include presenting different mortgage options to clients, providing house buying advice, and selling other financial products such as life and buildings insurance. You should enjoy the challenge of meeting sales targets and be comfortable communicating with professionals such as valuers, estate agents, and mortgage lenders.
View financial services career advice here or make a financial services job search.
