Is Finance A Good Career? Updated;- I’ve noticed that many people are asking whether or not finance is a good career choice. This makes sense—there’s a lot of money in the field and it seems like it might be nice to work in an office all day without having to do much physical labor.
But what if you don’t want your job to be entirely behind a desk? What if you want to get out there and meet some real-life people while doing what you love? Well then, my friend, I have great news: becoming an outdoor guide can be just as financially rewarding as working in finance!
Is Finance A Good Career? Why Pursue A Career In Finance?
Jobs requiring a finance degree may offer comparatively high salaries, consistency, room for advancement, and reliable demand forecasts. Employee flexibility may be provided by careers in finance by allowing them to work remotely or in hybrid settings.
Business and finance employment is expected to increase by 8% between 2020 and 2030, which is in line with the average projected growth for all U.S. occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Financial examiner, for example, is expected to experience growth that is more than twice as fast as the national average.
Also paid above average are those in finance. According to BLS statistics, personal financial advisors had an annual median income of nearly $95,000 as of 2021, which was more than twice the national median salary for all occupations. One of the most popular careers in finance is financial analyst, with a median annual salary of $81,040.
In fact, the BLS found that overall pay for jobs in business and finance was quite high. The median annual wage for these professionals was $76,570, which is nearly $31,000 more than the median annual wage for all occupations in the US.
Fintech, a cutting-edge development at the nexus of finance and technology, enables finance professionals to stay current in a changing industry. The demand for careers in finance will continue to be driven by the requirement for knowledgeable workers to evaluate investment opportunities.
To assume more responsibilities and earn more money, finance professionals can also pursue advanced positions in the industry. Professionals can work in finance degree jobs as portfolio managers, chief financial executives, and senior financial analysts with more training, experience, or certification in particular financial fields.
Finance is a great career choice in the very long term.
In the long run, a career in finance is a great choice. Not only do you get to make good money and have a lot of opportunities for advancement, but you also have the ability to affect change on an organizational level. The financial sector is one of the most dynamic areas of business today, so your ability to make an impact will be challenged every day.
As you progress through your career in this field, you’ll find yourself working with some very powerful people who can help open doors that otherwise would have remained shut. If that’s something that interests you, then finance may be right up your alley!
Careers in Finance
Accountant
$77,250 is the median annual salary.
(2020–2030) Projected Growth Rate: +7%
Accountants keep track of the finances of both public and private organizations. They maintain thorough, well-organized records that adhere to rules and legal requirements. To communicate their findings to decision-makers and stakeholders, accountants need to have strong communication skills.
People who work in finance can specialize their work to concentrate on particular industries, such as healthcare, insurance, and tax preparation.
These professionals keep tabs on agencies’ spending and review documents at all levels of government to ensure that tax laws are being followed. Additionally, accountants oversee cash flow, assess risk, enhance efficiency, and recommend changes to increase profits for private businesses.
Auditor
$77,250 is the median annual salary.
(2020–2030) Projected Growth Rate: +7%
Auditors assess an organization’s financial standing to determine whether or not it complies with legal requirements. Similar to accountants, these experts offer suggestions for financial upgrades and ways to abide by tax laws to decision-makers. Internal auditor and external auditor are the two common variations of this finance degree position.
Internal auditors monitor the financial records of the organizations they audit in order to evaluate risk, compliance, and potential fraud. These experts deliver their findings to management and might offer suggestions for bettering business procedures or best practices.
External auditors examine financial statements of organizations in collaboration with external firms. To make sure the business accurately tracks and maintains its financial records, they communicate their analysis to regulators and investors.
Financial Expert
$81,410 is the median annual salary.
(2020–2030) Projected Growth Rate: +6%
These analysts assess financial information for both people and companies. They examine financial statements, evaluate economic and business trends, and recommend investments to boost returns.
Typically, financial analysts are either sell-side analysts or buy-side analysts. Buy-side analysts aid businesses in making investments through hedge funds, mutual funds, and pension plans in order to profit. Based on the client’s long-term plans and objectives, they evaluate each client’s portfolio of investments.
To produce financial forecasts for potential investors, sell-side analysts investigate stocks and investments within particular sectors. They consult industry participants to develop investment projections, which financial experts frequently combine into a consensus estimate.
Fund manager, portfolio manager, securities analyst, and financial risk specialist are additional finance degree positions that fall under the financial analyst category.
Advisor or Personal Financial Planner
$94,170 is the median annual salary.
(2020–2030) Projected Growth Rate: +5%
Personal financial planners meet with individuals and families to discuss finances and go over financial objectives. These experts provide advice on taxes, estate planning, investments, mortgages, and other financial issues.
Families turn to these experts for support during major life transitions like retirement, marriage, and pursuing higher education. Financial planners assist clients in evaluating the risk involved in investments in order to achieve both short- and long-term objectives.
Customers are given advice on how to maximize profits. Financial advisors may purchase stocks, bonds, and annuities on behalf of their clients.
Financial planners also offer clients advice on purchasing insurance, filing taxes, and creating personal budgets. These experts keep an eye on clients’ accounts to determine whether they are on track to reach their financial objectives and, if not, to suggest changes as needed.
Financial Analyst
$81,410 is the median annual salary.
2020–2030 Projected Growth Rate: +18%
Financial examiners monitor banks and other financial institutions to make sure that consumers and borrowers are safeguarded against unforeseen losses and predatory lending practices. These professionals typically work in either consumer compliance or risk assessment, making them one of the most sought-after professions in finance.
Financial examiners reassure customers that their lenders are held to high standards in consumer compliance. This prevents organizations from making loans with excessively high interest rates that borrowers are unable to repay.
In order to prevent banks from discriminating against people based on their ethnicity, race, sex, or disability, these professionals also monitor lending practices.
The income and expenses of banks and institutions are reviewed by examiners who work in risk assessment to ensure stability throughout the entire financial system. They also produce and deliver reports on the overall financial health of financial institutions.
If you actually enjoy the work that comes with finance, then it can be a great career.
In order to enjoy your work, you should be able to do the following:
- Enjoy problem solving
- Be willing to take risks and make a difference
- Not mind working long hours (or nights or weekends) when needed
Finances can be a good career if you are willing to take risks.
If you are willing to take risks, then finance can be a good career choice. If you don’t like taking risks, then finance may not be the best career choice for you. You can always change career paths if you don’t like finance, but it is important that before choosing this path, you understand what’s expected of you in a finance career.
It may also help if you have an interest in personal finances and want to do something more than just your job description.
The ability to affect change.
We all want to know that what we do has an impact. It’s why we work, and it’s why we study for our degrees. We want to know that what we’re doing matters, and that our hard work will provide a better life for ourselves and those around us.
We may think of this as a good thing—but the ability to affect change can also be a bad thing. If you’re not careful, your desire to make things better can lead you down the path towards self-sabotage, because it can cause you to overlook the things in life that don’t need changing (or fixing).
Maybe it seems like I’m confusing you here—I mean, who wouldn’t want their actions to have an impact? But trust me: sometimes less is more when it comes right down to it.
Finance can be a good career if you want to do more than your job description and enjoy the work you do.
If you like the idea of having more responsibility than your job description and enjoy the work you do, then finance can be a good career. It can also be very lucrative if you are willing to take risks.
Although finance is not for everyone, if you have an interest in numbers and statistics, then it could be worth considering as a career choice. If you’re able to affect change in how things are done or bring about positive change for people who need it most—then definitely consider it!
In conclusion, finance can be a good career if you want to do more than your job description and enjoy the work you do. It may not be for everyone, but if you have the right mindset and enjoy what you’re doing then it can be a great career choice.