Different entry-level finance skills for graduates

Different entry-level finance skills for graduates

Blog Article

Discover what financial skills are crucial to the job market and ways you can acquire them.


Today, technical finance skills are commonly associated with industry-specific positions, such as accounting, banking, underwriting, financial evaluation, or insurance brokerage. As William Jackson of Bridgepoint Capital would understand, such finance skills only scratch the surface when examining the finance sector in general and what is required of every specialist or applicant 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 industry is unique and each position requires varying hard finance skills and experience levels, there are some abilities that are considered mandatory throughout all positions in this fast-paced industry. For example, being comfortable with numbers and data-driven analysis is absolutely up there as a priority ability, as you will likely be dealing with numbers and statistical datasets as a financial professional at some point.


Regardless of 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 doesn't imply you need have previous experience as an expert accountant, but rather proficiency in reading and interpreting financial documents. This is due to the fact that the insights 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 salaries 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 essential abilities that are required as a minimum in this dynamic and fiercely competitive sector. For example, relationship-building skills are probably some of the most crucial soft finance skills out there today. As Hugo Bedford of JM Finn might know, reliable relationships are critical to success for financial leaders, especially in times of uncertainty or challenges. As a leader in a financial organization, it's extremely important to ensure that your relationships with your clients are strong, as these customers are essentially entrusting you with their money, and trusting you to make the best economic decisions for them to maximize their assets and resources. As a result, managing your strategic and long-term professional interactions with your stakeholders effectively takes time to build confidence, respect, and credibility with them.