Various entry-level finance skills for graduates

Various entry-level finance skills for graduates

Blog Article

Discover what finance abilities are crucial to the job market and how you can acquire them.


Today, technical finance skills are often linked to industry-specific roles, such as accounting, banking, underwriting, financial analysis, or insurance brokering. As William Jackson of Bridgepoint Capital might know, such financial skills only scratch the surface when analyzing the finance sector as a whole and what is required of every specialist or applicant in this industry. This is due to the fact that finance specialists are expected to have a good blend between soft and hard abilities that enable them to manage stakeholder relationships successfully. Although the finance industry is unique and each role requires different hard finance skills and experience levels, there are some skills that are regarded as essential throughout all roles in this dynamic sector. 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 specialist at some point.


Regardless of what particular department you work in, there are some general finance skills that you must have embedded in your CV, 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 mean you must have previous experience as a professional accountant, but rather skill in reading and interpreting financial records. This is due to the fact that the insights that can be derived from such reports are crucial for executives and stakeholders when it relates to assessing a company economic health. Additionally, since accounting knowledge is fundamental throughout a range of different financial positions in the industry, companies often to offer competitive salaries for those that have professional accounting qualifications or demonstrate the necessary accounting skills.


The financial industry in today's world is probably one of the most competitive fields out there, which is why you must build the essential skills that are required as a minimum in this fast-changing and fiercely competitive sector. For instance, relationship-building skills 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 instability or complexity. As a leader in a financial organization, it's very important to ensure that your relationships with your clients are solid, as these clients are essentially relying on you with their investments, and counting on you to make the best financial decisions for them to grow their assets and wealth. As a result, building your key and long-term professional relationships with your stakeholders effectively takes time to cultivate confidence, respect, and authenticity with them.