Financial Professionals Are in Demand

Julie Shenkman
Posted by in Accounting, Auditing & Tax


The financial world has changed quite a bit since the beginning of the recession. When the recession first started, financial professional were being laid off in droves. However, since the country has started to recover from the recession, financial professionals are more in demand. The reason for this? Individuals and companies are realizing that our country could go through another bad economic season and they want to be more prepared. In order to be prepared, they need to get their financial ducks in a row. The way to do this? Seek out a financial professional! This is where you come in. The question is—are you prepared for this new challenge? What can you do to be better prepared—to be the one that hiring managers seek out? Well, you might want to consider furthering your education. If you have been out of work for awhile, going back to school could be the key in getting that perfect job. Furthering your education is very easy in today’s technological world. Most continuing education institutions now offer online courses that you can complete from the convenience of your own home. You could consider a degree in financial accounting/analysis or certification as a financial planner. Financial professionals are needed in diverse areas such as: Marketing: Business development, copywriter, public relations, internet, sales Management/Leadership: Business, customer service, purchasing, supply chain, healthcare, international, projects Human Resources: Recruiting, HR Finance: Analysis, CPA, financial modeling, international finance, investment banking, brokerage, event planning, business analysis, coaching, consulting, training Financial professionals are needed in all areas of business and those with the education and/or certificates will be the ones hiring managers look at first as they know the value of this certification. According to the Wall Street Journal, the trends for this year include: Mezzanine finance: Junior analyst, associates, senior talent Wealth Management: Junior associate bankers, experiences private bankers Compliance and risk management: Credit risk, operational risk managers, legal and compliance managers Commercial banking: Commercial lenders, relationship managers, credit analysts Hedge funds: Investors, hedge fund administrators, accountants, traders, analysts, risk managers The only question that needs to be answered is “Are you prepared for these new challenges?” If you answered no, check out some of the online financial planning and accounting courses being offered. After all, it is your future and now is the time to get prepared for it. By: Nancy Anderson, Staff Writer
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  • Bakri Karoum
    Bakri Karoum
    Which is harmful many firms and companies now a days only consider certificates and not skills and profession in certain job etc.   
  • Ed Canales
    Ed Canales
    The article is encouraging and full of hope. I have a BS in Business and have work in the Mortgage industry for about 10 years and made a good living for a few years. However, the industry has changed dramatically been over regulated at the Federal and MD state level. I have been looking to enter the financial industry as a Junior analyst willing to take a low pay for the opportunity but no calls back for interviews. I have strong skills but it appear that the Business has merged with IT in such a manner that most position required the ability to know SQL database, SDLC, Agile, Oracle , Scrum , SharePoint, ERP. Unfortunately, I know very little about these applications and feel overwhelm. I like to get some advice as to what courses I can take that would yield me the greater advantage to enter the financial industry at my experience level. Thank you  Ed
  • Eric Matterson
    Eric Matterson
    All of these jobs want experience.  I have an MBA but I am not getting any responses to job apps because I don't have experience.
  • Thomas R
    Thomas R
    I have a masters degree accounting and financial management, an active Enrolled Agent credential, and half way through the CPA exam, and still can't find even an entry level job since  graduated college in 2009. Finance is impossible to get into unless you are 20 years old and willing to work yourself to death and get paid peanuts!
  • Oswald Poindexter
    Oswald Poindexter
    Good information to have. How do I determine which area in Finance is most stable if the economy have another down turn?
  • Najia Rashed
    Najia Rashed
    As you mentioned about education, I finished Accounting & Financial Management Certification at Bow Valley College and I finished the Business Administration with major of Finance program at Sait Polytechnic, but I do not have any work experience in my career field and anywhere when I am applying for a job they ask about work experiences and back ground experience.
  • Tania D
    Tania D
    I do not believe this news as I know people who have enroll in CGA and now in final level and have Canadian experience but can't find job lower than their level. There are plenty of finance and accounting background people. I would definitely discourage people to enroll into any accounting program . They will just spend money without any return. Please folks forget about accounting bright future.
  • THANG L
    THANG L
    Thanks so much for your information. Can you introduce some high ranked colleges/universities of these fields (location in Southern CA/Virginia/Washington DC)Regards,
  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson
    Thanks everyone for your comments.  @Susan S,educational requirements, licenses and so on vary by state.  You would have to check and see what is required where you live.  We wish all of you the best on your future endeavors in finance.  Things are changing, for the better, and more financial positions are starting to open up around the country.  Keep your eyes and ears open and get out there and network to find your next great job.
  • Alan G
    Alan G
    John, you hit the nail on the head. For instance, you can't sit for a securities exam without working for a company to sponsor you. But, obtaining a position with a company is extremely difficult without having the license already. The final conundrum - if you do land a position allowing you to sit for the exam, you can't retain the license without actively using it in your position. In that event, you're back where you began.
  • Susan S
    Susan S
    You don't mention what educational requirements, licenses, certificates, associations, degrees etc  will be part of the requirements when these positions become available. Want csreer change, & am prepared to get further education ......but not sure what would be one area that will have need. The only work I would prefer not to return to accounting on its basic truest form. Also would like to try to some stress with the "timely manner"Regards,Susan
  •  John L
    John L
    I can't believe how impenetrable the financial industry is for someone wanting to get his foot in.
  • John L
    John L
    I have been looking for an entry level finance position since graduated from business school in 2011.
  • Jagan D
    Jagan D
    Dear Nancy,I being an  Academic Professional Consultant and a man of Finance fully agree with your views contained in the above article. This is a fact finance people have to prepare themselves for new challenges to simplify the concepts and procedures in place  of complex jargon of Derivatives and their bye-products so that a common man can also understand financial products. Job opportunities in finance will always be there.Dr. Jagan Dhankhar
  • Wanda W
    Wanda W
    I graduated in 2010 with a MBA. I would love to work in HR but getting a foot in the door especially at the entry level stage have been impossible. The only thing I did receive however by going back to college is a student loan bill that increases instead decreasing every year.
  • Hiring Orlando
    Hiring Orlando
    I'm just about done with my AS in Accounting and it seems like my plan will not be going accordingly. ?Majority of places that say they are hiring will not give me a chance to prove my self, I know quick books and can be an asset to any company but I don't know how to over come that underestimation from employers. If anyone has any connection that I can profit from I'll be very appreciative of it.
  • Krystallynn
    Krystallynn
    Thanks for sharing. What a pleasure to read!
  • Alexavier
    Alexavier
    People like you get all the brains. I just get to say thanks for the answer.
  • Kam S.
    Kam S.
    My son is B.Com(Hons)with majors in Economics and Corporate Finance. He has a Securities course and a Derivative Management Specialist course. He has done a year long internship and now has job shadowing for the past year. He has also done CFA(level II). He is looking for entry level job as an analyst,investment banker,hedge fund,trader,private equity or any related field. Where are the jobs?
  • Gilbert Nyongesa
    Gilbert Nyongesa
    Are you able to access International Accounting standards guidlines for Accounting in the Public Sector ie Guidlines in accounting in Goverment sectors?
  • Miriam Dam
    Miriam Dam
    It seems a degree is great and more accessible to obtain but to gain the experience or entry into the field is harder especially when you are a working student by necessity not choice and therefore unable to take advantage of an internship.

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