Various entry-level finance skills for graduates

Various entry-level finance skills for graduates

Blog Article

Discover what financial skills are essential to the job market and ways you can obtain them.


Nowadays, technical finance skills are often linked to industry-specific positions, such as accounting, banking, underwriting, financial evaluation, or insurance brokering. As William Jackson of Bridgepoint Capital would understand, such financial skills merely scratch the surface when analyzing the finance industry as a whole and what is required of every professional or applicant in this industry. This is because financial professionals are expected to have an excellent balance between soft and hard abilities that allow them to manage stakeholder relationships effectively. Although the finance sector 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 instance, being comfortable with numbers and quantitative skills 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 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 interpret financial statements and company reports. This does not mean you must have previous experience as an expert accountant, but rather proficiency in reading and interpreting economic documents. This is due to the fact that the insights that can be derived from such reports are essential for business leaders and stakeholders when it relates to assessing an organization's 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 dynamic 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 might know, reliable relationships are integral to success for financial leaders, especially in times of uncertainty or complexity. 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 investments, and trusting you to make the best financial decisions for them to grow their assets and wealth. As a result, building your key and long-term working relationships with your stakeholders effectively requires time to cultivate confidence, respect, and authenticity with them.