10 Skills That Really Matter for Your Finance Career

Updated on 09 September 2022

By Divyanshi Sharma

15 min read 12 views

Updated on 09 September 2022

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It goes without saying that more than just getting good marks are necessary to have a successful career in finance.

Can you remember what made you decide to pursue this job path, whether you're just starting out or a seasoned executive?

Accounting and financial professionals must exhibit a variety of skills in today's quickly changing workplace, including excellent soft skills, razor-sharp analytical ability, and a solid grasp of industry-standard software.

How can you determine whether your resume will stand out from the competition or be rejected? Here are 10 essentials for a finance career that will put you in the driver's seat.

Education and training

In some fields, having dazzling talent and practical experience is sufficient to win your ideal position.

A stellar resume, however, is insufficient for a career in finance, a field governed by strict procedures and regulations as well as business best practices.

To support any employment experience they may have, successful candidates must possess the requisite education, training, and financial certifications.

Personality traits

Finance professionals used to be confined to cubicles, but that time has long since passed.

The idea that a job in finance entails merely crunching statistics has long since been dispelled by the fact that roles in this industry frequently need employees to interact with clients and team members.

Successful connection building is essential for the success of accounting and finance professionals. Interpersonal skills are frequently the deciding factor between two candidates for a job who are both equally competent.

Being able to communicate

Strong oral and writing communication abilities are crucial for those who want to work in accounting and finance, but it's also crucial to be able to translate financial jargon into lay words.

Instead of hiring individuals who merely repeat what they have learned, many businesses want people who can explain sophisticated industry jargon to clients and employees in other departments who are unfamiliar with finance.

Ability to report financial data

At their next job interview, financial hopefuls who want to stand out from the competition would do well to show off their command of financial reporting.

The process of creating documentation that informs management, investors, and the government about a company's financial situation is known as financial reporting. The compensation levels reflect the fact that financial reporting skills are in high demand in today's companies. The median beginning income for an accountant working in financial reporting with one to three years of experience is $71,750, and the median salary for a financial reporting manager is $112,7500, according to the Robert Half Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance.

Analytical skills

Employers are seeking candidates who can analyze situations and reach the right conclusions. The shift toward a more analytical and strategic finance role necessitates the development of abilities in strategic thinking, big data, information technology, teamwork, leadership, and performance-driven results.

There are many options for career and professional development available to people who develop and maintain the highest level of financial analyst skills.

Aptitude for solving issues

Nowadays, having a thorough understanding of systems and processes is insufficient. It's also critical to have the ability to solve challenging issues when they come up.

A track record of finding solutions will see your career advance swiftly, whether it's resolving the financial ramifications of a convoluted corporate structure or developing a unique answer to a client's tax conundrum.

Finance Professional