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Important Skills to Break into Finance?
#finance #business #career
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25 answers
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Danny’s Answer
Hi Baily. I believe in order to break into Finance, you must possess a few attributes and a set skills. Most importantly, you must love numbers and or math. Secondly, having proficiency or mastering programs such as MS EXCEL will help tremendously. Last but not least knowledge about the industry will help you to become great at finance and in return it could lead you to where in finance you want to be. Thank you and the best of luck.
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Staci’s Answer
There are many skills that cross over to a finance career. It is important to do well in school - any type of business degree and be well versed in Excel as well as learning Tableau is a good skill too. It is also very important to have solid people skills - good communication skills for example - to be able to build relationships and trust with your business partners.
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Darin’s Answer
Math. Lots and lots of math. It also depends on what you want to do within finance. Just to name a few; accounting, payroll, financial planning, tax. You can find classes for all those plus other finance courses I didn't even mention at most colleges. Like I said it depends what you want to do
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Melissa’s Answer
Hi Bailey,
To me, the most important skills are critical thinking and communication. You have to be able to analyze the data and present your findings in a comprehensible way to leadership. The presentation of data can be just as important as the numbers themselves. Good luck!
To me, the most important skills are critical thinking and communication. You have to be able to analyze the data and present your findings in a comprehensible way to leadership. The presentation of data can be just as important as the numbers themselves. Good luck!
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brian’s Answer
There are already a lot of great answers here. From my perspective, finance skills involve critical thinking and synthesizing information from many (often multidisciplinary) sources. There are many ways to develop these skills, including reading finance and economics texts and having informational interviews with professionals in the specific finance segments that interest you. If you are still in school, even taking classes like philosophy or laboratory science can help you develop the skills. If this sounds strange, remember also that finance itself cuts across all business (and even non-profit) fields. I also suggest choosing an underlying business that interests you and ignites your passion. Finally, if you have a culture and colleagues you like, you have a recipe for career success and happiness. Good luck to you!
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Sami’s Answer
The skills needed to be able to work and succeed in Finance are analytical skills where you might receive data that's needs analysis that would be needed to recommend a decision to the higher management. Adding that other skills might be also helpful like algebra and quantitative math were you might need to do some statistical work.
Finally, with the digital advancement, a skill in the basics of Machine Learning, Big Data would be helpful.
Finally, with the digital advancement, a skill in the basics of Machine Learning, Big Data would be helpful.
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Silas’s Answer
Hi Bailey,
To break into the Finance industry I would recommend taking a financial modeling course to become well versed in the area. If this is not available then I would become proficient in excel through studying on your own. Additionally, it is important to have strong communication skills and ability to put together presentation decks.
To break into the Finance industry I would recommend taking a financial modeling course to become well versed in the area. If this is not available then I would become proficient in excel through studying on your own. Additionally, it is important to have strong communication skills and ability to put together presentation decks.
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Jorge’s Answer
The “Financial” world is very wide, there are several roles and activities, that’s why you should think about what’s best for you, your personality. To work on finance is important to develop the following competencies: Accounting Qualifications/Certifications, Interpersonal Skills, Management Skills, Communication Skills, Strong Problem Solving Skills, Financial Forecast Reporting, Analytics Capabilities, Software Skills, Business Savvy, Innovative Skills, Data Science and Statistical Skills.
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Chris’s Answer
Bailey,
Whether you want to be in the back office working internally or in the front office working with clients the most important tip I can give you to break into finance would be to Network.
Networking is critical in finance as your reputation can carry more weight than your degree after so many years post graduation. Networking can provide you with different avenues of finance you never knew about and teach you more about areas you are interested in. At the end of the day you want a job in an area you want to be in and networking, a college degree with a solid GPA (whether it is at a target school or not), and experience will land you where you want.
Best of luck!
Whether you want to be in the back office working internally or in the front office working with clients the most important tip I can give you to break into finance would be to Network.
Networking is critical in finance as your reputation can carry more weight than your degree after so many years post graduation. Networking can provide you with different avenues of finance you never knew about and teach you more about areas you are interested in. At the end of the day you want a job in an area you want to be in and networking, a college degree with a solid GPA (whether it is at a target school or not), and experience will land you where you want.
Best of luck!
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Michelle’s Answer
Hi Bailey,
There are several skills that will be important if you decide to pursue a career in Finance. Here are some basic skills then I would recommend to see what interest you and work with a Professional or Counselor to gain more insight. It would be advantageous if you could gain some experience by volunteering or apply for an internship or gain work experience.
Important skills include Accounting, Interpersonal and communication skills, Networking, Problem solving skills, Analytics, and the ability to understand and work numerically to draw conclusions.
All the Best!
There are several skills that will be important if you decide to pursue a career in Finance. Here are some basic skills then I would recommend to see what interest you and work with a Professional or Counselor to gain more insight. It would be advantageous if you could gain some experience by volunteering or apply for an internship or gain work experience.
Important skills include Accounting, Interpersonal and communication skills, Networking, Problem solving skills, Analytics, and the ability to understand and work numerically to draw conclusions.
All the Best!
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Melissa’s Answer
Hi Bailey,
I think you have a lot of really great suggestions here. A couple of other skills that might seem a bit surprising is basic computer programming and risk management. You don't need to be fluent in computer programming but having knowledge of the basics will make you a sought after candidate. Also risk management is a hot button topic right now and part of every industry. Understanding and being able to identify risk is a great skill to have and will set you above the other candidates for a position.
Best of Luck!
Melissa
I think you have a lot of really great suggestions here. A couple of other skills that might seem a bit surprising is basic computer programming and risk management. You don't need to be fluent in computer programming but having knowledge of the basics will make you a sought after candidate. Also risk management is a hot button topic right now and part of every industry. Understanding and being able to identify risk is a great skill to have and will set you above the other candidates for a position.
Best of Luck!
Melissa
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Christopher’s Answer
Hi Bailey,
This is a great question. I think having a keen interest and understanding of how financial markets work would be a good starting point. This will help you identify which areas you will be interested in exploring further. From there, I think any financial career involves math and numbers, so being able to work with lots of data and information is important. I would also be good with technology and softwares, as there are a few core ones, but new technology comes out rapidly. You want to be able to grasp and quickly adjust to new software. Relationships may be a bit understated in terms of job description, but I believe having great relationships and soft skills will help you communicate effectively. I hope some of these tips help, good luck!
This is a great question. I think having a keen interest and understanding of how financial markets work would be a good starting point. This will help you identify which areas you will be interested in exploring further. From there, I think any financial career involves math and numbers, so being able to work with lots of data and information is important. I would also be good with technology and softwares, as there are a few core ones, but new technology comes out rapidly. You want to be able to grasp and quickly adjust to new software. Relationships may be a bit understated in terms of job description, but I believe having great relationships and soft skills will help you communicate effectively. I hope some of these tips help, good luck!
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Jason’s Answer
Skills - math, Excel, organization, communication, PowerPoint
Background - 4 year degree in Accounting or Finance at a minimum, likely want to consider an MBA as well nowadays and potentially a certification depending on the type of role you're thinking of
Background - 4 year degree in Accounting or Finance at a minimum, likely want to consider an MBA as well nowadays and potentially a certification depending on the type of role you're thinking of
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Tad’s Answer
Hell Bailey,
I feel the most important skills to break into finance are a basic understanding of accounting and how the financial statements link to one another. In addition, the most important skill(s) in my opinion are time management and communication.
I feel the most important skills to break into finance are a basic understanding of accounting and how the financial statements link to one another. In addition, the most important skill(s) in my opinion are time management and communication.
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Richard’s Answer
My son works in finance (entry-level, investment banking), and I spoke with him about your question. There are plenty of hard skills necessary: in order of importance least to greatest, you will want to be decent with excel, understand how companies and industries work and how to analyze them, know what bankers/FAs do/what your firm does, and be up-to-date on news and industry trends. Reading news and completing vault guides is great preparation for interviews.
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Sandesh’s Answer
Math, Excel, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Valuations, CAPM, WACC
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Linda’s Answer
I think the important things are of course match skills but also the ability to make sense out of complex data. Advanced skills in Microsoft excel are also a big part of any job in finance - Linda
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