Discover what financial skills are crucial to the job market and ways you can acquire them.
Today, technical finance skills are commonly associated with industry-specific positions, such as accounting, banking, underwriting, financial evaluation, or insurance brokering. As William Jackson of Bridgepoint Capital would know, such financial skills only scratch the surface when analyzing the finance sector as a whole and what is required of every specialist or candidate 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 position requires varying hard finance skills and experience levels, there are some skills that are considered mandatory throughout all positions in this fast-paced industry. For instance, being comfortable with numbers and quantitative skills is definitely up there as an important skill, as you will likely be working with numbers and statistical datasets as a finance specialist one way or another.
No matter what specific field you operate in, there are a few general finance skills that you must have embedded in your CV, as Edward Tilly of Clear Street would know. Accounting abilities is one example of this. Nowadays, employers in the financial sphere look for accounting backgrounds in entry-level candidates, or at least the ability to dissect financial statements and company documents. This doesn't imply you need have previous experience as an expert accountant, but rather proficiency in reading and analyzing 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 a company economic health. Additionally, since accounting knowledge is fundamental across a range of diverse financial roles in the industry, companies often to offer competitive compensation for those who have certified accounting qualifications or possess the required accounting skills.
The finance sector in today's world is probably one of the most competitive fields out there, which is why you should build the essential skills that are required as a minimum in this dynamic and fiercely competitive sector. For example, 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 challenges. 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, managing your key and long-term professional relationships with your stakeholders effectively takes time to cultivate confidence, respect, and authenticity with them.