What Jobs Can You Get With a Finance and Accounting Degree?

£624 per week - that’s the average salary paid in the Finance sector, according to a recent study. Well above the UK average, and with jobs in high demand. 

With a Finance and Accounting degree, students unlock a wealth of opportunities, positioning themselves at the heart of any organisation's financial decision-making. 

This degree is a gateway to numerous specialised roles. Beyond that, the skills learned apply outside of finance, making graduates attractive assets in many sectors. 

Let's look into the opportunities this degree offers for its graduates.

Jobs Directly Related to a Finance and Accounting Degree:

1. Chartered Accountant:

• Role: Responsible for auditing financial statements, advising on taxation issues, and managing financial records.
• Key Skills: Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong ethics.
• Ideal For: Detail-oriented individuals who enjoy diving deep into numbers, ensuring financial accuracy, and helping businesses maintain financial clarity.

2. Auditor:

• Role: Examine and verify financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with laws and regulations, (this can be an internal or external auditor).
• Key Skills: Strong analytical capabilities, meticulous nature, and understanding of regulatory standards.
• Ideal For: Analytical minds who have a talent for investigative work and ensuring financial compliance and integrity.

3. Tax Advisor:

• Role: Guide businesses and individuals on the complexities of taxation, ensuring compliance while optimising tax-related decisions.
• Key Skills: Deep understanding of tax laws, research skills, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ideal For: Those who are adept at interpreting tax laws and regulations, and who enjoy helping clients optimise their financial situations.

4. Management Accountant:

• Role: Analyse financial information to aid managerial decisions, playing a critical role in business strategy and planning.
• Key Skills: Decision-making, strategic planning, and commercial awareness.
• Ideal For: Strategic thinkers with a broad business perspective, capable of offering actionable insights and adaptive solutions.

5. Forensic Accountant:

• Role: Investigate financial discrepancies and fraud, providing expertise in legal cases.
• Key Skills: Investigative mindset, detail-oriented approach, and strong ethical compass.
• Ideal For: Inquisitive individuals with a flair for detective work, dedicated to uncovering discrepancies and potential fraud within financial documents.

6. Investment Banker:

• Role: Assist organisations in raising capital, guide mergers and acquisitions, and provide financial advisory services.
• Key Skills: Analytical prowess, risk assessment, and interpersonal skills.
• Ideal For:  with a strong aptitude for financial modelling who thrive under pressure and can manage complex financial portfolios.

7. Investment Analyst:

• Role: Provide research and information to help traders, fund managers, and stockbrokers make decisions about investments
• Key Skills: Attention to detail, financial forecasting, and decision-making.
• Ideal For: Professionals with a passion for researching and analysing financial data to inform investment decisions, predict market trends and advise on potential investment opportunities.

8. Data Analyst:

• Role: Review budget proposals, monitor spending, and prepare budget reports for organisations.
• Key Skills: Organisational abilities, data analysis, and communication skills.
• Ideal For: Individuals who enjoy converting raw data into actionable insights and who possess a blend of technical and analytical skills.

9. Financial Advisor:

• Role: Assist individuals in managing their finances, investments, and retirement plans.
• Key Skills: Interpersonal skills, understanding of financial markets, and strategic planning.
• Ideal For: Empathetic individuals with strong interpersonal skills who are dedicated to helping clients make informed decisions about their financial futures. 

10. Risk Manager:

• Role: They devise strategies and processes to manage and mitigate risks while ensuring corporate compliance with regulations.
• Key Skills: Involves liaising with operational heads and other professionals to coordinate risk management activities.

• Ideal For: Those with strong analytical skills, who are capable of foreseeing potential challenges and developing proactive measures to counteract them.

Other Jobs Finance and Accounting Graduates Should Consider:

A Finance and Accounting degree offers more than just technical proficiency in financial principles and practices. It nurtures a unique blend of analytical prowess, strategic thinking, and attention to detail. 

The training and real-world case studies encountered during the course cultivate problem-solving capabilities, enabling graduates to address complex business challenges effectively. Such a well-rounded education not only prepares them for specialised finance roles but also provides a versatile skill set that's highly valued in other professional sectors. 

Let's explore roles to illustrate this versatility:

1. Actuary:

• Role: Use statistics, mathematics, and financial theory to study uncertain future events, especially those concerned with insurance and pension programs.
• Key Skills: Statistical analysis, risk assessment, and problem-solving.
• Ideal Candidate Profile: Analytical thinkers who have a deep understanding of mathematics and statistics. Individuals who enjoy predicting and analysing future financial risks using past data, and have the patience for meticulous work.

2. Retail Banker:

• Role: Assist individual customers with their financial needs, such as setting up bank accounts, authorising loans, or advising on financial products.
• Key Skills: Customer service, interpersonal skills, and understanding of banking products.
• Ideal Candidate Profile: Service-oriented individuals with strong interpersonal skills. Those who enjoy building relationships with customers, understanding their needs, and providing tailored solutions will find this role rewarding.

3. Stockbroker:

• Role: Buy and sell stocks and shares on behalf of clients, whether they're individuals or institutions.
• Key Skills: Understanding of financial markets, persuasive skills, and decisiveness.
• Ideal Candidate Profile: Highly driven professionals with a keen interest in the stock market and an ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Communication skills are essential, as the role involves advising clients on investment opportunities.

4. Insurance Underwriter:

• Role: Assess potential risks and decide if an insurance policy should be provided and at what premium.
• Key Skills: Risk assessment, attention to detail, and decision-making.
• Ideal Candidate Profile: Detail-oriented individuals with strong analytical skills who can assess the risks of insuring people or assets and use that data to set pricing. They should be comfortable making decisions based on both quantitative and qualitative information.

5. Business Development Manager:

• Role: Identify business opportunities, build long-term relationships with clients, and negotiate and close business deals.
• Key Skills: Negotiation, market understanding, and relationship-building.
• Ideal Candidate Profile: Goal-driven individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit. Those who excel in networking, building long-term client relationships, and identifying business opportunities.

6. Procurement Manager:

• Role: Oversee the buying of products, materials, and services on behalf of an organisation.
• Key Skills: Negotiation, decision-making, and market analysis.
• Ideal Candidate Profile: Organised professionals with a flair for negotiation and an understanding of supply chain complexities. They should have the ability to evaluate suppliers, manage contracts, and optimise procurement processes.

7. Corporate Treasurer:

• Role: Responsible for managing the organisation's financial activity, including liquidity, investments, and risk management.
• Key Skills: Strategic planning, financial forecasting, and understanding of financial markets.
• Ideal Candidate Profile: Strategic thinker with a strong foundation in finance. They should be adept at managing an organisation's financial activity, including investments, risk management, and capital-raising strategies.

While a Finance and Accounting degree makes you suitable for many roles in finance, each job might require specific additional qualifications, training, or experience. However, the analytical and financial skills gained during your degree provide a valuable foundation for building a career.