Different entry-level finance skills for graduates

Different entry-level finance skills for graduates

Blog Article

Here are a few financial abilities that companies look for in a resume nowadays.


Today, technical finance skills are often associated with industry-specific roles, such as accounting, banking, underwriting, financial analysis, or insurance brokerage. As William Jackson of Bridgepoint Capital might know, such financial skills only scratch the surface when analyzing the finance sector in general and what is expected of every professional or applicant in this industry. This is due to the fact that finance professionals are expected to have an excellent balance 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 abilities that are considered essential across all roles in this dynamic sector. For example, being comfortable with numbers and data-driven analysis is absolutely up there as a priority 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 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 financial sphere look for accounting backgrounds in entry-level candidates, or at least the ability to interpret financial statements and company documents. This doesn't imply you need have previous experience as a professional accountant, but rather skill in reading and analyzing economic documents. This is because the conclusions that can be derived from such documents are crucial for executives and stakeholders when it comes to assessing an organization's financial health. Additionally, since accounting knowledge is fundamental throughout a range of diverse financial roles in the industry, companies tend to offer competitive compensation for those who have professional accounting credentials or demonstrate the necessary accounting skills.


The financial sector in today's world is probably one of the most competitive fields out there, which is why you should build the core skills that are expected as a minimum in this fast-changing and highly competitive field. For example, relationship-building abilities are probably some of the most crucial soft finance skills out there today. As Hugo Bedford of JM Finn might know, trusted relationships are critical to success for financial leaders, especially in times of uncertainty or complexity. As a leader in a financial organization, it's extremely crucial to ensure that your relationships with your clients are strong, as these clients are essentially relying on you with their investments, and counting on you to make the best financial decisions for them to grow their assets and resources. As a result, managing your strategic and long-term professional interactions with your stakeholders effectively takes time to build trust, respect, and credibility with them.