Understanding basic finance skills that you require

Understanding basic finance skills that you require

Blog Article

Find out some examples of financial organizations and what they look for in candidates.


Today, technical finance skills are commonly associated with industry-specific positions, such as accounting, banking, underwriting, financial evaluation, or insurance brokerage. As William Jackson of Bridgepoint Capital would understand, such financial skills only scratch the surface when analyzing the finance sector in general and what is expected of every specialist or candidate in this sector. This is due to the fact that finance professionals are expected to have an excellent balance between soft and hard abilities that allow them to manage stakeholder relationships effectively. Although the finance sector is unique and each role requires varying hard finance skills and experience levels, there are some abilities that are considered mandatory throughout all positions in this fast-paced industry. For instance, being comfortable with numbers and data-driven analysis is absolutely up there as a priority ability, as you will likely be dealing with numbers and statistical datasets as a financial professional at some point.


Regardless of what particular 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 finance sphere look for accounting backgrounds in entry-level candidates, or at least the ability to interpret financial statements and company reports. This does not mean you must have previous experience as a professional accountant, but rather proficiency in reading and interpreting financial records. This is due to the fact that the insights that can be derived from such reports are crucial for executives and stakeholders when it comes to assessing an organization's financial health. Moreover, since accounting knowledge is fundamental across a range of diverse financial positions in the industry, companies tend to offer competitive compensation for those that have professional accounting credentials or demonstrate the necessary accounting skills.


The financial industry in today's world is probably one of the most competitive fields out there, which is why you must build the essential abilities 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, trusted relationships are critical to success for finance leaders, especially in times of instability or challenges. As a leader in a financial organization, it's very crucial to ensure that your relationships with your clients are solid, as these clients are essentially relying on you with their investments, and counting on you to make the best financial choices for them to grow their assets and wealth. As a result, building your key and long-term professional relationships with your stakeholders effectively requires time to cultivate trust, respect, and authenticity with them.