Jobs and Careers Spring 2019 - 83

FINANCE

D

o you enjoy
working
with figures?
A career in
finance could be
for you. Looking
for a job that promises variety?
Again, finance could be a great fit -
roles are wide and varied, covering
everything from accounting to
investments and pensions.
The financial sector can prove
lucrative too, with six-figure salaries
common for those with experience.
Although London is still the world's
number-one global financial centre,
two-thirds of the nation's 2.2 million
jobs in finance are based outside
the capital, so there are lots of
opportunities wherever you live.
Calculate whether you can count on
a career in finance with our guide.

Banks/building societies
Retail banks, the biggest employers
in finance, offer a range of positions
from tellers and managers to
mortgage advisers. Many of these
jobs are in high-street branches, but
there are increasing opportunities
with online banks and supermarkets
that offer banking services.
A typical role involves helping
with the financial requirements
of individuals and businesses,
providing advice and services such
as loans and overdraft facilities.
What qualifications do I need?
Entry-level roles are available to
those without degrees, with the
chance to work your way up through
in-house courses. It's also possible
to get an apprenticeship. Graduate
management training schemes are
often open to all graduates - you
don't need a finance-related degree.
How much can I earn? Bank
management trainees can earn
£18,000 to £24,000, plus possible
bonuses. Salaries rise to around
£40,000 for your first management
role, and from there up to £70,000.

Corporate
investment banker
The job involves advising companies,
institutions and governments on

how to achieve their financial goals
and implement long- and shortterm financial plans. You could
also manage corporate, strategic
and financial opportunities,
including mergers, acquisitions,
bonds and shares, lending and
privatisations. Advising on and
leading management buyouts,
raising capital and securing new
deals could also be part of your role.
What qualifications do I need?
Banks usually ask for at least a 2:1
degree and often specify a minimum
number of UCAS points. New
trainees must complete Financial
Conduct Authority (FCA) exams.
Some employers may also require
further professional qualifications.
How much can I earn? The
average starting salary is £30,000 to
£40,000. After three or more years,
salaries can reach £50,000. Those
with more experience can earn a
base salary of £150,000 or more.
Pay is often performance-related,
and bonuses can sometimes be four
times the base salary or even higher.

Private practice accountant
As a PPA, your duties may include
preparing financial statements,
business plans and budget reports,
producing accounts, auditing,
managing clients' spending and
costs, filing tax returns and giving
tax advice, helping businesses in
financial difficulty and investigating
fraud (forensic accounting). You'll
deal with all these if you work
for a small accountancy practice;
in larger practices, you're more
likely to specialise in one area.
What qualifications do I need?
You'll often need two A-levels and
three GCSEs grade 9 to 4 (A* to C).
You don't need a degree or maths
A-level, but you must qualify with
one of the following professional
bodies: the Association of Chartered
Certified Accountants (ACCA), the
Institute of Chartered Accountants
in England and Wales (ICAEW),
the Association of International
Accountants (AIA) or the
Chartered Institute of Management
Accountants (CIMA).
JOBS & CAREERS /// 83
Jobs and Careers Spring 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers Spring 2019
