Are you ready for a career in finance?

There is a huge range of jobs available in finance these days, covering a variety of skill sets. For example, you could become an accountant, an investment manager, a banker or an actuary. You may choose to specialise in one area, such as accounting, or another, such as investment management. Within each of those areas, there are many different roles available, including both senior positions and those with a chance for growth in their career.

Investment management can be one of the most interesting sectors in the finance industry, in part because there are many different ways to invest money. For example, clients could invest in bonds or shares, or they might choose to put some of their money in an index fund that tracks the performance of the overall market. A number of impressive vacancies can be found here, including those in private equity, wealth management and hedge funds.

Financial careers have been around for a very long time

While many financial sectors are relatively new, retail banking has of course been around for many years. Although the specifics of the role are constantly evolving, services such as cash management, debit card transactions, mobile payments, online bill payments, and automated teller machines continue to operate. Retail banking sometimes gives employees the chance to earn higher wages than other jobs in finance. Those who succeed in such roles need to be flexible, adaptable, geographically mobile and have the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues across all divisions and departments. Good communication skills and impressive technical skills are also a must.

Retail banking is a great profession if you enjoy helping customers solve problems and providing them with financial products and services. It offers many benefits, including flexible scheduling, which means that your shift could start at different times. In many banks, there is often a defined career ladder for those who wish to progress, going all the way up to senior roles such as Department Manager, Finance Director and CEO.

Can you handle the management of investment portfolios?

One of the most demanding financial roles is that of a Portfolio Manager. This individual manages portfolios of assets for institutions and private clients alike. The main priority is to help investors allocate their resources efficiently. After graduating from college, many young professionals go into investment banking or private equity. Some choose to become analysts at commercial banks or credit unions. Others join asset management firms operating in markets right across the globe. Many others pursue a career in money management. For those who aspire to run their own investment firm, there are two paths. One of these leads to a partnership with an established firm. Another path leads to starting your own firm. Either way, you must pass rigorous exams to earn the appropriate licences.

Many of those who succeed in the financial sector move on to roles such as that of Finance Manager, Finance Director, or even Chief Financial Officer (CFO). If your career path is moving towards these senior positions, you'll need to have strong accounting knowledge with the qualifications to match, be capable of producing budgetary reports and be skilled at delegating tasks to others. As you might expect from such responsible and important roles, the financial rewards in terms of base salary and bonuses can be very tempting.

Finance jobs require particular skills and qualities

As a finance candidate, you will need to be able to think critically, communicate effectively and collaborate with others. You will also need to keep up with the latest trends in financial markets, technology, tax law and other areas related to finance. Your main responsibility may be to solve problems for clients using your knowledge of markets, principles and procedures. As a finance professional, you will be responsible for analysing client needs and recommending solutions that meet those needs. If you are taking on a senior role such as Finance Manager or CFO, you will need to be adept at managing others within a team and being able to juggle multiple tasks at once. If you're particularly skilled in technological matters, a career in fintech could be perfect for you.

The finance industry is one that never stands still

The financial sector is constantly evolving and growing. New markets, new laws and regulations, new technologies, and a more globalised market mean that there are always opportunities for those seeking a career in finance. However, due to the increasing demand for qualified professionals, the search for these talented individuals is bigger than ever before, and the need for qualified tech-savvy candidates continues to grow. If you are keen to work in such a fast-paced industry, and to benefit from a wide variety of career paths, now is a good time to do so.

Prospects for finance professionals in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has always been a booming financial hub, especially for international businesses wishing to connect with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. As such, the demand for finance professionals remains high within the city across a number of job roles. 

To connect with like minded individuals in the finance industry and to make your resume more appealing during a job search, a number of local finance associations can be applied to in order to show your commitment to the field. The Hong Kong Association of Financial Advisors is one such professional body that promotes collaboration across multi-disciplinary areas of finance, investment, banking, taxation and other related areas. Those interested in fintech could consider joining the Hong Kong Fintech Industry Association, whilst those looking for a career in green finance could apply for membership at the Hong Kong Green Finance Association. Being a member of one or more of these associations could make all the difference in propelling you forward in your finance career.

An interesting professional finance career awaits

As the world economy grows, there are more jobs available than ever before. As a result, many students choose to study finance because it offers a high salary, plenty of interesting and challenging assignments, and a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals. Roles such as investment banking, trading, corporate finance, private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, asset management, wealth planning and accounting all offer much in the way of rewards.  Whatever path you choose, you will always have the option of switching careers if you wish to pursue something else. In addition to offering a solid salary, the industry also offers stability and the chance to progress on to more senior positions such as Financial Controller, Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and Senior Financial Analyst.

While there are many good reasons to seek a career in finance, one of the most overlooked is that of job security. No roles are ever guaranteed, of course, but finance as an industry isn't going to disappear overnight. This is a sector that is always looking to evolve and expand, and with technological innovations always in the mix it's a dynamic and exciting area in which to work.

Finance is also one of the most diverse industries in terms of roles that are available. There are a number of different markets around the world, each of them featuring some of the most famous names in global commerce. The financial industry is a wonderful destination for both newcomers and those reaching a successful completion of their university education. If you have analytical skills and a will to succeed, the chances are you will be in demand.

Step into the realm of finance jobs with Michael Page

If you have decided a career in finance is for you, Michael Page is ready to help you on your job search. Whether you are a budding Internal Auditor, an aspiring Finance Manager, or even wanting to explore a career in fintech, we have plenty of lucrative jobs available on the market for you according to your skillset.

Search finance jobs today and create a job alert so you don’t miss out on any new opportunities that could be perfect for you. Unsure of how much you should be earning in the field? Use our salary comparison tool to find out how much you are worth according to industry benchmarks - never sell yourself short!