Financial Careers: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Financial Advisor
Essential facts about careers as a financial advisor or financial consultant, the contemporary titles for what commonly used to be called stockbroker, broker, account executive or registered representative. Includes info about educational requirements, certifications, duties, responsibilities and pay.
Essential facts about careers as a financial advisor or financial consultant, the contemporary titles for what commonly used to be called stockbroker, broker, account executive or registered representative. Includes info about educational requirements, certifications, duties, responsibilities and pay.
Why Financial Services?
Leading reasons why a career in the Financial Services industry is an attractive option for ambitious people.
Leading reasons why a career in the Financial Services industry is an attractive option for ambitious people.
Job Titles
Important facts about job titles in Financial Services.
Important facts about job titles in Financial Services.
Public Accounting Firms
Public accounting firms are vital cogs in the financial system as well as highly-regarded training grounds for professionals throughout the financial services industry, as well as in other industries.
Public accounting firms are vital cogs in the financial system as well as highly-regarded training grounds for professionals throughout the financial services industry, as well as in other industries.
CPA
While a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license is not required for the vast majority of career paths within financial services, holding one can open doors within the industry. The CPA designation will enhance your credibility as someone who has quantitative skills and a professional attitude.
While a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license is not required for the vast majority of career paths within financial services, holding one can open doors within the industry. The CPA designation will enhance your credibility as someone who has quantitative skills and a professional attitude.
FINRA
Exams and certifications administered by FINRA, the successor organization to the NASD.
Exams and certifications administered by FINRA, the successor organization to the NASD.
Financial Services Overview
Overview of financial careers and the financial services industry.
Overview of financial careers and the financial services industry.
Financial Planner
Vital information about pursuing a career as a financial planner, assisting clients with budgeting, saving and other aspects of financial goal setting.
Vital information about pursuing a career as a financial planner, assisting clients with budgeting, saving and other aspects of financial goal setting.
CFA
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification.
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification.
Compensation
Compensation in the financial services industry tends to follow different norms than elsewhere in the economy. Here are some key facts to know.
Compensation in the financial services industry tends to follow different norms than elsewhere in the economy. Here are some key facts to know.
Family Offices
Family offices are specialized financial services firms that cater to the needs of extremely wealthy clients.
Family offices are specialized financial services firms that cater to the needs of extremely wealthy clients.
Changing Jobs
Important advice about advancing your career through job changes.
Important advice about advancing your career through job changes.
Choosing Employers
Key considerations in choosing employers.
Key considerations in choosing employers.
Job Descriptions
Within the financial services industry, especially in administrative and support positions, employees are expected to be highly productive multitaskers, often performing duties far beyond those in their formal job descriptions.
Within the financial services industry, especially in administrative and support positions, employees are expected to be highly productive multitaskers, often performing duties far beyond those in their formal job descriptions.
Wayne Rogers
Wayne Rogers made the transition from actor to even more successful investor and investment manager.
Wayne Rogers made the transition from actor to even more successful investor and investment manager.
Insurance Underwriters
Insurance underwriters perform the essential analytic work of evaluating applications for insurance, determining whether policies should be issued (written) and setting premiums and other terms.
Insurance underwriters perform the essential analytic work of evaluating applications for insurance, determining whether policies should be issued (written) and setting premiums and other terms.
Jim Cramer
Jim Cramer is a high profile financial commentator, the host of "Mad Money" on CNBC. Starting as a journalist, he briefly tried the law, then Wall Street. Soon he was back into media, in a big way.
Jim Cramer is a high profile financial commentator, the host of "Mad Money" on CNBC. Starting as a journalist, he briefly tried the law, then Wall Street. Soon he was back into media, in a big way.
Book of Business
Definition of Book of Business.
Definition of Book of Business.
Telecommuting
As telecommuting becomes a more important option within the general economy, its significance is bound to grow in the financial services industry. Because of the growing costs of traditional commuting in both time and money, more employees are seeking to telecommute.
As telecommuting becomes a more important option within the general economy, its significance is bound to grow in the financial services industry. Because of the growing costs of traditional commuting in both time and money, more employees are seeking to telecommute.
Industry Consolidation
The Financial Services industry has been trending toward greater consolidation and concentration, both within specific lines of business and across them. The creation and expansion of one-stop-shopping financial supermarkets is a trend that has yet to run its course.
The Financial Services industry has been trending toward greater consolidation and concentration, both within specific lines of business and across them. The creation and expansion of one-stop-shopping financial supermarkets is a trend that has yet to run its course.
Loan Modification Companies
Loan modification companies mediate between borrowers and lenders, especially regarding mortgage loans, in cases where the borrower is unable to repay the loan on the prescribed timetable.
Loan modification companies mediate between borrowers and lenders, especially regarding mortgage loans, in cases where the borrower is unable to repay the loan on the prescribed timetable.
Inusrance Claims Adjusters
Insurance claims adjusters play the vital role of studying requests for payouts under insurance policies, then determining whether they should be honored or denied.
Insurance claims adjusters play the vital role of studying requests for payouts under insurance policies, then determining whether they should be honored or denied.
Mark McCormack
Mark McCormack (1930-2003) was the first truly modern sports agent. Mark McCormack founded International Management Group (IMG) to manage commercial endorsements for golf great Arnold Palmer, and set the pattern whereby top athletes would earn considerably more from endorsements than from salaries or prize money. McCormack also expanded into financial services, and beat a Wall Street giant at its own game.
Mark McCormack (1930-2003) was the first truly modern sports agent. Mark McCormack founded International Management Group (IMG) to manage commercial endorsements for golf great Arnold Palmer, and set the pattern whereby top athletes would earn considerably more from endorsements than from salaries or prize money. McCormack also expanded into financial services, and beat a Wall Street giant at its own game.
Private Banking
A definition of private banking, also sometimes called high net worth banking. Also describes the role of a private banker.
A definition of private banking, also sometimes called high net worth banking. Also describes the role of a private banker.
Insurance
Here's an overview of career opportunities in insurance.
Here's an overview of career opportunities in insurance.
Consolidation and Careers
The consolidation of the financial services industry has important ramifications for how you manage your career. Read here about the pluses and minuses of working for a large, diversified firm as opposed to a smaller, more focused competitor.
The consolidation of the financial services industry has important ramifications for how you manage your career. Read here about the pluses and minuses of working for a large, diversified firm as opposed to a smaller, more focused competitor.
Sales Assistant
Essential information about entering a career as a sales assistant to a Financial Advisor.
Essential information about entering a career as a sales assistant to a Financial Advisor.
Money Manager
Careers in Money/Investment Management.
Careers in Money/Investment Management.
CFP
The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification.
The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification.
Redefine Your Job
Tips on advancing your career and improving your job satisfaction by redefining your responsibilities.
Tips on advancing your career and improving your job satisfaction by redefining your responsibilities.
Insurance Agents
Insurance sales agents (insurance agents) sell one or more lines of insurance products, and may also engage in general financial planning or the sales of various investment products, similar to a financial advisor.
Insurance sales agents (insurance agents) sell one or more lines of insurance products, and may also engage in general financial planning or the sales of various investment products, similar to a financial advisor.
Surviving Layoffs
Read here for vital tips on surviving layoffs, force reductions and restructurings.
Read here for vital tips on surviving layoffs, force reductions and restructurings.
Majors
Notes on the courses of study and academic majors that best prepare you for a career in Financial Services.
Notes on the courses of study and academic majors that best prepare you for a career in Financial Services.
Insurance Appraisers
Insurance appraisers are experts in the valuation of property, such as automobiles, and give key expert input in the settling of insurance claims.
Insurance appraisers are experts in the valuation of property, such as automobiles, and give key expert input in the settling of insurance claims.
Investment Banker
Careers in Investment Banking.
Careers in Investment Banking.
Private Equity Funds
Private equity is high risk, high reward category of investing that does not involve the public securities markets. Instead, private equity firms make capital available to private companies, and engineer special private placements of securities from public companies.
Private equity is high risk, high reward category of investing that does not involve the public securities markets. Instead, private equity firms make capital available to private companies, and engineer special private placements of securities from public companies.
Loan Officer
Loan officers work for banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, assisting prospective borrowers in applying for loans and assessing their creditworthiness.
Loan officers work for banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, assisting prospective borrowers in applying for loans and assessing their creditworthiness.
Insurance Claims Examiners
Insurance claims examiners perform a role similar to insurance claims adjusters, scrutinizing claims for insurance payouts and assessing what, if anything, the client should receive.
Insurance claims examiners perform a role similar to insurance claims adjusters, scrutinizing claims for insurance payouts and assessing what, if anything, the client should receive.
Mike Bloomberg
Mike Bloomberg is a case study in using a successful career in financial services as a springboard to high achievement in other fields. After losing his job at Salomon Brothers, he formed his own firm, Bloomberg LP, that became an information services and news media giant, making him a multi-billionaire in the process. This allowed him to turn to politics, becoming a successful mayor of New York.
Mike Bloomberg is a case study in using a successful career in financial services as a springboard to high achievement in other fields. After losing his job at Salomon Brothers, he formed his own firm, Bloomberg LP, that became an information services and news media giant, making him a multi-billionaire in the process. This allowed him to turn to politics, becoming a successful mayor of New York.
Merrill Lynch
Overview of opportunities at Merrill Lynch.
Overview of opportunities at Merrill Lynch.
Securities Underwriting
Securities underwriting is one of the primary functions and principal career paths within investment banking. If you are considering a career as an investment banker, here is some important background information on this special field.
Securities underwriting is one of the primary functions and principal career paths within investment banking. If you are considering a career as an investment banker, here is some important background information on this special field.
Institutional Client
Definition of institutional business and institutional clients, in the context of financial services.
Definition of institutional business and institutional clients, in the context of financial services.
Producer
Definition of Producer.
Definition of Producer.
Securities Trader
Careers in Securities Trading.
Careers in Securities Trading.
Brokerage Operations
Brokerage operations involves the tasks that ensure the proper movement of cash and securities positions pursuant to trades, plus the associated record keeping for clients' accounts, and for the accounts of the financial services firms themselves.
Brokerage operations involves the tasks that ensure the proper movement of cash and securities positions pursuant to trades, plus the associated record keeping for clients' accounts, and for the accounts of the financial services firms themselves.
Retail Client
The definition of retail business and retail clients, in the context of financial services.
The definition of retail business and retail clients, in the context of financial services.
Financial Assets
The definition of financial assets, also known as investable assets.
The definition of financial assets, also known as investable assets.
Random Walk
A book review of [i]A Random Walk Down Wall Street[/i] by Burton G. Malkiel.
A book review of [i]A Random Walk Down Wall Street[/i] by Burton G. Malkiel.
Credentials Summary
Here is a handy summary and overview of the most important degrees, certifications and categories of experience that are sought within the financial services industry.
Here is a handy summary and overview of the most important degrees, certifications and categories of experience that are sought within the financial services industry.
Take Advantage of Layoffs
Surprisingly, periods of layoffs can offer great opportunities. Read here about how to take advantage of layoffs in your career management strategy.
Surprisingly, periods of layoffs can offer great opportunities. Read here about how to take advantage of layoffs in your career management strategy.
Production Credits
Definition of Production Credits, a metric for Financial Advisor compensation.
Definition of Production Credits, a metric for Financial Advisor compensation.
Information Technology
Careers in Information Technology.
Careers in Information Technology.
Compliance
Careers in the Compliance function.
Careers in the Compliance function.
Jim Spanarkel
Long before the end of his brief 5-year career as a professional basketball player, Jim Spanarkel was thinking about the next step in his life. In the summers, he earned a real estate license and also qualified to become a financial advisor by picking up a Series 7 license as well. Shortly after retiring in 1984, he joined Merrill Lynch, where he has been since. Additionally, he has longrunning sideline as an announcer on both pro and college basketball telecasts.
Long before the end of his brief 5-year career as a professional basketball player, Jim Spanarkel was thinking about the next step in his life. In the summers, he earned a real estate license and also qualified to become a financial advisor by picking up a Series 7 license as well. Shortly after retiring in 1984, he joined Merrill Lynch, where he has been since. Additionally, he has longrunning sideline as an announcer on both pro and college basketball telecasts.
MBA
Importance of the MBA degree in Financial Services careers.
Importance of the MBA degree in Financial Services careers.
Jon Corzine
Jon Corzine made a fortune as a trader and executive at Goldman Sachs, and rose to CEO. When he was forced out of this position, he turned to politics, self-financing extremely expensive but successful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and the governorship of New Jersey.
Jon Corzine made a fortune as a trader and executive at Goldman Sachs, and rose to CEO. When he was forced out of this position, he turned to politics, self-financing extremely expensive but successful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and the governorship of New Jersey.
Leslie Greis
Leslie Greis is a former collegiate golfer whose athletic experience, often as a member of men's teams, has helped her succeed as a banker, as the founder of an investment management firm, and as an honored contributor in the public and nonprofit sectors.
Leslie Greis is a former collegiate golfer whose athletic experience, often as a member of men's teams, has helped her succeed as a banker, as the founder of an investment management firm, and as an honored contributor in the public and nonprofit sectors.
Martha Stewart
While Martha Stewart is best known as an arbiter of taste in the domestic arts, as a self-made media mogul, and as someone who fell afoul of the law, she had an early career in financial services that helped set the stage for her later ventures.
While Martha Stewart is best known as an arbiter of taste in the domestic arts, as a self-made media mogul, and as someone who fell afoul of the law, she had an early career in financial services that helped set the stage for her later ventures.
Banker
Overview of careers in retail and commercial banking.
Overview of careers in retail and commercial banking.
Financial Careers for Athletes
The financial services industry has long been a magnet for former collegiate and professional athletes, valuing some of the key personality traits that they have honed in their competitive lives.
The financial services industry has long been a magnet for former collegiate and professional athletes, valuing some of the key personality traits that they have honed in their competitive lives.
Actuaries
Actuaries are highly trained statisticians with expertise in evaluating risks. A majority are employed by the insurance industry.
Actuaries are highly trained statisticians with expertise in evaluating risks. A majority are employed by the insurance industry.
The Millionaire Next Door
Book review of [i]The Millionaire Next Door[/i] by Thomas Stanley and William Danko.
Book review of [i]The Millionaire Next Door[/i] by Thomas Stanley and William Danko.
CMO
A collateralized mortgage obligation is a debt security backed by home mortgages.
A collateralized mortgage obligation is a debt security backed by home mortgages.
Product Management
Careers in Product Management.
Careers in Product Management.
Producer vs. Support
Considerations in choosing between, and moving between, producer and support job categories.
Considerations in choosing between, and moving between, producer and support job categories.
Law Degrees
The financial services industry, as a highly regulated sector of the economy, has a great need for legal expertise. A law degree can be a ticket to advancement, even in job categories that do not specifically require it.
The financial services industry, as a highly regulated sector of the economy, has a great need for legal expertise. A law degree can be a ticket to advancement, even in job categories that do not specifically require it.
My Life as a Quant
A book review of [i]My Life as a Quant[/i] by Emanuel Derman.
A book review of [i]My Life as a Quant[/i] by Emanuel Derman.
Quant
A quant lends expertise in advanced mathematical techniques to problems in finance, trading and investing.
A quant lends expertise in advanced mathematical techniques to problems in finance, trading and investing.
Support
Definition of Support.
Definition of Support.
Insurance Investigators
Insurance investigators are in-house private detectives whose special skills are utilized in processing claims where fraud or criminal conduct is suspected.
Insurance investigators are in-house private detectives whose special skills are utilized in processing claims where fraud or criminal conduct is suspected.
Wall Street
Definition of Wall Street.
Definition of Wall Street.
Jobs With Flexible Hours
Finding a job with flexible hours, limited hours and/or telecommuting options is an important consideration for increasing numbers of people. The reasons can be many: childcare, eldercare, personal health reasons, personal lifestyle preferences, and length of commute. There are increasing opportunities in financial services for such flexibility.
Finding a job with flexible hours, limited hours and/or telecommuting options is an important consideration for increasing numbers of people. The reasons can be many: childcare, eldercare, personal health reasons, personal lifestyle preferences, and length of commute. There are increasing opportunities in financial services for such flexibility.
Statement Consolidators
Statement consolidators offer a specialized service, combining data from accounts at multiple financial services firms into a single, comprehensive statement for the client. Increasingly, statement consolidators also offer analytics and money saving suggestions.
Statement consolidators offer a specialized service, combining data from accounts at multiple financial services firms into a single, comprehensive statement for the client. Increasingly, statement consolidators also offer analytics and money saving suggestions.
Coporate Treasury
Corporate treasury manages a company’s cash flows in the most efficient and profitable fashion possible. It also involves forecasting future needs for funding and seeking the best alternatives for obtaining it. It's a fast-paced, high-paying field with aspects of money management and investment banking.
Corporate treasury manages a company’s cash flows in the most efficient and profitable fashion possible. It also involves forecasting future needs for funding and seeking the best alternatives for obtaining it. It's a fast-paced, high-paying field with aspects of money management and investment banking.
Rating Agencies
Credit rating agencies are key players in the financial markets, assessing the ability of corporate and governmental borrowers to incur and service debt, and the interest rate cost that they face. They are major employers and trainers of people in the field of securities research and securities analysis.
Credit rating agencies are key players in the financial markets, assessing the ability of corporate and governmental borrowers to incur and service debt, and the interest rate cost that they face. They are major employers and trainers of people in the field of securities research and securities analysis.
Margin Loans
The definition of margin loans.
The definition of margin loans.
Venture Capital Funds
Venture capital is a particularly exciting and glamorous sector of the financial services industry. It involves seeking out and funding innovative startup companies with the promise to become highly profitable in the future.
Venture capital is a particularly exciting and glamorous sector of the financial services industry. It involves seeking out and funding innovative startup companies with the promise to become highly profitable in the future.
Private Client
What constitutes a Private Client.
What constitutes a Private Client.
CDS
A credit default swap is a financial contract that offers protection against a bond going into default.
A credit default swap is a financial contract that offers protection against a bond going into default.
Financial Careers - Articles
An index of Articles for the Financial Careers guide site.
An index of Articles for the Financial Careers guide site.
Securities Research
Careers in Securities Research.
Careers in Securities Research.
Controller
Careers in the Controller function.
Careers in the Controller function.