Entering the finance industry can be very lucrative since it is one of the most in-demand and high-paying career options. 

If you are an accounting or finance degree-holder with analytical and mathematical skills, you are on your way to climbing the career ladder faster than others.

The finance industry ranges from investment banking to financial institutions, financial technology, or Fintech. Whatever your area of expertise is, your career growth would be undeniable because of emerging advancements in the field. 

Finance and accounting degrees and certification programs are typically hard to pass because of their strict criteria. 

However, millions worldwide still step into this field because of its potential and positive future prospects. If they fail the first attempt, they reappear for the exam. 

Typically, you can find finance roles in corporate careers, investment groups, financial advisory, accounting, lending, and Fintech. Therefore, if you are looking for some of the highest-paid jobs and roles in finance, then you are in a suitable space. Here, we will assess some of the most dynamic career options. 

  1. Investment Banker

Investment bankers earn up to $66,784 annually by managing investment portfolios for businesses, governments, investors, and other institutions. They help their clients achieve their investment and financial goals. 

If you aim to become an investment banker, you need to be a finance graduate. You can explore your CPA exam prep courses by drawing a comparison between Wiley vs Becker, two of the most prominent test prep providers. They offer globally recognized test prep courses to help you pass the exam on the first attempt. 

Aligning your career goals with the right test prep can help you achieve milestones in your chosen career. Therefore, choose wisely.

  1. Finance Manager

Finance managers earn as much as $134,180 annually, with a 17% outlook on job growth. They are responsible for managing a company’s financial health and keeping it stable. 

They manage to do this by drafting the company’s financial statements, analyzing them, and making long-term decisions and plans to grow the company finances via different viable options.

Every month in the US, over 23,000 people fill the finance manager position in different companies. It indicates the rising demand for financial managers. 

Every company, whether large or small, requires a finance manager to manage its accounts and finance. 

  1. Information Technology Auditor

IT auditors earn a national average of $101,751 per year. They primarily work for government agencies and private entities to ensure their IT compliance with enterprise IT requirements and conduct audits for their clients.

They analyze a company’s technological infrastructure and identify any problems or compliance issues. If they find any issues, they advise the company to take the right actions to remedy them. 

  1. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

CFOs of companies hold the highest rank in an organization’s finance department and earn up to $123,265 a year. 

Their duties cover financial analysis, budgeting, allocating resources to different business sectors, tax filing, making cost-efficient decisions regarding the Fintech structure, and managing the finance team. 

They also coordinate with the top management to make sound financial decisions for the firm. They also initiate investment programs and manage a company’s portfolio. 

  1. Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)

CCOs work in policy management and monitoring compliance standards within the firm. They make around $114,832 a year by doing this.

They oversee the duties of all departments responsible for complying with all the set standards of company policies. 

For example, chief compliance officers document procedures while staying up-to-date with changing regulations and rules. 

  1. Financial Software Developer

It is perhaps one of the fastest-growing careers in the finance industry. Financial software developers introduce industry benchmarks for quality financial transactions across multiple firms. They earn as much as $93,817 by working in the growing Fintech space. 

They create programs to meet the growing needs of financial institutions, banks, investment groups, and end-users. 

For example, financial software developers develop credit/debit card applications and software for seamless payments.

  1. Private Equity Associate

Private equity associates work with investors to get private equity and invest it in lucrative projects to get positive returns. They earn around $91,184 in this role. 

They aim to diversify their investor’s portfolios by investing in multiple securities, stocks, and investment projects to hedge against potential equity risks. 

  1. Management Analyst

Management analysts are responsible for increasing a company’s efficiency by identifying ineffective procedures and making plans to alter and improve them. They earn an average of $87,660 annually, with a 14% job growth rate. 

A CMC-certified individual can apply for this role in large corporations facing tough competition. They work with the top management and implement efficiency improvement processes in all business sectors to encourage growth.

  1. Financial Examiner

Financial examiners work with institutions to ensure legal compliance with all transactions and operations. They earn around $81,430 annually, with an 18% job growth rate.

They take responsibility for all the legal procedures and compliance involved in loan transactions and place a limit where required for the institution’s overall stability. 

They also take responsibility for risk management regarding loans and interest rates. In addition, they have to ensure that banks and financial institutions are liquid enough to face unexpected losses and defaults. 

Conclusion

Finance is a highly lucrative field where you can earn more than the other job roles, despite challenging study programs and demanding job requirements. 

Thousands of finance-related job positions open yearly, offering you a chance to upscale your career. This is your chance to take advantage of it and select the best-suited role for yourself. 

Remember that high-paying finance jobs also come with high risks and higher stakes, but they also give higher returns. Therefore, you must choose wisely and align your finance degree with relevant job functions.