Important Finance Skills That Employers Value

Important Finance Skills That Employers ValueImportant Finance Skills That Employers ValueAccounting and finance professionals can find career opportunities in many different industries. Whether youre applying to be a CFO, financial analyst,financial planner,orinvestment counselor, youllfindthatthese punkts have certain functions and terminologies in common. To get into the field and land any of these positions, you will need at least a bachelors degree, although you have afew choices of majors that qualify. There are degree programs in finance, accounting, and economics. Some professionals alsoconsider coursework in communications to be useful for this type of work. Depending on which field you enter and which positions you wish to applyfor, you may need to complete a specialized training program and earn one or mora certifications or licenses. What Kind of Skills Do You Need to Be a Finance Professional? Because many different roles and positions exist within the world of finan ce, thenecessary skills can vary a lot. Accounting and finance professionals must have excellent analytical abilityand interpersonal skills and a sharp understanding of industry technology. As someone who manages money, an organizations most important commodity, financial professionals bear a great deal of responsibility. So being trustworthy and able to perform well under pressure are incredibly important traits. Review Finance Resume and Cover Letter SamplesFinance Resume ExamplesEntry-Level Finance Resume and Cover Letter Types of Finance Skills When interviewing for any finance or accounting-related position, you will need to demonstrate several skills, both technical and soft, in order to land a job. Many of the most sought-after skills for finance jobs are also important in other fields. You may well have more relevant experience than you think. Accounting Accounting skillsinclude the knowledge necessary to record accounting transactionsand a strong understanding of t heapplicable accounting regulations. You may or may not be preparing financial statements and budgets directly, depending on your position. You dontneed to be an expert accountant because you may have an expert accountant on your team assisting you. But you will need to be entirely comfortable reading and discussing financial statements in order to give financial advice. AccountingAccounting PrinciplesAccounting StandardsAccounting TechniquesAveragingBudgetingCalculationsCash Flow ManagementComputerConcentrationCost AnalysisCost ReductionData ProcessingFinancial DataFinancial ManagementGAAPGeneral LedgerJournal EntryMathematicsMS ExcelProfit and LossQuantitative DataReconciliationsReconciling Balance StatementsReportingSortingTax FilingTax PlanningTax ReportingTrial BalanceWorking with Numbers Analytical Analytical thinkingmeans looking at a situation accurately, understanding how it works, interpreting what it means, and then coming up with a thoughtful, intelligent response. T his skill has technical applications, such as data analysis or financial analysis, as well as wider applications, such as generalized problem-solving. You will need both. Analyzing DataDecision MakingEconomizeEstimationFinancial AnalysisFinancial PlanningForecastingLogicPlanningPrioritizationProblem-SolvingProjecting Fiscal BalancesQuantitative AnalysisRankingRecognizing ProblemsRestructuringRisk AnalysisRisk ManagementStrategic PlanningSolving EquationsSolving ProblemsUsing Analysis on Financial ScenariosValuationsValue Added Analysis Technology Modern technology makes it much easier and faster to find, sort, and process the bulk of the information you need to work in finance or accounting. The downside is that you need to understand that technology in order to use it. Because the available tools continue to change and evolve, a detailed list oftechnical skillsin this area would be quickly out of date. But if you ground yourself in modern information technology and then rigorou sly keep yourself up to date, youll be in a good position to succeed. At a minimum, in-depth experience with a spreadsheet program is a must. Financial EngineeringFinancial ModelingFinancial SystemsHyperionIT SoftwareMicrosoft OfficeMobile ApplicationsQuickBooksSAPSecuritiesSoftwareSQLTechnology Written and Verbal Communication Not only do you have to be able tocommunicate clearly to give financial advice, but you also need to inspire trust and develop a strong rapportwithpeople.Otherwise, no one will trust you with their money. This is not a matter of putting on a trustworthy front while some people misrepresent themselves in order to attract business, such practices are both morally wrong and usually less effective. You must actually have integrity and good judgment. If you cant communicate well on all levels, other people wont be able to tell that youre a trustworthy person. The finance industry can be both financially rewarding and personally satisfying because, in certain p ositions, you get to spend your time helping people. Like many other fields, you will have to apply yourself and work hard to succeed in this kind of demanding career, but the potential for success is worth it. CommunicationFinancial AdvisingFinancial ConceptsFinancial ReportingInterpersonalLeadershipManagementNonverbal CommunicationPerformance ManagementPersuadingPractice ManagementPresentingProject ManagementRelationship ManagementTranslating Data More Finance Skills ComplianceDecision MakingDexterityEstate PlanningHandling Detailed WorkHandling MoneyInvestmentsInvestment PrinciplesMarketingMergersMBAOrganizationalPerformance MeasuringPortfolio Performance ReportsSalesTaxationWealth ManagementWorking under Stress How to Make Your Skills Stand Out ADD YOUR MOST RELEVANT SKILLS TO YOUR RESUME Review lists of the top skills employers look for when evaluating job applicants and the best skills to put on your resume to help you get hired. You do not need to mention every single ski ll just be sure to pick a few from each section to show that you are well-rounded.HIGHLIGHT YOUR SKILLS IN YOUR COVER LETTER Use your cover letter to show the hiring manager thatyoure a strong match for the jobby mentioning how your qualifications fit the job requirements.MENTION YOUR SKILLS DURING JOB INTERVIEWS You can also mention these words in your jobinterviews. Each job will require different skills and experiences, so make sure you read thejob descriptioncarefully and focus on the skills listed by the employer.