09/29/2026
Building the Education, Experience, and Finance Skills That May Support a Career in the Field
Finance touches nearly every type of organization, from banks and investment firms to government agencies, healthcare systems, technology companies, and nonprofits. That breadth is one reason students interested in numbers, business, forecasting, or financial decisions may consider building a career in finance.
Becoming a finance professional generally involves a combination of education, practical experience, technical knowledge, and soft skills. The exact route depends on the area you want to explore. A financial analyst may spend much of the day interpreting financial statements and building forecasts, while someone working in portfolio management may focus on investments and financial risks.
Prospective students and career changers may want to start by exploring common educational pathways, relevant analytical skills, opportunities for practical experience, and the roles or certifications associated with their career interests.
Start With Education Relevant to Finance
Educational requirements for entry-level finance positions vary by employer and role. Some positions may require or prefer a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or a related field. Relevant areas of study may include finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or another quantitative business discipline.
Finance degree programs typically include subjects such as financial management, budgeting, financial statements, investments, and risk. Related business courses may also cover the role of finance in broader organizational decision-making.
American Public University offers undergraduate finance coursework such as Financial Management Principles, which covers financial systems, markets, financial statement analysis, capital budgeting, and the allocation of financial resources.
Students interested in accounting alongside finance may also explore APU's Bachelor of Science in Accounting, which examines financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and accounting principles.
Explore Core Finance Skills
Finance professionals often need to do more than understand financial terminology. Many roles require the ability to interpret information, spot patterns, and explain what the numbers mean.
Useful finance skills commonly include:
- Financial analysis
- Data analysis
- Financial reporting
- Forecasting
- Budgeting
- Risk assessment
- Spreadsheet skills
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Attention to detail
At many employers, Microsoft Excel remains relevant across many finance-related roles because professionals frequently work with spreadsheets, financial models, budgets, and forecasts.
As finance becomes increasingly data-driven, familiarity with analytics tools, databases, or technologies such as SQL may also be useful depending on the position.
Explore Entry-Level Finance Jobs
Early-career positions may provide exposure to how finance works in practice and to different areas of the field.
Typical entry-level jobs might include:
- Junior financial analyst
- Budget analyst
- Credit analyst
- Finance assistant
- Risk analyst
- Accounting assistant
- Banking associate
- Financial planning assistant
A financial analyst, for example, may analyze company performance, prepare reports, and review financial data. Someone working in risk may spend more time evaluating financial risks and identifying factors that could affect an organization's position.
Requirements vary, so students should compare real job descriptions before deciding which technical skills to prioritize.
Build Practical Experience Before or After Graduation
Internships may offer exposure to finance work before students commit to a particular career path.
Depending on the placement, students might help with budgeting, financial analysis, forecasting, reporting, investment research, or administrative finance tasks.
Course projects may also involve practical applications of finance concepts. Course projects might include building a financial model, analyzing financial statements, preparing a budget, or evaluating a hypothetical investment in a realistic scenario.
Students may also choose to keep examples of relevant academic and personal projects to reference when discussing their experience during interviews.
Consider Finance Certifications Carefully
Professional certifications are relevant to certain finance careers, but they are separate from earning a degree and have their own eligibility requirements.
Common examples include:
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA): commonly associated with investment analysis and portfolio management
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP): related to personal financial planning
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA): an accounting license with requirements that vary by jurisdiction
Students should research the official requirements for any credential they are considering rather than assuming a particular degree automatically makes them eligible.
The right certification, if any, depends on the type of finance work you want to pursue.
Explore Different Areas of the Finance Industry
There is no single finance career.
Investment management may involve researching assets, monitoring investment portfolios, and evaluating market information. Wealth management typically has a stronger client-facing element and may involve personal financial planning.
Risk management often focuses on identifying, evaluating, and managing financial risks. Corporate finance could involve budgeting, forecasting, cash management, or supporting larger business decisions.
Finance professionals may also work within government agencies, insurance companies, banks, investment firms, and organizations outside the traditional financial services sector.
Coursework and internships across different areas may offer exposure to a variety of finance environments and types of work.
Strengthen Your Soft Skills
Technical knowledge matters in finance, but so does communication.
Finance professionals frequently need to explain complex information to colleagues or clients who do not have the same financial background. Being able to turn a spreadsheet or forecast into a clear explanation is therefore useful.
Other soft skills that could matter include collaboration, time management, organization, ethical judgment, and the ability to remain focused when working with detailed information.
These skills often become particularly important in positions that involve clients, presentations, team projects, or responsibility for financial reporting.
Continue Building Your Knowledge
Finance changes as markets, regulations, technologies, and business practices evolve.
Continuing education might involve taking additional courses, learning about new data-analysis tools, following developments in the finance field, or eventually considering graduate study.
A master's degree is not always necessary for every finance role. Whether further education makes sense depends on your current qualifications, career interests, and the expectations attached to the positions you are considering.
How to Become a Finance Professional: Where to Start
There is no universal route to becoming a finance professional. Common pathways may include bachelor's-level study, exposure to technical finance skills, internships or entry-level positions, and exploration of different areas within finance.
A useful first step is to become specific about what interests you. Financial analysis, risk management, portfolio management, corporate finance, and personal financial planning all require somewhat different knowledge and working styles.
Reviewing finance coursework, exploring real job descriptions, and considering opportunities for practical experience can provide additional context as you decide where to focus next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does It Take to Become a Finance Professional?
Educational and skill requirements vary across finance roles. Some employers may prefer a bachelor's degree, along with relevant analytical, financial, and communication skills.
Is Finance a Two-Year Degree?
Program length varies by institution and individual circumstances. Bachelor's degree programs are often structured around approximately four years of full-time study, although actual completion time may vary based on factors such as transfer credits and enrollment status.
Do You Need a Certification to Work in Finance?
Not for every role. Some finance careers have certifications or licensing requirements, while others primarily focus on education, relevant experience, and technical skills.