{"id":4068,"date":"2022-11-01T16:42:20","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T16:42:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onlinembacoach.com\/?p=4068"},"modified":"2022-11-01T16:42:22","modified_gmt":"2022-11-01T16:42:22","slug":"finance-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onlinembacoach.com\/careers\/finance-career\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can I Advance in a Finance Career?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you sitting behind a desk crunching numbers all day and wondering where do you go from here, specifically in the finance world? You can be ambitious and eager for change. Or perhaps you’re just beginning your finance career and are seeking a path to success. Regardless, it’s likely that you’re interested in launching your finance career if you’re reading this article. We have several recommendations that could set you up for success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finance Industry<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Adapting to your sector’s shifting goals as a finance expert can mean the difference between creating a promising finance career and a truly outstanding one. The financial industry has seen significant change over the past ten years, and this trend isn’t slowing down. Fintech companies use big data from e-commerce and internet-based services to tailor the client experience. Established firms in the financial services industry are responding by introducing new online wealth management solutions and undergoing digital revolutions. At the same time, new technologies like artificial intelligence are ready to upend the industry further and change how financial services are traditionally provided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few\u00a0steps<\/a>\u00a0that you can take to further your career within this ever-changing finance world.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finance Career Task 1: Improve Your Toolkit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Building a toolkit early in your finance career is crucial, says Brian Trnkus, CPA, CA, who has worked at RAND in roles like the director of finance and corporate controller. In his own words, Trnkus reflected, “My mission was to develop myself and to get a feel and experience for different aspects of the business world without over-specializing in one field.” He took care to build what he calls a “broad toolkit” that he could draw from in the future, which would elevate him to new challenges and opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improving your toolkit also means you will need to invest in your career and yourself. What does your finance toolkit\u00a0look like? What classes do you need to take to get to that next step?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finance Career Task 2: Develop Advanced Communication Skills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finance professionals are expected to contribute value by providing insights to important decision-makers and acting as trusted advisors and business partners to functions inside their organization. This can be working with the sales team to assess the financial effects of pricing or promotions, examining operational procedures with the operations team to keep an eye on costs, or evaluating acquisitions and investments. Finance professionals must be able to connect with various stakeholders and communicate effectively with each of them as this “business adviser” job grows more crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improving cross-functional communication abilities is necessary for career advancement. A critical value-add in a finance career is in the capacity to communicate it in a way that other people can comprehend and value, even those without a strong finance background. Improving your cross-functional communication abilities is one of the best ways to advance in your profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finance Career Task 3: Set Goals & Plot Out Your Career Path\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Take the time to think about your career path and set goals. Write the vision and make it plain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are working within an organization, set goals with your manager. It is a great way for you to manage your career more effectively. Many professionals in finance careers can find it challenging to establish and sustain career goals. This is in part due to the quick changes in complex law, legislation, and procedures. With your manager, you can set professional goals to help determine the actions you need to take to stay on track and\u00a0succeed in your industry<\/a>. Things to consider include<\/p>\n\n\n\n