Average salaries are between $50,000 and $75,000 annually, not including bonuses.Commodities BrokerA...

1. Finance Careers - Find the Highest Paying Jobs in Finance
Average salaries are between $50,000 and $75,000 annually, not including bonuses.
Commodities Broker
A commodities broker, also known as a futures commission merchant, carries out sales and
purchases of commodities for traders and customers. It is important to consider this when planning,
goal setting and designing your course of study.
Finance Careers
Financial Services Brokers
Also called stockbrokers, securities sales representatives or account executives, they work to
represent individuals or organizations that wish to buy and sell stocks, bonds and other financial
products. Actuaries are employed primarily, but not exclusively in the insurance industry.
Opportunities for advancement can be expected within 1-2 years to an intermediate level, and with
additional experience, to the senior level.
High ethical standards are a requirement for these positions due to the confidentiality of financial
information. Annual earnings vary greatly in this profession. Financial Analysts are also known as
investment analysts, security analysts or ratings analysts. A high school diploma is usually the basic
requirement, but a familiarity with computers and good communication skills are helpful. They can
assist with estate and retirement planning, provide tax advice, and develop strategies for saving for
college. Experience in a related job or working in an office environment is helpful as well.
The average salary for an accounting clerk is approximately $30,600 with the highest paid earning
$46,000 annually.
Credit Checkers, Authorizers and Clerks
These positions are generally concerned with verifying credit and authorizing and processing credit
requests from consumers or small businesses. This is a commission-based career, so salaries can be
vastly different. The median salary for a financial manager is $92,000 annually, with the highest paid
managers earning close to $150,000. Licensing may be required, depending on the position and
specialty. Licensure and certification is often necessary for advancement.
Salaries vary according to experience and specialty, with entry-level accountants earning between
$35,000 to $50,000 annually. Additionally, they update credit information for credit reports.
Accounting plays a major role in management decision-making, by providing financial information
that has been carefully analyzed and reported with recommendations.
Accountants are employed in essentially every corporation and organization in the country. They
evaluate ways to increase profits by efficiently distributing available funds. Many employers seek
candidates with a master's degree in one of these specialties. A bachelor's degree is preferred (with
concentrations in finance or law) for these types of positions and continuing education credits are
necessary for advancement. Licensing is required. Budget analysts often work with significant time
restraints.

2. The median salary for budget analysts is $62,000, with the highest paid positions earning $93,000 or
more per year.
Actuaries
Actuaries assess risks and create policies to minimize the financial impact of such risks to the
company. A bachelor's degree in finance or a related field of study is usually required and additional
training or experience in sales and banking is advantageous. The exception in these requirements is
in banking. An experienced clerk with proven abilities may move into a supervisory or management
position. Loan officers sometimes function as salespeople, and usually specialize in business,
commercial, mortgage or consumer loans. Some firms may offer on the job training or formal
training classes and may assist a clerk in preparing for exams to get a series 7 license. Candidates
must possess strong communication skills and be proficient at using related technologies. An
associate's degree may be required in some situations. Change is constant in the field of finance
careers, requiring continued education in technology, government regulations and the globalization
of the marketplace.
In this article you will find outlines of available finance careers, including potential paths for
advancement, general salary information and educational requirements. Brokers work either in a
brokerage house or on the floor of a commodities exchange. Banks often fill branch management
positions by promoting employees, such as loan officers, from with in their existing organization.
There are also professional certifications that can be obtained, which is helpful for advancement in
this highly competitive field. A loan officer guides a client through the entire process of applying for
a loan, from the initial information gathering to setting up a repayment schedule. The most
important aspect of this position is developing a client base with which to work. A large portion of a
personal financial advisor's time is spent on marketing and sales tasks to establish a client base, and
therefore increasing their income.
Strong communication skills are needed to effectively assist clients in comprehending financial
markets. Many organizations will provide training. A bachelor's degree is strongly preferred, but not
always a necessity. General responsibilities include analyzing financial data, ensuring efficient and
accurate record keeping and preparation of financial documents. Financial managers can be
employed in different positions, such as controller, finance officer, credit or cash manager, and
international banking manager or risk manager. Salaries fluctuate geographically and across
industries. They may be influential in mergers and global expansion or other related finance
projects.
The minimum educational requirement is a bachelor's degree in finance, business administration,
economics, or accounting. Actuaries are also employed in the financial service industry to assist in
pricing securities offerings and devising investment tools.
A bachelor's degree in mathematics, finance or statistics or a related field is required. Many entry-level
employees will have extensive training, both on the job and in a classroom environment.
Licensing will make an employee more valuable to the firm, and allow for advancement to a broker
position. Growth opportunities for experienced financial analysts include handling greater
responsibilities by managing more important products and advancing to the level of portfolio or fund
manager.
The median salary for a financial analyst is approximately $67,000 with the highest paid analysts
earning more than $130,000 annually.

3. Personal Financial Advisors
These advisors work with individuals to assess a financial situation, make investment
recommendations, and formulate a plan for long and short-term interests. Median salaries are
approximately $43,000 with the highest earning close to $70,000 annually.
. These salary estimates do not include self-employed personal financial advisors.
Loan Officer
The majority of loan officers work for commercial banks and savings institutions. A minimum
educational requirement of a high school diploma is necessary and some college will always be
preferred. Advancement opportunities include working with a larger client base or moving to a
management role. Financial services brokers analyze companies offering stocks and advise clients
on investment strategies. Possible advancement tracks include management and executive level
positions, like Chief Risk Officer or Chief Financial Officer . Entry level actuaries earn between
$55,000 and $70,000 per year, while high level actuaries can earn as much as $150,000 annually.
Accountants and Auditors
There are various specialties within the accounting field, including management accountants, public
accountants (also known as external auditors), government auditors and accountants, tax
accountants and internal auditors. Some of the tasks performed by bookkeeping and accounting
clerks include maintaining accurate records, tracking accounts payable and receivable and profit
and loss reporting. A broker should possess a combination of research and money management
skills, along with a stable and assertive personality that can withstand working in a volatile
environment.
A successful broker can advance from simply executing trades to become a full service broker or a
commodity-trading advisor.
The financial industry offers challenging, diverse and lucrative career opportunities for self-motivated,
diligent candidates. Claims are investigated by interviewing the claimant and any
witnesses, consulting official records from hospitals and law enforcement authorities or inspecting
damage. A professional designation, such as Certified Financial Planner is also helpful for
advancement. work for the government on a federal, state or local level. Research the career
possibilities and the steps involved in reaching your desired level of accomplishment and continually
prepare through formal education and personal study.
Geographical Considerations for Finance Careers
If you are interested in accounting, insurance underwriting, or becoming a personal financial
advisor, you will likely find opportunities nationwide. Close to half of budget analysts employed in
the U.S. The average salary is $52,000, with the highest paid underwriters receiving annual salaries
over $92,000.
Budget Analyst
Budget analysts estimate the financial needs of their company or organization and analyze and
develop a budget accordingly. They work on a commission basis for conducting and completing
trades.

4. There are no formal educational requirements for this career, although a bachelor's degree in
finance or a related field is always preferred. Brokers work in brokerage firms across the country,
with the largest opportunities being in New York City and other major financial centers worldwide
including Chicago, London, and Tokyo.
Depending on skill, brokers may advance quickly, and may become branch managers, or partners in
their own firm. Accounting managers and directors can earn between $100,000 to $210,000
annually.
Finance Careers Without a Degree
If you are interested in a finance career, but are lacking a 4-year degree, there are still many
opportunities available to gain experience in this field and advance your career. Financial managers
in the securities and commodities field are the highest paid, while those employed by local
governments earn the least.
Financial Analysts
Financial Analysts evaluate and study financial information, and provide investment
recommendations based on their research. The median income is $67,000, with the highest paid
financial advisors earning over $145,000 annually. Opportunities for advancement include senior
underwriter and management positions. Insurance companies and firms that specialize in adjusting
and appraisals are the largest employers for these positions. Additionally, they analyze a company's
financial statements, sales and tax rates to project earnings and determine value. Auditing clerks
verify records of transactions performed by other employees, to ensure efficiency and accuracy.
A clerk in this field must be a proficient in use of spreadsheets, although many businesses offer on
the job training. The average salary is approximately $25,000 annually.
Claims Appraisers, Examiners and Adjusters
Claims adjusters and examiners authorize payments, investigate claims filed, and negotiate
settlements with policyholders. Licensing is required to advise on securities investments and
insurance sales. Some advisors also sell life insurance. Additionally, actuaries need to pass a series
of exams for certification.
Advancement as an actuary will depend greatly on performance record, in addition to the number of
examinations passed. Various careers in finance such as stock / commodities brokers, securities
analysts and portfolio or mutual fund managers will require you to live in major metropolitan areas
such as New York City, Chicago, London or Tokyo. Adjusters, examiners and appraisers usually have
an area of specialty, such as auto, health, property or life insurance.
Many employers prefer to hire college graduates, but it is not a strict requirement. The average
salary of a commodities broker is approximately $70,000 - $90,000 annually. Pension actuaries
evaluate and report on the financial soundness of pension plans. These numbers do not include

5. bonuses, which can substantially change a brokers income level.
Financial Managers
Financial managers design and direct investment and cash management strategies, and oversee
financial reporting for their organization. If you do not have a 4-year degree under your belt just yet,
there is a section towards the end, which covers finance careers with flexible educational
requirements.
Evaluate your career options, choose a direction and know exactly what you want to accomplish.
Banks, mutual funds, insurance companies and securities firms primarily employ financial analysts.
A bachelor's degree is required and a master's degree or professional certification (such as CFA or
Chartered Financial Analyst) is advantageous to career growth. A broker must pass the Series 3
Examinations in order to satisfy legal registration requirements of federal, state and industry
agencies. Most positions require a bachelor's degree in accounting or a closely related field of study.
Yearly earnings will fluctuate with the number of loans generated.
Insurance Underwriter
An insurance underwriter considers a wide variety of factors to determine the risks involved in an
insurance application, and whether that risk is acceptable or will likely result in a loss. They may be
involved in the implementation of the budget, the analysis of related policies and exploration of
alternative funding.
A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for this position, but many employers now prefer a
master's degree. Employers select highly ambitious and efficient people to join the ranks and those
who are most successful in the industry are focused on their professional goals from the start.
Brokers must pass the Series 7 Examinations in order to gain licensure and to register with NASD. A
higher level of education is always desirable, but the following positions are flexible in their
requirements.
Brokerage Clerk
Employed by commodities and securities firms and banks, brokerage clerks support brokers in
processing transactions, taking phone calls from clients and maintaining records on client accounts.
A 4-year college degree is desired for this position, but not always required. A brokerage clerk
should have strong sales and customer service skills, be comfortable working under pressure and
have an aptitude for numbers.
The median salary is $36,400, with the highest paid clerks making more than $57,000 per year.
Bookkeeping, Auditing and Accounting Clerks
Clerical positions are available in various types of businesses, providing ample opportunities for
financial record keepers