Discover entry-level career opportunities in finance and how to get started.
Working in finance can be a lucrative career choice, especially if you enjoy analyzing and visualizing data, thinking critically about achieving financial goals, or staying up-to-date on economic trends.
In this article, we'll discuss different entry-level finance jobs you may want to consider if you're getting started in the field. Afterward, if you'd like to build your subject knowledge and skills in this area, consider enrolling in the University of Pennsylvania's Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization, where you'll gain an introduction to corporate finance and accounting.
specialization
Learn the basics of finance and accounting. Build a foundation of core business skills in finance and accounting
4.4
(2,325 ratings)
77,603 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Financial Accounting, Accounting, Decision-Making, Corporate Finance, Financial Statement, Balance Sheet, Discounted Cash Flow, Cash Flow Analysis, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Accounting Terminology
There are many different ways to work in finance. For instance, you can work at a company and focus on helping it achieve larger business goals through financial decision-making, or on behalf of individual clients at a wealth management institution. The jobs below range in area and responsibility. Discover what might be a good fit for you.
All salary information was taken from Glassdoor as of January 2025.
Bookkeepers maintain a company's general ledger, perform payroll functions, and conduct accounts payable and receivable functions. Learn more about the skills and salary potential of bookkeeping.
Average annual US salary: $$54,992
Skills and qualifications: Knowledge of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles); experience using accounting software like Quickbooks; associate or bachelor's degree in accounting or finance or a bookkeeper certification
Career advancement: Senior bookkeeper, lead bookkeeper, accountant
professional certificate
Launch your career in bookkeeping. Gain the professional skills you need to succeed in the bookkeeping field. No degree or prior experience required.
4.6
(6,720 ratings)
206,231 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 2 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Double-Entry Bookkeeping System, Bookkeeping, Bank Reconciliations, Accounting Concepts and Measurement, Accounting, Accounting for Liabilities and Equity, Accounts Payable and Payroll, Long-Term Liabilities and Note Payable, Owner’s Equity and Owner’s Draw, Cash Flow, Financial reports analysis, Bank Reconciliation, financial statement analysis, Basis Of Accounting, Creating Financial Statements, accounting software, Accounting Cycle, Inventory costing methods, Depreciation, PP&E Accounting, Accounts receivable and cash receipts, Asset Accounting
Staff accountants work with many aspects of accounting, including financial statements, payroll, taxes, and auditing. They typically review and prepare financial records, compute taxes, prepare tax returns, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
Average annual US salary: $64,020
Required skills and qualifications: Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance; CPA credential; experience using accounting software; knowledge of tax laws and regulations
Career advancement: Accounting manager, senior principal accountant
Read more: How to Get Your First Accounting Entry-level Job
specialization
Learn the basics of finance and accounting. Build a foundation of core business skills in finance and accounting
4.4
(2,325 ratings)
77,603 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Financial Accounting, Accounting, Decision-Making, Corporate Finance, Financial Statement, Balance Sheet, Discounted Cash Flow, Cash Flow Analysis, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Accounting Terminology
Junior financial analysts support financial analysts in their effort to conduct research to make informed investment recommendations (and decisions) on behalf of companies or individuals.
Average annual US salary: $71,110
Required skills and qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or statistics; data analysis; statistics; knowledge of economics, financial theory, and financial modeling; communications
Career advancement: Financial analyst, senior financial analyst, financial manager
specialization
Prepare for a career in financial analysis. Gain a wholistic understanding of organizational finance and apply an analytical mindset toward financial statement analysis and organizational decision-making.
4.7
(325 ratings)
17,852 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Accounting, Strategic Management, Finance, Scenario Analysis, financial statement analysis, Risk, Financial Analysis, Financial Statement, Decision-Making, Data Analysis, Budget, Planning
Junior risk analysts support the efforts of a risk analysis team to assess the financial risk of various business decisions in order to help companies limit their losses. They must be comfortable working with data and stay abreast of trends in the market.
Average annual US salary: $87,439
Required skills and qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or statistics; proficiency in risk analysis and data analysis; experience with SQL and other data software; visual presentations
Career advancement: Risk analyst, senior risk analyst, senior financial analyst, controller
specialization
Enhance Your Skills in Risk Management. Understand the theory and practice of risk management and the expected results from a successful risk management process.
4.6
(933 ratings)
28,480 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Credit Risk Measurement and Management, Market Risk Measurement and Management, Application of Financial Statistics and Probability, Operational Risk Measurement and Management, Understand Operational Risk Key Risk Indicators (KRIs), Calculate Operational Risk Capital, Understand Operational Risk Scenario Analysis, Credit Analysis, Financial Analysis, credit risk, Risk Management, Financial Risk, Leadership and Financial Risk Estimation and Management, Regulations, Market Risk Management, Financial Risk Modeling, Designing a Stress Test
Tax associates have specialized knowledge of the tax system. They prepare tax returns and other tax documents for individuals, and help taxpayers minimize what they owe while fulfilling tax obligations.
Average annual US salary: $60,145
Required skills and qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting; experience preparing tax returns, bookkeeping skills; general ledger skills; CPA credential is helpful
Career advancement: Tax accountant, tax consultant, tax analyst
specialization
U.S. Federal Taxation of Individuals & Businesses. Learners will develop knowledge in U.S. federal taxation as applied to individuals and businesses.
4.8
(738 ratings)
23,785 already enrolled
Intermediate level
Average time: 3 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Business Analysis, Federal Income Tax, Tax Accounting, IRS Regulations, Pass-Through Entity Taxation, Corporate Tax, Depreciation, Amortization, Capital Gains and Losses, Property Taxation, Nontaxable Exchanges, Tax Deduction, Form 1040 Preparation, Individual Taxation, U.S. Federal Tax, Tax Deductions, Self-Employment Tax
Personal financial advisors help clients manage their current finances and plan for the future, including investments, estate planning, and retirement.
Average annual US salary: $94,222
Required skills and qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in finance; accounting; financial literacy skills; knowledge of financial liabilities; CFP ® is helpful
Career advancement: Senior roles in financial advising, other roles in finance
specialization
Learn the Money Skills You Need. Gain a better understanding of personal finance topics and how to implement strategies to meet your own financial goals.
4.6
(214 ratings)
15,921 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Personal Finance, Budget, Debt Management Plan, money, Retirement, Risk Management, Insurance, Health Insurance, Estate Planning, Life Insurance, retirement savings, setting financial goals, saving money, planning for retirement, paying for college, Credit Card Debt, Mortgage, Refinancing, Money Management, Risk Aversion, Diversification, Investment, Investment Fees, Active vs. Passive Investing, goal setting, Financial Planning (Business), Credit Score, Taxes
Credit analysts assess individuals’ data and financial statements to determine any risks in lending to them. They also assess credit applicants and stay abreast of financial trends and news.
Average annual US salary: $67,564
Required skills and qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, or related field; experience in R language and spreadsheets; understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
Career advancement: Credit analyst for businesses, senior roles in credit analysis
professional certificate
Get on the fast track to a career in Data Analytics. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
4.8
(151,362 ratings)
2,588,501 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Data Analysis, Creating case studies, Data Visualization, Data Cleansing, Developing a portfolio, Data Collection, Spreadsheet, Metadata, SQL, Data Ethics, Data Aggregation, Data Calculations, R Markdown, R Programming, Rstudio, Tableau Software, Presentation, Data Integrity, Sample Size Determination, Decision-Making, Problem Solving, Questioning
Budget analysts advise organizations and government agencies about how to optimize budgets. They also analyze financial data to make more informed recommendations.
Average annual US salary: $88,987
Required skills and qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or a related field; skills in math or statistics; data analysis; budgetary experience
Career advancement: Advanced roles in budget analysis, other roles in finance
Insurance claims adjusters evaluate claims and investigate circumstances, negotiate claim settlements, and oversee payouts to policyholders.
Average annual US salary:$62,873
Required skills and qualifications: High school diploma may be sufficient for some positions; other positions may require a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field
Career advancement: Advanced claims adjuster roles, other roles in finance
Once you settle on a career path in finance, begin the process of getting your entry-level finance job. Focus your efforts by following the steps below.
Given the specialized knowledge and skill set required to be a successful financial professional, most entry-level jobs in this field require at least a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field, such as accounting, data science, or economics.
Your skill set can help you stand out as a job candidate. Prioritize learning or strengthening skills you may need for a particular role. One great way to do that is to review job listings on LinkedIn and Indeed, taking note of the required skills and qualifications section.
Once you know the skills you need to build or strengthen, consider taking additional courses or certificates in finance, or getting a certification in a specific area, such as the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).
Search sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor for entry-level finance positions you’re qualified to fill and that align with your career goals. You can also search job sites specifically for finance, like eFinancialCareers and BrokerHunter. Review each job listing’s requirements, in terms of education, training, experience, and skills, as well as opportunities for career growth.
As part of your job search, spend some time enhancing your resume and honing your interviewing skills.
Develop or strengthen your knowledge of the financial industry and its many needs with online programs. Consider enrolling in the University of Pennsylvania's Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization. Over four courses, you'll build a foundation of core business skills in finance and accounting.
specialization
Learn the basics of finance and accounting. Build a foundation of core business skills in finance and accounting
4.4
(2,325 ratings)
77,603 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Financial Accounting, Accounting, Decision-Making, Corporate Finance, Financial Statement, Balance Sheet, Discounted Cash Flow, Cash Flow Analysis, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Accounting Terminology
Finance is a broad field with many different roles. Stress level will likely vary depending on a job's level of seniority, responsibilities, working hours, etc. Generally speaking, those working as investment bankers may find themselves in high-pressure situations more often than accountants, for example. Managing stress and creating work-life balance looks different for everyone based on personal goals and preferences.
There are entry-level finance positions that hire recent college graduates with no industry experience. However, be prepared to study and pass licensing exams on the job, such as a Certified Financial Planner certification.
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