The latest Financial Services jobs

What is Financial services?

Financial services refers to a broad range of activities that manage money and offer various forms of financial assistance. This sector is crucial to the world’s economy. It is the backbone of any institution and covers a huge range of components within. We will cover them very briefly here and then go into why Financial services jobs for veterans is a great career path.

What are the key components of Financial Services?

Banking Services

First up, and something I’m sure we’re all familiar with, Banks. Banks provide us with a safe place to store and manage money. They offer checking and savings accounts, loans, mortgages, and lots of other financial products. That’s the obvious list, but behind the scenes there is a huge amount that goes on in regards to risk management, regulatory compliance, technology, and foreign exchange. We have just touched the surface and will go deeper later in the article.

Investment Services

This includes services related to the stock market, mutual funds, and pension funds. Financial advisors and investment managers help individuals and organizations in growing their wealth. Other services offered include, payments processing and settlement. Also treasury management, interbank lending, and product development. Again we will explain more about this a bit further down.

Insurance Services

Insurance companies offer protection against financial losses due to unforeseen events like accidents, health issues, or property damage. One part of insurance is payment and money transfer services. This includes credit card services, electronic funds transfers, and remittance services. They facilitate smooth financial transactions.

Another part is financial planning and advisory services. These services offer guidance on budgeting, retirement planning, and investment strategies to help individuals and organizations optimize their financial health.

What is the Role of Technology in Financial Services?

Technology, especially “fintech” (financial technology), plays a pivotal role in modern financial services. Online banking, and mobile payment systems are examples of how technology enhances the accessibility and efficiency of financial services.

Technology advances at such a fast rate, every sector struggles to keep up. Financial services is no exception as tougher regulation measures compound this difficulty.

Why does Financial Services matter to veterans?

For veterans, understanding financial services is crucial for several reasons.

Learning about, and using financial services can help in achieving financial security and independence post-military life. When serving and everything is completed for you, it can be a real struggle to even learn the basics. It is however vital education. Knowledge of investment services can assist veterans in growing their savings and planning for retirement. If you have completed a full military career then you will hopefully have a secure pension already.

The financial services sector offers numerous career paths, including financial advising, banking, insurance, and lots more. These roles can be particularly suited to you due to your discipline, leadership skills, and ability to work in highly structured environments.

What are my transferable skills from the military to Financial Services?

OK, now we’ve given you a little bit of insight, now let’s give you some examples of the many transferrable skills that you have gained in your career. The Financial Sector has recognised these and has rewarded by offering financial services jobs for veterans.

Risk Assessment and Management

Your military training in risk assessment and management is a valuable asset in the financial services sector. In your military career, you’ve been skilled in identifying potential threats, analyzing risk factors, developing mitigation strategies, and making critical decisions under pressure.

These capabilities are directly transferable to finance, where understanding and managing risks is essential. You will find these skills vital when evaluating financial risks like market volatility and credit risk as an example. They also play a significant role in investment strategy and financial planning, where balancing risk and return is key to achieving financial goals.

Your experience in dealing with complex situations and crises in the military equips you uniquely for handling similar challenges in the financial world. Especially in moments of economic uncertainty or market fluctuations. This is a time when cool heads under pressure are needed.

Your adherence to protocols and guidelines in the military is a solid foundation for navigating the regulatory and compliance aspects of finance. Your ability to continually monitor, analyze, and adjust to changing situations is not just a military skill but a core competency in the dynamic realm of financial services. This unique set of skills you bring can contribute significantly to strategic decision-making and enhance the resilience and performance of financial organizations.

Attention to detail

As someone who has served in the military, you know the importance of attention to detail in every mission and task. This skill is equally critical in the financial services sector. The accuracy and precision you’ve practiced in the military become fundamental in handling tasks. Such as analyzing financial reports, conducting audits, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

In areas like accounting, financial analysis, and compliance, your keen eye for detail will help ensure accuracy and thoroughness. Your disciplined approach to detail-oriented tasks, honed in the military, positions you well to excel in a financial environment, where precision is essential. This attention to detail is more than a skill, it’s a trait that can set you apart in the competitive world of finance.

Problem solving

In finance, you’ll find that your aptitude for dissecting problems, considering multiple perspectives, and developing effective solutions is invaluable. The complex and dynamic nature of financial markets and economic environments calls for professionals who can analyze data, identify trends, and anticipate potential issues.

Your military training, which honed your skills in strategizing under various scenarios, particularly under pressure, translates remarkably well. Whether it’s crafting a financial strategy for a company, analyzing investment opportunities, or developing risk management plans, your problem-solving prowess will be a key asset.

This ability to navigate through complexities, a skill you’ve developed and refined during your military service, positions you to make significant contributions and informed decisions in the realm of finance.

We hope that these three points above have shown you financial services jobs for Veterans are pretty common, and that some of the biggest Banks in the world are looking for veterans just like you.

What is a  Financial Analyst?

Financial Analysts are pivotal in shaping the financial strategies of companies. They delve into financial data, interpreting it to forecast future business trends. Also they assess investment opportunities, and understand the broader economic climate. This role can be an excellent fit for veterans who have honed their analytical and critical thinking skills during their military service.

To embark on a career as a Financial Analyst, veterans should ideally possess a degree in a relevant field such as finance, economics, or business. This foundational education provides a deep understanding of financial principles and practices.

Further qualifications could be required

However, simply having a degree might not be enough in the competitive landscape of financial analysis. Pursuing further qualifications can significantly enhance a veteran’s credentials. One such esteemed qualification is the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification.

This globally recognized credential, focuses on investment management and financial analysis. Obtaining the CFA designation involves passing a series of rigorous exams that cover a wide range of topics.

In addition to the CFA, you might consider other relevant certifications and courses that deepen their understanding of specific areas in finance. For instance, courses in financial modeling, data analysis, and advanced Excel skills are increasingly valuable in this field. Experience with financial software and analytics tools can also be a significant advantage.

Beyond formal education and certifications, veterans can leverage their military experience of meticulous planning, strategic thinking, and adaptability to excel in a financial analyst role. Your ability to analyze situations, foresee potential outcomes, and plan accordingly is directly applicable to financial analysis. Where predicting market trends and assessing financial risks are key components of the job.

What is a Risk Manager?

Risk Managers are tasked with safeguarding an organization’s assets, earnings, and future growth prospects. They adeptly identify, evaluate, and strategize to minimize various forms of risk, such as financial, operational, market, or credit risks. This role is exceptionally well-suited for veterans, given your experience in assessing and managing risks in high-stakes situations.

The journey to becoming a Risk Manager typically begins with a solid educational foundation. A bachelor’s degree in finance, business, economics, or a related field is generally essential.

This education provides a comprehensive understanding of financial principles and business operations. This lays the groundwork for effective risk assessment and management. Courses in these programs often cover areas like financial markets, corporate finance, micro and macroeconomics, and business statistics. All of which are critical in understanding the complexities of risk in the business world.

What do I need to be a Risk Manager?

However, merely having a degree may not suffice. To truly excel and advance in this career, you should consider pursuing specialized professional certifications. One of the most recognized in this realm is the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) qualification. This is offered by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). This certification is globally respected and specifically tailored for risk management professionals. It covers key risk management concepts, including market risk, credit risk, operational risk, risk modeling, and risk management in investment management. The FRM certification requires passing two rigorous exams and demonstrates a deep, specialized understanding of risk management.

Other certifications and courses that focus on specific aspects of risk, such as the Professional Risk Manager (PRM) designation or courses in enterprise risk management, can also be beneficial. Additionally, developing a strong understanding of regulatory requirements and compliance issues. As well as gaining proficiency in risk management software and tools, is advantageous.

This may sound daunting if you are reading these descriptions for the first time. But a lot of the big Financial corporations have a military network that help veterans get experience and jobs in Financial Services.

These certifications delve deeper into specific areas of compliance, such as risk assessment, ethics, anti-money laundering regulations, and consumer protection laws. They often require passing an examination and, in some cases, ongoing education to maintain the certification.

You might also benefit from targeted courses or training programs that focus on particular sectors of finance. Or specific regulatory standards relevant to their chosen field. Furthermore, having a keen understanding of both domestic and international regulatory landscapes can be a significant advantage.

Financial Planners

Financial Planners or Advisors who advise on investments, retirement planning, tax strategies, and overall wealth management to name a few.

To embark on a career as a Financial Planner or Advisor, veterans should first aim to complete courses in these programs. These typically cover topics like financial analysis, portfolio management, estate planning, and tax laws. All of which are directly relevant to a financial planning career.

Gaining a certification such as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), is frequently considered essential. As they establish credibility and trust with clients. The CFP certification, awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, requires completing a series of courses in financial planning.

You will need to pass a comprehensive examination and adhering to ethical standards. The certification also mandates ongoing education to maintain the qualification. Ensuring that planners stay current with evolving financial planning practices and regulations.

In addition to the CFP, other certifications like the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) or Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) can also add value and expertise, particularly in specialized areas of financial planning.

Veterans can leverage their military experience in several ways in this role. Skills like effective communication, are crucial when explaining complex financial concepts to clients.

Discipline and attention to detail are important in developing accurate, tailored financial plans. Furthermore, the integrity and trustworthiness forged in the military can be a significant asset in building client relationships.

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers assist companies in raising capital through stock and bond offerings. They also play a key role in facilitating mergers and acquisitions. They are instrumental in guiding businesses through complex financial processes and strategic decisions.

Making a career in investment banking, often appeals to veterans who are accustomed to navigating challenging and high-stakes environments. The job is notoriously faced paced with often early starts and late finishes but does give good financial returns to those who are successful.

A degree in finance, business, economics, or a closely related field is often required. This foundational education provides a deep understanding of financial principles, corporate finance, and economic theories. These are crucial for understanding the mechanisms of capital markets and the intricacies of corporate financial strategies.

However, the field of investment banking is highly competitive, and additional qualifications can provide a significant edge. Many investment bankers pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. This offers advanced training in business management, financial analysis, and strategic planning. An MBA program not only deepens financial and analytical expertise but also enhances leadership skills and broadens professional networks, which are vital in the investment banking sector.

What if I don’t have a degree?

Strong analytical skills are a must for investment bankers. These are often supplemented by proficiency in financial modeling and experience with financial analysis software. Financial modeling involves creating detailed mathematical models to predict a company’s financial performance.

It’s a critical tool in evaluating mergers and acquisitions, as well as in preparing for public offerings. For veterans, the above sounds very daunting, especially if you have no degree, financial qualifications mentioned, or experience.

With that said through military programmes there is access to these jobs which we will discuss further down.

Portfolio managers

Portfolio Managers are responsible for creating and managing investment portfolios. They align them with the clients’ financial goals and risk tolerance levels. This role requires a fine balance of analytical acumen, market insight, and a deep understanding of various investment vehicles.

In a perfect world, the Banks require you to have a degree in Finance or / and economics. Also earning the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is a significant advantage for those looking to excel in this career. The CFA program that we have spoken about already, is a globally recognized qualification and one that is often enrolled on whilst you are in employment.

Practical experience in investment analysis is also crucial for Portfolio Managers. This experience can be gained through roles such as financial analyst or investment associate. You can then develop skills in analyzing investment opportunities, understanding market trends, and making data-driven investment decisions.