Unfortunately, there is a 

lack of diversity in the financial industry, especially within

top management positions. Companies are working to address and remedy this
inequity. For example, according to the CFP Board, the number of Black and Latino
CFP fiance professionals grew 12% (the highest increase ever) in 2019. However,
there are still only 3,259 Black and Latino CFP professionals overall. 1 1

There are nonprofits and advocacy groups, like the Alliance of Black Women
Accountants and the National Association of Black Accountants, available to support
people of color working or who want to work in finance. 1 2

 In addition, 100 Women in Finance, the Greenwood Project, and Blackstone: Future Women
Leaders Program are sources providing support to people of color and women in the
workplace.
According to a study by Bloomberg, minority students, especially women, are
underrepresented in business schools. According to data, "half the Hispanic share of
the U.S. population. Black students had 8% of MBA seats, less than the 14% Black
share of the population. Asian students, the best-represented group, exceeded the
Asian share of the U.S. population at 62 of 84 schools." 1 3

More students who identify as BIPOC, particularly women, should investigate grants
and scholarships designed to help finance majors earn their degrees to boost these
figures. Among them are:

 National Association of Black Accountants National Scholarship

 Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship
 The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Scholarship Award for
Minority Accounting Students
 The Tang Scholarship

Looking for Finance Jobs: Best Entry-Level Positions

The key is to identify the most rewarding entry-level jobs in terms of salary and
future career prospects and think hard about which might be the best fit for your
abilities and interests. When you have narrowed down which interests you the most,
you can begin your search.

Aside from your network of friends and family, online job sites are a logical place to
search for entry-level finance roles. LinkedIn, Indeed, and Monster are good sites.
Still, it might be more efficient to scour sites that specialize in finance-industry jobs
or resources, such as eFinancialCareers, BrokerHunter, or 10X EBITDA (for
investment banking).

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts work for investment companies, insurance companies, consulting

firms, and other corporate entities. Responsible for consolidating and analyzing
budgets and income statement projections. They prepare reports, conduct business
studies, and develop forecast models. Financial analysts research economic
conditions, industry trends, and company fundamentals.
They also often recommend a course of action for investments, reducing costs, and
improving financial performance. Along with a bachelor’s degree in finance,
accounting, or economics, you should have robust information technology (IT) skills
for an analyst role.

The BLS estimated that there were about 492,100 financial analyst jobs in the
American economy in 2020 and projected an average growth rate of 6% through
2030 for them. According to the BLS, financial analysts earned a median salary of
$83,660 in 2020.1 4

 
Financial careers tend to be found and flourish in major financial hubs and
cities like New York, Chicago, London, and Tokyo. Seeking out college
internships at major financial firms' headSome financial services remain in
constant demand, especially those associated with taxation—the need to comply
with changing Internal Revenue Service  (IRS) regulations and local and state laws.
These professionals implement measures and develop policies relating to taxes,
including calculating and estimating payments, conducting research, reviewing
internal fiscal systems, preparing returns and other tax-related documents, and
working with auditors.

These duties may sound arcane, but tax-related jobs can often lead to corporate
positions such as controller (or comptroller), accounting manager, budget director,
and even treasurer or chief financial officer (CFO). For this sort of work, candidates
need a bachelor’s degree in accounting (or at least accounting skills) and a CPA
license if you want to advance. However, companies often offer the opportunity to
obtain one while on the job.

With this in mind, a junior tax associate’s role is ideal for college graduates seeking
work experience in the financial sector. According to the BLS, the annual median
salary was $55,640 in 2020, but this field might see a 4% decline in jobs by 2030. 1 6

 
Though financial jobs often come with high pay and prestige, they are also
among the most stressful and early career burnout is not uncommon.

Personal Financial Advisor

Personal financial advisors evaluate the monetary needs of individuals and help
them make decisions about investing, budgeting, and saving. Advisors help clients
strategize for short- and long-term financial goals, from tax planning to retirement
planning to estate planning. Many advisors provide tax services or sell insurance in
addition to providing financial counsel. They might offer financial products such
as mutual funds or even directly manage investments or serve as a liaison between
the individual and an asset manager.

The BLS estimates the median annual wage as of May 2020 for personal financial
advisors at $89,330 and projects a slower-than-average growth of 5% through
2030.1 7  The BLS cites such demographic trends as the retirement of the baby
boomer generation, the growing numbers of self-employed people, and the
dwindling of private-sector employer pension plans as driving a need for advisory
services.1 8

The profession doesn't require any specific bachelor's degree. However, financial
advisors can benefit from the study of economics, math, and finance. They also
need to be good communicators because they must interpret and explain complex
subjects to laypeople, so the critical thinking and analytical and writing skills honed
in liberal arts fields can be helpful too.

Personal financial advisors who directly buy or sell stocks, bonds, or insurance
policies or provide specific investment advice must pass various licensing
examinations. However, this is done on the job because you have to be employed or
sponsored by a securities or investment firm to take them. Remember, though, that
anyone can take the basic SIE exam. Many advisors also earn industry credentials,
such as becoming a CFP, to enhance their prestige and networking opportunities.

How Many Jobs Are Available in Finance?

There are literally thousands of jobs available in the robust finance industry
from finance assista

quarters can help you get ahead when you begin to apply for entry-level
positions.

Investment Banking Analyst

Investment banking is one of the most prestigious areas of the financial sector;
investment banking professionals assist individuals, corporations, venture capital
firms, and even governments with their requirements related to capital. Investment
banks underwrite new debt and equities for all types of corporations, aid in selling
securities, take companies public, and facilitate mergers and
acquisitions, reorganizations, and broker trades for both institutions and private
investors.

An analyst usually fills an entry-level role at an investment bank, hedge fund, or

venture capital firm. Their most common duties include producing deal-related
materials, performing industry research and financial analyses of corporate
performance, and collecting materials for due diligence. Recommendations based
on the interpretation of financial data often play a role in determining whether certain
activities or deals are feasible.

The average investment banking analyst's starting salary was $70,168 in December
2021, according to Payscal