Finance professional as a career

Money matters

Financial markets across the world are getting integrated and complex due to technological advancements of most of the erstwhile closed economies. This process warranted the market professionals to be equipped with the knowledge of the various market processes and the understanding of broader role of various segments of the markets. Over the past few years the financial market has seen a tremendous change in the activities that are transacted in it.
Today's finance professionals assume a broad range of responsibilities involving capital budgeting, risk management, project analysis and evaluation, and short-term and long-term financial planning. Some of the opportunities in the field of finance are as follows:-

CORPORATE FINANCE

In corporate finance you work for a company to help it find various sources to raise finance, grow the business, make acquisitions, plan for its financial future, manage cash in hand and ensure future economic viability.

Job Options

Treasurer: responsible for capital raising, financial planning, cash and asset management. Impeccable analytical abilities as well as management and motivation skills are essential in this upper level administrative position.
Credit Manager: Responsibilities consist of establishing rules for credit collection as well as for the securitisation of receivables. Must be able to analyze accounting data and know a lot about their customers.
Investor Relations Officer: responsible for publishing corporate financial information and events through press releases, coordinating with investors and replying to investor inquiries. You are in close contact with top management officials and demands you understand both finance as well as public relations.
Controller: Responsibilities include accounting, cost analysis, financial planning and reporting, creating costing systems, transfer pricing issues. For this position candidates need to prepare themselves academically with at least a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or business administration

INVESTMENT BANKING

Investment Banks help companies and governments issue securities, help investors purchase securities, manage financial assets, trade securities and provide financial advice.
Job Options
Initially, you may start as an analyst and be responsible for writing reports, maintaining spreadsheets, trading stock options, research, etc. You will need to involve yourself in an intensive study to find out opportunities to invest in profitable shares, debentures and other financial instruments. You need to have in- depth knowledge of money markets, the state of the economy and business and industry in general.

COMMERCIAL BANKING

Commercial banks serve large corporations, small businesses, as well as the general public. Despite recent consolidation in commercial banking, the industry continues to provide more career opportunities in finance than any other sector in the financial services industry.
Job Options
With entry level tellers, leasing agents, international finance officers, trade credit specialists, and credit card banking specialists, the options in commercial banking are seemingly endless. As a mortgage banker the responsibility is to supply potential homeowners and businesses with loan opportunities. Recruitment for the public sector banks is done through the Banking Service Recruitment Boards (BSRBs). Foreign banks pick up their staff from premiere management institutes across the globe.

FOREX MANAGEMENT

Indian companies have been increasingly attracting foreign capital either through listing on international stock exchanges or through private equity placements. Companies that wish to access markets for capital or that wish to become leading global suppliers to corporations in developed markets have to hedge forex exposure.

Job Options

The forex treasury division in banks offers full range of derivative products in forex, interest rates and commodities. These include spot, forward, swaps, currency options, interest rate derivatives, commodity futures and options in addition to high yield structured deposits linked to currencies, interest rates and commodities. Several companies are looking for professionals who understand the nuances of international finance, international capital markets and risk management.

MONEY MANAGEMENT

Money managers purchase and carry corporate bonds, agency securities, asset-backed securities and other fixed-income investment products. Some specialize in small stocks, large cap funds, fledgling markets, and other equities.
Job options
Portfolio Manager: Managers specialize in specific areas like growth stocks, hedge or commodity funds.
Competency in analysis of securities and a broad knowledge of companies and markets in the financial sector is required.
Mutual Fund Analyst: Skills are required in financial analysis, asset selection, stock selection, plan implementation and ongoing monitoring of investments.
Hedge Fund trader: To get started be sure to study portfolio theory, learn fixed income investments, take CFA/MBA exam and learn the industry.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Financial planning helps people make advance provision for financial needs that may arise in future. The family doctor takes care of your physical health and the financial planner takes care of your financial health, ensuring orderly and systematic achievement of your financial goals. On the technical side, strong attention to detail is required as you analyse all types of financial options, including their tax implications and legal restrictions. Financial computing skills are recommended for performing the mathematical calculations quickly and accurately. You must also have the ability to communicate somewhat complex financial concepts and strategies to clients in non-technical, easy-tounderstand terms.

STOCK BROKING

Stock market houses are redefining themselves and the business of stock broking is highly visible today. Communication links between the dealing room and the trading ring are being improved. Stock broking business requires the services of specialists in varied fields like economists, accountants, finance managers, financial analysts, capital market specialists, and investments and financial planners.

COMMODITY TRADING

Commodities trading is a global phenomenon and offers tremendous potential to market participants for both profit taking on small price corrections as well as to hedgers looking at managing price risk on account of price fluctuations. In developed markets, future trading is conservatively 10 times the size of cash market in commodities. The exchange offers MCX Certified Commodity Professional (MCCP) certification course for professionals who want to pursue a career in commodity derivatives markets.