It’s no secret that financial services can be a demanding career path. It’s a broad industry with a range of different specialisms, including planning, advising and asset management. A successful career in finance requires discipline, education and well-developed skills. With so much variety, it’s important to scrutinise which career path matches your skill set. Finance professionals need to prepare themselves for the future and always look to upskill at every opportunity to stay relevant in a competitive job market. If you’re committed to a career in finance, here are the skills you need to master.



Financial Analysis

Finance professionals must have excellent analytical skills. Regardless of the role, employers will always be looking for evidence of analytical ability in different applications. Finance analysts need to be able to understand large volumes of data and find a solution to various problems, such as finding out the ideal equity investment. To solve such problems, finance professionals need to be able to analyse reports, relevant data points and pricing information. Then there’s also the interpersonal skills needed to communicate this information with finance managers to ensure decisions can be made. The ability to communicate findings effectively is the key to success as a finance professional.

Data management

Data has become increasingly important for businesses when it comes to improving forecasts, making strategic decisions, and reducing costs. A lack of sufficient data management can lead to data quality problems and inconsistent findings that can affect a business’ bottom line. Therefore, finance professionals who understand how to utilise and manage data remain high in-demand. As finance teams evolve, they need to be able to adapt and be confident using cloud-based software to manage data. With many financial institutions moving away from traditional spreadsheets, professionals looking to grow their career must understand the benefits of streamlined data management. Data in the cloud saves time and provides companies with much more agility. The growth of digital technology in the financial sector means that the next generation of finance professionals must be more data-driven than ever before.

Critical-thinking

It's important that finance professionals possess critical-thinking skills. In the volatile finance world, companies need to continue making big investments to remain competitive. As a result, professionals who are able to think critically will be an asset. Critical thinking skills are highly desired at any company, as they can be applied to any situation that calls for analysis and planning. In finance, the ability to evaluate facts and information to form a judgement has become crucial, especially with the rise of emerging trends like big data, AI, and blockchain, all of which have transformed procedures. Finance professionals that master critical thinking are able to find solutions and manage different challenges much more efficiently.

Technical accounting

Throughout the course of a working day, finance professionals will use a range of technical skills, such as preparing statements and recording transactions. These day-to-day tasks are very important for business operations, so professionals must have a strong understanding of all the different phases of accounting. And since the cross-border finance market is in a strong position in Switzerland, the demand for technical accounting skills is only going to grow in the future. Talented accountants who are proficient in verifying balances and analysing cash flows will be highly sought after.

Let Swisslinx assist you with your finance career

The world of finance is always changing, so professionals within this industry must keep developing their skills. At Swisslinx, we have an experienced team of consultants who have the knowledge to meet the demands of our clients. We recruit for roles at all levels within investment banking, asset management and wealth management. We’re well-positioned to deliver a strategic recruitment service to companies in the finance sector and we’re dedicated to helping our candidates grow their careers. If you’re looking to secure your next role in finance, contact us today and keep reading our blogs to find out more.