Where
some people get a thrill out of finishing a crossword puzzle, you get
goosebumps from balancing your checkbook. From the college loan check
you pay each month to the latte you picked up today on your way to work,
there's no part of your finances that goes unaccounted for. Perhaps you
should consider one of the following jobs in banking and finance.
1. Financial analysts
work for businesses to help them or their clients make investment
decisions. Analysts must have a bachelor's degree, often in business
administration, accounting,
statistics or finance, analysts with a master's degree in business
administration will find themselves among the most desirable employees.
Average salary: $58,205/year*;
With benefits and bonuses: $73,594
2. Personal financial advisors use
their knowledge of investments, tax laws and insurance to recommend
financial options that help individuals meet their short- and long-term
goals. Advisors with a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance,
economics, business mathematics or law will have the best opportunities
for jobs in their field. <
Average salary: $66,405/year;
With benefits and bonuses: $85,553
3. Accountants
analyze, plan, evaluate and advise on matters of accounting theory and
practice. A bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field is
usually required, but those with a master's degree or experience to boot
will have better job opportunities.
Average salary: $43,215/year
With benefits and bonuses: $52,813
4. Auditors
examine and analyze accounting records and prepare financial reports
for clients. Auditors usually need a bachelor's degree, but as with accountants, experience and advanced degrees increase their chances of getting hired.
Average salary: $57,365/year;
With benefits and bonuses: $68,138
5. Loan officers
assist individuals and organizations in applying for loans, assess the
individuals' creditworthiness and help them determine the most
appropriate type of loan for his/her needs. Employers usually require
loan officers to have a bachelor's degree in finance, economics or a
related field. Loan officers will find experience in banking, lending or
sales and knowledge of computers to be huge assets in their job search.
Average salary: $48,318/year;
With benefits and bonuses: $58,685
6. Collectors
keep track of accounts that are overdue and attempt to collect payment
on them, making computer literacy and good communications skills a must
in this job. Most collectors are required to have at least a high school
diploma; however, employers prefer workers who have completed some
college or who have experience in other occupations that involve contact
with the public.
Average salary: $27,960/year;
With benefits and bonuses: $33,215
7. Bank tellers
cash checks, accept deposits and loan payments and process withdrawals.
They also may sell savings bonds and travelers' checks, accept bill
payments and process paperwork. Most tellers have at least a high school
diploma, but people with bachelor's degree in business, accounting or
liberal arts may get jobs as tellers to break into banking with the
hopes of being promoted.
Average salary: $19,828/year;
With benefits and bonuses: $24,793
8. Buyers
buy the goods and services a company needs either to resell to
customers or for the establishment's own use. Educational requirements
vary with the size of the organization, but many manufacturing firms
prefer applicants with a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, business, economics or one of the applied sciences.
Average salary: $44,919/year;
With benefits and bonuses: $54,428
9. Treasurers
direct an organization's financial goals, objectives and budgets. Their
duties may include overseeing the investment of funds and executing
capital-raising strategies. Employers require a bachelor's degree in
accounting, finance, economics or business administration; however,
employers increasingly are placing emphasis on advanced degrees in these
fields.
Average salary: $97,645/year;
With benefits and bonuses: $130,957
10. Budget analysts
provide analysis and assistance to help companies develop their annual
budgets, decide how to allocate current resources and estimate future
financial requirements. A bachelor's degree -- often in finance,
economics, accounting, business, statistics, political science or
sociology -- is the minimum requirement for most employers, but an
advanced degree is often preferred and sometimes required.
Average salary: $55,566/year;
With benefits and bonuses: $67,586