What accountants do

Accountants keep and maintain complex financial records of the company’s transactions, help to balance the books and keep an organisation profitable.

Qualifications required

Usually a maths, economics or accounting degree and specialist professional qualifications.

How much do Accountants earn?

An accountant's salary ranges from around £15,000 per year as an accounts clerk to £200,000+ per year as a Chief Financial Officer.

Accountants are usually found working in

Retail banks, business & commercial banks, investment banks, insurers, professional services, independent financial advisers and specialist accountancy firms.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, retail banking.

What actuaries do

Actuaries make forecasts about future events that may affect a company’s, or a market’s, performance and help to prepare against long-term risks.

Qualifications required

A maths degree and specialist professional qualifications are compulsory.

How much do Actuaries earn?

An actuary's salary can be anything from around £30,000 as a trainee to £500,000+ as a managing partner of an actuary firm.

Actuaries are usually found in

Insurers, investment banks, business banks, professional services and specialist actuary firms.

Sectors
Insurance, life and pensions.

What analysts do

Analysts research and report on market or industry conditions, providing advice on investment conditions or future market performance.

Qualifications required

A maths, accounting or economics degree, accompanied by a masters or higher degree.

How much do Analysts earn?

An analyst’s salary ranges from around £40,000 as a junior analyst to £250,000+ as a leading economist or senior economic analyst.

Analysts are usually found working in

Business banks, investment banks, insurers, life & pensions companies, credit ratings agencies, financial regulation, professional services and the media.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What auditors do

Auditors produce reports that analyse a company’s past performance and current state, helping investors and shareholders understand how a company is performing.

Qualifications required

None required to join as a trainee, but professional qualifications are available and encouraged.

How much do Auditors earn?

An auditor’s salary ranges from £18,000 on a trainee scheme to £80,000+ with commission, when qualified.

Auditors are usually found working in

FTSE 100 and publicly-owned companies, retail banks, business banks, investment banks, insurers, life & pensions companies and specialist auditor companies.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance.

What brokers do

Brokers act as “middlemen” for companies and individuals, helping to match financial products and services with potential customers.

Qualifications required

Usually a degree is required, though some join straight from school, provided they have good GCSEs in Maths and English, or through an apprenticeship. Professional qualifications are also available.

How much do Brokers earn?

A broker's salary ranges from £18,000 on a trainee scheme to £80,000+ with commission, when qualified.

Brokers are usually found working in

Commercial insurance, business insurance, life & pensions, mortgage & financial advice, business banks and retail banks.

Sectors
Funds and investments, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What business bankers do

Business bankers help small and medium-sized businesses raise and manage finances by providing loans, advice and other financial services.

Qualifications required

No specific qualifications required after leaving school, but professional qualifications are available and encouraged.

How much do Business Bankers earn?

A business banker’s salary can be anything from around £20,000 on a trainee scheme to £70,000+ with bonuses, at managerial level.

Business bankers are usually found working in

Business banks and investment banks

Sectors
Business banking, investment banking.

What claim handlers do

Claim handlers manage claims on insurance policies made by customers, deciding whether the claim should be upheld or rejected.

Qualifications required

No specific qualifications are required after leaving school, but you will need a good (A*- C) Maths GCSE. Professional qualifications are also available and encouraged.

How much do Claim Handlers earn?

A claim handler’s salary is usually between £18,000 as a trainee to around £50,000 per year, at managerial level.

Claim handlers are usually found working in

Insurance and life and pensions companies.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What complaint handlers do

Complaint handlers deal with complaints from customers. Every financial services company is required to have a complaints procedure.

Qualifications required

Entry-level roles don’t require any specific qualifications, but you’ll need good communications skills. The London Institute of Banking & Finance offers professional qualifications for those who want to reach manager level.

How much do Complaints Handlers earn?

A complaint handler’s salary ranges from between around £18,000 as a trainee to £50,000 per year, at managerial level.

Complaint handlers are usually found working in

Retail banks, business banks, insurance and life and pensions companies.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What compliance officers do

Compliance officers make sure financial services companies comply with the rules set out by the appropriate regulator. They also make sure companies behave responsibly.

Qualifications required

Most compliance officers will have a degree, but apprenticeships and internships are available in areas of compliance.

How much do Compliance Officers earn?

A compliance officer’s salary is usually between £18,000 as a trainee to £150,000+ per year, as a head of compliance in a major bank.

Compliance officers are usually found working in

Retail banks, business banks, investment banks, insurers, life and pensions companies and professional services companies.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What customer services do

Customer service professionals look after customers’ needs, respond to questions and supply essential customer services.

Qualifications required

No specific qualifications are necessary, but as the role involves communicating, GCSE English is vital. Professional qualifications are available once employed.

How much do Customer Services earn?

The salary for a customer services role is usually anything from £16,000 as a clerk or call centre worker to £90,000+ per year, as a branch or call centre manager.

Customer services are usually found working in

Every area of financial services, but mostly in retail bank branches or call centres.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What economists do

Economists provide expert advice to organisations and institutions about economic affairs. They will often specialise in markets or industries and may undertake media work.

Qualifications required

A post-graduate degree is vital, usually in economics or maths.

How much do Economists earn?

An economist’s salary grows with specialisation. Junior economists will usually start earning around £40,000 per year, rising to as much as £250,000+ per year as an industry specialist.

Economists are usually found working in

Business banks, corporate and investment banks, central banks, the government, professional services companies, credit ratings agencies and the media.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What external & public affairs do

External & public affairs manage and promote the reputation of a financial services company among stakeholders and policy makers.

Qualifications required

Most will have a degree, usually in a field like economics, politics or business management. This isn’t necessary though, and some apprenticeship schemes are available.

How much do External and Public Affairs earn?

The salary for an external & public affairs role can be anything from around £18,000 per year as a trainee or account executive to £100,000+ as head of external affairs at a bank.

External & public affairs are usually found working in

Retail banks, business banks, investment banks, insurers, life and pensions companies and specialist public affairs agencies.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What financial advisers do

Financial advisers provide regulated financial advice to individuals on a number of matters, from buying a home, to investing savings, to helping with tax affairs.

Qualifications required

A professional qualification such as The London Institute of Banking & Finance’s Diploma for Financial Advisers is required to practise. You can start as a trainee and study while working.

How much do Financial Advisers earn?

A financial adviser’s salary ranges from around £16,000 per year as a trainee to £100,000+ as an adviser running their own company.

Financial advisers are usually found working in

Running their own businesses, retail banks and life and pensions companies.

Sectors
Investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What fund managers do

Fund managers manage and invest lots of investors’ “pooled” assets, known as funds. They will also research and provide reports on certain markets.

Qualifications required

Most fund managers will have a finance-related degree, but some join an apprenticeship scheme straight from school.

How much do Fund Managers earn?

A fund manager’s salary is usually between £16,000 per year as a trainee to £100,000+ as a highly-successful fund manager.

Fund managers are usually found working in

Retail banks, private banks, specialist fund management companies, independent financial advisers and life and pensions companies.

Sectors
Funds and investments, investment banking, life and pensions.

What human resources (HR) do

Human resources recruit, train, manage and look after employees within financial service organisations.

Qualifications required

Some HR professionals will have a degree, though specialist qualifications are available to those joining straight from school or college from the CIPD.

How much do Human Resources earn?

The salary for a human resource’s role can be anything from around £16,000 per year as a trainee to £90,000+ as the head of HR at a major bank.

Human resources (HR) are usually found working

All across the financial services industry. Nearly every financial services firm will operate a human resources department.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What investment bankers do

Investment bankers invest, raise finance and provide highly specialist advice for major companies, governments and other financial institutions.

Qualifications required

A good maths or finance-related degree is essential for this role. Often a second or third language will be required as well.

How much do Investment Bankers earn?

An investment banker’s salary can be anything from £50,000 per year basic to £1m+ with bonuses, based on performance.

Investment bankers are usually found in

Corporate, investment and central banks.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What information technologies do

Information technologies (IT) manage and develop the complex IT systems that help financial services companies operate in the global economy.

Qualifications required

While a degree can be helpful, undertaking specialist IT courses and keeping up to date with industry developments are extremely important.

Salaries

The salary for an information technologies role can be anything from £25,000 per year as helpdesk support to £200,000+ as head of IT at a major bank.

Information technologies (IT) are usually found working

All across the financial services industry. All financial services companies require IT support. IT professionals will either work directly for a company, or as part of a specialist IT advisory firm. They will also be commonly found in Operations.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What law & legal services do

Law & legal services provide legal advice and services, draw up contracts and consult on how new laws may affect a financial services company.

Qualifications required

Either a law degree, or a degree with a law conversion course is essential. With specialist areas, additional qualifications may be needed.

How much do Law and Legal Services earn?

The salary for a law & legal services role can be anything from around £40,000 per year as a paralegal, to more than £1m+ as a partner in a leading law firm.

Law & legal services are usually found working in

All areas of financial services. Lawyers will either work “in-house”, that is directly for the company, or for an external law firm.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What mortgage advisers do

Mortgage advisers provide advice and loans for people looking to buy a home. They also research the mortgage market and provide information on terms and conditions.

Qualifications required

You will need a professional qualification like LIBF's Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice to practise.

How much do Mortgage Advisers earn?

A mortgage advisor’s salary is usually between £16,000 per year as a trainee to £100,000+ with commission for independent mortgage advisers.

Mortgage advisors are usually found working in

Retail banks and for independent financial advisers.

Sectors
Regulated advice, retail banking.

What operations do

Operations provide support, information and administration needed to ensure a business runs smoothly and making sure the right people get paid the right amount.

Qualifications required

Operations is a big area, so some technical roles will need a degree while others will be available to those coming straight from school.

How much do Operations earn?

The salary for an operations role is anything from £18,000 per year as a trainee to £100,000+ as Head of Operations at a major bank.

Operations are usually found working in

Retail banks, business banks, investment banks and large insurers.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What regulators do

Regulators inspect and monitor financial services organisations to make sure they are operating within the law.

Qualifications required

Graduate trainee schemes are available for those with degrees, while apprenticeships and school-leaver schemes are also available.

How much do Regulators earn?

A regulator’s salary is usually anything from £18,000 per year as a trainee to £250,000+ as a Chief Regulator for the FCA.

Regulators are usually found working

For the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) or the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA). They will often work closely with the compliance department of a bank or financial services company.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What risk officers do

Risk officers identify any potential risks to a business, from analysing how likely a borrower is to repay a loan to how natural disasters may affect company turnover.

Qualifications required

As it’s largely statistics-based, a good maths degree is usually needed, though apprenticeships are available for on-the-job learning.

How much do Risk Officers earn?

A junior risk officer’s salary usually starts around £25,000 per year, while heads of risk management can earn up to £150,000+ with bonuses.

Risk officers are usually found working in

Retail banks, business banks, corporate and investment banks, insurers and life and pensions companies.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, insurance, investment banking, regulated advice, retail banking.

What sales & marketing do

Sales & marketing promote and sell financial services companies’ products and services to potential customers.

Qualifications

Most will usually have a degree, but there are many school-leaver and apprenticeships schemes available.

How much do Sales and Marketing earn?

The salary for a sales & marketing role can be from about £18,000 per year as a trainee to £100,000+ for heads of marketing at banks and CEOs at marketing agencies.

Sales & marketing are usually found working in

All areas of financial services. Every financial services company will need to sell their products and services.

Sectors
Accounting, business banking, funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice, retail banking.

What stockbrokers do

Stockbrokers buy and sell stocks in companies or assets, either for private clients or directly for the company they are working for.

Qualifications required

A degree in maths, economics, or business studies will be required to join a graduate trainee programme.

How much do Stockbrokers earn?

A junior stockbroker’s salary will often start at £25,000 per year, with senior specialists earning up to £100,000+ with commission.

Stockbrokers are usually found working in

Retail banks, life and pensions companies, specialist stockbroking companies and independent financial advisers.

Sectors
Funds and investments, insurance, investment banking, regulated advice, retail banking.

What traders do

Traders buy and sell assets, currencies, commodities and goods either for clients or directly for their company.

Qualifications required

No formal qualifications are necessary, though attributes like quick-thinking, sound judgement and confidence are vital.

How much Traders earn?

A trader’s average salary figures can be misleading, as most traders will make their earnings through bonuses. Basic salaries start at £50,000 per year, with bonuses reaching £1m+.

Traders are usually found working in

Corporate and investment banks, specialist trading houses and IT consultancy firms.

Sectors
Funds and investments, investment banking, regulated advice.

What training & development professionals do

Training & development professionals devise training programmes and courses for financial services professionals to improve their skills.

Qualifications required

Most will usually have a degree, sometimes in business management, but there are many school-leaver and apprenticeships schemes available.

How much do Training and Development  professionals earn?

A training & development professional’s salary can be anything from £18,000 per year as a trainee to £100,000+ as the CEO of a training and development agency.

Training & development professionals are usually found working in

All areas of financial services, usually for external agencies. They will often work with HR departments.

What treasury professionals do

Treasury professionals look after a company’s money supply, helping to raise finance to fund deals or to ensure the company doesn’t overstretch itself financially.

Qualifications required

Most will usually have a degree in a finance-related subject and will join via the company’s graduate scheme.

How much do Treasury Professionals earn?

A treasury professional’s salary can be anything from £25,000 per year as a trainee to £100,000+ as a head of the treasury department.

Treasury professionals are usually found working in

Retail banks, business banks, corporate and investment banks, insurers and life and pensions companies.

Sectors
Business banking, funds and investments, investment banking, retail banking.

What underwriters do

Underwriters determine what insurance premiums a company should offer, based on risk levels and market analysis.

Qualifications required

Most will join via the company’s graduate scheme, so a degree is required, but support roles are available for school leavers.

How much do Underwriters earn?

An underwriter’s salary can be anything from £16,000 per year as a support officer to £100,000+ as head of underwriting at a major insurer.

Underwriters usually found working

Primarily in insurance, but sometimes in life and pensions companies as well. They will often work with actuaries.

Sectors
Insurance, life and pensions.

What wealth managers do

Wealth managers provide advice and personal financial services for wealthy individuals who are looking to grow or protect their wealth.

Qualifications required

A good finance-related degree is important, as is obtaining a professional qualification in financial advice, such as The London Institute of Banking & Finance’s Level 6 Diploma in Financial Advice or BSc (Hons) in Finance, Investment and Risk.

How much do Wealth Mangers earn?

A wealth manager’s salary can be anything from £28,000 per year as a general wealth manager to £100,000+ with increasing specialism.

Wealth managers are usually found working in

Retail banks, private banks, independent financial advisers and specialist management platforms.

Sectors
Business banking, funds and investments, investment banking, life and pensions, regulated advice.