No offence to all the accountants out there, you're doing great.
After finishing university, many finance graduates have one field in mind: accounting. With great wages and fantastic opportunities for progression, it’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular career routes out there for new graduates. However, if accounting just isn't for you, then there's lots of other opportunities out there - you just need to know where to look for them.
We've collected a few roles that will let you put your degree to good use, while also letting you explore difference aspects of your learned knowledge and skills. From Consulting to Actuarial Services, these jobs offer something a little different while still letting you flex those numerical muscles.
1. Management Consultant
Management consultants help organisations solve problems, improve business performance, bring together teams and maximise growth. They look out for any errors in a business' day-to-day operations and come up with solutions, and as a result it can be a perfect fit for analytical and results-driven finance graduates. While you might not be crunching as many numbers, a career in management consultancy can be incredibly rewarding since there's a lot of variety involved in the role. You'll be able to work autonomously and use your skill set to drive business-wide chances. Roles like this can also be quite competitive, so graduates with MBAs s or Fiance degrees will find it considerably easier to get into the field.
Average salary: Up to £55,000 (according to data from July 2021)
2. Financial/Data Analyst
Financial or Data Analysts work with organisations to collect and analyse their financial data to help the company make informed business decisions. One of the reasons this role is so desired is the variety and freedom that comes with it; as an analyst, you could work for independent employers, large-scale corporations, non-profits, or smaller startups. The crux of the role will involve recommending the best course of action when analysing the financial situation of your employer and advising them in any future business investments. A career in this field is better suited for finance graduates who are computer-literate and are comfortable handling large quantities or data, spreadsheets, and statistics.
Average salary: Up to £32,000 (according to data from July 2021)
3. Financial Manager/CFO
A financial manager or CFO (Chief Financial Officer) provides financial guidance and support to their employers. This role requires a good head for figures and for dealing with complex modelling and analysis, as well as a sound grasp of financial systems and procedures. It's also a more senior position within the company, so it'll require a few years of progression to fill the role. Once you've reached this level though, you'll be helping to implement a sound financial strategy, building budgets and keeping track of accounts alongside the wider financial team. It can be well-suited to managerial finance graduates with a good grasp of business strategy and corporate leadership.
Average salary: Up to £43,000 (according to data from July 2021)
4. Actuary
Actuaries are the fortune-tellers of the business world. Their job is to use financial and statistic theories to assess the likelihood of a particular event and the possible financial costs for an organisation. Using this knowledge, they'll then advise on the best possible strategy to avoid any financial strain or negative impact on the business. Lots of actuaries find their place within the insurance industry, but this role can work across a wide range of sectors from pensions, healthcare, and commercial business. This position is often in high-demand, and can be competitive, but it's well-suited for finance graduates who can use data alongside their natural premonition to help plan for the future.
Average salary: Up to £67,000 (according to data from July 2021)
5. Financial/Corporate Auditor
Auditors can work either internally or externally within a company to examine their financial records and help the business create a clear idea of how they’re performing, with any recommendations for improvement. Auditors' work can be split into two different areas: financial, where they'll look into a company's financial records and data, and corporate/non-financial, where they'll be focused more on solving specific business problems. Whatever area you choose to specialise in, there'll be no shortage of work for you since auditors are employed across every sector. Many find their way to one of the "Big Four" (Ernst & Young, Deloitte, KPMG and PwC), but there are also opportunities with smaller accounting firms or non-profit organisations.
Average salary: Up to £32,000 (according to data from July 2021)