What Careers does a Financial Support Services Degree Prepare for?

The financial services field is a great option for individuals who have a passion for numbers and helping people. Having the right career information about possible professional paths can help you determine if the industry is right for you and which job you should consider.

Below is some key information about some of the most common types of careers you can get with an associate degree in Financial Support Services.

Sales Agent in Financial Services – Working directly with clients is a big part of this job. Your title might be client manager, financial services representative, financial specialist, investment officer, personal banker, relationship manager or another option but your main duty will be to determine the financial services needs of the client and recommend a solution. Additional responsibilities could include reviewing business trends to advise a client on future fluctuations, making presentations on financial services to attract new clients and preparing forms or agreements to finalize the sale of a financial service product. Strong verbal skills, customer service, critical thinking and persuasion are all part of this career. Additionally, you will want to be sure you have a good grasp on math, principles of economics and accounting, and sales and marketing. Many of the positions in this career require an associate’s financial services degree or an equivalent associates degree. The national median salary is $71,720.

Financial Manager – In this role, you might manage and facilitate the activities in a branch, office or department. There is some flexibility in work environment as financial managers are found in banks, brokerage firms, risk and insurance departments and credit departments. Financial managers earn a national average of $109,740 depending upon their experience levels, work setting, geographic location and other factors. Some of your daily duties could include establishing and maintaining customer relationships, processing loan applications, recruiting staff members, establishing procedures for custody or control of assets, records, loan collateral, or securities to ensure safekeeping, or preparing financial and regulatory reports in accordance with established laws and regulations. To handle these responsibilities successfully, financial managers need a background in human resources, accounting, economics, mathematics, sales and marketing, in addition to having a variety of soft skills related to being a good manager. A good option to earn these qualifications is completing a bachelor degree in finance, especially since employers often require a degree.

Personal Financial Advisor – As Baby Boomers approach retirement, the career field of personal finance could be a rewarding and growing area. You will advise people on financial plans, including cash management, insurance coverage, investment planning, or other areas that help them achieve their financial goals. As a personal financial advisor you will also evaluate clients based on their current income, expenses, insurance coverage, tax status, financial objectives, risk tolerance and other information to create a financial plan for them. After creating the plan you may meet with clients regularly to assess whether life changes, economic changes, environmental concerns, or financial performance necessitate a shift in the plan. Since you are dealing with customers regularly, having strong interpersonal skills is key. Having a deep background in business, accounting and finance and being well rounded educationally are also important. Many employers will require you to have a bachelor’s degree in order to be considered qualified. Nationally, the average income for a personal financial advisor is $67,520 yearly.

If you are interested in enrolling in a degree program that will set you on the path for one of these careers, contact Bryant & Stratton College. An admissions representative can tell you more about our Financial Support Service Degree options.