Individuals entering a career with a financial institution have many opportunities open to them. Many who go into banking select career paths in either operations or lending. Within the lending area, finance majors can specialize in installment credit lending to consumers of durable goods, mortgage lending to home builders and buyers, or commercial lending to help finance the growth of businesses.
Position Title | Projected Growth (2014-2024) | Preparation Required | 2015 Median Wage |
---|---|---|---|
Actuaries
Position Description:Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
Projected Growth:
Much faster than average (14% or higher)
Median Pay:
$110,560 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Much faster than average (14% or higher) | Job Zone 4 | $110,560 per year |
Auditors
Position Description:Examine and analyze accounting records to determine financial status of establishment and prepare financial reports concerning operating procedures.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$75,280 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $75,280 per year |
Billing, Cost, and Rate Clerks
Position Description:Compile data, compute fees and charges, and prepare invoices for billing purposes. Duties include computing costs and calculating rates for goods, services, and shipment of goods; posting data; and keeping other relevant records. May involve use of computer or typewriter, calculator, and adding and bookkeeping machines.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$36,300 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 2
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 2 | $36,300 per year |
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Position Description:Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$38,990 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 3 | $38,990 per year |
Budget Analysts
Position Description:Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$75,150 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 4 | $75,150 per year |
Business Intelligence Analysts
Position Description:Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$87,310 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 4 | $87,310 per year |
Chief Executives
Position Description:Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
Projected Growth:
Little or no change (-1% to 1%)
Median Pay:
$185,850 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Little or no change (-1% to 1%) | Job Zone 5 | $185,850 per year |
Cost Estimators
Position Description:Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$64,810 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $64,810 per year |
Credit Analysts
Position Description:Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decision making.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$79,720 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $79,720 per year |
Credit Checkers
Position Description:Investigate history and credit standing of individuals or business establishments applying for credit. Telephone or write to credit departments of business and service establishments to obtain information about applicant's credit standing.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$37,920 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 2
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 2 | $37,920 per year |
Credit Counselors
Position Description:Advise and educate individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt. May provide guidance in determining the best type of loan and explaining loan requirements or restrictions. May help develop debt management plans, advise on credit issues, or provide budget, mortgage, and bankruptcy counseling.
Projected Growth:
Much faster than average (14% or higher)
Median Pay:
$49,310 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Much faster than average (14% or higher) | Job Zone 4 | $49,310 per year |
Economists
Position Description:Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$109,230 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 5 | $109,230 per year |
Financial Analysts
Position Description:Conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$95,320 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 4 | $95,320 per year |
Financial Examiners
Position Description:Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$88,310 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $88,310 per year |
Information Security Analysts
Position Description:Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
Projected Growth:
Much faster than average (14% or higher)
Median Pay:
$93,250 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Much faster than average (14% or higher) | Job Zone 4 | $93,250 per year |
Loan Officers
Position Description:Evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of commercial, real estate, or credit loans. Advise borrowers on financial status and payment methods. Includes mortgage loan officers and agents, collection analysts, loan servicing officers, and loan underwriters.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$75,170 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 3 | $75,170 per year |
Personal Financial Advisors
Position Description:Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives.
Projected Growth:
Much faster than average (14% or higher)
Median Pay:
$118,050 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Much faster than average (14% or higher) | Job Zone 4 | $118,050 per year |
Sales Agents, Financial Services
Position Description:Sell financial services, such as loan, tax, and securities counseling to customers of financial institutions and business establishments.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$102,860 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 3 | $102,860 per year |
Securities and Commodities Traders
Position Description:Buy and sell securities and commodities to transfer debt, capital, or risk. Establish and negotiate unit prices and terms of sale.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$102,860 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $102,860 per year |
Treasurers and Controllers
Position Description:Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$134,330 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 5 | $134,330 per year |
Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
Examine and analyze accounting records to determine financial status of establishment and prepare financial reports concerning operating procedures.
Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.
Conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions.
Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
Buy and sell securities and commodities to transfer debt, capital, or risk. Establish and negotiate unit prices and terms of sale.
Evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of commercial, real estate, or credit loans. Advise borrowers on financial status and payment methods. Includes mortgage loan officers and agents, collection analysts, loan servicing officers, and loan underwriters.
Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decision making.
Advise and educate individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt. May provide guidance in determining the best type of loan and explaining loan requirements or restrictions. May help develop debt management plans, advise on credit issues, or provide budget, mortgage, and bankruptcy counseling.
Investigate history and credit standing of individuals or business establishments applying for credit. Telephone or write to credit departments of business and service establishments to obtain information about applicant's credit standing.
Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.
Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.
Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives.
Compile data, compute fees and charges, and prepare invoices for billing purposes. Duties include computing costs and calculating rates for goods, services, and shipment of goods; posting data; and keeping other relevant records. May involve use of computer or typewriter, calculator, and adding and bookkeeping machines.
Sell financial services, such as loan, tax, and securities counseling to customers of financial institutions and business establishments.
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.
Explore career information and other resources specifically tailored to Finance majors.
Career Development Center
A110 Kerr Admin Building, Corvallis, OR 97331
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