What kinds of jobs are there in financial services? Read our job profiles to get an idea of the possibilities and career options to help you find the right role.
Our job profiles highlight some of the most common roles and skills you’ll need, the likely salaries and the sectors where these jobs are available.
Many financial services roles are highly specialised – that is, they require unique skills, training and qualifications – but there are also more general roles in every sector.
Because financial services is largely about managing money, many companies look for professionals who offer them broadly similar skills.
Choosing the right role for you
No matter what your skills, there will probably be a suitable role for you in financial services. Deciding what skills you have and what skills you would like to have will help you narrow down your career options.
Are you outgoing and do you enjoy talking to people? Do you enjoy working as part of a team? If so, one of the many rewarding roles in customer services or human resources (HR) may suit you. Perhaps you like computers and gadgets and have great technical skills? In that case, working in IT for a financial services company may be of interest. Do you enjoy problem solving? If so, a career in trading may be right for you.
As you can see, there's almost certainly something for you. And maybe you'll discover hidden talents and unexpected interests along the way!
Take a look at the job profiles, opportunities available and qualifications needed to see what kind of skills some of the more common roles require.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 accountants 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 actuaries 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 working 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 analysts 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 auditors 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 brokers 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 bankers 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 handlers 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 complaint handlers earn?
A complaint handlers 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 officers 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 professionals 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 professionals 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 professionals 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 postgraduate degree is vital, usually in economics or maths.
How much do Economists earn?
An economists 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 and public affairs professionals do
External and public affairs professionals 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 professionals earn?
The salary for an external and 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 and public affairs professionals 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 advisers 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 managers 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) professionals do
Human resources professionals 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 HR professionals earn?
The salary for a human resources 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.
HR professionals 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 bankers salary can be anything from £50,000 per year basic to £1million+ with bonuses, based on performance.
Investment bankers are usually found working 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 (IT) professionals do
IT professionals 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.
How much do IT professionals earn?
The salary for an IT role can be anything from £25,000 per year as help desk support to £200,000+ as head of IT at a major bank.
Information technologies (IT) professionals 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 and legal services professionals do
Law and legal services professionals 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 professionals earn?
The salary for a law and legal services role can be anything from around £40,000 per year as a paralegal, to more than £1million+ as a partner in a leading law firm.
Law and legal services professionals 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 advisers salary is usually between £16,000 per year as a trainee to £100,000+ with commission for independent mortgage advisers.
Mortgage advisers are usually found working in
Retail banks and for independent financial advisers.
Sectors
Regulated advice, retail banking.
What operations professionals do
Operations professionals 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 professionals 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 professionals 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 regulators 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 officers 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 and marketing professionals do
Sales and marketing professionals promote and sell financial services companies’ products and services to potential customers.
Qualifications required
Most will usually have a degree, but there are many school-leaver and apprenticeships schemes available.
How much do sales and marketing professionals earn?
The salary for a sales and 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 and marketing professionals 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 stockbrokers 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 do traders earn?
A traders 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 and development professionals do
Training and 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 and development professionals 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 and 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 professionals 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 underwriters 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.
How much do wealth managers earn?
A wealth managers 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.
Financial services sectors
Routes into financial services
There are several routes into the industry, from school-leaver schemes and apprenticeships to graduate training schemes and internships.
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Preparing your CV
Let us help you get your financial services career started with some tips on how to prepare your CV and stand out from the crowd.
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My financial career
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