What position makes the most money in finance?
High-paying financial positions include portfolio manager, corporate finance manager, investment banker, trader, economic analyst, and financial analyst.
High-paying financial positions include portfolio manager, corporate finance manager, investment banker, trader, economic analyst, and financial analyst.
In a typical large organization, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the highest-ranking finance officer in the company. Hierarchically speaking, they rank third, behind the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) - again, in a typical hierarchy.
1. Investment Banker. Roles in investing banking are highly sought after. For investment bankers, it's often a higher competition to land a role in one of the largest firms.
Finance careers can be very lucrative for high-performing workers, with management roles commonly earning over $150,000 annually and executive salaries often reaching even higher.
Both finance and economics offer various job opportunities with competitive salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the U.S. median wage for business and financial occupations was $76,850 in May 2022.
Finance professionals are often responsible for managing large amounts of money, making critical decisions that can have significant financial impact. Additionally, the finance industry can be very competitive, and those with specialized skills and knowledge are often in high demand.
Financial Analysts often navigate high-pressure environments, balancing tight deadlines with the need for meticulous accuracy in data analysis and forecasting. Stress levels can peak during quarterly earnings reports and fiscal year-ends.
Major Players in the Industry. The global financial services market is dominated by major companies including Visa Inc. (NYSE:V), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA), and Bank Of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC).
At the top if the CFO. Finance Director/ VP of Finance is essentially the same role, however if you have a VP of Fin, but need a strategic person at the same level (or a little higher) then you have the CFO. Below that is Controller (Chief Accounting Officer).
What is the hierarchy of finance jobs?
Finance Job Titles Hierarchy
The leader of most finance teams is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and they report to the CEO. At smaller companies the top finance position might instead be the Vice President of Finance or Treasurer.
Typically, the CFO is the highest-ranking finance team member in the company. In a traditional company hierarchy, they are usually third in line, behind the CEO and COO. The CFO reports directly to the CEO. Both are leaders of the finance team.
While finance degrees overall may not pay more than other educational tracks, there are plenty of finance-related jobs that are lucrative. Some of the careers that pay the most, such as investment banking, involve long hours, so if you are concerned about work-life balance you might want to consider another career.
While both finance and accounting can be difficult majors, accounting is considered more difficult because it requires more discipline and a lot of math. Accounting is more complex because it relies on precise sets of arithmetic principles.
Salary Ranges for Finance Major
The salaries of Finance Majors in The US range from $62,935 to $545,119, and the average is $124,000.
Financial careers often involve high barriers to entry, stiff competition among applicants, and a lot of stress. Still, these jobs offer numerous perks, including a challenging work environment, interaction with highly motivated and intelligent colleagues, opportunities for advancement, and excellent pay.
In some cases, careers in finance might offer higher pay. Careers in accounting can offer more predictable and stable work but less pay in many cases. Careers in finance can be demanding with longer hours, while careers in accounting can require fewer hours, except during certain time periods, such as tax season.
The job market for a finance major is favorable, with average growth expected in the sector through 2030. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) anticipates the industry will add more than 750,000 jobs during that period [1]. Part of this demand is the result of the evolving and highly-regulated world of finance.
The finance industry is famously hard-charging, especially at the junior levels, and you need to show you can handle it and more. Good references are valuable no matter what, but, more importantly, impressing your bosses during an internship can be a great way to open doors for a future full-time job with that company.
While both fields offer the potential for substantial earnings, finance often holds an edge in salary. Roles such as investment banking and financial management tend to command higher compensation due to the complex nature of their responsibilities and the financial expertise required.
Do investment bankers make millions?
It is possible to become a millionaire as an investment banker, but it is not easy. Investment bankers typically earn salaries in the $200,000 to $700,000 range, with bonuses that can bring their total income up to several million dollars per year.
Finding the right client requires networking, communication, and lots of work. This can be overwhelming and stressful for many people. Many former financial advisors cite the lack of fulfillment as a reason for why they left. Most financial planners will find themselves working in traditional financial planning firms.
The average age of male Financial analysts in the workforce is 37.6 and of female Financial analysts is 40.6, and the most common race/ethnicity for Financial analysts is White.
The role of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a senior-level position that is responsible for the overall financial strategy and management of a company while the role of a VP of Finance is responsible for the day-to-day financial management and operations of a company.
It depends on the organization, the CFO's contract, and how involved the company's board is. Yes, as long as there is no board of directors otherwise the CEO must meet with the board to decide the fate of the CFO.
References
- https://www.coursera.org/articles/finance-entry-level-jobs
- https://bau.edu/blog/finance-vs-economics-major/
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/recession-proof-industries
- https://www.franklin.edu/blog/is-a-finance-degree-worth-it
- https://www.tealhq.com/work-life-balance/financial-analyst
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career/top-finance-certifications-list/
- https://www.thewallstreetschool.com/blog/why-choose-career-in-finance/
- https://www.tealhq.com/cover-letter-examples/entry-level
- https://money.com/salary-needed-financial-security/
- https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/highest-paying-jobs-in-finance/
- https://www.quora.com/Can-CEO-fire-CFO
- https://www.peakframeworks.com/post/finance-work-life-balance
- https://www.wgu.edu/career-guide/business/cfo-career.html
- https://learn.org/articles/math_requirements_finance.html
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/120214/whats-average-salary-someone-finance-major.asp
- https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/why-finance-interview-questions
- https://www.topuniversities.com/courses/accounting-finance/accounting-vs-finance-which-should-you-study
- https://enhancv.com/blog/should-i-mention-lack-of-experience-in-cover-letter/
- https://business.wfu.edu/mba/articles/need-to-be-good-at-math-for-mba/
- https://learn.org/articles/easiest_business_administration_degree.html
- https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1875-stressful-careers.html
- https://www.tealhq.com/resume-example/entry-level-financial-analyst
- https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/explore-careers/career-clusters/finance/5-majors-to-consider
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-start-a-career-in-finance
- https://www.zippia.com/answers/why-i-quit-being-a-financial-advisor/
- https://amberstudent.com/blog/post/best-short-term-certification-courses-in-finance
- https://www.zippia.com/answers/is-finance-harder-than-accounting/
- https://www.acca-x.com/global/en/blog/become-an-accountant.html
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/wealth-management/what-is-finance-definition/
- https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0112/financial-careers-with-excellent-salaries.aspx
- https://www.acquisition-international.com/what-is-harder-accounting-or-finance/
- https://www.theadvisorcoach.com/how-to-make-six-figures-financial-advisor.html
- https://www.gcu.edu/blog/business-management/why-study-finance
- https://www.quora.com/Should-I-study-finance-if-I-am-not-good-at-math
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/business-and-marketing/careers-in-finance/
- https://www.peakframeworks.com/post/no-job-to-finance
- https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investment-banker-salary
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/01/cash-flow-is-the-hardest-part-of-personal-finance-advisors-say.html
- https://www.quora.com/Is-accounting-harder-than-calculus
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-careers/08/financial-career-options-professionals.asp
- https://www.nobledesktop.com/learn/finance/how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-finance
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/20-most-valuable-financial-companies-093902892.html
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-careers/08/most-competitive-financial-careers.asp
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/062413/no-finance-degree-no-problem-top-10-ways-jumpstart-career-finance.asp
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/secure-career
- https://mondo.com/insights/how-to-answer-where-do-you-see-yourself-in-5-years-interview/
- https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/careers/the-highest-paying-college-majors
- https://www.naukri.com/blog/why-should-i-hire-you/
- https://www.cfoconnect.eu/en/resources/finance-insights/key-finance-team-roles-responsibilities/
- https://www.franklin.edu/blog/what-can-you-do-with-a-finance-degree
- https://www.quora.com/Is-there-more-money-in-accounting-or-finance
- https://endowus.com/insights/gen-x-investing
- https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/how-to-learn-finance
- https://diversitasfp.org/industry-information/5-reasons-to-work-in-financial-services/
- https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/financial-weaknesses-and-how-to-overcome-them
- https://hbr.org/2023/03/is-a-career-in-finance-right-for-you
- https://www.learnsignal.com/blog/how-to-get-into-finance/
- https://homework.study.com/explanation/can-i-study-accounting-and-finance-if-i-am-not-good-at-mathematics.html
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/heres-how-much-money-you-should-have-saved-for-retirement-by-age-40/
- https://www.oliveboard.in/blog/highest-paying-bank-jobs-india/
- https://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/40-with-no-savings-retire-a-millionaire
- https://blog.ongig.com/job-titles/finance-job-titles/
- https://alpha-lane.com/investment-banking-and-age-what-can-you-do-if-youre-too-old/
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/highest-paying-finance-jobs
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career/cpa-vs-cfa/
- https://joinhandshake.com/blog/students/top-jobs-for-finance-majors/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/how-to-invest-in-your-40s
- https://www.internationalstudent.com/study-accounting/what-to-expect-when-studying-accounting/
- https://www.unfcu.org/financial-wellness/50-30-20-rule/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financialcareers/08/five-undergrad-tips.asp
- https://northwest.education/insights/careers/top-5-highest-paying-jobs-in-finance/
- https://online.hilbert.edu/blog/accounting-math/
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career/become-financial-analyst-no-experience/
- https://www.kingstonisc.com/blog/what-can-you-do-with-degree-in-accounting
- https://bau.edu/blog/is-finance-a-hard-major/
- https://www.gmercyu.edu/academics/learn/careers-in-finance
- https://www.careerexplorer.com/degrees/finance-degree/satisfaction/
- https://online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/finance/careers/why-major-in-finance/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/02/01/layoffs-hit-10-month-high-as-financial-and-tech-companies-slash-39000-jobs/
- https://typeset.io/questions/which-occupation-has-the-longest-life-expectancy-59f6s9q7ck
- https://www.princetonreview.com/professional-advice/taking-the-cfa-1-non-finance
- https://www.robertwaltersgroup.com/news/expert-insight/careers-blog/six-expert-tips-for-your-next-finance-interview.html
- https://learn.org/articles/40_too_old_finance_career.html
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/how-to-go-from-broke-in-your-40s-to-a-millionaire-in-your-50s%3A-8-late-start-retirement
- https://www.onlinemanipal.com/blogs/marketing-vs-finance-which-one-offers-a-better-salary
- https://www.comparably.com/salaries/salaries-for-finance-major
- https://datausa.io/profile/soc/financial-analysts
- https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/is-a-finance-degree-worth-it-everything-you-need-to-know/
- https://training-you.fr/the-most-and-least-stressful-jobs-in-banking-and-finance/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/financial-regrets-2023/
- https://blog.collegevine.com/easiest-and-hardest-business-majors
- https://www.proformative.com/questions/cfo-vs-controller-vs-finance-director/
- https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-that-work-in-finance-get-paid-so-much-money
- https://www.naukri.com/blog/how-to-answer-why-do-you-want-to-pursue-a-career-in-finance/
- https://www.coursera.org/articles/finance-major
- https://www.careervillage.org/questions/793230/how-can-i-be-an-accountant-if-im-not-good-at-math
- https://www.wgu.edu/blog/finance-degree-difficult2301.html
- https://www.stkate.edu/school-of-business-5-compelling-reasons-why-you-should-choose-career-accounting
- https://online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/finance/resources/finance-degree-vs-accounting-degree/
- https://www.accounting.com/careers/financial-analyst/how-to-become/
- https://womenforhire.com/advice/can-you-start-over-at-40/
- https://www.gleim.com/cpa-review/how-hard-is-the-cpa-exam/
- https://csuglobal.edu/blog/finance-hard
- https://www.spendesk.com/blog/finance-team-structure-cfo-vs-vp-finance/
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/stable-job
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/retire-40-2-million-140007867.html
- https://northwest.education/insights/career-growth/cfo-vs-vp-of-finance-everything-you-should-know-about-these-roles/