Financial services are leading the employment grounds, with the global financial services sector estimated to constitute one-fourth of the world’s economy. With an array of job profiles available, there has been an increasing inclination toward careers in financial services.
A multi-disciplinary programme, financial services embody a broad range of services the financial sector offers, including banking, investment, insurance, and other services. Pursuing a financial services course can make way for great employment opportunities like Financial Analyst, Financial Consultant, and Financial Manager, among many others. It is appropriate for business professionals or entrepreneurs looking to upskill themselves and achieve a higher salary.
An introductory guide to financial services course offers a comprehensive view of the various financial services available, how they work and how you can use them to your benefit.
A brief introduction to financial services
Financial services encompass various services and products offered by financial organisations designed to help people, corporations, and governments manage their money. Banking, investment, insurance, wealth management, and financial planning are some of the services included in this category.
Under banking services come current and savings accounts, loans, mortgages, credit cards and more. Investment services offered by banks cover retirement and brokerage accounts and mutual funds.
Life, health, and property insurance, alongside other forms of insurance plans, are examples of insurance services that protect individuals and businesses from financial losses brought on by unforeseen circumstances.
Investment services pertain to the investment choices of individuals, companies and governments, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate. The aim of financial services is to help organisations and individuals build a financial plan based on their present financial conditions, future goals and risk tolerance.
Wealth management services are intended for wealthy individuals and incorporate various services such as tax planning, estate preparation, and investment management.
A comprehensive guide to financial services course
Before opting for careers in financial services, individuals must understand what the course entails, its career scope, eligibility criteria and what specifically the course offers.
Eligibility criteria
Most institutes offering a financial services course require a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field with a minimum of 50%. MBA students and those with an MSc in finance can also pursue this course.
Additionally, some institutes may require a prospective student to have at least 2 years of work experience, preferably in the financial sector.
Course details
A financial services course equips learners with an understanding of the financial industry and arms them with skills and knowledge to help them navigate it. Here's an outline of what the course covers:
Introduction to Financial Services: This module introduces financial services and the different types of institutions that provide these services.
Banking Services: With this module, you will cover the different types of banking services, including savings and checking accounts, loans, and credit cards.
Investment Services: This module will cover investment services, their types and how they function. Bonds, stocks, mutual funds, and other investment options are covered here.
Insurance Services: In this module, students will learn about the different types of insurance services, including life, health, and property insurance.
Financial Planning: The essentials of financial planning will be covered in this module, including defining financial objectives, building a budget, and debt management.
Retirement Planning: In this module, you will learn about various retirement plans and how to save for retirement.
Estate Planning: This part will cover the fundamentals of estate planning, such as drafting a will, establishing trusts, and asset management.
Regulations and Compliance: This lesson instructs on the rules and regulations for financial institutions and the financial industry.
Ethical Issues: This module will explore ethical issues in financial services, such as conflicts of interest and financial institutions' obligations to clients.
Case Studies: In this module, you will learn from real-world examples of financial services in operation.
Scope of financial services course
A globally competitive financial services market has rapidly developed the sector. The scope for employment is significantly high than in other fields, with the industry comprising finance companies, commercial and non-commercial banks, retirement funds, cooperatives and much more.
Some of the job profiles or careers in financial services include:
- Financial Officer
- Treasurer
- Finance Controller
- Credit Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, SBI, HDFC, JP Morgan Chase & Co. are some of the top recruiters in the field.
Conclusion
Financial services are essential to maintain individuals' and businesses' financial stability and growth by managing their money effectively, achieving their financial goals, and mitigating financial risks. If you have financial acumen combined with an ability to perform well under pressure, this might be the right job for you.
IIM Lucknow’s Advanced Management Program in Financial Services and Capital Markets, offered in collaboration with Imarticus, is a world-class programme in financial services. It prepares individuals for leadership roles in organisations with an advanced outcome-focused curriculum. Visit the website for further course-related details and take a step towards fulfilling your dreams.
