How Do You Prepare For A Financial Analyst Intern Interview?

An internship is an important experience for any student. It helps the student get clarity on what the field is about, and also gives a little experience before a full-time job. If you are a student of finance, internships can help shape your preferences. There are many options when it comes to finance-related internships since finance is the backbone of any business. You can get an edge on recent graduates, based on the internship you choose. Keep in mind the following factors before you apply and sit for a financial analyst intern interview.

Choosing the right company
If you do not have prior work experience, applying for an internship can be difficult at a reputed company. But do not worry. The company will not expect you to demonstrate an expert knowledge. However, they will expect you to know something about the company’s finances and business models. You can prepare for the interview by learning about the company properly beforehand.

Look for company analyst reports, along with the latest quarterly and annual reports. Check for any public information on the company as well, such as press releases and economic news articles. You can also check how the stock has performed in the last year, and whether it is making a profit or not.

Keep a track on the company heads and important financial staff, including the CEO of the company. You can also prepare some questions to ask the interviewer, which can help build a good opinion for you.

Trends in the finance industry
It is important to know about the industry in which you are thinking of making a career. Read up on the latest industry trends. Stay informed on the performance of the company, as compared to its competitors. It may be useful to follow up on the brand image of the company due to its advertisement campaigns. There may be some important technologies or recent trends which the company works on, and are interesting for you.

Mention your experience with the finances and technologies that you may have worked on in the past. Remember companies are always on the lookout for people who fit well into its system. This may help you to land a full-time job after your internship with the same company.

Prepare for the interview
Be ready to explain why you are interested in an internship with the company. You may also be asked why you are interested in a career in finance, about your specific interests, and how the internship can help further your career. Explain how you always have been interested in the field. Talk about stocks and bond markets and their basics. You can also take up a Financial Analyst Course and brush up the relevant concepts.

The financial analyst certification would definitely help you in the long run in your career. You can also check the price of the company’s stock on the day of the interview.

On the day of the interview, make sure to be on time. Preferably, you should reach some time before the interview. Maintain personal grooming and dress accordingly to the dress code that is being followed in the company. Most financial companies have a formal dress code usually but do check with the HR or receptionist before going for the interview. During the interview, try to answer the questions as precisely and directly as possible.

What is Ethereum Blockchain?

If you keep tabs on areas such as banking, investment, cryptocurrency over the last decade, you may be familiar with the term “blockchain”, essentially a digital ledger-keeping technology behind cryptocurrency. Likewise, when you are familiar with cryptocurrency, you may hear of Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency in the market after bitcoin and most actively used in blockchain.

Let’s dig and learn more about the topics – what is blockchain, what is blockchain technology, how does blockchain work, how to become a blockchain developer, what is ethereum blockchain, etc.

What is Blockchain and How Does Blockchain Work?

Blockchain is a database system that stores data in a way that makes it very difficult to hack the system. Blockchain gathers new information in a group called block, and once the block storage is full it is chained onto the previous block. Blockchain can be used to store various kinds of data but mostly used to keep a ledger for a transaction.

Blockchain was initially invented to keep track of all Bitcoin transactions. In cryptocurrency use-cases, blockchain works in a decentralized way and decentralized blockchains transactions are recorded with an irreversible cryptographic signature called the hash. The decentralized databases, managed by multiple participants are known as Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT).

What is Blockchain Technology?

Blockchain technology is a structure to store transactional data, called a block in multiple databases, called a chain, in a network connected through peer-to-peer nodes. All the transactions recorded in this ledger are authenticated by hash, safeguarding from tampering. Blockchain relies on key technologies such as cryptographic keys and a peer-to-peer network containing a distributed ledger.

Blockchain technology uses hash encryption to secure the data, depending mainly on the SHA256 algorithm. In blockchain technology, data entry to the ledger is called “mining”. Mining involves the generation of hash for a specific transaction.

By all means, blockchain ensures a higher level of security and can support various industries like finance, supply chain, manufacturing. Blockchain founders are working towards the expansion of blockchain technology and influence in various industries. Judging by the success, blockchain could rule the future digital world.

How to Become a Blockchain Developer?

Blockchain developerBlockchain technology is still in its nascent phase. High demand, lucrative pay scale, and opportunity to work in cutting-edge technology are few notable reasons that make this career path worthwhile.

To become a blockchain developer, you should start with blockchain concepts, ideas, and architecture. Learn decentralization, the use of consensus in the blockchain.

Become familiar with glossaries and principles of blockchain. Learn cryptography, related algorithms and solutions, and blockchain ecosystem. Be familiar with real-time use cases.

Chartered Financial Analyst courseTo start coding, beginners are recommended to start with Solidity. Learn to create simple blocks, blockchain, implement genesis block, add the block to the chain, validate, and perform a test run. Subsequently, proceed with advanced features like Smart contracts, build the decentralized applications.

Many institutes offer quality courses on blockchain such as Imarticus Learning’s premier FinTech certification course that is offered in collaboration with SP Jain School of Global Management. This course teaches you multiple cutting-edge technologies including blockchain using hands-on training from industry experts, real-world case studies, and projects.

What is Ethereum Blockchain?

Ethereum is a blockchain platform with its cryptocurrency called Ether or Ethereum. It uses its programming language, Solidity. It is decentralized and is an open-source blockchain with a smart contract facility. Ether, the native cryptocurrency of Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency after bitcoin by market share.

Ethereum is the most widely used blockchain. If we compare bitcoin to Ethereum, bitcoin is just a cryptocurrency, where Ethereum is a technology with its cryptocurrency. Both bitcoin and Ethereum operate on blockchain but Ethereum is far more robust.

Related Articles:

Career Opportunities In Blockchain And Skills Required To Increase Job Prospects!

How Do You Get The Blockchain Certification Online?

What Is Blockchain Developer Salary?

What Is A Blockchain Course?

Top Tips on Asset Management!

What exactly is asset management? The clue lies in the title itself! Business organizations have many types of assets, both tangible and intangible assets. Asset management is about managing these assets.

Proper asset management practices should be in place to avoid any events of these assets being stolen or lost. Not only this, good asset management practices help regulate many maintenance issues and ensure the company assets comply with the government as well as insurance policies. The current situation and the changes to the way business is being done creates a lot of confusion.

With many employees logging in from home, there are confusions regarding the distribution and maintenance of the company’s assets. Managing assets within the company premises is easier compared to managing assets that are spread across different locations, especially when you do not have access to many of them. All these have increased the relevance of asset management roles.

Though the current situation is nor permanent, and things will come back to normal sooner or later, but asset management is going to be an important career choice in the coming days. So, if you are looking for a lucrative career in this area, use this time to get asset management training and secure a good future.

Asset Management Tips

Create a Team with Senior Manager Onboard: First and foremost, create an asset management team with at least one senior member from the management onboard.

Asset Management TrainingThis is because the company might have made many important investments on assets and it is important to have someone to represent the management.

Select Qualified staff: While selecting the members for asset management, make sure that you select qualified and responsible people who are ready to take up responsibility.

As the company grows and evolves, strict measures must be laid down in place to ensure data accuracy.

Define the Role and Need: Many times, companies create an asset management role without giving much thought to it. This could result in creating a role and team without a mission or vision. Before making investments and rushing into implementing asset management measures, take time to define the needs and goal.

Do in Phases: If you try to implement asset management in the whole organization at once, then it could be confusing and tedious. So, introduce the system slowly and gradually, starting from one or two departments and then covering other departments in phases.

Decide the Lifecycle: For implementing effective asset management practices, you need to define the lifecycle of each asset.

Asset Management TrainingThis requires a technology that could effectively capture the requisite data at every stage.

Use the Right Tools: Using appropriate and updated tools and software is important in smooth execution of the asset management methodologies and to accommodate the data flow. Using an appropriate tool would not only defeat the purpose of asset management but also incur unwanted expenditure and may result in revenue loss.

Continuous Monitoring: Once you set up an asset management plan and strategy, ensure that every asset is mapped, and every department follows the system. Failing to ensure this will create loopholes in the system, and could result in defeating the purpose.

Identify Data Inaccuracies: Inaccurate data could result in deviation from the procedures of asset management and could eventually disrupt the system. You may consider using RFID tags or hand-held scanners to identify inaccuracies in the database.

Periodical Review: This is the lifeline of any system that is put in practice. You need to do a periodical review to make sure that the system is well-aligned to achieve the objectives. In case you find any problem, they can be corrected on time for the efficient running of the system.

Asset Management is a key focus area in business and is independent of industries. To be a successful asset manager, you need to acquire certain skills.

Enrolling in an Asset Management course would help you know what the role is, what the responsibilities are, and how to execute them.

Imarticus introduces you to the best faculties in asset management.

Additionally, you will be introduced to industry experts and successful alumni who can help you and steer you towards a successful career. Placement services are in place to ensure that you get a right launching pad to start your career.

The Reason why Credit Under Writing Can’t be 100% Automated!

Over the past decade, AI & ML have transformed the Fintech industry in different ways. Whether examining use cases such as general robotic process automation (RPA), chatbots and Robo-advisors, personalized banking, cybersecurity & fraud detection, or numerous others, AI has streamlined processes for financial institutions & consumers. One of the most complex applications of AI is predictive technology for credit underwriting & risk monitoring.

But, some benefits of both AI & ML notwithstanding, several obstacles hinder the comprehensive automation of credit underwriting. Here’s all you need to know on why Credit Underwriting can’t be automated 100%.

Regulatory barriers, restrictive black-box algorithms, and other challenges

While there exists a seemingly infinite list of benefits, expecting swift & 100 percent automation of credit underwriting could go wrong for a while. There are technological shortfalls & regulatory roadblocks due to which 100% automation may not be achieved yet. The most significant barrier is the lack of explainability within AI. As a result of meticulous regulations the financial institutions face, AI models need to produce a definite explanation & reason for each decision, prediction & risk assessment.

While ML applications grow in specialized ways, the models become increasingly opaque and are challenging to interpret. The ability to define the black box, non-linear models, is critical, especially in finance, which makes both the predictive output & accuracy of prediction critical. To satisfy the regulatory demands, AI models should render plain-text & interpretable explanations, which is currently a challenge.

Another common barrier hindering wider adoption & complete automation of credit underwriting is data access. Lack of quality datasets may create issues in smooth functioning that may hamper operations as well. Minimal or compromised datasets are factors that are responsible for derailing a successful model. This is why predictive models must have access to global, varied & diverse datasets to achieve the highest levels of prediction accuracy.

Other hurdles include limiting third-party data silos that need administrative permission and overall prediction accuracy, which notoriously varies among different models & AI technologies.

The Future Path to Automation

In the upcoming decade, AI isn’t eyeing to replace credit risk officers. Instead, credit risk officers who utilize AI will replace those who aren’t handy with these tech-based solutions. We are currently in the latter stages of those initial decades when it comes to AI-assisted credit underwriting.

credit analysis courseBut automation will not sweepingly eclipse the work of fintech professionals. The expert human overview will be required to assure accuracy for cases of outliers & eliminate self-selection & biases.

For those eyeing a career in Banking and Finance, it is an opportunity to clinch the technology and fly high with the aspirations. A certificate course in banking and finance is an excellent option for employment after graduation or after B. Com!

Learn and Grow with Imarticus Learning:

Get an in-depth understanding of the dynamic banking and non-banking financial corporations (NBFC) loan markets through the Credit Risk and Underwriting Prodegree offered by Imarticus Learning.

In this Credit Risk and Underwriting Prodegree, students are empowered to acquire a powerful toolkit that helps you understand India’s credit landscape, learn the entire loan assessment process and due diligence and conduct financial analysis.

They get a hands-on learning experience as you explore five comprehensive case studies. Each case study is linked to a different aspect of the curriculum, providing you with an opportunity to apply your skills and gain an in-depth understanding of how credit risks and underwriting works.

For further details, contact us through the Live Chat Support system or visit our training centers in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Gurgaon, and Ahmedabad.

Unravelling The Path: Financial Analysis For Start-Ups!

Financial analysis is a process that helps identify a business’s financial health and how it will affect future decision-making. Economic analysis can be broken down into three different parts: cash flow, profit and loss statement, and balance sheet. These three components are all used to help achieve higher yields, lower risks, and better decisions in the long run.

The financial analysis also includes understanding the current state of finances, identifying risks & market trends, evaluating potential strategies to achieve goals, forecasting cash flows overtime periods relevant to management decision making, analyze performance relative to budgets or forecasts, assessing capital structure alternatives, and investment opportunities.

Types of Financial Models

Financial Modelling courses teach you all these complex processes. One must consult professionals for the same. Types of financial models:

Three Statement Model

This model stands for income statement, balance sheet, & cash flow statement. It’s the basic setup for financial modeling and links these statements into one dynamic financial model. This is used to base complex financial models like discounted cash flow, merger models, and other financial models.

Budget Model

Budget Model focuses heavily on income statements & is used to prepare the budget together for the coming year(s). This model is designed to be based on monthly or quarterly figures.

Forecasting Model

This model is used to predict outcomes regarding demand & supply, sales, consumer behavior, etc. The model generates a forecast to compare the budget model. Budget & forecast models act as a combined workbook depending on the output and are sometimes separately used.

Discounted Cash Flow Model (DCF)

This method analyses the present value of an investment/company/cash flow by adjusting future cash flows to the time value of money, assessing the current fair value of assets/investment.

Merger Model (M&A)

The financial statements of buyer & seller in an acquisition are combined to deduct the effects of the deal. The merger model ascertains whether there exist benefits to an amalgamation. Depending on complexity, requirements & availability of data, it takes an hour to prepare a simple merger model.

Importance of Financial Modelling for Start-ups:

  • It helps in quantify & validate the business plan & model. Preparing a financial model helps in finding out whether your ideas are feasible in a sustainable operating business.
  • During the fundraising process, investors ask you for a financial plan. Every investor follows a different approach; confident investors require deeper details. A financial model provides quantifiable data; a start-up must always prepare one.
  • Financial Modelling becomes vital for a start-up as it presents the exact financial situation of the start-up. It also helps provide the investors with the real-time financial situation & shows them how you are spending money.

Learn and Grow with Imarticus Learning:

There are various ways that financial analysts can learn how to do financial analysis, including certification programs, undergraduate degrees with specialization, online finance courses focused on finance or accounting with some analytical focus, and certificates in economic analysis.

finance certificationIf you are confused about what to learn in finance, get guidance at Imarticus Learning. We offer a range of Financial Analysis courses, including MBA and Financial Analysis Prodegree, that helps aspirants achieve their goals.

Imarticus Learning offers certification programs designed by industry experts to prepare aspirants for the industry. These financial analyst courses are practical, engaging, and interactive and help enhance my skill-set in finance and accounts.

Professionals tailor these courses and make use of proper data analytics applications efficiently. Financial modeling courses include theoretical & practical knowledge through workshops with industry experts, which provides an excellent opportunity to learn and explore.

For further details, contact us through the Live Chat Support system or visit our training centers in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Gurgaon, and Ahmedabad.

Credit Underwriting Standards: A Challenge for Smaller Banks!

The main revenue for a bank always comes from the money they lend to different borrowers. The interest obtained on that lent money generates revenue for them. Now, this lending process exposes a bank to risks.

In this article, we will discuss various aspects of credit underwriting standards and the importance of a credit analyst course or a PG diploma in banking and finance.

What are Credit Underwriting Standards?

Underwriting standards are a set of guidelines defined by banks or lending institutes, to determine if a loan applicant is qualified for the loan or credit. Credit underwriting standards determine the loan amount, loan terms and tenures, rate of interest, etc. This credit underwriting standard works as a risk management process that helps minimize the risk factor from the lent loan.

Key factors of Credit Underwriting

There are some basic points a bank should consider before granting the loan.

  • A common problem faced by credit approvers is that they often don’t get sufficient financial information from the applicant.
  • An efficient cash-flow projection report can be prepared with enough historical data, balance sheet statements, and a financial analysis system. However, appropriate information needs to be obtained from borrowers regarding expected trends, upcoming capital structure and incorporated in cash-flow modeling for better prediction.
  • Rating models can be efficiently predictive and render an effective early caution against credit deterioration only when the data fed to them are quality data.
  • When the process is more manual and duplicate data is kept in multiple systems, it causes an increase in “time to cash”. The key factors that contribute to “time to cash” are the market environment, the efficiency of decision-makers, and system infrastructure.
  • To understand the key performance indicators and meet the audit requirements, extracting the right data is essential. Also, a user-friendly way of capturing data and a strict well-defined process is essential to make sure the data is correctly apprehended and managed.
  • Understanding the business model sustainability of the borrower is important. The borrower should have better alignment between business strategy and financially reliable sectors to recover the losses when one sector is underperforming.

Challenge for Smaller Banks

When it comes to smaller banks, they face few challenges while maintaining credit underwriting standards, which either cause problems for them in the present or might create in the future.

  • Major small banks face significant challenges in terms of their ability to produce, manage and maintain sufficient data. This is a clear indication that small banks suffer due to a lack of IT infrastructure and strong risk governance policies.
  • Another key trend among smaller banks is that because of the extremely competitive market, the interest rates that banks offer on loans are not calculated based on the underlying credit risk of those loans, but rather they are more intended towards capturing the market. This lack of risk-based pricing may cause a future inability to recover the money lent.
  • The banks are launching new products, offers, expanding themselves into new markets, re-adjusting risk strategies because of intense market competition. There was a drop in average lending margins which basically reduced the overall profit margin for a bank.

Conclusion

Credit risk management comes with various challenges. Proper analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, decision-making ability, and mutual relationships can help to reduce the risk and only a properly trained professional can do that.

When you are looking for a career in the banking sector, deep knowledge of credit underwriting standards is essential.

Credit risk underwriting courseA credit analyst course or PG diploma in banking and finance may help you to achieve that. Credit Risk and Underwriting Prodegree In Collaboration with Moody’s Analytics is such a tailor-made course for you.

Is Embedded Finance the Next Evolution in Fintech?

What is Embedded Finance?

 Over the decade banking services like lending, payments, remittance have shifted from being under the sole purview of banks to non-bank service providers. The various financial services have come to be embedded within the software and applications of the non-bank providers streamlining both customer and business enterprise experience. Embedded finance or embedded banking, as is popularly termed, is the future of Finance Technology (abbreviated Fintech).

It is essentially the merging of a non-financial service provider, for example, a telco or local SaaS business, with a financial service provider.

best Fintech courses in IndiaWith embedded finance reshaping and creating new roles for technology companies in the financial world, a career in Fintech will prove to be highly rewarding in the coming years.

For this, it is imperative to know what is a Fintech professional and the best Fintech courses in India that one can opt for.

Role of Embedded Finance in the Industry

With the world increasingly adapting to the digital revolution, businesses, both local and international, are looking forward to expanding their horizons to provide banking services ranging from providing loans, cashless payments, credits, debit cards, and e-wallets. Earlier businesses had to create a Fintech arm within the company costing a fortune to oversee the financial operations.

However, with embedded finance infrastructure, this disadvantage has been overridden resulting in almost double the normal profit. And with the disappearance of third-party banks, the process becomes smoother for the consumer. It lures the customer with its easy transaction process thus monetizing him/her and expanding the business.

Apart from integrated payments, the other high point of embedded finance is the ease of accessing in-app credit programs and loans, enabling the customer to complete a purchase without leaving the app and converting it into an EMI at the checkout point as is seen with Amazon.

Embedded card payment involves the creation of the company’s own cash card in exchange for a white label debit card. The cash card is linked to the user’s bank account giving him direct access to his user balance. This can be arranged by the company at a small interchange fee with the partner bank.

Embedded insurance is also being integrated into the buying experience of customers to seamlessly complete the procedure of insuring a car or home or other such purchases without the inclusion of a third-party insurance company. This is not only cost-effective but also saves a lot of time and pain on the part of customers as demonstrated by major automobile companies.

Embedded banking has taken a step forward in the evolution of the Fintech industry by taking investment into its territory. Investment has always been a tricky affair for the common man. With API-based brokerage firms leading the way for embedded investments, it is no longer a faraway dream. Platforms have integrated stock market investing by building microservices beginning with opening an account and ending with trading and market data.

The Way Forward

Fintech Infrastructure stands upon three pillars – digital platforms, financial institutions, and embedded finance infrastructure companies. To make each of these pillars functional data science, AI, cloud management, and blockchain development work together. To understand what is a Fintech professional’s role and how to make a career in Fintech, you can check out the professional Fintech certificate course.

It is best to start young if you are looking forward to making a career out of Fintech and especially embedded finance. One can choose from some of the best Fintech courses in India and opt for a subject of his/her choice. An undergraduate course in finance, economics, engineering, commerce, or management followed by post-graduation in the specific field can open avenues for youngsters and aid them in building a lucrative career in Fintech.

After MBA Admission What Comes Next: Insights Into The Future

The MBA is one of the most prestigious degrees in higher education. This degree opens doors to many great opportunities including high-paying careers, executive positions, and leadership roles. It’s important that you are well-prepared for a successful future after graduation by understanding how your skills can be used beyond business school.

Before opting for a Business Management Course you should aware that:

  1. The MBA is a gateway to careers in management and leadership.
  2. It’s not just about the degree – it’s what you do with it that counts.
  3. Consider your career goals before making a decision on which school to attend.
  4. How much debt can you handle, and how will this affect your future lifestyle.
  5. What are the other factors in play when deciding where to go for an MBA (location, cost)?
  6. Choosing between full-time or part-time programs is based on your lifestyle preferences and job commitments.

In this article, we will clear all your doubts and cover online distance MBA, and business management courses.

Online distance MBA and is distance MBA valid for jobs?

best MBA online coursesWe will answer the questions related to distance MBA, for example, whether you can pursue your career or not after completing a distance MBA program in India & abroad. We will also discuss the pros and cons of pursuing an online distance MBA degree from a reputed university or college.

An increasing number of students are going to Distance MBA programs because it allows them to work full-time while taking classes at night or on weekends over several years. An increasing number of foreign universities are offering their courses in India and abroad, especially in England, Australia & China. There are plenty of online business schools that offer good course material and education quality for those who don’t want to go overseas, such as IIM Ahmedabad, Xavier School of Management, etc.

Business Management Interview Questions and Answers 

Businesses and companies have a lot of different interview questions for potential candidates.

  1. What is your greatest strength as a manager?
  2. Tell me about a time you had to solve an employee problem
  3. How would you motivate and inspire your team on a daily basis
  4. What are the qualities of an effective leader?
  5. What do you know about our company culture and values?
  6. Why should I hire you for this position? What makes you stand out from other candidates?

7) What is your biggest weakness?

8) How many hours per day can you work (Be careful with this one!)

9) Tell me about yourself. (This question will be asked at some point during your interview.)

Conclusion:  In a world where it is difficult to predict what will happen next, it can be hard to plan for the future. Getting into your dream MBA program may have been the first step in your journey towards success and independence, but now you need to find out how you will pay for this new phase of life.

We’re happy that our team of experts has already helped many students like you with their finances so they could say yes to an MBA education without worrying about money!

Contact us today if you want professional advice on tuition financing or any other aspect of financial planning related to getting accepted into and paying for business school. It’s never too early (or late) to start thinking about how you’ll fund your future.

Required Proficiencies To Work As a Financial Analyst!

Financial analysis is the process in which business data like budgets, projects, and transactions are analyzed to check the feasibility or sustenance of the projects or businesses. Professional financial analysts are required for this process.

There’s no doubt that financial analysis lies at the core of business decisions and management. There may be questions like- what does a financial analyst do, what skills they possess, and how you can become one.

Read on to find out more:

What does a financial analyst do

Financial analysts are responsible for performing financial reporting, forecasting, tracking operational metrics, and creating financial models to analyze investments or companies. They have to analyze historical data, organize information, and gather necessary data to meet their organization’s needs. They advise companies on how to split stock, issue bonds, and other critical financial decisions.

A financial analyst can earn up to INR 10 lakh per year in India with sufficient experience and skills.

Prerequisites for financial analysts

To become a financial analyst, you must have certain skills:

Analytical abilities

Being able to plan, rank, and identify financial problems is the most important skill a financial analyst can possess. Analytical skills will help you find issues and understand them better. It would also help you plan strategically and analyze financial markets, products, and resources more effectively.

Communication skills

Financial analysts must have good communication skills as they help one collaborate better. You’d work with other financial analysts and professionals. Having good communication skills would ensure that you can share your insights with much clarity.

Leadership

Financial analysts work in teams, sometimes leading it. Hence, you should be great at leadership skills. Leadership skills consist of multiple soft skills including interpersonal skills and instilling confidence. You should know how to inspire your team and direct them such that they achieve the best results.

You should also be a team player and work in coordination with your team members and their expectations.

Attention to detail

You must have a strong eye for finding details as a financial analyst. It’s among the most important soft skills for conducting effective financial analysis training because it helps you mitigate errors and stay efficient. It would also help you find outliers in the data more effectively that can play a huge role in creating financial reports and aid you in making decisions.

Accounting

You must be well-versed in accounting, including financial accounting, the branch of accounting that focuses on determining the monetary value of a company. You must be familiar with accounting principles, techniques, and industry standards. This includes knowing about cash flow statements, balance sheets, ledgers, and the mathematical formulas used in accounting.

Financial knowledge

As a finance professional, it’s imperative for you to be well-versed in different financial subjects and concepts. This includes familiarity with various investments, basics of finance, current industry rates and other related concepts. You should stay on top of the financial current events as a financial analyst to perform efficiently.

How to start a career as a financial analyst

A financial analyst must be familiar with many technologies. That’s why companies look for certified professionals as a certification assures them of the candidate’s expertise over the relevant subjects and skills.

Financial Analyst trainingWe recommend joining online finance courses, particularly those that offer financial analyst training and placement.

Joining such online financial courses will help you start your career quickly and provide you with real-world experience.

Conclusion

Financial analysts must be experts in many domains. If you want a program that offers financial analyst training and placement, be sure to check out this program: Financial Analysis Prodegree.

Career Advice: Financial Planner or Wealth Manager!

Introduction

A financial planner and a wealth manager both come under financial advisory jobs. A financial planner helps in managing day to day finances of their clients whereas a wealth manager helps in preserving the current wealth and adopting sustainable development so that the financial resources may be preserved for the future.

There are a lot of differences in both these job roles and similarities too. It is up to one’s interests and capabilities that which one he/she chooses. Let us see both these careers in detail and compare them.

Job Roles

Financial planners are concerned with lifestyle planning. Their target audience is generally middle-class people or low-level companies. They help people in meeting the ends and give them advice on how to invest money in their lifestyle while saving too.

Wealth Management coursesTheir job duties include saving money for college, budgeting, retirement planning, insurance planning, etc. Their clients are normal people who want to use their income in a planned way so that they could achieve their life goals or some short-term goals.

A wealth manager on the other hand deals with HNI (High Networth Individuals) clients or Ultra HNI clients. A wealth manager helps rich businessmen/people to preserve their wealth and adopt a sustainable development process. A wealth manager analyses the market and advises his/her clients on investment opportunities. They are involved in chores like capital/revenue planning, estate planning, risk identification & management, etc. They help their clients in identifying the risks of investing in any new venture. They help in sustainably using financial resources & services.

Education & Skills Required

Wealth managers & financial planners tend to do a bachelor’s degree in economics, accounts, finance, or mathematics. However, the certification courses vary for them. A wealth manager generally does a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) course whereas a financial planner prefers a CFP (Certified Financial Planner).

Wealth Management coursesThere are a plethora of Wealth Management Courses available on the internet. However, any professional in the wealth management or financial planning sector can do both of these certification courses as there is no necessity for any one of them for getting a job. These certification courses boost your skills.

The skills needed are almost identical in both sectors. The major skills needed in the wealth management & financial planning sector are analytical skills, market analysis skills, communication skills, forecasting skills, networking skills, etc. As a wealth manager, you will need to have a large network of HNI or Ultra HNI clients in the market as compared to a financial planner.

What to choose?

If you have a natural market of HNI/Ultra HNI clients, then go for a Wealth Management Career otherwise you can opt for financial planning. Wealth management requires more networking skills than a financial planner. The salaries of wealth managers are also higher than those of financial planners.

The best criteria would be to aim for a wealth manager and if things don’t work out then go for financial planning because the skills & education required are almost identical in both fields. This was all about career advice related to wealth management & financial planning.