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About Finance
You'll become
Average Salaries
Finance workers may earn between $61,000 and $136,000 per year
Thrive in a competitive global industry and build in-demand business skills by studying a finance course.
You’re naturally organised, love numbers, and have a head for problem solving. Now turn your talents into an exciting new career in a booming industry by studying a finance course.
In an increasingly fast-paced and regulated business world, skilled professionals who can make sound strategic decisions are in urgent demand. According to the Department of Employment, nearly 20,000 new finance professionals will be required in Australia by the end of the decade – making now the best time to build the skills to stand out and solve problems.
In a finance course, you’ll study data analysis, financial markets and investments, to build the key theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to fluently analyse and interpret complex information and provide sound financial advice.
If you love interpreting information, can make sound decisions, and want a fast-paced career helping people solve their problems and reach for success, a finance course may be for you.
As a finance manager, you’ll plan, organise, direct and coordinate all financial and accounting activities in a business, organisation or government department.
You may study a finance course as a certificate or diploma course, as a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or as an advanced diploma or another post-graduate certificate. After completing a finance course, you may seek employment in virtually any industry – from financial services to the retail, security, media, public administration and not-for-profit sectors – in a finance manager or finance broker role.
If you’re passionate about solving problems and want an exciting and fulfilling career with sky-high prospects, a finance course is your first step.
What do finance graduates do?
Finance course graduates may work in a range of leadership, management and client-focused roles in the finance industry. If you work as a finance manager, you may perform tasks like:
- Determining, implementing, monitoring, reviewing and evaluating budgetary and accounting strategies, plans and policies;
- Providing financial information and interpreting the implications of such for business performance and funding needs;
- Coordinating the development, implementation and monitoring of accounting systems;
- Preparing and directing financial reports summarising and forecasting organisational financial positions;
- Preparing, interpreting and analysing income statements, balance sheets and future earnings and income;
- Assessing capital gain proposals and project financing;
- Advising on investment strategies, sourced of funds and distributions of earnings;
- Delivering profit forecasts; and
- Ensuring organisational compliance with financial legislation and standards.
You may also work in a financial planning role, advising individuals and businesses on the best strategies for investing and growing their wealth, or in a broker role, monitoring commodity trends and patterns in order to make the best strategic investments.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
Finance course graduates may work in every industry. However, according to the Department of Employment, the majority of workers are employed in the sectors:
- Financial and insurance services
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Manufacturing
- Public administration and safety
After completing a finance course, you’ll likely seek work either in an accounting services firm, or working in-house in a business, organisation or government department. You may work as a:
- Bookkeeper
- Credit Officer
- Credit Manager
- Financial Markets Administrative Officer
- Financial Sector Team Leader
- Banking Sales Consultant
- Assistant Financial Broker
- Compliance Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Financial Adviser
- Insurance Adviser
- Superannuation Consultant
- Portfolio Analyst
- Personal Financial Planner
- Investment Banker
- Paraplanner
- Claims Administrator
- Risk Adviser
- Compliance Officer
- Associate financial planner
- Financial Planning Practice Manager
- Call-Centre Adviser
- Back-office Superannuation Operations Officer
- Back-office Insurance Operations Officer
- Investment Corporate Actions Support Officer
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Is finance right for you?
You’ll thrive working in the finance sector if you:
- Enjoy maths and numbers
- Enjoy problem-solving
- Are highly motivated
- Enjoy focused work
- Are resilient
- Have strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Are highly organised and efficient
- Are proactive and can work independently
- Can think strategically and exercise sound judgment
- Enjoy challenging yourself
- Enjoy thinking strategically
Job opportunities
The Australian Government’s Job Outlook predicts strong growth in job opportunities for roles in the finance sector over the next decade, off the back of extremely strong growth over the previous 10 years.
Currently employing approximately 64,600 people as finance managers, the profession will grow to employ approximately 75,300 finance managers by 2020, according to Job Outlook. Similarly, the financial planning profession is expected to grow to employ nearly an additional 10,000 people by 2020. Currently employing approximately 51,800 people, it is expected to grow to employ approximately 63,200 people by 2020.
The size of the finance profession indicates roles are available in all areas of Australia.
Average Salaries
According to PayScale, a finance manager can expect to earn a salary between $61,000 and $136,000 per year, with an average annual salary of approximately $93,000. PayScale reports that over a third of finance managers have more than 20 years of professional experience, indicating that people make financial planning their careers, and don’t move on the from the industry as their experience grows.
PayScale notes that while average salaries for finance managers rise with experience, entry-level managers can still command a competitive salary of approximately $77,000 per year.