Finance is the act of giving money for business transactions. In simple terms, finance is the purchasing of financial assets from others at a future date for future profit. There are several forms of finance professionals that help businesses raise capital, including stockbrokers, bankers, bondsmen, bond dealers, investors, and real estate brokers. In recent years, computer technology and the Internet have made the world of finance much more accessible to entrepreneurs. These days anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can become a professional finance person.
If you are thinking about becoming a stockbroker, then you should have at least a college degree. Most stockbrokers begin their careers working for brokerage firms. As a stockbroker, you are responsible for finding new investors for a brokerage firm. You also receive commissions on purchases and sales of securities, depending upon the arrangement between the broker and client. Becoming a stockbroker is not a simple task, since it involves dealing with a lot of people and paperwork.
Another profession within finance that is growing in popularity is accountancy. Accountants are professional people involved in the preparation of financial reports, tax accounting, budgeting, and insurance matters. Accountants are required to hold degrees or licensing from an approved university or college and pass state examinations in order to become certified. Accountancy positions are growing in demand because of the ever-changing global economy and the need to accurately and fairly represent the facts of a business or individual’s finances.
Real estate is another profession that is growing in demand among professional finance professionals. Real estate professionals help business owners make decisions regarding building construction and renovation, purchase and sale of commercial properties, and financing deals. They assist in finding suitable tenants and homeowners, negotiate contracts, inspect projects, prepare financial statements, perform loan validation and credit review, and close transactions. As real estate professionals gain experience, they may also begin to conduct negotiations on behalf of the business owners themselves. If a real estate company wishes to expand its business by buying or leasing property, finance experts are often needed to handle the complex negotiations and legal issues involved.
Taxation is a field that requires individuals with accounting skills, particularly accountancy professionals. A large number of federal, state, and local regulations affect the way business is conducted and how individuals pay taxes. Individuals in accounting may become involved with auditing or reviewing the financial records of a company, analyzing tax records for accuracy and validity, preparing tax reports, and assisting in collections. In some cases, accountants may be asked to work directly with tax agencies or as representatives of their clients in claiming tax benefits.
Law and accountancy are a field that is growing in popularity among professionals looking to branch out into the financial arena. A number of books and online publications provide valuable information regarding taxation, contracts, securities, banking, and other aspects of the financial market. A degree in accountancy or law allows professionals to enter one of a number of specialized fields within the field of finance. Accountants who want to become brokers or financial managers may go to college and earn a bachelor’s degree in finance, or they may choose to get a four-year degree in business to become a financial planner. The possibilities for careers are nearly limitless, and accountants are only just beginning to scratch the surface of the available job roles.
Marketing is another area of finance that has opened many doors for professionals in recent years. Finance marketing specialists help companies market themselves to potential customers. They do this by researching products and services that could meet consumer needs and create advertisements that will appeal to them. With marketing, a company not only hopes to make a profit, but it also wants to establish a good name in the financial markets. Graduates who earn degrees in finance marketing can also find jobs as financial consultants, government debt officers, marketing coordinators, accountants, and even attorneys.
Finances make or break a company, and financial losses can literally bring an entire company to its knees. Professional financial planners help business owners keep their businesses solvent by providing sound advice regarding finances and investing. Business owners can pay a consultant to provide these services, or they can hire an in-house finance specialist. Many business owners prefer to hire an outside consultant because it allows them more access to specialists in the field of finance. A business owner can get professional advice and insight into their specific situation from someone who understands the intricacies of business finance.