Associate Degrees in Finance: Essential Talents
- Knowledge of Accounting
- Time Management
- Expertise in IT Software
- Problem-Solving
- Interpersonal Skill Sets
Identifying skill sets to master during an Associate in Finance program can help make finance graduates more attractive to potential employers. It can also help in such areas as:
- broadening job opportunities
- ensuring self-confidence
- increasing chances for advancement
While there are many talents that can boost a career in finance, the following five are among the most important.
Knowledge of Accounting
Finance careers of all types require a solid knowledge of mathematics and how to apply mathematics to accounting practices. Because of this, accounting is a major requirement for any associate degree in finance program. Accounting is perhaps the most essential skill that finance majors will need to acquire. It will help prepare you for:
- balancing an employer’s books
- computing payroll
- maintaining accounts receivables
- preparing profit and loss statements
Time Management
The ability to meet crucial deadlines and prioritize tasks according to their deadlines and importance makes up a huge part of most any career in finance. Persons working in finance must be prepared to:
- complete their company’s taxes on time
- compute its yearly budget
- calculate its weekly payroll
Time management is yet another important skill that finance students will want to master during an associate in finance program.
Expertise in IT Software
In the past, financial reporting and accounting were accomplished through the use of common calculators and filing systems. Today more businesses than ever are moving towards using cloud-based filing systems and various forms of accounting software. For this reason, associate degree programs in finance now require finance students to complete an IT software course before they can earn their degrees.
Problem-Solving
According to an article published by Forbes, being able to see all sides of a particular issue and choosing the best solution to resolve the problem is a valuable asset to employers in financial organizations. Finance students will need to be analytical in their way of thinking, but they also need to be open to any possible resolutions to a problem. There will likely be many times when they will need to create a personalized solution for a client’s problem.
Interpersonal Skill Sets
Since most finance careers require interaction with others, mastering interpersonal skills during an Associate in Finance program can significantly boost a finance graduate’s job opportunities. Persons working in finance must be great with people and able to communicate effectively. This is why most colleges require undergraduate business and finance students to complete courses in both interpersonal and business communications.
Conclusion
The world of finance is an exciting but complex field that requires many different skills and talents. There is a wide array of these essential skill sets. Described above are some of the most important skill sets that students will want to master during an Associate in Finance program.
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