What Does a Finance Broker Do?

While there was once a time when all you needed for a career in finance was a can-do attitude and a whole lot of self-belief, thankfully, those days are behind us; after all, managing other people’s money comes with a huge amount of responsibility. Having up-to-date skills, knowledge and qualifications are not only required for most finance-related jobs nowadays; it is essential for performing your role effectively in today’s rapidly changing markets.

One of the best places to start your training is with a Bachelor of Business, as this will cover key fundamentals such as the basics of financial markets, investment management, and business accounting practices. This highly respected credential also provides plenty of opportunities to specialise as you go, making it one of the most popular courses in finance available.

For those looking to specialise straight away, Certificate IV and Diploma programs can provide an extremely effective route, especially considering that many are online courses and therefore offer a highly flexible way to get trained up. Another big advantage of these qualifications is that they can often be completed in as little as 12 months, while Diploma programs open the door for further educational opportunities, such as taking a Graduate Diploma.

Following a career path in finance could have you living and working almost anywhere, making this a fantastic choice for those who want to see the world. Opportunities can be found everywhere from New York, London and Frankfurt through to Zurich, Tokyo, and Dubai, and because your work will be all about numbers it sometimes isn’t even necessary to speak the local language. There are plenty of opportunities right here in Australia too, particularly in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, where most jobs involve working for commercial banks, credit unions, mortgage companies or even savings and loans establishments.

While the financial industry experienced a significant downturn from 2008-2011 due to the Global Financial Crisis, low hiring rates during this period has meant that there are now increased opportunities opening up. For example, accountants skilled in capital management, treasury, and regulatory reporting are in high demand in both NSW and Victoria, and there is a nationwide shortage of financial planners and credit assessment professionals. The world of finance has changed a lot in recent years, making it the perfect place for flexible, modern and motivated professionals looking to leave their mark. Get your career in finance up and running today by signing up for a course that suits your career goals and aspirations.

Every single day is different in banking. It’s definitely not routine. I could be overseeing a complex transaction one minute and meeting with private bankers the next!

I also respond to client requests, attend workshops and conferences, deal with escalated queries and run investigations. And as a manager, I spend a significant amount of time monitoring and coaching my team, helping them to succeed both individually and as a group.

It’s funny, because when I finished school, I wasn’t really interested in finance. I love customer service, and saw myself working in retail. So, I obtained a Certificate in Retail Operations. But after a few years, I realised I needed a change.

I saw an ad in the paper for a Teller/Customer Service Officer at St. George Bank and after a little bit of contemplation, I applied! I didn’t really have any experience in finance, but I was passionate about customer service and this suited their profile perfectly. Two interviews later, I was offered the job and I’ve never looked back.

My first year was definitely challenging yet fun. I was placed in one of the busiest branches in the Sydney CBD and I had to hit the ground running.

There were lots of policies, processes, and systems to learn and we all had sales-based scorecards to guide our performance. Thankfully, I had a great team and a wonderful manager who supported me. Overall, that first year was a great learning curve. It gave me an amazing foundation in banking, and I was able to move up from that and push forward with my career.

The opportunity to be really innovative and transform the way things are done is one of my favourite parts of banking.
I think the banking industry has a reputation for being limited or restrictive, but I’ve discovered it’s far from that.

The culture here is one that fosters innovation, trust in its employees and it allows you  to make your own decisions in order to keep succeeding – and it’s one of the things I enjoy most about the company and the job.

First and foremost, be customer service focused. Customer service is a bank’s top priority, and it’s one thing they consistently look for when hiring. Look into graduate programs. These programs are excellent opportunities if you’re looking to get into banking. They can have you working in different areas of the bank, which can help you decide what path you’d like your career to take.

And finally, be prepared for change. Things are always changing in banking and finance and you have to be ready to get on the bus and go for the ride. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself quickly left behind.