Finance is not one career. The work changes completely depending on the path you choose.

The first thing to understand

Some finance careers are built around clients. Others focus on companies, transactions, markets or making investment decisions.

What working in banking means

Commercial and corporate bankers help businesses access funding. The role combines financial analysis with building relationships and understanding how a company operates.

What working in corporate finance means

Corporate finance teams advise companies on acquisitions, sales, fundraising and valuations. The work is project-based, detailed and centred around completing transactions.

What working in financial consulting means

Financial consultants help businesses solve problems involving performance, risk, transactions or financial difficulty. It offers more variety than many finance careers because projects and clients regularly change.

What working in asset management means

Asset managers invest money on behalf of clients. Analysts research companies, form independent opinions and decide whether an investment could perform over the long term.

What working in sales and trading means

Sales teams work with institutional clients, while traders execute transactions and manage risk. The environment is fast-moving, competitive and closely linked to live financial markets.

What working in private markets means

Private equity invests in established businesses. Venture capital usually backs younger, higher-growth companies. Both require strong judgement when deciding which businesses are worth backing.