It may seem hard to find any finance jobs without a degree, but thankfully it is easier than it sounds. With the finance sector being so broad-reaching and lucrative, there are plenty of options for anyone seeking high-paying finance jobs without a degree.
You can get a finance job with a GED or no degree at all if you know where to look. While most of these are entry-level, many of them allow for upward mobility into better positions down the line. That’s why we have compiled a list of finance jobs without a degree to help you get your start in finance.
What Are Finance Jobs?
A job in finance is a job that deals primarily with money, the financial welfare of individuals, financial statements, and financial planning. Financial careers all begin somewhere, and even without a college degree or only a GED, many financial institutions have entry-level positions where you can get your start as a financial professional.
Jobs in the finance industry include bank tellers, financial planners, financial analysts, insurance agents, financial clerks, brokerage clerks, junior accounting roles, and a wide range of finance positions in investment firms.
What Do Finance Jobs Pay?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, finance and business jobs had a median annual wage of $72,250 in 2020. That’s higher than the median household income of $69,560, according to the US Census Bureau.
While there are many variables that factor into annual salaries, you are more likely to make good money working for one of the best finance companies out there. Make sure to do your research and find the best potential career paths for you in the finance industry.
What Skills Do You Need to Land a Finance Job Without a Degree?
Accounting Skills
Accounting influences all areas of the finance world. Sharpening your accounting skills by balancing your personal finances, taking online Excel courses, and using online tutorials are all great ways to boost your accounting knowledge and skills.
Financial Management Skills
Financial professionals frequently deal with the management of money and assets. Because of this, learning about financial management is a great way to gain real-world skills in the finance industry. You can take online financial management courses to get ahead of the competition.
Mathematical Skills
Gaining financial knowledge and learning and polishing arithmetic skills is a wonderful way to understand the fundamentals of finance. A great way to acquire these skills is to learn mathematical thinking. Thinking like a mathematician will help you ace your interview the next time you’re up for a finance position.
What Education Do You Need to Get a Finance Job?
You don’t need a degree to start a finance career. There are many career paths in finance. Bank tellers, bookkeepers, life insurance agents, investors, and even many entrepreneurs are all roles that exist for finance professionals. With the right attitude, skills, and training, a job in finance is attainable without an accounting degree.
Certain finance jobs require a state license. To sell insurance, for example, you may have to study and pass a licensing exam. Some forms of professional certification, such as the CPA exam, also require candidates to have a college degree in accounting. It is in your interest to learn about these barriers to getting finance jobs without a degree.
Why College Is Not for Everyone
College is a difficult undertaking for many people. The time commitment, stress, and financial burden all make college a difficult prospect. College is not for everyone, and with the advent of online bootcamps and other types of training courses, it is less necessary in today’s world.
Many of the same careers that once required a degree either no longer exist or have alternative avenues to employment. Many companies today have summer interns, temporary workers, and entry-level positions that you can apply to without a four-year degree in finance.
Can a Financial Bootcamp Help Me Get a Finance Job?
Yes, a bootcamp can help you get a finance job by helping you stay ahead of the curve. Fintech bootcamps can provide a way for students new to the field to learn popular finance programming languages, tools, systems, and frameworks, all without the expense or commitment of a traditional college.
A good finance bootcamp or course is one that teaches the fundamentals of accounting and finance. You can also find courses that focus on learning software programs commonly used in the world of finance, such as Rainmaker, Excel, and QuickBooks.
How to Get a Finance Job with a GED
Research Your Options
The first step in trying to achieve any goal is to research and understand the scope of your goal. In this case, you’ve already taken the first step and are reading this article. From here, researching potential careers, bootcamps, courses, and skills are all great ways to prepare.
Set Goals
Setting goals is usually the best way to track your progress toward a career in finance. To reach your goals, create a one-year, five-year, and 10-year plan. Set small and achievable daily, weekly, and monthly goals. You can even make a three-month plan to track your progress.
Develop Skills
One of the best ways to achieve your goals is to develop skills that will give you the confidence to stand out in the financial world. Registering for online courses, participating in bootcamps, learning accounting principles, and researching financial software are all great ways to boost your skills and get you ready for job training.
Apply for Positions
With the research done, goals set, and skills in hand, you can start applying for finance jobs without a degree. Many entry-level positions have fewer requirements than jobs that require a college degree. Keep applying and prepare yourself for interviews by practicing with friends, speaking in the mirror, and following professional tips to prepare for an interview.
Track Your Progress
If you find that you still haven’t made it yet, start asking yourself some helpful questions. Were my goals achievable and specific? Am I missing any skills? Did I do enough research? If you find that you are lacking in any of these areas, you can always go back to the top of the list and rewrite your goals.
High-Paying Finance Jobs Without a College Degree
| Job | Average Salary | Outlook |
| Financial Planner | $89,330 | 5% |
| Accountant | $73,560 | 7% |
| Financial Auditor | $73,560 | 7% |
| Claim Appraiser | $68,130 | -3% |
| Claim Adjuster | $68,130 | -3% |
| Mortgage Loan Officer | $63,960 | 1% |
| Tax Examiner | $55,640 | -4% |
| Insurance Agent | $52,180 | 7% |
| Accounting Clerk | $42,410 | -3% |
| Bank Teller | $32,620 | -17% |
Best Finance Jobs That Don’t Require an Accounting Degree: A Closer Look
Financial Planner
Financial planners help others save and invest their money and assets for the future. They assess financial risks and give financial advice to their clients. Financial planning is a difficult yet rewarding job.
Financial planners do not need a degree. In most cases, however, a degree or relevant courses are recommended. The best way to get started as a financial planner is to investigate the licenses required in your state and to register with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Fidelity and Charles Schwab are two companies that hire and offer support to financial planners who only have a GED.
Accountant
Accountants are in charge of keeping track of accounts, balance sheets, and financial statements. Many accountants specialize in tax preparation, auditing, public accounting, corporate bookkeeping, or household asset management.
Most jobs in the accounting field have state-specific requirements, and passing the CPA exam is one of the most common requirements to become an accountant. Most accounting firms prefer a degree in finance. However, some accounting firms and public accounting offices offer junior positions to those with experience and skills in the finance world.
Financial Auditor
An auditor is a special kind of accountant who examines finances for clients and looks for discrepancies. Issues like fraud, money laundering, stealing, missing funds, or mismanagement are all problems that these kinds of accountants face.
Most accountants do some form of auditing, but becoming an auditor requires much more work. Most accounting firms would like three to five years of experience and a degree in accounting. As stated earlier, however, some firms offer junior positions for those with experience only.
Claim Appraiser
Claim appraisers generally work for insurance companies. Their primary focus is on assessing the value of insured items. Some appraisers estimate the value of the items being insured, while others estimate the value of an item after it has been damaged.
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Many insurance jobs don’t require more than a high school diploma or GED. Claim appraisers need skills in communication, risk management, and risk assessment. Insurance commission requirements and the composition of licensing exams vary by state.
Claim Adjuster
Claim adjusting is the next step in the insurance claims pipeline after a claim is appraised by an appraiser. The claim adjuster adjusts the insurance payout, factoring in things like damage, age, rarity, cost of repair, and the insurance policy itself to make the final determination.
Similar to other insurance jobs, claim adjusters require a minimum of a high school degree or GED. Claim adjusters may need a background in accounting or insurance depending on the company. Many companies require extensive training and may require additional certifications beyond any state requirements.
Mortgage Loan Officer
A loan officer is a bank employee who determines the eligibility of a person or party applying for a loan. They are typically one of the more advanced roles in a bank. These financial officers typically have a college degree or several years of equivalent bank experience.
A mortgage loan officer specifically requires knowledge of financial analysis and real estate, and many institutions require postsecondary education. However, a college degree is not required. In most cases, you just need to meet the state and federal requirements.
Tax Examiner
Tax examiners, tax preparers, and tax experts are different types of tax professionals within the accounting field. Every year, according to the IRS, half of all tax filers use a tax professional to help them file their taxes.
Tax professionals usually have a degree in finance or accounting. However, some employers will hire tax examiners if they have sufficient work experience as a bookkeeper, accountant, insurance agent, or loan officer. All tax experts need to be knowledgeable in tax law, accounting practices, and changes to the tax code. They also must have excellent communication skills.
Insurance Agent
In finance, most insurance agents are life insurance agents or insurance brokers. These jobs deal with creating wealth and preparing for the future. Similar to a financial planner and insurance appraiser, insurance agents are focused on helping a client understand the value of an asset. Unlike appraisers, insurance agents are focused on growing wealth with investments.
If you want to become an insurance agent, you will probably have to take state licensing exams and meet specific state and federal yearly training. You may also have to complete company-specific product training.
Accounting Clerk
Accounting clerks and bookkeepers are a type of accountant that specializes in financial records and payroll. Even though it is generally the easiest accounting position to obtain, many of the skills, knowledge, and training are the same as those that an accountant needs.
Accounting clerks and bookkeepers generally do not require more than a high school diploma or GED. Accounting clerks may be required to take federal and state exams and training depending on the position. Many small businesses employ bookkeepers on a part-time basis or seasonally.
Bank Teller
Bank tellers and bank clerks have some of the best entry-level jobs in the finance industry. Bank teller positions typically use skills such as customer service, arithmetic, problem-solving, and critical thinking to accomplish their daily tasks.
Bank tellers typically don’t require more than a high school degree or a GED. Bank tellers are great entry-level jobs because of their place in the finance world. A job as a bank teller is a gateway to a job as a financial planner or an accountant. Becoming a bank teller is a great way to break into the field of finance.
Companies That Offer Entry-Level Finance Jobs
- Truist Bank: In 2021, SunTrust Bank and BB&T merged to become Truist Bank. With many locations moving, opening, and restructuring, there is no better time to apply to this national bank. Positions like bank tellers, loan officers, and financial planners are available.
- Bank of America: Bank of America is headquartered in Charlotte and has been around in one form or another since the early 1900s. Like Truist, it has many entry-level positions available, such as bank tellers, financial advisors, and account managers.
- Mutual of Omaha: Mutual of Omaha is a Fortune 500 insurance company based in Omaha, Nebraska. Mutual of Omaha has been opening many work-from-home positions. It is a great place to get your start in finance and insurance as an insurance agent.
- Dominion Energy: Another Fortune 500 company, Dominion Energy provides power utilities to several East Coast states. They have many tax and finance positions available without a degree such as bookkeepers, account managers, customer service representatives, and accountants.
- Verizon: Like Dominion, the wireless carrier Verizon has many unexpected positions in finance. Roles dealing with taxes, bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, and bill collecting are all potential positions at Verizon.
Where to Find Finance Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree
Job Sites
Job sites like Indeed and Upwork are great ways to find temporary or permanent work in the finance industry. Many jobs even allow users to apply from their mobile devices. Sites like Upwork also offer many temporary opportunities that allow you to add experience to your resume.
Accounting and Finance Communities
There are many accounting and finance communities on the Internet that can help you find a job. Discord servers like r/financialcareers or the Reddit community r/finance are great places to meet others who are on a financial journey or who are in the finance world already.
Community Colleges
Local community colleges are a great place to get your start in the financial industry. Many community colleges offer courses to prepare you for the many state and federal exams required for accountants, insurance workers, or tax professionals. Community colleges also offer the opportunity to get to know other professionals or participate in job fairs.
Consider a Finance Degree Later in Your Career
Just because a four-year college doesn’t make sense currently doesn’t mean that it won’t be an option in the future. A traditional college is a large time and financial commitment, and many would rather make the decision to get experience in the industry first.
Many colleges offer credit for industry experience. Since the pandemic, even more colleges offer online options. These factors allow students to start a traditional degree at their own pace, and translate job experience into college credits.
Finance Jobs Without a Degree FAQ
It is absolutely possible to get a finance job without a degree. Several jobs in the finance industry like bank tellers and insurance agents don’t require a degree. These jobs are also gateways to better positions later in your career.
You can get a job in the finance industry by applying for jobs as bank tellers or pursuing an insurance license exam. These are great first steps to obtaining several entry-level finance jobs.
The easiest job in finance is that of a bank teller. Bank teller jobs are similar to other customer-facing service jobs. The barrier to entry is low, and the hours are standardized. As a bonus, you will get to take off every bank holiday.
Finance jobs are not hard to get. Many don’t have any requirements besides on-the-job training. Several jobs have additional requirements, but many allow employees to work their way up over many years.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
