If you have a banking app on your phone or use Venmo to split a dinner bill, you use financial technology or fintech. Financial services firms use technology to complete transactions, store data, and interact with customers. Fintech jobs create and refine these systems. In some roles, analysts use data to evaluate product performance and improve profitability.
Working in this fast-growing industry requires a range of technical skills and knowledge of financial products. You’ll also need soft skills to help you work with teams across the company and keep up with evolving technology and changing regulatory requirements. Other important qualities include flexibility and the ability to improvise.
Educational requirements vary by position, but software development skills will give you a competitive edge. Employers also value professional experience, including an internship. Some roles may also require a financial background or experience working in the finance sector, though you can often begin with an entry-level finance role and move into a more advanced role later.
In this article, we’ll go into more detail on the job requirements for today’s top fintech jobs. Read on to find out which jobs match your skill set and level of expertise. You may just come across the perfect job.
1. Insurance product manager
Average salary: $97,828 per year
Product managers are responsible for the strategy and vision of insurance products, leading the entire product lifecycle from conception to launch. They oversee product development with the customer experience in mind, determine pricing, forecast future needs, and analyze competition. They play a strategic and tactical role within a company, ensuring the product achieves its business goals and maximizes return on investment (ROI).
Qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree in business, management, or a related field
- Five to seven years working in product management, business, or technology
Skills:
- Leadership
- Research and analysis
- Coding
2. Accounting manager
Average salary: $119,682 per year
An accounting manager oversees and manages an organization’s accounting operations. They lead the entire financial process, from developing and implementing accounting policies and procedures to analyzing financial data and preparing financial statements. In this role, you’ll likely collaborate with other departments and senior management, supervise a team of accountants, ensure regulation compliance, and provide insights to support decision-making.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
- Certified public accountant (CPA) credentials (for some roles)
- Five years of experience as an accountant or auditor
Skills:
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Leadership
- Understanding of GAAP and IFRS standards
- Familiarity with governmental financial and tax regulations
3. Blockchain developer
Average salary: $129,179 per year
A blockchain is a digital ledger shared across many sites or institutions. Its records, or blocks, securely link together to create a permanent record that can’t be altered. Originally used primarily by cryptocurrency startups, blockchain technology is now used by many other leading financial institutions.
There are two primary types of blockchain developers: core developers and application developers. While core developers design and maintain the architecture of blockchain systems, create the system protocols, supervise the network, and develop security patterns, app developers (software developers) build apps that work with blockchain platforms.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, information technology, or a related field
Skills:
- Problem-solving and analysis
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Programming languages like Java or Python
- Networking concepts
- Experience with web application development networks
- Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) expertise
4. Quantitative analyst
Average salary: $133,352 per year
A quantitative analyst uses data to help companies with business development. They identify profitable investments and reduce risk. In this role, you might perform financial analysis for an investment bank, stock brokerage, or wealth management firm. Some quantitative analysts create algorithms that set triggers for electronic trading to buy or sell stocks.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in economics, finance, statistics, or math
Skills:
- Computer programming
- Analysis
- Math
5. DevOps engineer
Average salary: $119,350 per year
DevOps stands for “development and operations.” These can include engineers and IT professionals who ensure a business’s operations systems perform efficiently. They work with development and operations teams to update software and troubleshoot issues to provide the best user experience. New grads can gain experience for this role by starting as a software developer, engineer, or computer programmer. These job titles will look great on your resume if you ever want to upgrade to a DevOps engineer role.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, computer engineering, or information systems
Skills:
- Critical thinking
- Active listening
- Collaboration
- Leadership
- Communication
6. Software developer
Average salary: $88,385 per year
Software developers write code to create the software or programs we use on our smart devices and computers. They also test and monitor these applications and design upgrades. They may also create operating systems, like Windows or macOS, that run other hardware and software.
Tasks might involve back-end development (focused on servers and databases) or front-end development (such as creating user interfaces or working on websites). Software developers need technical skills and creative-thinking skills to design apps that look good and are easy to use.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering or certifications in coding programs specific to the role
- Three to five years of experience creating and implementing software projects
Skills:
- Attention to detail
- Ability to multitask
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Communication
7. User experience (UX) designer
Average salary: $95,548 per year
UX designers apply their understanding of customer behaviors to make technology easy and enjoyable. Those working in the fintech sector must also understand financial services and regulations to help design user interfaces for things like online banking services, cryptocurrency exchanges, and insurance applications.
Qualifications:
- Associate degree in web or graphic design, bachelor’s degree in a technology discipline, or completion of a UX boot camp
Skills:
- Knowledge of financial products and regulations
- Understanding of user-centered design/UX or UI design principles
- Creative problem-solving
- Design software, such as Adobe Creative Suite or Adobe XD
- Creating wireframes
8. Sales representative
Average salary: $94,184 per year
Fintech sales reps sell financial technology products or services to consumers or businesses. Some examples of fintech products they might sell include a banking app that lets you upload a check with a photo or software that allows you to pay for goods and services with your phone. In this role, you might also sell software as a service (SaaS) tools like Microsoft Office.
Sales reps connect to clients online or in person, making strong communication skills important. They also seek out new sales leads, schedule meetings, and give presentations about company products. Strong interpersonal skills help sales reps maintain positive relationships with current and potential customers, and an entrepreneurial mindset will help them independently drive sales.
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or economics is preferred but may not be needed
Skills:
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Interpersonal
- Selling
- Communication
9. Finance manager
Average salary: $128,324 per year
A finance manager maintains a company’s health by overseeing its financial departments. This role includes maintaining compliance with laws related to finance, managing financial reporting, and assessing the company’s financial health. This is a management position and is not considered entry-level. New grads can work up to this position from lower-level roles for finance majors, such as accountant, securities sales agent, or loan officer.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
- Five years or more in a financial role, like accountant or financial analyst
Skills:
- Attention to detail
- Knowledge of financial strategy
- Interpersonal skills
10. Information security analyst
Average salary: $88,390 per year
An information security analyst protects a company’s computer networks and data. This role may involve assessing security risks, implementing security controls, and keeping virus protection systems up to date.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the employment of information security analysts will grow 35% from 2021 to 2031. That’s much faster than the national average, meaning this line of work will likely have steady demand and lots of opportunities for years to come.
While this role typically requires a bachelor’s degree, you may be able to land one with an associate degree. You can also obtain an edge over the competition by getting certified as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, information technology, or a related field
Skills:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Analysis
- Problem-solving
- Risk assessment
Which fintech companies are hiring on Handshake?
These days, you don’t have to live in a major city or tech hub like New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, or San Francisco to work in fintech. Demand for fintech workers is high, and some roles — like blockchain developer — are expanding rapidly. That means you can also find plenty of on-site, remote, full-time, and part-time roles for any skill set and level of expertise.
Now that you’re on your way to becoming a world-class fintech professional, kickstart your fintech career with Handshake. Make a profile on our hiring platform, set up job alerts, and let interested employers start rolling in.
Sources:
- https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/insurance-product-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/accounting-manager-salary
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Blockchain-Developer-Salary
- https://www.indeed.com/career/quantitative-analyst/salaries
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/how-much-does-devops-engineer-make
- https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/software-developer-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm
- https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/user-experience-designer-salary-SRCH_KO0,24.htm
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Fintech-Sales-Salary
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/finanace-manager-salary
- https://www.indeed.com/career/information-security-analyst/salaries
- How to Become a Security Analyst in 2023 (cybersecurityguide.org)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
