Your Ultimate Guide to a Career in Finance.

Do you love using maths and data? Becoming an actuary could be right for you. Actuaries collect, interpret and ensure the accuracy of large amounts of data, using this data to evaluate and advise on financial risk. Many actuaries work in the insurance industry; their job is vital, completing tasks such as calculating how to cost an insurance premium. Who said insurance needs to be boring?

Actuaries require lots of training, and an apprenticeship will help get you into the mindset of continual professional development that the career thrives on. You can start an actuary apprenticeship at level 4 (Actuarial Technician apprenticeship). You can even gain a degree apprenticeship in this career path.

Accountants wear many hats – they’re responsible for keeping and interpreting financial records, managing payroll, reviewing budgets and spending, and working with auditors. Essentially, accountants paint a financial picture for their businesses. Accounting apprenticeships are among some of the highest paid in the UK – coming in at over £21,000 – and you can find a great choice in the civil service and the Big Four consultancies (Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC).

The role of a financial advisor is exactly what it says on the tin – they provide clients with specialist advice on how to manage their money. Financial advisors help their clients to meet their financial goals, such as saving, investing or reducing debt. Although many businesses and individuals use a financial advisor, the role can often be found in large companies within the finance sector, such as banks, and also in smaller specialist advice businesses.

Once qualified, you can even set yourself us as a sole trader and work for yourself.

Banking is a rapidly changing industry – have you noticed the rise in digital banks such as Monzo and Starling? Jobs in banking are broad; you could be an investment manager, a bank teller, a credit analyst and more, but they all involve helping clients with financial transactions and advising them on financial products (e.g. savings accounts and loans). You could even find yourself guiding companies on their financial goals and helping make plans to achieve them. Pretty much all UK banks offer apprenticeships – Santander, Natwest and HSBC, to name a few – and it’s a great time to join this innovative industry.

Also known as an investment advisor, a stock broker buys and sells stocks on behalf of their clients. Some stock brokers offer other services, such as advising on investment opportunities and managing their clients’ stock portfolios.

Zurich Insurance runs very popular financial apprenticeships, including in stockbroking; the process is longer and more difficult than some other schemes, so make sure you’re prepared!