Undergraduate
Degrees
Certificates
Graduate
Degrees
Certificates
Industry Certification & License Prep
Emergency Management
Information Technology
Teaching and Learning
Colorado State University - Global Campus
Undergraduate
Degrees
Certificates
Graduate
Degrees
Certificates
Industry Certification & License Prep
Emergency Management
Information Technology
Teaching and Learning
Blog
The rise of automation and AI has caused the nature of work to shift, impacting industries of all shapes and sizes, and this is especially prevalent in finance.
The financial industry has gone digital in response to consumer preferences and technological advances have made it easier than ever to manage portfolios, file tax returns, and handle other financial transactions without human assistance.
However, the need for highly trained, tech-savvy financial professionals is rising rapidly, making it a great time to consider launching a career in finance. While traditional banking may be less in demand, professionals who can provide in-depth, holistic financial knowledge to individuals will be key in the future of work in financial services.
Accordingly, it’s an excellent time to think about becoming a financial advisor or starting a career as a financial analyst.
As part of our ongoing series exploring the future of work, we explore opportunities in this growing industry, explaining why you should consider studying finance, what you can do with a bachelor’s degree in the field, and whether or not getting a bachelor’s degree is really worth the trouble.
Like many other industries, the financial industry is becoming less dependent on a bricks-and-mortar building filled with workers at computers. Traditional jobs at banks — tellers, brokerage clerks, etc. — will likely be reduced by automation, but the number of jobs created by an increased need for highly trained professionals will far outweigh the jobs lost.
As in other industries, roles will become more project-based rather than based on a set number of hours worked in a specific capacity. That translates into a need for workers with skills that go beyond easily automatable tasks like data input and processing.
Instead, workers must be prepared to take on complex tasks and projects, many of which will also require soft skills — social and emotional skills like communication and relationship-building that AI is not able to replicate or replace.
The financial industry has, historically, been quick to adopt new technologies. And it’s more important than ever to continue that trend — according to Accenture, financial services companies that merely keep pace with other fast-adopting industries in their adoption of AI and human-machine collaboration can see their revenue increase by 34 percent by 2022.
For those seeking employment in the financial services world, it’s critical to evaluate a prospective employer’s commitment to technological innovation and its willingness to keep pace with — or outpace — other industries.
One of the most exciting things about the future of jobs in finance is that many of them don’t even exist yet — at least not in the way they will in the near future. According to TheNextWeb.com, future roles include titles like “finance engineer” and “sustainable (as in, environmental sustainability) wealth manager.” The financial technology (“fintech”) space will also see marked growth.
Other areas for growth include roles for highly trained professionals who can provide personalized financial guidance for individuals. According to the Wall Street Journal, labor-intensive tasks like budgeting and forecasting will increasingly be handled by AI and automation, freeing up time and energy for financial advisors to provide meaningful, data-driven insights to their clients.
There’s also a distinct need for financial advisors who are able to translate this data into meaningful stories and provide top-notch customer service.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the general “financial managers” category of jobs will see 17 percent growth through 2031. Much of this growth is dependent on tech-savvy individuals who are prepared to adapt to technological advances in the tech industry.
According to the International Monetary Fund, rapid shifts in the workplace and the financial industry necessitate life-long learning:
While a foundational knowledge of finance is critical, what’s even more important is that professionals are able to access robust, future-forward continuing education throughout their careers, especially as financial institutions continue to adopt and leverage AI and automation.
Routine duties will shift to “knowledge-based responsibilities” in the financial industry, requiring individuals to adapt and grow with technological advances and organizational goals. The future of finance is rich with possibilities for those willing to seek and create new opportunities to thrive.
If you’re looking to break into the industry, or secure your career against the change that’s set to come over the next several years, then you should certainly consider completing an online degree in finance from CSU Global.
Our B.S. in Finance, and M.S. in Finance programs are entirely worth the time they take to earn, as they’ve been designed to provide you with the relevant real-world skills you need to launch or advance your career in this competitive, rapidly-changing industry.
Each program is well-respected by industry professionals, and our Master’s program has earned exceptional rankings, including:
You can trust CSU Global to provide a high-quality education, as we are the nation’s first independent, fully accredited, 100% online state university, and both of our finance programs are regionally accredited by the HLC, while our Master’s program is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Your degree is sure to provide value in the workforce and help you secure a top position in the field, considering that CSU Global itself recently earned several excellent rankings, including:
Finally, to save time and money on the cost of your degree, we offer competitive tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee that ensures your affordable tuition won’t increase between enrollment and graduation.
To get additional details about our fully accredited, 100% online degrees in finance, please give us a call at (800) 462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.
Ready to get started today? Apply now!
