What education is needed to become a finance specialist?

Once a person has their bachelor's degree, they will need to obtain all needed industry licenses and certifications. These may vary, and some may take more time than others.

Where you work and the level of services you provide clients will determine which licenses and certifications you need to become a financial specialist.

Some common required certifications and licenses include the following:

• Securities Industry Essentials exam

• Series 6: Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Qualification Examination (IR)

• Series 7: General Securities Representative Qualification Examination (GS)

• Series 63: Uniform Securities State Law Examination

• Series 65: Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination

• Series 66: Uniform Combined State Law Examination

Some employers prefer job candidates with a master's degree in finance or a Master of Business Administration (MBA). MBA students can typically choose a specialization in finance.

Graduate-level finance programs typically last one to two years and may include courses in accounting, economics, and managerial finance. Earning an advanced degree may increase career advancement opportunities and job prospects.

A person's first job will often be a junior position, even with these needed qualifications. The employer you start with should provide in-depth, on-the-job training, often under a senior employee, to help the new financial specialist understand the various nuances of the role that can only be learned by doing the job.