Making a break into a new career is not easy. But it isn’t impossible either!What is Finance?As a traditional profession, finance is a popular career choice. It offers good reward in salary and choice is varied. Spanning numerous career routes, professionals include accountants, bankers, insurance specialists and actuaries. A job in finance isn't just complex mathematics. In today's world, business understanding is paramount if you want to go far. Put it this way, if you can communicate effectively with departmental managers, understand their business needs and provide them with sound financial advice you are in the right job!What qualifications do I need to work in Finance?With so many different areas of finance, there are unsurprisingly many qualifications. Working in general transaction processing areas such as Accounts Payable and accounts receivable do not require a specific professional qualification. The AAT is a good qualification that will give you an understanding of these practices and theory behind it though it is not compulsory to hold this.To be involved in detailed accounting such as statutory accounting, insolvency and investment, and ultimately to be able to sign off final accounts you will need to have an approved qualification to do so. The main ones in the UK for accountancy are the following:Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI)Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)There are other qualifications in Finance such as the CFA if you wanted to pursue a career as a Chartered Financial Analyst. For further information, contact your nearest Page Personnel Finance Consultant who can tell you where to start.Learn more about the type of skills that will stand you in good stead in your finance career.To start discussing your finance career, get in touch with your local Page Personnel Finance office.FinanceLinksAbout usSalary comparison toolOur serviceTestimonialsCredit control recruitmentBrowse for jobsInsight and adviceHow to implement a diverse and inclusive recruitment process in financeThe implications of inflexible skill set expectations in financeHow CVs are evolving in the finance sector View more