Highest Paying Jobs in Finance: Finance covers managing money for people, companies, and governments. Finance jobs involve planning budgets, advising on money, investing, and analyzing finances. Some high paying finance jobs need advanced degrees and certifications. But many lucrative careers just require a bachelor’s degree and experience.
What Do Finance Jobs Pay?
Finance salaries vary based on location, experience, education, and employer. Entry level roles may pay $40,000 to $60,000 per year. With experience, finance pros can earn over $100,000 annually. The top paying jobs offer $130,000 to $250,000 or more.
Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in Finance
Here are 20 of the highest paying finance jobs:
1. Chief Financial Officer
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the top finance person at a company. They oversee all financial operations, planning, reporting, and strategy.
Responsibilities
- Financial reporting and compliance
- Budgeting, forecasting, analyzing finances
- Managing cash flow and investments
- Controlling risks and internal controls
- Strategic financial planning and decision making
Salary: $130,000 to $250,000+
2. Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) provide accounting services like tax prep, auditing, and consulting. Getting CPA certification requires passing exams, education, and licensed work experience.
Role: CPAs help businesses track income and expenses, comply with regulations, minimize taxes, and identify financial risks.
Specializations: Auditing, taxes, advisory services, forensic accounting
Salary: $90,000 to $160,000+
3. Risk Manager
Risk managers identify, evaluate, and develop strategies to minimize financial risks to an organization. This includes investment, operational, regulatory, cybersecurity, and other risks.
Responsibilities
- Identifying potential risks through data analysis
- Assessing likelihood and impact of risks
- Developing risk mitigation strategies and policies
- Monitoring emerging risks and adjusting plans
Salary: $60,000 to $150,000
4. Internal Auditor
Internal auditors analyze operations and processes for compliance, accuracy, and effectiveness. They assess records, controls, fraud risk, and regulation adherence.
Audit Responsibilities
- Assessing accuracy of financial statements
- Testing internal controls
- Identifying deficiencies or non-compliance
- Recommending improvements
Importance: Internal audit findings can identify weaknesses compromising financial reporting accuracy. Their recommendations help organizations enhance controls and governance.
Salary: $40,000 to $75,000
5. Treasurer
Corporate treasurers oversee cash management and investments to optimize returns and ensure adequate liquidity. They manage all cash inflows and outflows while mitigating financial risks.
Responsibilities
- Investing excess cash, monitoring investment performance, reporting on holdings
- Ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of all assets
Role: Treasurers forecast cash flow needs and shifts in liquidity. They advise management on maintaining optimal cash flow and resolving deficits.
Salary: $60,000 to $75,000+
6. Controller
Controllers direct all accounting operations including reporting, budgeting, payroll, taxes, and compliance. They analyze data to advise management on business strategy.
Responsibilities
- Ensuring spending follows budgets and regulations
- Implementing expenditure recording controls
- Computing tax liabilities and managing filings to avoid penalties
- Communicating complex financial data to executives
Salary: $30,000 to $105,000+
7. Tax Manager
Tax managers oversee tax preparation, planning, and compliance for companies and individuals. They research codes, minimize liabilities, and assemble required filings.
Responsibilities
- Tax planning and research to minimize liabilities
- Preparing returns for federal, state, and local taxes
- Representing clients in tax audits and appeals
- Advising management on tax implications of decisions
Job Outlook: Tax specialty is in high demand as tax codes grow increasingly complex globally. U.S. unemployment among tax pros is less than 2%.
Salary: $60,000 to $105,000+
8. Credit Manager
Credit managers control lending and collections to minimize losses. They oversee credit policies and assess customer creditworthiness.
Role
- Limiting financial risks by only extending credit to qualified applicants
- Preserving company resources by collecting on delinquent accounts
Responsibilities
- Reviewing customer payment history and debt levels
- Adjusting credit limits based on updated financial data
Salary: $65,000 to $100,000
9. Operations Manager
Operations managers maintain efficiency and profitability of daily financial processes and accounting functions. They oversee planning, reporting, controls, and staff management.
Responsibilities
- Coordinating activities between departments
- Implementing new processes and systems
- Compiling data for financial statements and forecasts to evaluate performance
- Analyzing trends and recommending operational adjustments
Salary: $60,000 to $100,000
10. Accountant
Accountants prepare and examine records while ensuring compliance with regulations and standards. They analyze data to provide insights on monetary outcomes and operational efficiency.
Responsibilities
- Producing financial statements and reports detailing financial position and activity
- Identifying issues through data analysis
- Advising management on profit maximization and cost control
Salary: $60,000 to $75,000
11. Administrative Assistant
Administrative assistants provide clerical support to finance departments. They assist with organization, documentation, and communication tasks.
Responsibilities
- Maintaining files, preparing documents, organizing data, scheduling meetings
- Other administrative duties
Salary: $35,000 to $55,000
12. Insurance Underwriter
Insurance underwriters evaluate applicant risk to determine appropriate coverage and premiums. They assess financials, medical history, and other factors.
Role
- Establishing eligibility criteria and coverage limitations when developing products
- Minimizing unprofitable accounts through risk classification
Salary: $45,000 to $120,000
13. Hedge Fund Manager
Hedge fund managers oversee portfolios for high net worth investors and institutions. They implement strategies aimed at generating significant returns through sophisticated risk management.
Responsibilities
- Investment research and security analysis
- Developing strategies based on market conditions
- Executing timely trades aligned with fund goals
- Marketing offerings to recruit investors
Requirements: Expert finance knowledge and analytical skills. Performance depends on strategic expertise.
Salary: $80,000 to $530,000+
14. Financial Advisor
Financial advisors provide personalized investment and money management advice based on client needs and goals. They develop and manage portfolios while monitoring performance.
Responsibilities
- Assessing risk appetite, time horizon, and goals before making recommendations
- Constructing portfolios across assets to balance risk and returns
Salary: $40,000 to $100,000
15. Credit Analyst
Credit analysts evaluate borrower creditworthiness to determine repayment likelihood. Lenders use this analysis to decide on financing terms and approval.
Responsibilities
- Examining income, debts, payment history, assets/collateral to gauge default risk
- Helping lenders model expected returns and set interest rates
- Projecting future lending capacity
Salary: $40,000 to $70,000
16. Private Equity Analyst
Private equity analysts research and perform due diligence on potential company investments. Their analysis informs acquisition decisions and portfolio management.
Responsibilities
- Screening for undervalued or distressed companies with investment potential
- Modeling financials and valuations to determine opportunities
- Preparing investment recommendations and presentations
- Monitoring portfolio performance
Salary: $65,000 to $115,000
17. Loan Processor
Loan processors gather documentation, run credit checks, and prepare loan packages for underwriting. They ensure complete applications before approval.
Responsibilities
- Verifying information, evaluating eligibility, compiling paperwork
- Routing compliant packages for approval
- Assisting sales and customers throughout the process
Salary: $35,000 to $50,000
18. Insurance Adjuster
Insurance adjusters investigate claims and determine settlement amounts after accidents or disasters. They inspect damage, assess coverage, and negotiate payouts.
Responsibilities
- Determining if claimed damages align with policy terms
- Authorizing fair settlement amounts based on assessment findings
- Potentially visiting incident sites, interviewing witnesses, consulting reports
Salary: $35,000 to $70,000
19. Mortgage Loan Originator
Mortgage loan originators meet with home buyers, take applications, and assist through closing. They collect paperwork, initiate credit checks, and coordinate appraisals.
Responsibilities
- Assembling complete packages, coordinating approvals, disclosing terms
- Guiding applicants through closing
- Consulting on financing options, coordinating with advisors and lenders
Salary: $45,000 to $100,000
20. Investment Banking Analyst
Investment banking analysts conduct research and model potential investments in companies, stock offerings, and acquisitions. Their analysis supports deals and transactions.
Responsibilities
- Modeling performance to determine investment potential and aid negotiations
- Summarizing findings in presentations to inform decisions
- Researching companies, industries, markets, and trends to assess risks and opportunities
Salary: $60,000 to $120,000
Conclusion
Finance offers some of the highest paying careers, especially for those with specialized education, credentials, and experience. Many high earning roles exist across industries and require expert analysis, research, forecasting, and communication skills. The top salaries go to seasoned professionals who strategically manage high value accounts and transactions. With the right expertise and persistence, a finance career can lead to a six-figure income.
