What Finance Job is for You? Explanation of 14 Finance Roles from Udemy

Chris is the author of the #1 best selling business course on Udemy called "An Entire MBA in 1 Course."

This course will help you understand and choose the finance career that you are most passionate about pursuing. The course gives an explanation of 14 different finance analyst roles, including:

Investment Banking Financial Analyst Role
Venture Capital Financial Analyst Role
Hedge Fund Financial Analyst Role
Mutual Fund Financial Analyst Role
Private Equity Financial Analyst Role
Private Wealth Management Financial Analyst Role
Sell Side Research Analyst Financial Analyst Role
Sales Trader Financial Analyst Role
Buy Side Trader Financial Analyst Role
Sell Side Trader Financial Analyst Role
Large Non Finance Company Finance Analyst Role
Equity Capital Markets Financial Analyst Role
Equity Sales Financial Analyst Role
Tech / Artificial Intelligence Financial Analyst Role

Professor Chris Haroun has been profiled in Forbes Magazine and Business Insider and has raised and managed over $1bn in his finance career. He loves teaching students about real world practical concepts with no theory.

Professor Haroun has 20 years of finance analyst experience in several different finance sectors, including 5 years at Goldman Sachs, 8 years in the hedge fund industry at firms that include hedge fund giant Citadel and his own firm, 7 years in the venture capital industry (a venture firm he started had a private investment years ago in Facebook) and 4 years in the finance/tech industry at Accenture where he worked on the merger of Bank of America and Nations Bank as well as setting up an offshore bank for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. His finance work experience has been all over the world in countries that include the United States, England, Scotland, Canada, Japan, China, India and France. He has taught students in more that 160 countries and he is a well known business author of many books. His popular business book: '101 Crucial Lessons They Don't Teach You in Business School' was written up in Forbes Magazine as "1 of 6 books that all entrepreneurs need to read right now." He also has his own column in Inc. Magazine. He has met with many finance icons in his career and he profiles many of these executives in this course so you can learn and use their winning career tips/advice.

Professor Haroun also has an MBA from Columbia University where he majored in Finance.

After taking this course, students should be able to understand how many different finance roles work and have a good idea what finance role they are most passionate about.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn about 14 different financial analyst jobs and how they overlap and work together (including investment banking, venture capital, private equity, private wealth management etc.).
Investment banking: understand from a high level perspective what an investment bank is as well as what the role/job is of an investment banking financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Venture capital: understand from a high level perspective what a venture capital firm is as well as what the role/job is of a venture capital financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Private equity: understand from a high level perspective what a private equity firm is as well as what the role/job is of a private equity financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Private wealth management: understand from a high level perspective what a private wealth management firm is as well as what the role/job is of a private wealth management financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Sell side research analyst: understand from a high level perspective what a sell side research analyst’s firm is as well as what the role/job is of a sell side research financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Sales trader: understand from a high level perspective what a sales trader’s firm is as well as what the role/job is of a sales trader financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Buy side trader: understand from a high level perspective what a buy side trader’s firm is as well as what the role/job is of a buy side trader financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Mutual fund: understand from a high level perspective what a mutual fund is as well as what the role/job is of a mutual fund financial analyst, including the pros and cons.

Sell side trader: understand from a high level perspective what a sell side trader’s firm is as well as what the role/job is of a sell side trader financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Large non finance company: understand from a high level perspective what a large non finance company firm is as well as what the role/job is of a large non finance company financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Equity capital markets: understand from a high level perspective what an equity capital markets’ firm is as well as what the role/job is of a equity capital markets financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Hedge fund: understand from a high level perspective what a hedge fund is as well as what the role/job is of a hedge fund financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Equity sales: understand from a high level perspective what as equity sales’ firm is as well as what the role/job is of a equity sales financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Tech / artificial intelligence: understand from a high level perspective what a tech / artificial intelligence’s firm is as well as what the role/job is of a tech / artificial intelligence financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Learn what finance role you are most passionate about pursuing.
Show more
Show less

Learn about 14 different financial analyst jobs and how they overlap and work together (including investment banking, venture capital, private equity, private wealth management etc.).
Investment banking: understand from a high level perspective what an investment bank is as well as what the role/job is of an investment banking financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Venture capital: understand from a high level perspective what a venture capital firm is as well as what the role/job is of a venture capital financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Private equity: understand from a high level perspective what a private equity firm is as well as what the role/job is of a private equity financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Private wealth management: understand from a high level perspective what a private wealth management firm is as well as what the role/job is of a private wealth management financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Sell side research analyst: understand from a high level perspective what a sell side research analyst’s firm is as well as what the role/job is of a sell side research financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Sales trader: understand from a high level perspective what a sales trader’s firm is as well as what the role/job is of a sales trader financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Buy side trader: understand from a high level perspective what a buy side trader’s firm is as well as what the role/job is of a buy side trader financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Mutual fund: understand from a high level perspective what a mutual fund is as well as what the role/job is of a mutual fund financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Sell side trader: understand from a high level perspective what a sell side trader’s firm is as well as what the role/job is of a sell side trader financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Large non finance company: understand from a high level perspective what a large non finance company firm is as well as what the role/job is of a large non finance company financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Equity capital markets: understand from a high level perspective what an equity capital markets’ firm is as well as what the role/job is of a equity capital markets financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Hedge fund: understand from a high level perspective what a hedge fund is as well as what the role/job is of a hedge fund financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Equity sales: understand from a high level perspective what as equity sales’ firm is as well as what the role/job is of a equity sales financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Tech / artificial intelligence: understand from a high level perspective what a tech / artificial intelligence’s firm is as well as what the role/job is of a tech / artificial intelligence financial analyst, including the pros and cons.
Learn what finance role you are most passionate about pursuing.
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

A Day in the Life of a Mutual Fund Analyst

Investment Banking Financial Analyst Role

Investment Banking Overview

So you want to be an investment banker? Make sure you understand the pros and cons!

We will cover 14 different Financial Analyst roles in this course, including an overview of the role, the pros and cons as well as a day in the life. This section introduces 7 of the roles. We will cover all 14 roles throughout this course.

How much do finance professionals in hedge fund, mutual fund, investment making, sell side research and venture capital roles make?
What is the base and bonus structure?

This exercise will help you decide what financial analyst role makes most sense for you.

What is a hedge fund?
What are some of the most successful hedge

Quick disclosure: The comments on Apple, Google and GoPro are all hypothetical/ficticious comments (not real) for the exercise in the video! Thanks : )

How does the mutual fund sector differ from the hedge fund sector?
Who are the larger players

What do investment bankers What mean by conducting an "IPO Roadshow?"
What role does the investment banking Analyst play in an IPO Roadshow?

Please watch this entire section before moving on to the next section(s) of this course. An introduction to 9 other types of Financial Analyst roles (many are similar to roles we have already discussed).

This video shows how the different finance roles cooperate and overlap.

Now that you have a good idea what Financial Analyst role you are most passionate about, I am excited to say that I am going to be releasing a number of new Financial Analyst courses very soon that will focus on how to be the best Financial Analyst in many of the 14 Financial Analyst roles mentioned in this course. Examples of lectures from the courses I will be releasing soon are in the next section of this course.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores 14 distinct financial analyst roles, providing a broad overview of career options within the finance industry

Taught by Professor Haroun, who has extensive experience at Goldman Sachs and in the hedge fund and venture capital industries

Includes a survey to help learners determine which financial analyst role aligns with their interests and skills

Examines the pros and cons of each role, offering a balanced perspective to aid in career decision-making

Provides a high-level perspective of various firms, such as investment banks, venture capital firms, and hedge funds

Requires learners to watch an entire section before moving on, which may interrupt the learning flow for some students

Reviews summary

Guidance on finance career paths

According to learners, this course provides a clear and concise overview of various financial analyst roles. Many found the explanations of the 14 different finance jobs and their day-to-day activities to be very helpful in exploring career options. Students appreciate the practical, real-world perspective offered by the instructor, often citing his extensive industry experience. While the course is widely considered a good starting point for beginners or those exploring options, some reviewers noted it might be basic for experienced professionals or those seeking deep technical skills. The course is described as engaging and easy to follow.

Provides overviews, not in-depth technical training.

"While great for exploration, it doesn't go deep into the technical aspects of each role."

"Don't expect to learn 'how' to do the jobs, just 'what' they are."

"It's an overview course, which is exactly what I needed, but know it's not technical training."

"The course is high-level as described, focusing on the roles themselves."

Instructor is engaging and easy to listen to.

"The instructor is engaging and keeps your attention."

"Chris Haroun is a dynamic speaker."

"I enjoyed listening to the instructor's lectures."

Excellent starting point for exploring finance careers.

"This course is perfect for someone just starting to explore finance career paths."

"It's a great high-level introduction for beginners."

"I had very little finance background, and this course was easy to follow and understand."

"Highly recommended for those trying to figure out which finance area might be right for them."

Offers valuable real-world perspective from experience.

"The instructor's real-world experience shines through and makes the content practical."

"I appreciated the focus on practical concepts rather than just theory."

"Gaining insights from someone with extensive finance experience was extremely valuable."

"The course provides actionable insights based on the instructor's career."

Presents a clear picture of various finance roles.

"This course provided a clear and concise overview of 14 different finance jobs."

"It helps you understand the differences between roles and see a typical 'day in the life'."

"The explanations were detailed enough to give a good sense of what each role entails."

"I found the breakdown of the 14 finance roles very insightful for career exploration."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in What Finance Job is for You? Explanation of 14 Finance Roles with these activities:

Review Basic Accounting Principles

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of fundamental accounting concepts, which are essential for analyzing financial statements and understanding the roles of various financial analysts.

Browse courses on Financial Accounting

Show steps

Review key accounting equations.
Practice preparing basic financial statements.
Understand the relationship between the statements.

Read 'The Intelligent Investor'

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of investment principles and strategies, which are relevant to many of the financial analyst roles discussed in the course.

View Melania on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book cover to cover.
Take notes on key concepts.
Reflect on how these concepts apply to different finance roles.

Shadow a Finance Professional

Show steps

Gain firsthand experience and insights into the day-to-day responsibilities of a specific financial analyst role that interests you.

Show steps

Identify a finance professional to shadow.
Schedule a shadowing session.
Prepare questions to ask during the session.
Reflect on your experience and learnings.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Comparison Chart

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of the 14 finance roles by creating a visual comparison chart highlighting their key differences, responsibilities, and pros/cons.

Show steps

Choose a format for your chart.
Identify key comparison criteria.
Populate the chart with information from the course.
Review and refine your chart.

Build a Financial Model

Show steps

Apply your knowledge of financial analysis by building a simplified financial model for a company in a sector relevant to one of the finance roles discussed.

Show steps

Select a company and sector.
Gather relevant financial data.
Build the model in a spreadsheet program.
Analyze the model's output.

Read 'Liar's Poker'

Show steps

Gain a better understanding of the culture and dynamics within investment banks and trading firms, which can help you make a more informed career decision.

View Who is Government? on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book cover to cover.
Reflect on the roles and responsibilities of the individuals described.
Consider how the industry has changed since the 1980s.

Attend a Finance Networking Event

Show steps

Connect with finance professionals in various roles and learn about their experiences firsthand.

Show steps

Identify relevant networking events.
Prepare an elevator pitch.
Attend the event and network with attendees.
Follow up with contacts after the event.

Career center

Learners who complete What Finance Job is for You? Explanation of 14 Finance Roles will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst analyzes financial data, prepares reports, and provides recommendations to help companies make informed business decisions. This course provides a comprehensive overview of 14 different financial analyst roles. The course helps students understand the differences between roles such as investment banking and venture capital, as well as their pros and cons. Armed with this knowledge, you can make a much more informed decision when it comes to pursuing a career as a Financial Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Investment Banker

An Investment Banker helps companies raise capital by underwriting and selling securities, as well as advising on mergers and acquisitions. This course helps you understand what an investment bank is and the role of an Investment Banker. Crucially, this course goes over the pros and cons of being an Investment Banker. It also gives insight into a day in the life of an Investment Banker, particularly how they work on pitch books. This course may be useful when considering or starting a career as an Investment Banker.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Venture Capitalist

A Venture Capitalist provides funding to startups and emerging companies with high growth potential. The course offers an understanding of venture capital firms and the role of a Venture Capitalist. You'll understand not only the job itself, but also the environment. The course explains the pros and cons of working in venture capital. A day in the life of a Venture Capitalist is also covered. This course may prove helpful to those considering a career as a Venture Capitalist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Venture Capitalist

Hedge Fund Analyst

A Hedge Fund Analyst researches investment opportunities and provides recommendations to hedge fund managers. This course specifically discusses the role of a Hedge Fund Analyst. It helps you understand what a hedge fund is and the role it plays in the market. It also examines how the hedge fund sector differs from the mutual fund sector. By understanding the pros and cons of the role and insight into a day in the life, this course may be useful if you are considering becoming a Hedge Fund Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hedge Fund Analyst

Private Equity Analyst

A Private Equity Analyst analyzes potential investments in private companies for private equity firms. The course explains what a Private Equity firm does and the role of the Private Equity Analyst. The course also offers insight into the pros and cons of working for such a firm. By covering the specifics of a day in the life, this course helps you better understand what it might be like to work as a Private Equity Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Private Equity Analyst

Equity Research Analyst

An Equity Research Analyst researches and analyzes publicly traded companies, providing investment recommendations to clients. A large part of this course helps to inform the user about the role of the Equity Research Analyst. By covering both the sell and buy sides, this course may be helpful in helping to better understand the pros and cons of the role. By covering the day in the life of an Equity Research Analyst, the course provides valuable career insights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Equity Research Analyst

Private Wealth Manager

A Private Wealth Manager provides financial planning and investment management services to high net worth individuals and families. This course examines the role of the Private Wealth Manager and some of their key responsibilities. It helps you understand the pros and cons of working in private wealth management. You will get to understand more of the day to day work as the course explores a day in the life of a Private Wealth Manager. This course may be helpful for those considering a Private Wealth Manager role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Private Wealth Manager

Trader

A Trader buys and sells securities for a firm's own account or on behalf of clients, aiming to profit from market fluctuations. The course goes over the Buy Side Trader role at both hedge funds and mutual funds. Pros and cons are presented alongside an overview of the role. The course explores a day in the life of a trader. This course may be useful to those considering a job as a Trader.

See salaries and explore the career path for Trader

Sales Trader

A Sales Trader executes trades on behalf of institutional clients, providing market insights and trading strategies. With its discussion of the Sales Trader role, this course may be helpful for those considering the role. It provides insights into the overview of the role including its pros and cons. By exploring a day in the life it reveals more of the day to day expectations of the role. This course may be helpful for prospective Sales Traders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Trader

Portfolio Manager

A Portfolio Manager is responsible for making investment decisions and managing a portfolio of assets to achieve specific financial goals. While this course does not address the Portfolio Manager role directly, it may be useful. It may help to gain an understanding of many of the roles surrounding the Portfolio Manager. It examines in some detail the roles of analyst as well as the roles of traders. This course may be useful to those considering a job as a Portfolio Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Financial Consultant

A Financial Consultant provides financial advice and guidance to individuals and businesses on topics such as investments, retirement planning, and insurance. The course examines the various roles available in finance. It can assist you in understanding the differences between them. It is a useful foundation for learning about some financial roles, especially in the investment or wealth management field. This course may be helpful to those considering a job as a Financial Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Consultant

Management Consultant

A Management Consultant advises organizations on how to improve their performance and efficiency. Although a Management Consultant role is not directly financial, this course may be helpful. Some Management Consultants specialize in financial services. The course provides grounding in some potential financial roles. This course may be useful to those considering a job as a Management Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Business Development Manager

A Business Development Manager identifies and develops new business opportunities to increase revenue and market share. While this is not a core finance role, understanding different financial roles is crucial for anyone in business development, especially in financial services or tech companies with financial products. This course helps inform important decision-making. This course may be useful to those considering a job as a Business Development Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Real Estate Analyst

A Real Estate Analyst evaluates real estate markets and properties to provide investment recommendations. This course examines financial roles in depth, including some that handle real estate. It can provide valuable context to those considering a career in real estate. Understanding the role of a financial analyst can be useful when understanding real estate investment companies or real estate investment trusts. This course may be useful to those considering a job as a Real Estate Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Analyst

Actuary

An Actuary analyzes risk and uncertainty to help organizations make financial decisions, particularly in the insurance and pension industries. While this course does not directly discuss actuarial science, understanding different financial roles can provide valuable context. Specifically, by learning about how companies invest and manage their assets, actuaries can better understand the financial implications of their risk assessments. This course may be useful to those considering a job as an Actuary.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

What Finance Job is for You? Explanation of 14 Finance Roles

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Guidance on finance career paths

Activities

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