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This post was originally published in May 2022 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
There’s a general idea that you can’t start a career without schooling and that the best jobs without college degrees are reserved for apprenticeships, where extreme on-the-job learning is the only path toward successfully reaching career and financial goals. The truth of the matter lies somewhere in between.
Sure, landing jobs with a finance degree is convenient if this is your industry of choice, but it’s not the only starting point. Making the most of starter jobs could be just as beneficial when learning the ins and outs, networking, and gaining ground in the financial services industry.
If you’re wondering how to get into finance or just curious what jobs could be available without a schooling background in finance, you came to the right place.
“The Finance and Insurance sector jumped in growth from 271,000 to 296,000 in just one month’s time from February to March of 2025.”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The market for job openings in the finance and insurance industry has been on a steady incline. From February to March, open positions jumped from 271,000 to 296,000—a 9% growth in just one month. Careers in financial services were thought to have given way to technological advancements and the digital requirements preferred by clientele. However, the human element of any industry is not easily replaceable. This is why finance jobs are still flooding job boards, and organizations are on the lookout for the right talent.
Certifications are the key to landing a wide variety of roles, even for those who don’t have a college degree under their belt. The finance industry is no exception, and for those who’re interested in a career in finance, here is a selection of the best educational programs you can earn without a finance degree and that will help you land different jobs within the sector.
This program, offered by the National Financial Educators Council, combines knowledge of personal finance with education strategies. By earning it, you’ll have the credentials, credibility, and expertise to instruct others in topics such as credit, debt, budgeting, and savings to ultimately optimize their financial positions and improve their financial literacy.
This is another option for those interested in personal finance consulting. By getting certified also by The Financial Educators Council in this matter, you’ll be able to provide financial coaching services to individuals. Some of the subjects you’ll cover over the 180 hours this program lasts include financial counseling, basic behavioral aspects of coaching, and personal finances best practices.
The Internal Revenue Service offers this certification for those interested in tax-related roles. In this program, you’ll learn about individual and business taxes, as well as tax representation practices and procedures, which will allow you to represent citizens and organizations on audits and appeals before the IRS. This is arguably the highest credential given by the IRS, and it takes from three months to a year to complete.
If you’re interested in assisting and instructing individuals about retirement planning, this certification from the College for Financial Planning is your go-to. Whether you decide to complete the program through self-guided activities or by enrolling in livestream classes, you’ll learn topics related to retirement plans, income tax, estate planning, investing planning, retirement savings, benefits, and healthcare.
Those interested in trading or becoming stockbrokers should turn to this license granted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This program covers the basics of solicitation, purchase, and sale of securities products, and if you aim to enter a bank or brokerage firm, you’ll most likely be required to be a FINRA registered representative with this certification.
Getting into any industry without having the appropriate college education can seem unattainable; nevertheless, for sectors with a wide variety of jobs, such as finance, there is more than one way to make your way in, and the best part is you can do it without a degree in finance.
Although the following set of actions is not a strict step-by-step, by completing more than one or most of them, you’ll increase your chances of getting into finance without having a college education. Without further ado, here is how you can achieve it.
The most basic action is to get to know the basics of the industry. Since the finance industry encompasses different areas, such as banking, investment, insurance, etc., first, you have to understand the lingo, requirements, and basic tasks and processes of each area, and more specifically, the roles you’re interested in.
By doing so, you’ll have a clearer idea of the approach and the necessary knowledge and skills for the position.
Since obtaining a bachelor’s degree is getting more difficult, it’s becoming more usual that companies require entry-level applicants to have specific certifications, licenses, or training courses instead of a college education.
In the previous section, we mentioned only a few certifications that can ease your way into finances, but there can be others more adept to the role you’re pursuing, so make sure to research and use any video learning or online educational resource to round out your profile.
Although you’ll acquire knowledge and develop abilities necessary for the industry in courses and certification programs, there are other non-tangible skills that you should include in your resume to increase your chances of catching employers’ attention. Assertive communication, critical thinking, and conflict resolution are just a few game-changing traits that, paired with specific technical abilities, will strengthen your application.
Reaching a seasoned professional within the industry and establishing a mentorship relationship will significantly jump-start your career. From answering any career questions you may have to suggesting training programs, skills to develop, positions, and companies to ease your way into finance, mentors will positively impact your job search or career change in more than one way.
Similar to the previous point, growing your professional network strategically will open doors. You can either take action on LinkedIn or any other social platform—join finance-related groups, connect with finance professionals, or attend industry events, seminars, and alumni meetups; the final goal, in any case, is to make a rapport with people within the industry and ask for an informational interview.
Applying to a role in an unknown industry, specifically in finance, can be challenging. Nevertheless, it’s nothing too serious to become overwhelming. Highlight in your resume those skills and previous work experiences that make you a suitable candidate for a role in finance, and once you’ve scheduled an interview, make sure to prepare and practice your interview.
Keep in mind that this part of the process will be the most demanding. You’ll have to be persistent and resilient to rejection. In many applications, you’ll have to find a way to put your foot in the door to have a chance to showcase your profile to companies and HR managers, and if you feel stuck in your search, be creative to find alternative career paths that ultimately lead you to get into the finance industry.
The best finance jobs and starter careers without a degree allow you to soak up the jargon, develop your know-how, and get to know the game-changers in the industry. You’ve waited long enough, so let’s dive right in.
An accounting assistant is a support role that earns, on average, a $32.5k salary with a minimum requirement of a high school diploma and experience in similar roles. This assistant position fulfills more than maintaining files, so soft skills in organization and time management are supplemental assets to technical skills such as data analysis and bookkeeping.
Without a finance degree, certification is the best way to go and can help you get the basics down for business math, proper use of software, and help prepare you for daily responsibilities overall.
Handling customer interactions and money, a bank teller can earn an annual salary of 38.5k. Thanks to on-the-job training, learning the ropes from mentors and veteran bankers is a helpful bonus for advancing your career in finance.
At the very least, a high school diploma is required, and it’s ideal to have some experience handling money in a professional capacity. Additional coursework in mathematics and business, as well as a Bank Teller Certificate from the American Bankers Association, will help round out educational needs and practice requirements to better prepare you for the role’s expectations.
Professionals keeping track of an organization’s financial performance and records as bookkeepers earn a $42.6k salary. Requirements include, at a minimum, graduation from high school or an equivalent to a diploma.
This role has a heavy reliance on technological tools and software, so computer literacy is a must. While being trained on the particular software you’ll be using, attention to detail and communication skills will help propel your success in this finance job, regardless of whether or not you have a degree.
Payroll clerks support specialists in managing payroll processes, timesheets, transactions, and record audits. Their skills in data entry, time logging, and report generation earn them a $46.2k annual salary. The minimum requirement is a high school diploma or GED, though those with certification as payroll professionals will have better chances when it comes to hiring and salary negotiations.
This role is typically a prerequisite for becoming a Payroll Specialist, so take advantage of the knowledge passed down to you while onboarding and training on the job so that long-term financial services career goals are easier to achieve.
This last role is a bit more people-oriented rather than money-focused, but it’s still a position that’ll give you a good foundation for a lengthy career in the finance industry. An average salary of $59.8k is earned by those willing and capable of handling the good, the bad, and more often than not, irate customer interactions.
Requirements include, you guessed it, a high school diploma or GED, and roles with a specific clientele will also require on-the-job training for best practices and resources. Certifications offered either through the organization that hires you or from a third party are useful for staying up to date with software and sharpening both people and technical skills.
As it turns out, a degree in finance isn’t the only golden ticket to securing a job in the financial services industry. Degrees in Economics, Statistics, and even Computer Sciences aren’t far off the money train track and are highly coveted in the world of finance. There are also invaluable interpersonal skills like problem-solving, teamwork and collaboration, adaptability, and communication skills that make potential employees more desirable when an educational background is lacking.
If you want to get down to the nitty-gritty of careers in finance, start by learning what’s needed for the role you’re aiming for. The technical and soft skills, types of connections, and certificates or mentorships that’ll give you an edge over competing job-seekers once you apply. And when you’re ready to make your move, reach out to a gpac recruiter to see what’s available and how you can leverage their services in your favor.
Find below some of the most interesting frequently asked questions about jobs in finance you can land without a college degree.
Several roles offer competitive salaries without needing college education in finances. Positions such as bookkeepers, loan officers, accounting assistants, financial clerks, and bank tellers only require applicants to have certifications or experience.
Certifications like the CFA Institute Investment Foundations, FINRA Series 7 & 63, or bookkeeping credentials (like CPB) are excellent ways to validate your knowledge and get noticed by employers.
Although formal finance education is preferred by some employers, many companies are prioritizing skills, experience, and results over a college degree, especially for entry- and mid-level finance positions where soft skills and certifications carry real weight.
Roles like billing specialist, accounts receivable clerk, junior financial analyst, or bank teller are great starting points for career changers, as they offer hands-on learning and paths for growth without needing a diploma.
Both are important, but experience usually carries more weight for most employers. That being said, certifications can open doors if you’re starting from scratch and help prove your dedication and competency for the role.
While it’s rare, it’s not impossible. You’ll need to demonstrate exceptional skills, build a strong network, and ideally gain certifications or internships to prove you can handle the pressure and demands of the role.
Contributed by Mary Dominguez & Luis Arellano
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