Actuary
Actuaries, usually working for insurance companies, use statistical methods to estimate the probability of certain events such as accidents, deaths, illnesses or loss of property. Their goal is to minimize the costs to their employers should these events occur. To work as an actuary one needs a bachelor's degrees with coursework in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, finance or economics. Actuaries earned a median annual salary of $87,210 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming an Actuary
Assessor
Assessors determine the taxes that should be paid on real properties such as a residences, commercial buildings or plots of land. They work for local governments. Minimum educational requirements are set by state assessor boards or by localities. Assessors earned a median annual salary of $47,840 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming an Assessor
Compliance Officer
Compliance officers make sure businesses and other organizations are adhering to contractual obligations, government regulations and laws and are eligible for licenses and permits. A degree isn't required to work in this field. Most compliance officers receive on-the-job training. Compliance officers earned a median annual salary of $49,750 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Compliance Officer
Financial Advisor
Financial advisors help people plan for their financial goals which may include retirement and their children's education expenses. One needs at least a bachelor's degree to work as a financial advisor but many who work in this occupation have an MBA or a master's degree in finance. Financial advisors earned a median annual salary of $68,200 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Financial Advisor
Financial Examiner
Financial examiners make sure banks and financial institutions comply with applicable laws and regulations. To work as a financial examiner one must have a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. Financial examiners earned a median annual salary of $71,750.Learn More About Becoming a Financial Examiner
Loan Officer
Loan officers help individuals and businesses obtain funds from banks and other financial institutions. A bachelor's degree in finance, economics or a related field is required to work in this occupation. Loan officers earned a median annual salary of $54,880 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Loan Officer
Real Estate Appraiser
Real estate appraisers estimate the values of real properties for the purpose of selling, mortgaging, insuring or developing them. Aspiring real estate appraisers need an associate degree, but most people working in this field have bachelor's degrees. Real estate appraisers earned a median annual salary of $47,840 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Real Estate Appraiser
Tax Examiner
Tax examiners work for government tax agencies to make sure tax returns are accurate. To work as a tax examiner one needs either a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related discipline or a combination of education and full-time work experience in accounting, auditing or tax compliance. Tax examiners earned a median annual salary of $48,550 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Tax Examiner
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ and
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/ (visited February 14, 2011).
Explore more Careers By Field or Industry
| Comparing Financial Careers | |||
| Minimum Education | License | Median Salary | |
| Actuaries | Bachelor's | must pass a series of exams | $87,210 |
| Assessor | Varies by state or municipality | certification mandated by some states | $47,840 |
| Compliance Officer | On-the-job training | none | $49,750 |
| Financial Advisor | Bachelor's | required for those who sell financial products | $68,200 |
| Financial Examiner | Bachelor's | varies by state | $71,750 |
| Loan Officer | Bachelor's | none for those working in banks or credit unions but requirements vary by state for those working for mortgage banks or brokerages | $54,880 |
| Real Estate Appraiser | Associate | state certification required | $47,840 |
| Tax Examiner | Bachelor's | none | $48,550 |
