Consumer service is a vast thriving sector with numerous career opportunities ranging from retail and hospitality to online services. Finance consumer service professionals work with customers or end consumers. These professionals’ services are needed within trading platforms, loan companies, banks, and fintech firms. If you’re searching for a career in finance consumer services and want to know what the jobs in this field entail, this career path guide is for you.
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Finance Consumer Services & Remote Jobs
A 2017-2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics survey revealed that 25% of American workers could work remotely, with 57% of the respondents coming from the financial sector. Remote working is not new in the financial industry as more industries hire remote financial consumer service experts. You can get the best paying jobs in finance consumer services as a remote worker.
Can I Have A Thriving Career In Finance Consumer Services?
One of the frequently asked questions is whether FSC is a rewarding career. So, is finance consumer service a good career path? Are there opportunities to grow your career remotely as a finance consumer service provider? Yes, the bank downtown or that reputable online lending platform is looking for you. Also, combining consumer services and finance is a plus for you because of the crucial communication skills you gain. These skills can open more doors of opportunities for you within the consumer services world.
What Do Finance Consumer Services Experts Do?
The field of finance has become an integral career path for many professionals, thanks to rapid technological advancements. This field has a package of career opportunities if you’re willing to pursue it. Here are some of your core responsibilities as an FCS:
- Help consumers learn money-saving tips
- Simplify banking procedures for consumers
- Safeguard customer’s privacy
- Assist consumers in planning and getting ahead financially
- They offer information on financial services and products
- Protect customers from deceptive and unfair practices
- Provide responsive customer care needs
- Resolve issues that consumers have with their banking accounts
Career Opportunities In Finance
Choosing a career involves weighing different options and thoughtful decision-making to avoid regrets. So, how many jobs are available in finance consumer services? Finance consumer services offer vast, remote career opportunities, including the following;
1. Financial Analyst
The work of a financial analyst is a rewarding but challenging career. Your key responsibilities as a financial analyst include supporting organizations in executing elaborate financial analyses that assist them in decision-making processes.
Companies depend on financial analysis when making short and long-term decisions and planning to stir them. You will analyze the company’s financial statements, present clear and concise data, and recommend ways to improve business operations.
- Companies hire remote financial analysts with the following qualifications and skills;
- Diploma or degree in a finance-related field
- Strong math skills with the ability to interpret complex financial documents
- Excellent communication skills
- Certified Public Accountant
- Self-driven persons with the ability to work under pressure
- Knowledge of economic development theories, accounting principles, investments, and taxation laws
- 5 to 9 years of experience working in a bank or investment firm is an added advantage
Companies will hire you remotely to undertake their financial tasks if you possess these skills. The national average salary for a remote financial analyst is $72,447 annually.
2. Customer Care Service
Companies are shifting from outsourcing their customer service roles to building a remote customer service team. More consumers are turning to online inquiries through live chats, emails, and website ticketing systems, reducing the need to keep customer service in a room cubicle with phones.
These companies have embraced a work-from-anywhere policy by hiring a remote customer care service team to reduce operation costs and staff turnover. Some of the skills you need as a remote customer care service provider include;
- A degree in finance, communication, and relevant field
- Finance and accounting domain knowledge if you deal with banking services
- Ability to respond to customer needs concisely
- Knowhow of accounting software
- Excellent communication skills
- Analytical problem-solving skills
- Relevant experience
Your hourly rates as a customer care service provider start from an average of $15.66 and increase to the ceiling with experience. The rates also depend on the company that hires your remote services and client standards. For instance, you’re likely to earn more if you work for high-end financial institutions than your counterparts in local banking.
3. Risk Analysts
Companies also hire risk analysts as remote finance consumer services experts. Your role as a risk analyst is to assist firms in managing financial risks through analyzing risk data and suggesting the best management recommendations. Here are the skills you need to pursue a financial risk analyst career;
- A degree in finance and related field
- Certified Public Accountant
- Excellent mathematical skills
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to interpret complex finance data
- Work under pressure with minimum supervision
- Experience in the finance industry
- Excellent communication skills to explain financial jargon using precise terms
- Desire to work in a highly innovative environment
The risk analyst profession is one of the best-paying jobs in finance consumer services online. The average salary is $79,730 annually but varies depending on your experience level or expertise.
4. Credit Controllers
A credit controller is another lucrative remote career path for you in the finance consumer services sector. Companies will hire you to assist them in managing debts. Your key responsibilities include overseeing all debts owed to your organization from current creditors and managing new credit requests.
You work remotely and report to the company’s chief accountant and work closely with them to deliver efficient and accurate credit control services. Evaluation of new credit requests includes reviewing credit ratings to determine whether a debt is worth allowing credit and suggest credit limits. Companies depend on your services to stir their financial functions ahead.
- Here is a summary of your responsibilities as a credit controller expert;
- Be involved in collecting and managing your organization’s debts
- Evaluate new credit requests
- Reviewing the client’s creditworthiness
- Following up on upcoming payments
- Negotiating and stabling re-payment plans
- Responding to customer inquiries
- Process and reconcile invoices
- Preparation of relevant client statements and providing updates
The following are essential requirements to pursue a credit controller career;
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, mathematics, accounting, or other relevant fields
- Work experience
- Excellent knowledge of the legal complexities of loans, interest rates, and payment plans
- Proficiency in office software and accounting
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to withstand pressure and patience in dealing with problematic customers
- Self-driven and able to work under minimum supervision
The average annual salary for a credit controller is $55,854. The salary increases depending on your experience level, the company you’re working for, and the demands of your current responsibilities.
5. Financial Advisor
A financial advisor, also known as a financial consultant is a rewarding career with remote job opportunities. Your key responsibilities include guiding or advising individuals and businesses on best financial and investment plan practices. Here’s a summary of your duties in the field;
- Have individual and in-depth conversations with clients to establish their income, financial objectives, expenses, risk tolerance and assets
- Advise the clients appropriately on products and services, including investments, debt management tools, and insurance coverage
- Assist customers in securing bonds and stocks and establish a progressive savings account
- Research on current financial market trends and advise clients
- Use industry regulations to move money from accounts
- Assist clients in complying with financial industry rules and regulations
- Prepare relevant financial documents, including investment projects and income projections
Financial advisors utilize vast soft skills and immense industry expertise to help customers navigate their financial goals and improve business. The relevant skills you need in this field include;
- A degree in finance, accounting, and other relevant fields
- Understanding of federal regulations, industry, and employer needs
- Familiarity with insurance, securities, and mutual fund industries
- Knowledge of financial options such as loans, stock, investments, and savings account options
- Ability to interpret and explain financial data
- Analytical and critical thinking skills to assess client needs
- Proficiency in databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and financial planning software
- Excellent communication skills
- Patience with customers and good organization skills
Pursuing a career as a financial advisor will earn an average annual salary of $68,556. This salary can increase to a ceiling of $90,000 depending on your experience, the company you’re working for, and the nature of your responsibilities.
Different Jobs In Consumer Services
Consumer services offer a rewarding career path, especially if you’re passionate about serving others. There’re vast consumer services with a unique set of opportunities and challenges. These consumer services range from social work, law, marketing, and accounting, and each offers an opening to a successful career. It’s advisable to pick a consumer services job that you’re passionate about when planning for your career. Career opportunities include but are not limited to the following;
- Administrative support
- Legal services
- Business management
- Information technology
- Retail and sales shopping
- Finance and Accounting
- General office support such as cleaning
- Healthcare consumer services
- Human resources and benefits
- Education and tutoring services, among others
What’s The Future Of Remote Consumer Services Jobs?
We’ve always wondered how technological innovations will influence the future of the industries, including the field of finance consumer services. Will chatbots undermine human resources’ role in consumer service roles? Phasing out human resources and replacing them with chatbots is not a simple undertaking that can happen overnight. Chatbots can’t establish the connection that human beings achieve in consumer services. Consumers prefer human experts answering their questions more than auto-generated responses from chatbots.
What Are Benefits Available For Remote Finance Consumer Services?
You have an excellent career in finance consumer services because of the following benefits;
- Flexible working schedules
- Increased income because of reduced commuter and related expenses
- Increased job security
- Higher work satisfaction and reduced anxiety
- More opportunities to enrol for courses to advance your career
- Good work and life balance
- Paid holidays and sick leaves
- Medical and dental insurance covers
Consumer Services Career Advice
Are you looking forward to having a successful career in consumer services? It’s important to choose a job that you enjoy doing. Check these tips to assist you in finding the best job;
Look for jobs matching your skills and experience. You will derive satisfaction when you settle for a job that offers what you want. Avoid choosing a job that you don’t enjoy.
Check out local newspapers and online recruitment sites for new job postings. These sources offer information on industrial requirements and what potential employers expect from you.
Continue sharpening your skills. Many online sources provide materials and information to enrich your career path for free, thanks to technology. Utilize these websites to sharpen your skills to enrich your job hunting mission.
Is Finance Consumer Service A Career For You?
We’ve shown you the vast career path and opportunities for you within the finance consumer services sector. You agree that a promising career is waiting for you in this field. The bottom line is that you have to be good in the game of numbers and possess excellent analytical and communication skills, among other key skills, to become the top talent in the industry. Take your time to sharpen your skills and search for your most preferred job.