What finance jobs pay the most

Finance is one of the highest-paying sectors in the UK economy, and the industry draws many job seekers for precisely that reason. Finance Directors, for example, are paid an average of £99,410 per year, according to Glassdoor's anonymously submitted salary data.

While professions in Finance often require long hours and grueling days at the office during the outset, those who stick with it are rewarded with high pay and typically shorter hours as they move up the ranks. If you’re looking for a high-paying career, browse the list we’ve collated with the highest paying jobs in Finance.

Here are the best paying jobs in finance:

1. Chief Financial Officer
2. Quantitative Analyst
3. Equity Research Analyst
4. Portfolio Manager
5. Actuary
6. Tax Manager
7. Commercial Manager
8. Investment Consultant
9. Investment Banking Analyst
10. Fund Accountant
11. Investment Analyst
12. Asset Manager
13. Financial Planner
14. Investment Banking Associate
15. Financial Consultant
16. Internal Auditor

Which Type of Finance Job is Right For You?

It turns out that finance isn't just for people who were math whizzes at university. Many people working in the financial industry have backgrounds in liberal arts and humanities.

Careers in the finance industry require various degrees of quantitative knowledge and experience — some people in the industry will have a Ph.D. in data science, while others may rise to equally high pay grades through their ability to connect with clients, identify trends, and put in long hours.

Before you begin a career in the finance industry, it's important to know what your ultimate career goals are in the field, and whether you will need any additional education or certifications to reach those goals down the line.

Which Finance Jobs Pay The Most Money?

1. Chief Financial Officer

Glassdoor salary range: £72,000 - £215,000

Chief Financial Officers are typically responsible for directing the organisation's financial operations. As top-level company executives, their duties include developing and executing annual budget and spending plans. They also ensure that the company’s financial activities comply with relevant standards and regulations. This role often requires a professional and academic background in accounting, banking, or financial management.

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2. Quantitative Analyst

Glassdoor salary range: £41,000 - £131,000

Quantitative Analysts find profitable investment options while also minimising risk. They utilise quantitative methods to aid with the business and financial decisions of investment banks, hedge funds, asset managers, and private equity firms. This typically requires mathematical fluency and a field-relevant master’s degree or a Ph.D. depending on the position’s seniority level.

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3. Equity Research Analyst

Glassdoor salary range: £42,000 - £118,000

Equity Research Analysts use their in-depth knowledge of the financial market to help firms in the securities industry make informed decisions about selling, purchasing, and possessing a certain investment. This is accomplished through the development of research reports, projections, and recommendations concerning companies and stocks.

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4. Portfolio Manager

Glassdoor salary range: £32,000 - £120,000

Portfolio Managers use their strong understanding of financial investment strategies and risk management techniques to create diversified investments solutions for their clients. Their goal is to help generate profit through strategic and tactical asset allocation. Becoming a Portfolio Manager typically requires a bachelor's degree relevant to finance.

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5. Actuary

Glassdoor salary range: £41,000 - £112,000

Actuaries are typically employed by insurance companies to analyse the economic costs of risk and uncertainty. They also help businesses formulate policies that minimise the cost of that risk. In order to become fully credentialed, aspiring Actuaries need to pass a challenging series of actuarial exams.

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6. Tax Manager

Glassdoor salary range: £43,000 - £78,000

Tax Managers are in charge of preparing and filing state and federal tax documents. They also establish frameworks for tax compliance and coordinate with external advisors and various tax revenue authorities. This is a position that generally requires extensive experience with accounting and taxes and a relevant bachelor's degree.

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7. Commercial Manager

Glassdoor salary range: £33,000 - £82,000

Commercial Managers have a primary role in overseeing a company's business development efforts. They work on winning new client contracts and formulating growth strategies to help meet organisational objectives. To be successful in this role, the ability to build relationships is a must. Also, Commercial Manager roles often require a strong business acumen combined with business-related experience and higher education.

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8. Investment Consultant

Glassdoor salary range: £28,000 - £95,000

Investment Consultants generally provide advice on investment products and services. Some examples include individual retirement accounts, wealth management, and college savings accounts. In most cases, they work directly with clients to help them achieve their financial objectives. Investment experience and a finance-related degree are typically a must-have for this position.

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9. Investment Banking Analyst

Glassdoor salary range: £42,000 - £73,000

Investment Banking Analysts are responsible for raising capital for businesses and individuals. This is accomplished by issuing debt and selling equity. Investment Banking Analysts also analyse risks and provide financial advice to ensure investment profitability. The position often requires a bachelor's degree and experience in finance-related fields.

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10. Fund Accountant

Glassdoor salary range: £25,000 - £63,000

Fund Accountants manage the day-to-day accounting for their assigned mutual or institutional funds. They also analyse financial metrics, monitor security transactions, and promptly report and ensure findings comply with relevant laws and protocols. Fund accountants often need deep tax expertise and a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related fields.

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11. Investment Analyst

Glassdoor salary range: £24,000 - £80,000

Investment Analysts research and examine trends to identify high-yield, minimal risk opportunities. They also analyse business assets, earnings reports, and industry-related variables to make an informed investment recommendation. An Investment Analyst role usually requires a bachelor's degree, relevant financial certification, and financial industry experience.

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12. Asset Manager

Glassdoor salary range: £30,000 - £85,000

Asset Managers are primarily responsible for managing client assets. They study and communicate market changes that may potentially impact investment portfolios or other forms of assets. Typically, Asset Managers need a finance-related bachelor's degree and can advance to a more senior level after successful years of service and industry certifications.

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13. Financial Planner

Glassdoor salary range: £34,000 - £77,000

Financial Planners or Wealth Management Advisors utilise their expertise in regulations, best practices, and various financial products to provide support and financial guidance to their clients. They evaluate their client's financial status, create plans, and make necessary adjustments. This position typically requires a field-related bachelor's degree, college coursework from a CFP Board-registered program, and financial planning experience.

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14. Investment Banking Associate

Glassdoor salary range: £63,000 - £121,000

Investment Banking Associates are often employed by financial companies to perform client-facing duties. They manage client relationships, create a portfolio of investment opportunities, and execute strategic financial transactions to support the company's profitability objectives. A background in banking, finance, or accounting can be a solid basis for this position.

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15. Financial Consultant

Glassdoor salary range: £23,000 - £72,000

Financial Consultants have a primary duty of developing financial plans for organisations and individuals to achieve their financial objectives. In general, Financial Consultants create financial strategies, monitor the client's financial health, forecast the fiscal year, and provide advice on capital investments. To thrive in this role, you will need deep expertise in a finance-related niche along with a broad understanding of the industry as a whole.

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16. Internal Auditor

Glassdoor salary range: £25,000 - £68,000

Internal Auditors develop internal audit scope and audit plans using a systematic and disciplined approach. They evaluate organisational processes, identify opportunities for improvement or corrections, and report findings to the management. Becoming an Internal Auditor typically requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, Internal Auditor certification, and relevant professional experience.

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Finance Career Paths

A career in the Finance industry generally requires a bachelor’s degree. While majoring in fields like finance, business, economics and mathematics can help you score your initial gig and perform well there, the industry is also open to those who studied different subjects, from English to history, as long as you have some sort of quantitative background.

Some jobs in Finance require specialised licensing, such as becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Often, an MBA or related master’s degree — or even better, a Ph.D. in economics — can immediately bump up your pay prospects. While the Finance industry isn’t always known for relaxing hours and stress-free work environments, it is a place whereby putting in your time as a junior employee, you can see big payoffs in terms of both salary and reduced work hours as you advance through the ranks.