Financial management is the practice of organizing, controlling, and planning all financial matters for an individual or organization. Professionals in this field generally try to optimize amounts of available cash, measure risk associated with expansion, and manage investments so that they can generate the greatest returns with the lowest possible risk. A financial management associate is a professional who works for a firm that is hired by individuals and businesses that have need for financial consulting, but which may not have resources to hire a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Associates may function as members of a team of financial consultants and normally under the supervision of a more established financial manager. To become a financial management associate, it can be important to get an education in finance or economics and to search for an entry level position in a financial management firm.
An individual who would like to become a financial management associate normally has a background in finance or economics. In many cases, an undergraduate degree is enough to make you qualified to hold this kind of position. In more competitive job markets, such as in densely populated urban centers, a graduate degree can enable you to be a more appealing job candidate.
To become a financial management associate, it can be helpful to network with colleagues and established professionals. This is another benefit of a college or graduate education. Many programs give students opportunities to work internships at financial firms. Contacts made while performing an internship later can become references and leads. Some programs even bring job recruiters onto campus, giving students a chance to meet with potential employers.
In most cases, an individual who would like to become a financial management associate is required to compose a cover letter and resume. Even individuals who are applying for work at firms where they interned often are required to compose these documents to formalize the hiring process. A cover letter should serve as a potential employer's introduction to your interest in a position and a general overview of your skills. A resume is a more complete list of instances of educational and professional experience, including skills that were acquired through each experience.
If an employer believes that your resume is promising, he or she might call you in for a series of interviews. These interviews frequently are conducted by executives or partners who ask you questions about your experience and your interest in a position. Most employers want to know that job candidates are dedicated to their work and knowledgeable of a certain position. For this reason, it can be beneficial to study closely the values, clients, and services offered by a firm where you are interviewing.
