The future of finance careers is being reshaped by technology, artificial intelligence and blockchain at an unprecedented pace. Traditional roles in banking, accounting and trading are evolving, while new FinTech-driven jobs are emerging. As automation takes over repetitive tasks, finance professionals must adapt by combining financial expertise with technology skills to stay relevant in a rapidly changing global economy.
Why Finance is Important
“Banking is necessary, banks are not”, Bill Gates pointed out 25 years ago. He may have well extended his profound insight into all areas in Finance – trading is necessary, brokers are not; accounting is necessary, accountants are not. And with blockchain threatening to take over financial transactions, the ultimate money is necessary, but money handlers are not.
How Technology Is Reshaping the Finance Industry
Technology dominates the world of finance today.
Be it PolicyBazaar, Mobikwik, InCred or MoneyTap, some of the fastest-growing startups today are FinTech companies creating easy online access to financial tools. The simple message for young people aspiring to build a career in finance is clear — get familiar with technology.
Finance Jobs That Technology Has Already Disrupted
Technology has made many finance jobs obsolete over the last twenty years, including the bank teller and even the friendly neighbourhood stockbroker.
Most financial trading today is led by computers in data centres instead of noisy trading floors. Over 70% of stock trading on Wall Street and nearly 50% on Dalal Street is computer-led.
Over 6,000 stockbrokers and nearly 25,000 sub-brokers have shut shop in the last five years, according to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), as retail investors increasingly prefer online trading and discount broking platforms like Zerodha that offer near-zero commission trading.
Is Accounting the Next Casualty of Automation?
Accounting is possibly the next prey to the technology tsunami.
Accounting software like Zoho Books and QuickBooks has already taken over routine bookkeeping tasks such as payroll, invoicing and audits. AI-led accounting platforms like Xero and Intuit can now handle judgment-based tasks, including bank reconciliations, invoice categorisation and risk assessment — reducing human error and fraud.
How Blockchain Is Transforming Banking and Financial Transactions
Bankers are another potentially endangered species, with blockchain technologies sweeping across the developing world.
Blockchain allows individuals to conduct secure financial transactions across borders. A decentralised network of computers verifies each transaction block, making it binding on all parties. This enables asset transfers, crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending — all without the intervention of traditional banks.
Are Finance Professionals Becoming Obsolete?
Does this mean accountants, bankers, brokers and traders are headed towards extinction?
Experts disagree. Technology does not make people redundant. Instead, it frees professionals from repetitive tasks and elevates their roles to higher levels of strategic thinking and relationship management.
As ATMs dispense money, apps transfer funds, blockchains secure transactions, and algorithms trade stocks, the finance professional of the future focuses on strategy, customer acquisition, algorithm design and structuring high-value financial deals.
Finance Careers That Will Thrive in the Future
Here’s a look at finance careers expected to boom in the coming decade:
Strategic Financial Analysts
Professionals who analyse financial statements generated by AI-powered accounting tools to identify business strengths, risks and growth opportunities.
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Technology and Digital Transformation Managers
Experts who help organisations leverage new technologies, manage digital transformation initiatives and deliver superior online customer experiences.
App Developers in FinTech
Software professionals who design and enhance applications that help users access loans, trading advice and investment opportunities with ease.
Cybersecurity Professionals in Finance
Specialists who combine analytical skills and creativity to identify and prevent security breaches in financial systems and platforms.
Financial Services Sales Professionals
With rising competition for consumer attention, sales professionals who understand human behaviour and decision-making remain invaluable — an area where AI still struggles.
Portfolio Managers and Investment Advisors
Modern successors of traditional stockbrokers, offering tailored investment strategies to companies and high-net-worth individuals based on risk appetite and return goals.
Investment Bankers and Deal Makers
Professionals who help companies raise capital, attract strategic investors, go public or facilitate mergers and acquisitions. Financial deal engineering continues to be a high-value skill.
Data Scientists in Finance
Experts who analyse large datasets to uncover patterns — predicting stock movements, identifying investment opportunities or optimising digital payment platforms.
Related Article: Future-Proof Careers – How Students Can Choose Smart, Meaningful Paths
Blockchain Developers and Crypto Specialists
Countries like Dubai, Estonia, Georgia and Mauritius have already adopted cryptocurrencies to attract international investors. As global business increasingly shifts to blockchain, demand for skilled blockchain developers is expected to surge.
This article was originally published in The Hindu Edge on June 22, 2019!
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