Tech certifications to boost your salary in finance
Finance is changing fast and technology is at the heart of it. As financial services become more data-driven and digital, tech skills are the new currency. For finance professionals having the right tech certifications can be a game changer, for career growth and salary.
In this article, we’ll look at the top tech certifications that can give finance professionals an edge. Whether you’re already in finance and looking to upskill or enter the industry these certifications can get you into higher-paying roles and new opportunities.
1. Certified information systems auditor (CISA)
For finance professionals interested in IT auditing, control, and security the CISA certification is the top choice. Managed by ISACA, CISA is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates expertise in assessing and managing information systems. CISA-certified professionals are in demand as regulatory scrutiny around data management and IT security in finance continues to grow.
What it covers: Information systems auditing, IT governance, and risk management.
Career impact: IT auditor, risk manager, and compliance officer roles in finance can see salary increases. These roles are in demand as financial institutions struggle to keep up with compliance standards and security protocols.
Requirements: A minimum of five years of professional experience in information systems auditing, control, or security is required, although waivers are available for certain educational qualifications.
2. Certified information security manager (CISM)
The CISM certification is another popular choice for professionals looking to move into cybersecurity management roles in finance. With financial data so sensitive, cybersecurity is now critical. CISM-certified professionals are valued for their knowledge of security teams and financial data protection.
What it covers: Information security governance, risk management, and incident response.
Career impact: CISM-certified information security managers and risk management specialists can command a premium, especially in the finance industry where data breaches can be financially catastrophic.
Requirements: You’ll need at least five years of work experience in information security management. This certification is also managed by ISACA.
3. Chartered financial analyst (CFA) with data analytics focus
The CFA itself is a well-known certification in finance, but adding a data analytics focus can make you more marketable. As financial analysts use more data to make decisions, having a CFA and strong data analytics skills is a winning combination.
What it covers: The CFA certification covers investment management, economics, and financial analysis, while a focus on data analytics includes training in tools like Python, R, or SQL.
Career impact: Investment analysts, portfolio managers, and risk analysts with data analytics skills can command higher salaries as financial institutions move to data-driven decision-making.
Requirements: The CFA program requires a bachelor’s degree and involves passing three rigorous exams which typically take several years to complete.
4. AWS certified solutions architect – associate
AWS is another big player in cloud computing and its certification program is well respected in the industry. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification is for finance professionals who want to upskill in cloud computing, specifically in designing and deploying applications on AWS infrastructure.
What it covers: This certification covers cloud architecture, deployment, and securing AWS applications and data.
Career impact: With many financial institutions moving to the cloud, AWS skills can lead to roles in cloud engineering and cloud architecture where professionals are responsible for building secure, scalable financial applications. These roles are well-paid.
Requirements: There are no strict prerequisites but having experience with AWS is recommended before attempting this certification.
5. Certified ethical hacker (CEH)
The CEH certification, managed by the EC Council, is useful for finance professionals involved in cybersecurity and risk management. As the name suggests, Certified Ethical Hackers are trained to think like hackers but with the intention of securing systems and networks. In finance where data breaches and cyber threats are ever present, ethical hackers are key to protecting sensitive financial data.
What it covers: CEH covers hacking techniques, tools, and methodologies used by malicious hackers.
Career impact: With cybercrime on the rise, CEH is more relevant in finance. It can lead to higher-paying roles such as cybersecurity analyst or penetration tester where you’ll be responsible for finding and fixing system vulnerabilities.
Requirements: To sit the CEH exam you’ll need at least two years of work experience in information security, although training options are available for beginners.
6. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
Data analytics is the backbone of modern finance, helping companies make sense of large data sets to inform their decisions. The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate is for finance professionals who want to upskill in data analytics without committing to a long program.
What it covers: This certification includes an introduction to data analytics, data cleaning, data visualization and data-driven decision-making.
Career impact: This certificate can lead to roles like data analyst, financial analyst or even business intelligence analyst. It’s particularly useful for finance professionals who want to work with data.
Requirements: This is an entry-level certification so it’s open to beginners. It takes about six months to complete.
7. SAS certified big data professional
SAS (statistical analysis system) is a big player in data analytics especially in finance where statistical models are critical for risk assessment, fraud detection, and forecasting. The SAS Certified Big Data Professional certification is highly valued for anyone involved in data science and analytics in finance.
What it covers: This certification covers data manipulation, data analysis, and big data management using SAS.
Career impact: Certified SAS professionals can work as data scientist or in quantitative analysis, both high paying roles in finance. In these roles you’ll use data to inform financial decisions and risk management.
Requirements: This certification requires passing two exams and it’s recommended you have experience in programming or data analysis.
Conclusion
In today’s finance world, tech skills are valuable and the right certification can be a stepping stone to a higher paying role. From cybersecurity and data analytics to cloud and risk management there are many ways finance professionals can upskill and increase their earning potential.
Investing in a tech certification can not only open up new career opportunities but also make you a valuable asset in an industry that’s more techy than ever. Go explore, align with your career goals, and start building your way to a brighter future in finance.
