14 Best High-Paying Finance Jobs (With Salary Information)

The banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) industry offers many rewarding careers for professionals and experts in banking, accounting, economics, statistics and finance. Candidates with strong mathematical and analytical skills and the required educational qualifications can be eligible to seek employment in these domains. Knowing about the different job opportunities in finance can help you make an informed career decision. In this article, we list 14 high-paying finance jobs along with their salary information and primary duties.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries and the quoted websites at the time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.

14 Best High-Paying Finance Jobs

Here are some popular high-paying finance jobs that you can consider:

1. Loan Officer

National average salary: ₹16,640 per month

Primary duties: A loan officer is a professional who evaluates loan applications, checks applicant eligibility and interviews them to grant business or personal loans. The primary responsibilities usually include ensuring proper documentation, setting up debit payments, counselling clients on loan terms, restrictions and policies, maintaining client account records and adhering to lending compliance guidelines. They also usually review applications and authorise loans for approval. A bachelor's degree in finance or related fields like accounting or business is generally essential to becoming a loan officer.

Related: 14 Highest-Paying Banking Jobs (With Salaries And Duties)

2. Senior Accountant

National average salary: ₹24,980 per month

Primary duties: A senior accountant records entries related to assets, revenue, expenditure and liabilities of a company. They oversee and analyse financial information, maintain balance sheets and statements, verify financial transactions, supervise the accounting staff and resolve financial discrepancies. They usually work in banks, financial firms and accounting companies. A bachelor's and a master's degree in accounting and extensive experience in the financial industry can be essential to work as a senior accountant.

Related: How To Write A Senior Accountant Resume (With Example)

3. Insurance Agent

National average salary: ₹22,964 per month

Primary duties: Insurance agents are responsible for creating a marketing initiative to attract new clients and discuss their insurance requirements. They act on behalf of clients, provide suggestions in the interest of their clients and identify and organise suitable insurance that covers businesses and clients. Though agents work with their clients, they usually do not get paid by them. Instead, they earn commissions based on their sales. Insurance agents can start working after earning a high school diploma or a bachelor's degree in economics, finance and insurance.

4. Stock Market Trader

National average salary: ₹23,958 per month

Primary duties: A stock trader or a broker usually sells or buys shares, stocks, foreign currency, commodities, bonds and other financial instruments. They analyse the current market trends, financial data, price patterns and market reactions to observe profitable trading opportunities, finalise purchases and keep financial records. A trader can either work for a financial institution or operate independently. A graduate degree and practical experience in trading stocks can be essential to starting a career as a stock market trader.

Related: How To Become A Stock Trader (With Skills And Salaries)

5. Cost Estimator

National average salary: ₹24,740 per month

Primary duties: The role of a cost estimator includes understanding the resources required to complete projects and using the information to create the estimated project cost. Their primary duties usually involve analysing documents to understand the project's scope, preparing tentative cost sheets, managing bids from vendors, recording actual costs and presenting them to the company's senior management. They also generally how the company can reduce project costs, increase revenues and maximise margins.

6. Compliance Analyst

National average salary: ₹29,474 per month

Primary duties: A compliance analyst is a finance professional who audits businesses to ensure compliance with the financial regulations set by various governing agencies. They review company data, financial transactions and legal information to meet the compliance requirements. Compliance analysts generally require a bachelor's degree in financial agreement, accounting and other disciplines related to their industry and expertise.

7. Credit Analyst

National average salary: ₹27,136 per month

Primary duties: Credit analysts focus on assessing the financial records of loan applicants and deciding whether or not to grant their credit requests. They generally verify applicants' financial documents and review information such as income, expenses, pending debts and repayment history. They also evaluate the credit risks and the credit limits of the applicants. A credit analyst can work in credit card companies, banks and investment institutions. A bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or economics can be essential to pursuing a career as a credit analyst.

8. Hedge Fund Manager

National average salary: ₹65,809 per month

Primary duties: Hedge fund managers make investment decisions for their clients to ensure high and risk-free returns. The primary responsibilities of fund managers include helping investors achieve their investment objectives, analysing market trends and suggesting suitable investment options. A Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Arts in economics degree can be crucial to becoming a hedge fund manager.

Related: How To Become A Fund Accountant (Plus Primary Duties)

9. Financial Planning Analyst

National average salary: ₹56,491 per month

Primary duties: Financial analysts evaluate financial information and assist the company's senior leadership in fiscal planning and management. They also forecast potential outcomes, recommend financial actions based on the company's aim, conduct asset valuations and prepare financial reports. They may also escalate financial irregularities to the senior management and supervise financial performance monitoring. A bachelor's or master's degree in accounting, economics, statistics, mathematics or engineering can help finance professionals start a career as a financial planning analyst.

10. Private Equity Associate

National average salary: ₹99,960 per month

Primary duties: A private equity associate handles the process of sourcing, maintaining and exiting an investment position. They analyse a company's market capitalisation and business operations to offer a long-term strategic outlook. These associates are responsible for introducing new ideas for business, conducting market research on the potential acquisitions, structuring evaluation models and reviewing financial reports. A Master of Business Administration degree in finance, mathematics, accounting or economics and a few years of experience can be essential to start a career as an investment analyst.

11. Chartered Accountant

National average salary: ₹19,298 per month

Primary duties: Chartered accountants are generally responsible for maintaining the book of records, balancing the financial sheet, filing tax returns, preparing financial reports and arranging profit and loss statements in an organisation. Their primary duties can also include giving investment suggestions, auditing the account prepared by others, assisting in tax procedures and ensuring compliance. They can either work for an established firm or offer their services independently.

Related: What Does A Chartered Accountant Do? Duties And Career Path

12. Investment Banker

National average salary: ₹37,635 per month

Primary duties: The key role of an investment banker is to buy and sell assets to raise capital on behalf of their clients. They recognise new business opportunities and implement long- and short-term financial strategies. An investment banker is also required to help their clients understand trading, sales, finance research, wealth management and initial public offerings or IPOs so they can invest wisely.

Investment bankers are responsible for managing the initial public offerings of companies and meeting legal requirements set by the regulatory bodies. They also study company valuations, structure and negotiate financial deals and create financial models that ensure maximum return on investment for their clients.

Related: What Does An Investment Banker Do? (Skills And Careers)

13. Risk Manager

National average salary: ₹66,409 per month

Primary duties: Risk managers identify and communicate risk policies and processes for a company. They examine business contracts, liabilities, debt and risk exposures to measure potential risks for a company. They help determine the impact of risk on the company and develop suitable plans to help businesses reduce it. Completing an MBA degree in risk management, finance, accounting or economics can be vital for becoming a risk manager.

Related: What Does A Risk Manager Do? (How To Become One And Skills)

14. Actuary

National average salary: ₹68,062 per month

Primary duties: An actuary uses mathematical, statistical and theoretical skills to assess the potential risks and help clients develop plans and policies to mitigate the cost of the risk. They leverage database software to compile information and estimate the economic cost of an event such as an accident or a natural disaster. Actuaries produce charts, tables, reports, calculations, proposals and findings for government officials, company executives, clients and shareholders. A background in statistics, mathematics or actuarial science can be essential to becoming an actuary.