Finance Careers FAQ
Get expert answers to the most common questions about finance careers in New Zealand. From salary expectations to career progression, we've got you covered.
🚀 Getting Started in Finance
What finance jobs are available for new graduates in New Zealand?
Entry-level opportunities include:
- Graduate Analyst Programs - 18-24 month structured programs at major banks (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac)
- Junior Financial Analyst - Corporate finance teams, starting $60K-$75K
- Banking Associate - Customer-facing roles leading to lending/advisory, $45K-$65K
- Investment Analyst - Fund management firms like Fisher Funds, $65K-$80K
- Risk Analyst - Credit risk, operational risk roles, $58K-$72K
- Financial Planning Associate - Wealth management firms, $50K-$70K
Best application timing: February-May for grad programs starting February/March the following year.
Do I need a finance degree to work in finance?
Not necessarily, but it helps significantly.
Preferred degrees:
- Bachelor of Commerce (Finance/Accounting major)
- Bachelor of Business (Finance)
- Economics or Applied Economics
- Mathematics/Statistics (for quantitative roles)
Alternative pathways:
- Any degree + finance postgrad - Graduate Diploma in Finance, Master of Finance
- Strong transferable skills - Engineering, law, science graduates often succeed
- Professional certifications - CFA, CA ANZ can compensate for non-finance degree
- Relevant experience - Accounting, consulting, business analysis backgrounds
What's the difference between banking, corporate finance, and investment management?
🏦 Banking
Focus: Customer service, lending, deposits
Environment: Branch networks, relationship management
Skills: Customer service, credit analysis, regulatory compliance
Career path: Teller → Personal Banker → Lending Officer → Branch Manager
Salary range: $45K-$130K
💼 Corporate Finance
Focus: Company financial planning, analysis, strategy
Environment: Corporate head offices, cross-functional teams
Skills: Financial modeling, budgeting, M&A analysis
Career path: Analyst → Senior Analyst → Manager → Director → CFO
Salary range: $60K-$200K+
📊 Investment Management
Focus: Managing money for clients/institutions
Environment: Fund management firms, high-pressure trading floors
Skills: Research, portfolio construction, market analysis
Career path: Research Analyst → Portfolio Manager → Senior PM
Salary range: $70K-$300K+
How competitive is the finance job market in New Zealand?
Competition varies significantly by role and experience:
🔴 Highly Competitive
- Graduate programs - 500+ applicants per position
- Investment banking - Limited positions, top talent only
- Fund management - Requires strong academic record + experience
- CFO roles - Executive search, extensive experience required
🟡 Moderately Competitive
- Financial analyst (3-5 years exp) - Good opportunities with right skills
- Banking roles - Regular turnover creates opportunities
- Corporate finance - Growing demand in expanding companies
- Risk roles - Regulatory requirements driving demand
🟢 High Demand
- Financial advisors - Aging population, retirement planning needs
- Compliance specialists - Increasing regulatory requirements
- Fintech roles - Digital transformation driving growth
- Regional banking - Harder to fill positions outside main centers
💰 Salaries & Compensation
What can I expect to earn in finance roles in New Zealand?
Entry Level (0-2 years)
Mid-Level (3-6 years)
Senior Level (7+ years)
Executive Level (10+ years)
Note: Auckland salaries typically 15-20% higher than other regions. Bonuses can add 10-30% to base salary.
How do finance salaries compare between Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch?
🏙️ Auckland
Premium: 15-20% above national average
Why higher:
- Financial capital with most major employers
- Higher cost of living
- Competition for talent
- Corporate headquarters concentration
Example: Financial Analyst $95K vs $80K elsewhere
🏛️ Wellington
Premium: 5-10% above Christchurch, 5-10% below Auckland
Why competitive:
- Government sector finance roles
- RBNZ and Treasury proximity
- Corporate regional offices
- Higher living costs than Christchurch
Example: Finance Manager $125K vs $140K Auckland
🌿 Christchurch
Premium: Generally lowest, but best lifestyle value
Considerations:
- Lower cost of living offsets salary difference
- Growing fintech and innovation scene
- Less competition for roles
- Better work-life balance
Example: Financial Analyst $80K but housing 30% cheaper
What benefits and bonuses can I expect in finance roles?
💰 Monetary Benefits
- Performance bonuses: 10-30% of base salary
- KiwiSaver contributions: 3% minimum, often 6-8%
- Health insurance: Full or partial coverage
- Life/income protection: 1-4x annual salary
- Share schemes: Employee share purchase plans
🏖️ Time Off & Flexibility
- Annual leave: 4-5 weeks standard, senior roles 5-6 weeks
- Study leave: For CFA, CA ANZ qualifications
- Flexible working: Hybrid arrangements common post-COVID
- Purchased leave: Option to buy additional weeks
- Sabbatical options: Extended unpaid leave
📚 Development & Perks
- Professional development: Conference attendance, courses
- Certification support: CFA/CA ANZ fees and study time
- Mentoring programs: Senior leader guidance
- Wellness programs: Gym memberships, EAP
- Car parks/transport: CBD parking or transport subsidies
🎓 Qualifications & Skills
Should I pursue CFA or CA ANZ qualification?
📊 CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
Best for: Investment management, equity research, portfolio management
Time commitment: 2-4 years, 300+ hours study per level
Cost: $3,000-$5,000 total
Salary impact: +$15K-$30K premium
Career doors opened:
- Portfolio Manager roles
- Research Analyst positions
- Investment banking
- Fund management
📋 CA ANZ (Chartered Accountant)
Best for: Corporate finance, CFO track, financial controller roles
Time commitment: 3-5 years including practical experience
Cost: $8,000-$12,000 total
Salary impact: +$10K-$25K premium
Career doors opened:
- Financial Controller positions
- CFO pathway
- Management consulting
- Corporate finance roles
Decision Guide:
Choose CFA if: You want to work in investments, enjoy market analysis, and prefer quantitative work
Choose CA ANZ if: You prefer business operations, want broad finance skills, and aim for CFO roles
Both valuable for: Consulting, corporate development, senior finance roles
What technical skills are most important in finance today?
🔴 Essential Skills (Must Have)
- Excel mastery: Advanced functions, pivot tables, VBA basics
- Financial modeling: DCF, LBO, comparable company analysis
- Financial statement analysis: Read and interpret P&L, balance sheet, cash flow
- Presentation skills: PowerPoint, data visualization, stakeholder communication
🟡 Important Skills (Highly Valued)
- SQL/Database skills: Extract and manipulate large datasets
- Python/R basics: Data analysis and automation
- Tableau/Power BI: Business intelligence and reporting
- Bloomberg Terminal: Market data and analysis
- ERP systems: SAP, Oracle, NetSuite experience
🟢 Emerging Skills (Future-Proofing)
- Machine learning: Predictive analytics, risk modeling
- Blockchain/DeFi: Cryptocurrency, digital assets
- ESG analysis: Sustainability metrics, impact measurement
- API integration: Open banking, fintech partnerships
- Cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud basics
How can I gain finance experience without a finance job?
Practical ways to build relevant experience:
📊 Personal Projects
- Investment portfolio: Track and analyze personal investments
- Company valuations: Value NZX-listed companies using DCF models
- Industry analysis: Research and write reports on NZ finance sector
- Excel modeling: Build complex financial models for hypothetical scenarios
🎯 Relevant Work Experience
- Accounting roles: Bookkeeping, accounts receivable/payable
- Business analysis: Process improvement, data analysis
- Sales/relationship roles: Client management, business development
- Consulting projects: Financial analysis for small businesses
🏫 Education & Certifications
- Online courses: Coursera Finance, Wharton Business School
- Professional development: CFA Institute prep courses
- Industry events: CFA Society NZ, CA ANZ events
- University papers: Part-time postgrad finance courses
🤝 Networking & Volunteering
- Professional associations: Join CFA Society, CA ANZ young professionals
- Volunteer treasurer: Non-profit organizations, sports clubs
- Mentorship programs: Industry mentor matching
- LinkedIn engagement: Share finance insights, comment on industry news
📈 Career Progression
What's a typical career progression path in corporate finance?
Graduate/Junior Analyst (0-2 years)
$60K-$75KKey responsibilities: Basic financial analysis, data collection, report preparation
Skills to develop: Excel mastery, financial statement analysis, presentation skills
Typical duration: 18-24 months
Next step criteria: Demonstrate analytical skills, take on complex projects
Financial Analyst (2-4 years)
$75K-$95KKey responsibilities: Budget preparation, variance analysis, business partnering
Skills to develop: Business acumen, stakeholder management, advanced modeling
Typical duration: 2-3 years
Next step criteria: Lead projects, mentor juniors, gain business understanding
Senior Financial Analyst (4-6 years)
$95K-$120KKey responsibilities: Strategic analysis, M&A support, team leadership
Skills to develop: Leadership, strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration
Typical duration: 2-4 years
Next step criteria: Manage teams, drive strategic initiatives
Finance Manager (6-10 years)
$120K-$160KKey responsibilities: Team management, budget oversight, board reporting
Skills to develop: People management, board communication, business strategy
Typical duration: 3-5 years
Next step criteria: Successful team leadership, strategic business impact
Finance Director/CFO (10+ years)
$160K-$400K+Key responsibilities: Financial strategy, investor relations, executive leadership
Skills to master: Executive presence, strategic vision, board governance
Career variations: CFO, Group Finance Director, Chief Investment Officer
Success factors: Business acumen, leadership excellence, industry expertise
How do I transition between different areas of finance?
Common Transition Paths:
Banking → Corporate Finance
Transferable skills: Credit analysis, relationship management, regulatory knowledge
Skills to develop: Financial modeling, strategic analysis, business partnering
Best entry point: Financial Analyst role in corporate treasury or FP&A
Timeline: 6-12 months preparation, lateral or slight step back initially
Corporate Finance → Investment Management
Transferable skills: Financial analysis, modeling, valuation
Skills to develop: Portfolio theory, market analysis, CFA qualification
Best entry point: Research Analyst or junior Portfolio Manager
Timeline: 12-18 months, CFA Level 1 strongly recommended
Any Finance → Fintech
Transferable skills: Financial expertise, regulatory knowledge, customer focus
Skills to develop: Technology literacy, agile methodologies, startup mindset
Best entry point: Product Manager, Business Analyst, Compliance roles
Timeline: 3-6 months, focus on tech skills and startup culture
Successful Transition Strategy:
- Identify skill gaps - Compare your skills with target role requirements
- Build bridge experience - Take on projects that develop target skills
- Network strategically - Connect with professionals in target area
- Consider interim roles - Contract or project work to gain experience
- Highlight transferable skills - Emphasize relevant experience in applications
🔍 Job Search
Where should I look for finance jobs in New Zealand?
🌟 Primary Job Boards
- FinanceJobs.co.nz - Specialized finance roles with salary transparency
- Seek.co.nz - Largest volume, filter by "Banking & Financial Services"
- TradeMe Jobs - Strong local presence, good for regional roles
- LinkedIn Jobs - Professional networking plus job listings
🎯 Specialized Recruiters
- Robert Walters - Accounting & finance specialists
- Hays Recruitment - Banking and financial services focus
- DGA Recruitment - Boutique banking & finance specialist
- Michael Page - Mid to senior level roles
- Salt Recruitment - Digital finance and fintech
🏢 Company Career Pages
- Major Banks: ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac career portals
- Fund Managers: Fisher Funds, Harbour Asset Management
- Corporates: Fletcher Building, Spark, Auckland Airport
- Fintech: Xero, Pushpay, PaySauce direct applications
🤝 Networking Opportunities
- CFA Society NZ - Investment professional events
- CA ANZ - Accounting and finance networking
- Young Finance Professionals - Early career networking
- Industry conferences - FinTech NZ, Banking Summit
How should I tailor my CV for finance roles?
📊 Quantify Everything
- Budget sizes: "Managed $50M annual budget" not "Managed large budget"
- Process improvements: "Reduced month-end close by 3 days, saving 40 hours"
- Team impact: "Led team of 5 analysts, improved accuracy by 15%"
- Business impact: "Identified $2M cost savings through variance analysis"
🎯 Finance-Specific Keywords
Technical Skills:
Financial modeling, DCF analysis, LBO, comparable analysis, variance analysis, budget preparation, forecasting, risk assessment
Software/Tools:
Excel (advanced), VBA, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, SAP, Oracle, Bloomberg, FactSet, Python, R
Qualifications:
CFA, CA ANZ, CPA, FRM, Bachelor Commerce, Master Finance, MBA
📈 Structure for Impact
- Professional Summary: 3-4 lines highlighting experience level and specialization
- Core Competencies: 8-12 key skills relevant to target role
- Professional Experience: Role, company, dates, 3-5 bullet points each
- Education & Qualifications: Degrees, certifications, professional development
- Additional: Achievements, languages, volunteer work (if relevant)
Example Achievement Statements:
Weak: "Responsible for financial reporting"
Strong: "Prepared monthly financial reports for $100M revenue division, reducing reporting timeline from 10 to 7 days and improving accuracy by implementing automated controls"
Weak: "Worked on budgeting process"
Strong: "Led annual budgeting process for 12 business units totaling $300M, implementing rolling forecast model that improved prediction accuracy by 25%"
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
What are typical working hours in different finance roles?
🏦 Banking (Retail)
Peak periods: Month-end, quarter-end reporting
Work-life balance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent
Flexibility: Limited shift flexibility, some WFH options
💼 Corporate Finance
Peak periods: Budget season, year-end, M&A activity
Work-life balance: ⭐⭐⭐ Good
Flexibility: Hybrid work common, flexible hours
📊 Investment Management
Peak periods: Market volatility, reporting deadlines
Work-life balance: ⭐⭐ Fair
Flexibility: Market hours dependency, limited WFH
🚀 Investment Banking
Peak periods: Deal execution, client pitches
Work-life balance: ⭐ Challenging
Flexibility: Very limited, deal-driven schedule
🏛️ Government Finance
Peak periods: Budget preparation, select committee work
Work-life balance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent
Flexibility: Strong flexible work policies
How has remote work affected finance jobs in New Zealand?
🏠 Current Remote Work Landscape
- Hybrid models dominant: 2-3 days in office, 2-3 days from home
- Full remote rare: Most roles require some office presence
- Role dependency: Client-facing roles more office-based
- Company variation: Fintech more flexible than traditional banking
✅ Benefits for Finance Professionals
- Reduced commute: Save 1-2 hours daily, especially in Auckland
- Better focus: Fewer interruptions for analytical work
- Cost savings: Transport, parking, meals
- Location flexibility: Live further from CBD
- Improved work-life balance: More time with family
❌ Challenges
- Collaboration difficulties: Complex modeling discussions
- Mentoring gaps: Junior staff development
- Client relationship impact: Harder to build trust remotely
- Technology requirements: Secure systems, good internet
- Career development: Less visibility for promotions
📈 Future Trends
- Permanent hybrid: Most companies settling on 2-3 day office requirements
- Results-focused: Performance over hours/location
- Technology investment: Better collaboration tools
- Expanded talent pool: Hire outside main centers
- Office redesign: Collaboration spaces over individual desks
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