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  2. Employment & Training
  3. Apprenticeship
  4. Finance
Finance Occupational Pathway

Finance Occupational Pathway

The financial and insurance services industry is a changing an expanding sector of the U.S. economy. Bank branch operations offer a wide range of services from internet banking, 24-hour call centers, and consolidation. This Youth Apprenticeship occupational area focuses on three pathways within the Finance industry:

Individuals who are attracted to this sector have strong communication skills, technical skills, fluency in computers, and interest in math and accounting.

Financial Pathways

Students can choose between three different occupational areas with options to specific pathways.

Business Financial Management Pathway

In this pathway, students will learn basic accounting services such as: maintaining accounts, storing financial records, processing checks and journal entries, and balancing accounts after recording transactions. There is one area to choose from:

Banking and Related Services Pathway

In this pathway, students will learn basic banking services such as: using a computer to process and file transactions, following cash management procedures, processing personal cash and personal check deposits, and responding to customer account inquires. There is one area to choose from:

Insurance Pathway

In this pathway, students will learn about maintaining, processing, and identifying insurance services with clients. There is one area to choose from:

Occupations

Business Financial Management Pathway:

  • Accountant
  • Auditor
  • Bookkeeper
  • Capital Budgeting Specialist
  • Capital Expenditure Manager
  • Cash Manager
  • Chief Revenue Agent
  • Collector
  • Controller
  • Cost Analyst
  • Credit Analyst
  • Economist
  • Financial Analyst
  • Financial Planner
  • Foreign Exchange Manager
  • Management Accountant
  • Project Analyst
  • Revenue Agent
  • Tax Accountant
  • Tax Examiner
  • Tax Preparer
  • Treasurer

Banking and Related Services Pathway:

  • Abstractor
  • Accountant
  • Acquisitions Specialist
  • Bill and Account Collector
  • Branch Manager
  • Compliance Officer
  • Credit Analyst
  • Credit Report Provider
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Data Processor
  • Debt Counselor
  • Financial Manager
  • Financial Planner
  • Internal Auditor
  • Loan Officer
  • Loan Processor
  • Mortgage Broker
  • Network Services Technician
  • Operations Manager
  • Relationship Manager
  • Repossession Agent
  • Teller
  • Title Researcher and Examiner
  • Trust Officer

Insurance Pathway:

  • Actuary
  • Benefits Consultant
  • Branch Manager
  • Claim Adjuster
  • Claims Agent
  • Claims Clerk
  • Compliance Specialist
  • Customer Service Agent
  • Direct Marketing Representative
  • Examiner
  • Financial Planner
  • Insurance Agent
  • Insurance Appraiser
  • Insurance Broker
  • Investigator
  • Loss Control Manager
  • Processing Clerk
  • Producer
  • Product Manager
  • Sales Agent
  • Special Investigator
  • Underwriter

Average Wages

Below are some examples of careers in each pathway and their mean wages. Visit the Occupational Employer Statistics page to find average wages for a specific occupation not listed.

Accountants and Auditors: Average $68,410
Bill and Accounts Collectors: Average $38,400
Claim Adjusters; Examiners; and Investigators: Average $63,420
Cost Estimators: Average $57,990
Credit Analysts: Average $70,550
Customer Service Representative: Average $37,850

Related Classes

The Department of Workforce Development recommends taking the following courses:

Classroom instruction maybe offered by qualified instructors within the school district, at another school district, a Wisconsin Technical College, a University, through virtual/online learning, and/or by the employer.

This list is not exhaustive but gives an idea of the types of classes a student needs to take for success in this field. Regional Coordinators can help with finding courses that are best for the chosen pathway and will inform students on the related instruction for each pathway. DWD also recommends outside activities/clubs for an enhanced experience such as:

Getting Started

Get started by talking to a school counselor, Youth Apprenticeship Local Coordinator, or Regional Coordinator about how to apply and obtain career materials (plans of study). Contact DWD Youth Apprenticeship Staff for general or statewide program information.

Finance Occupational Pathway