If you’re someone who likes working with numbers and understanding how money moves, a career in finance might be the right fit. But finance today isn’t only about numbers or balance sheets. It’s also about knowing how business, data, and technology come together.
Did you know? The global finance market is expected to grow to around 2.89 billion USD by 2029. That’s a huge opportunity for anyone looking to build a career in finance.
At Valia School of Management (VSM), one of the top PGDM colleges in Mumbai, students learn all this in a practical way. You don’t just study finance from books here. You learn what’s actually needed in jobs across Mumbai’s big financial zones like Bandra-Kurla Complex, Lower Parel, and Nariman Point.
Let’s talk about the top 5 finance skills that are most in demand right now, and some real ways you can learn them.
TL;DR of Finance Skills To Learn
- Finance jobs need a mix of analytical, technical, and business skills.
- Learn tools like Power BI, Python, and Excel to stay ahead.
- Communication and management thinking are just as important as math.
- Internships and real projects matter more than just theory.
- Mumbai offers some of the best opportunities for finance graduates.
Table of Contents
Skills Required for Finance Jobs
1. Analytical and Quantitative Skills
This is probably the first finance skills to add in resume that every recruiter looks for. If you can read data, make sense of patterns, and use logic to solve business problems, you’ll already stand out.
Finance jobs, whether it’s investment banking or financial planning, need people who can look at reports and spot insights others might miss. Think of it like solving a puzzle, but with numbers and trends.
At VSM, students practice this through case studies, real-time projects, and data-driven assignments. You’re trained to make decisions using numbers, not guesses. That kind of critical thinking is what top finance companies want now.
And honestly, if you want to start improving your analytical skills, try reading financial reports of Indian companies listed on NSE or use free resources like Investopedia to learn how to interpret data.
Learn more about the key differences between Data Science and Business Analytics.
2. Technical Skills for Finance
The finance world runs on tech now. It’s not just about Excel anymore. You’ll find recruiters asking if you know Power BI, Tally, SAP, or even coding tools like Python.
These technical skills for finance make a huge difference, especially in growing fields like fintech, banking analytics, and investment management. A lot of finance teams in Mumbai use these tools to build dashboards, automate reports, or create models that help in decision-making.
At VSM, students in the PGDM Finance program learn these tools hands-on. But if you’re learning on your own, platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or even YouTube are great places to start. Try searching “finance analytics with Excel” or “Power BI basics for finance.” It’s practical stuff that’ll help you in your first job.
3. Financial Modeling and Forecasting
This is the skill that connects everything together. Financial modeling is basically building a structured way to predict a company’s future performance using data. It’s how finance professionals decide if an investment is good or not.
Most finance jobs in Mumbai, whether in corporate offices or investment firms, look for people who can make sense of projections. You’ll be building sheets that show revenue growth, profit margins, and risks stuff that helps leaders make better calls.
At VSM, students don’t just read about it. They actually create models using real company data. That’s what gives them an edge when they graduate and step into roles like financial analysts or strategy planners.
If you’re curious to try this yourself, check out templates on websites like Corporate Finance Institute or simple YouTube tutorials on “how to build a 3-statement financial model.”
4. Communication and Presentation Skills
Now here’s something a lot of people underestimate. You could be great with numbers, but if you can’t explain your findings clearly, your work might get lost.
Good communication is one of the most underrated finance skills needed today. It’s about explaining complex ideas in simple language. Whether you’re talking to clients or your manager, you should be able to tell the “story” behind the numbers.
At VSM, students get to do a lot of presentations, business simulations, and discussions. These small activities build confidence. You learn how to explain financial results in a way that actually makes sense to non-finance people too.
If you want to practice this yourself, try reading financial news and summarizing it in your own words. It’s a small habit that improves how you think and talk about money.
5. Business and Management Thinking
Finance doesn’t work alone. Every number you see links to a business decision from setting a product price to deciding an investment plan.
This is where finance and management skills mix. Employers now want finance graduates who can connect numbers with business goals. They want decision-makers, not just analysts.
At Valia School of Management, finance students also study marketing, strategy, and operations. That mix of subjects helps you think beyond numbers. It prepares you to handle real-world business problems something that helps a lot when you grow into leadership roles.
Resources to Build Finance Skills and Get a Finance Job
There’s no shortcut to becoming good at finance. You build it step by step learning, practicing, and trying things out.
Here are a few trusted ways to learn finance skills;
Online Learning Platforms
- Coursera and edX: Offer finance, Excel, and analytics courses from top universities.
- LinkedIn Learning: Perfect for short and job-focused topics like “Finance Foundations” or “Budgeting for Business.”
- YouTube: Channels like “Corporate Finance Institute” or “Accounting Stuff“ are great for self-paced learning.
Internships and Real Projects
If you’re in Mumbai, you’ll find so many small finance firms and startups that offer internships. Even a two-month experience can help you apply what you’ve studied. It’s where you learn how real teams work and how fast decisions are made.
Many VSM students do internships in companies around Andheri, Lower Parel, and BKC. It’s not just about adding a finance skills for resume, it’s about seeing how finance actually runs day to day.
PGDM in Finance at Valia School of Management
The PGDM program at Valia School of Management focuses on both classroom and real-world learning.
Students get:
- Training in financial modeling and analytics
- Guest lectures from working professionals in Mumbai
- Internship support with leading companies
- Access to mentors and networking opportunities
If you’re planning to make a long-term career in finance, a PGDM specialization helps a lot, it builds not just knowledge but also your confidence to handle real business challenges.
Top Careers After Building Finance Skills
Once you’ve built skills required for finance jobs, there are plenty of roles to explore. Some of the popular finance job include:
- Financial Analyst
- Investment Banker
- Risk Manager
- Corporate Finance Associate
- Business or Data Analyst
- Portfolio Manager
Mumbai being the financial capital, gives you access to all of these fields from global banks to fintech startups. So if you’re here, you’re already close to opportunity.
Why PGDM and Leadership-Focused Finance Skills Matter Now
The finance industry is changing fast. Digital banking, automation, and AI are reshaping how companies make financial decisions. But the one thing that still matters most is human judgment.
Knowing how to analyze data, communicate ideas, and understand business goals that’s what makes a finance professional valuable today.
If you start learning these finance skills early, you’ll be ready for jobs that are not just stable but future-proof.
FAQ: Skills Needed for Finance Jobs
1. What are the most important skills required for finance jobs?
The top ones include analytical ability, financial modeling, technical tools like Excel or Power BI, and good communication skills.
2. Are technical skills for finance really needed today?
Yes, definitely. Most finance jobs use tools like Tally, SAP, or data analytics platforms. Knowing these makes you job-ready faster.
3. Can I learn MBA finance skills online?
You can. Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and YouTube offer beginner to advanced finance courses.
4. What careers can I get after learning finance skills?
Roles like Financial Analyst, Risk Manager, or Investment Banker are some of the common options.
5. Why is Mumbai the best place for finance jobs?
Because it’s the country’s financial hub. Big companies, banks, and startups are all based here, offering plenty of job openings for finance graduates.