The Financial Services Career Cluster encompasses careers in managing and advising financial transactions, including banking, lending, corporate finance, debt management, accounting, insurance, and real estate. These careers contribute to economic stability and growth by supporting the financial health of individuals and organizations.
Careers focused on managing financial records for individuals and businesses and advising on individual and family financial planning and debt management. This field includes accountants, who ensure financial accuracy and compliance, and personal finance advisors, who guide individuals in savings, investments, and retirement planning. This Sub-Cluster also includes financial auditors and forensic accountants, who play a crucial role in this field by ensuring the integrity and reliability of financial information through comprehensive audits and assessments.
Example Programs of Study
Accounting
Business Finance
Economics
Careers centered on money management, loans, microlending, and commercial and consumer credit across banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers, and finance companies. Professionals in this field have expertise in evaluating creditworthiness, managing loans, providing financial solutions to facilitate access to capital for individuals and businesses, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
Example Programs of Study
Banking
Credit
Careers involved in managing a company’s capital structure and corporate financial strategies, operations, and investments, including venture capital and private equity. This field also includes careers focused on the acquisition of investment offerings such as stocks, bonds, fixed-income products, pension plans, emerging digital assets, and other resources aimed at income generation or asset appreciation. The Sub-Cluster encompasses tactics for small business fundraising and financing via microlending and operational scaling and for devising exit strategies to evolve startups into sustainable enterprises. Professionals in this field ensure that financial practices and transactions adhere to legal and ethical standards.
Example Programs of Study
Business Administration
Securities & Investments
Careers rooted in assessing risk; providing financial protection against loss; and offering products including life, health, and property insurance. Professionals in this field hold expertise in analysis and the ability to evaluate risk factors, investigate and process claims, create risk management strategies, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. This field uses applied mathematics and statistics to predict future events and design viable insurance policies.
Example Programs of Study
Insurance Operations
Careers focused on the buying, selling, leasing, and management of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Professionals in this field navigate the complex landscape of licensing, fair housing, zoning, environmental regulations, health, safety, and financial laws to facilitate legal and ethical property transactions.
Example Programs of Study
Real Estate
Explore Financial Services in the state of WI, including careers & training requirements.
Courses in this Cluster Pathway
ACCOUNTING I
0100
1.0 Credit
Investing in the Future
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
Department:
Business Education
Sub-Cluster:
Accounting
Prerequisite:
NONE
Description:
CTE Career Pathway Type/Cluster Title (IAC): Finance (52.03)
Accounting, the language of business. Success in the business world begins with an understanding of accounting. This course covers basic accounting procedures, including preparing financial reports for starting, running, and managing a business. If you have plans to attend college to pursue a degree in any area of business (Marketing, Administration, Management, Finance, Law, etc.), this course is for you!
ACCOUNTING II
0110
1.0 Credit
Investing in the Future
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
Department:
Business Education
Sub-Cluster:
Accounting
Prerequisite:
ACCOUNTING I
Description:
CTE Career Pathway Type/Cluster Title (IAC): Finance (52.03)
Work through the accounting cycle and complete a scenario packet of a real business. The concepts that will be covered are payroll, corporate accounting, paying dividends and calculating tax forms. This class will be a great stepping stone if you are interested in the business or accounting field.
PERSONAL FINANCE
4195
1.0 Credit
Investing in the Future
Required Course
12th Grade
Department:
Business Education
Sub-Cluster:
Real Estate
Prerequisite:
NONE
Description:
CTE Career Pathway Type/Cluster Title (IAC): None
By working through the Dave Ramsey Foundations of Personal Finance, the class will learn the 5 steps to financial foundations. This course will give you a better understanding of the financial side of your future and give you the knowledge to make financial decisions that you will face in your life. Topics of study are budgeting, saving, investing, debt, insurance, taxes and identity theft.
ACCOUNTING III
0112
1.0 Credit
Investing in the Future
11th Grade
12th Grade
Department:
Business Education
Sub-Cluster:
Accounting
Prerequisite:
ACCOUNTING I & II
Description:
CTE Career Pathway Type/Cluster Title (IAC): Finance (52.03)
This section takes everything learned in Accounting 1 and 2 and expands into accounting for uncollectible accounts receivable, handling plant assets and depreciation, inventory, understanding notes and interest, Accrued Revenue and Expenses and End-of-Fiscal-Period work for a corporation. If time allows Accounting for Partnerships and Recording International and Internet Sales will be explored. Advanced Class: Must be Pre-authorized by Mrs. Adamietz
Finance
Occupations with the most projected openings
Occupation
Annual Job Openings
Salary
Required Education
Entry-Level
Experienced
Accountants and Auditors
131
$49,893
$86,370
Bachelor's degree
Tellers
54
$25,325
$32,906
High school diploma or equivalent
Insurance Sales Agents
45
$41,217
$102,655
High school diploma or equivalent
Financial Managers
41
$96,293
$183,857
Bachelor's degree
Loan Officers
41
$44,676
$92,021
Bachelor's degree
Loan Interviewers and Clerks
35
$35,446
$42,559
High school diploma or equivalent
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
29
$30,914
$50,067
High school diploma or equivalent
Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other
23
$46,281
$98,354
Bachelor's degree
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
20
$37,095
$84,478
Bachelor's degree
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
15
$54,167
$87,578
High school diploma or equivalent
Occupations with the highest projected salaries
Occupation
Annual Job Openings
Salary
Required Education
Entry-Level
Experienced
Financial Managers
41
$96,293
$183,857
Bachelor's degree
Personal Financial Advisors
15
$61,348
$133,768
Bachelor's degree
Insurance Sales Agents
45
$41,217
$102,655
High school diploma or equivalent
Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other
23
$46,281
$98,354
Bachelor's degree
Loan Officers
41
$44,676
$92,021
Bachelor's degree
Insurance Underwriters
13
$52,545
$87,709
Bachelor's degree
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
15
$54,167
$87,578
High school diploma or equivalent
Accountants and Auditors
131
$49,893
$86,370
Bachelor's degree
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
