Preparing for a career in financial technology (FinTech) requires mastery of multiple skills and disciplines, and the time it takes depends on your personal goals, budget, and availability. Roles in banking and finance, data science, and blockchain technology require different skill levels and areas of expertise, and can be pursued through various educational paths including degree programs, bootcamps or certificate programs.
Key Insights
- Financial technology, or FinTech, encompasses a broad range of products, services, and technological innovations in the financial sector.
- Mastering FinTech requires a commitment to learning multiple skills and disciplines, which can be pursued through various educational routes.
- Career roles in FinTech include positions in banking and finance, data science, blockchain technology, cybersecurity, investment advisory services, and more.
- Some roles require formal degrees and years of experience, while others may be achievable through bootcamps or certificate programs that can run from around four to six weeks.
- Noble Desktop offers a comprehensive FinTech Bootcamp, which provides training in Python for data science, automation, and machine learning, among others.
- Salaries for FinTech positions vary widely, with roles like Financial Analysts found in diverse entities such as Apple, Oracle, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Learning financial technology, or FinTech can be a lifelong pursuit. From the simplest of tasks, like uploading a credit card to an Apple Wallet, to complex instructions like algorithms, FinTech encompasses an entire universe of products, services, and technological innovations.
Today, nearly everyone with a smart device knows at least a few FinTech basics. But mastering multiple skills and disciplines will be essential for those who want to pursue careers in FinTech. How long it takes depends on a student’s goals, budget, and availability. Roles in banking and finance, data science, and blockchain technology require different skill levels and areas of expertise.
To get a better idea of the commitment required, let’s consider the basics of FinTech.
What is FinTech?
Like many areas in technology, constant innovation and expansion lead to more and more information. Almost as soon as someone posits the ABCs of a subject, a D, E, and F will follow.
While one can find a host of articles online about the ABCD of FinTech, more recent updates to the subject will include an E and F category, as follows:
- A - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- B - Blockchain technology
- C - Cloud computing
- D - Data Availability
- E - Efficiency
- F - Futuristic Vision
In such a dynamic, rapidly-growing world of innovative technologies, there’s disagreement even among industry pros about what constitutes FinTech and what a given student needs to learn to succeed in the field. Generally speaking, those with FinTech expertise can find work in the following fields:
- Accounting
- Banking/Finance
- Blockchain/Cryptocurrency
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science
- Insurance
- Investment Advisory Services
- Machine Learning
- Mobile App Development
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
A comprehensive list could include virtually every industry, as positions like Financial Analysts can be found in entities as diverse as Apple, Oracle, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
What Can You Do with FinTech?
FinTech refers to the many Financial Technology products and services you can use today and some of the companies that offer them. Consider FinTech as an umbrella term referring to three main categories:
- Services - On a basic level, many FinTech services may be considered products, and vice versa. PayPal is a service, but the platform of services PayPal offers may be called a product itself. To simplify matters, look at services that are now commonly provided and named as such: Banking as a Service (BaaS), payment services like Venmo, and investment services like Robinhood.
- Products - FinTech products range from the payment app you use on your smart device every day to robo-advisors and digital banking. Currencies aren’t typically referred to as products, but cryptocurrencies certainly fall into the product category as opposed to a service.
- FinTech Companies - Organizations like Visa and Mastercard top the list of major FinTech companies in the U.S., followed by Tencent and Ant Financial in China, then U.S. companies Intuit, PayPal, and Stripe. These firms offer FinTech products or services, and people generally refer to the companies themselves as “FinTechs.”
Additional FinTech products, services, and technological innovations include wealth management, insurance (a.k.a., “insurtech”), and credit reporting/identity theft protection services.
Average Time it Takes to Learn FinTech
Some FinTech or data science roles require a formal degree and years of experience. But you may be able to qualify for an entry-level position through a bootcamp or certificate program. These types of courses typically run from around four to six weeks. Although many have prerequisites, others take students from beginner to job-ready.
How much time a student will need to learn FinTech ultimately depends on how they plan to apply it and to what extent. Some of the most common positions that require FinTech training include:
- Financial Analyst
- Investment Advisor
- Business Analyst
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Risk Manager
- Market Analyst
Training for careers in these roles varies, from certification requirements to degree programs. To help determine the time commitment required, it’s important to research the field and develop a targeted goal.
- Create An Action Plan - Before beginning, it’s essential to have an idea as to where to apply the knowledge and skills gained from training. If one wants the flexibility to move among industries, then a position as a Financial Analyst or Business Analyst may be perfect. A person who wants to be a Risk Manager might find their greatest selection of job opportunities in fields like healthcare, banking, and insurance.
Another factor to consider is your current position. If a person already works in a particular sector and wants to advance within it, that can help narrow their choices. Those starting right out of high school might prefer to explore a broader range of fields.
- Enroll in a Course - Studying FinTech through a single class, bootcamp, or certificate program can be the ideal way to get started. Consider the following FinTech bootcamps from Noble Desktop.
- Python for Finance Bootcamp - In this 18-hour intensive, financial pros and trainees alike learn about using Python libraries to harvest and work with data. Before enrolling, students should have the type of knowledge provided by Noble’s Python for Data Science Bootcamp, which covers Python fundamentals.
- FinTech Bootcamp - A comprehensive FinTech program, this course is made up of the Python for Data Science Bootcamp, Python for Finance Bootcamp, and separate modules on SQL, Python Machine Learning, and Python for Automation. Students save by taking all those courses as part of this program and can complete it in four weeks full-time or four months part-time.
- Financial Modeling Bootcamp - Want to learn accounting and finance fundamentals while building advanced Excel skills? One can complete the 21-hour Financial Modeling Bootcamp in three days. No prior finance experience is required, but you should have intermediate Excel proficiency. See course details for more information.
Additional training in Python, crucial to many FinTech positions, is available through Noble’s Data Science Certificate program, Python Programming Bootcamp, and Python Machine Learning Bootcamp. Check listings for details, including prerequisites.
- Organizations and Certifications - Because learning is a lifelong pursuit for FinTech professionals, it can pay off to investigate certifications, especially in specific fields. Some positions require more training than others, but popular certifications include:
- CompTIA Security+ - For some FinTech pros, the CompTIA Security+ designation is a major plus. If someone holds a position like Cybersecurity Analyst, Fraud & Risk Associate, or Penetration Tester Specialist, consider certifications of this type.
- Senior Data Scientist (SDS) - Offered by the Data Science Council of America, the SDS designation is an excellent way for data professionals to demonstrate their expertise.
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP) - If one gets into the investment advisory side of FinTech, they will find that CFP is among the most-recognized financial certifications. One additional point: CFP can now also stand for Certified FinTech Professional, a designation offered by the Global Academy of Finance & Management (GAMF).
Other Factors
From prior experience to learning style, many factors come into play when training for a FinTech role. Along with your current level of knowledge and your personal skill set, consider the following:
- Goals - If you’re looking for an entry-level position, a bootcamp can provide the training you’ll need to qualify for many positions. If you’re planning a career as a Risk Manager, you’ll most likely need years of experience in the field before you qualify for a management role.
- Budget - Starting right out of high school or college? You might need to work for a while before you can afford to spend a few thousand dollars on a course. On the other hand, those looking to level up from current tech roles may be able to start right now.
- Availability - Busy professionals and those with family obligations also need to consider the commitment of time and energy needed for a bootcamp style program. Courses like Noble Desktop’s FinTech Bootcamp can be completed in as little as four months, even part-time.
Counting Up The Cost
Time and money are, of course, two of everyone’s most valuable assets. While it can take a lifetime to learn FinTech, the constant change can be refreshing, and growth in this burgeoning field is virtually without limit.
If a student can commit to an in-depth FinTech bootcamp or certificate program, they will gain hands-on experience and learn a great deal in a brief timeframe—a matter of months or even weeks. Can’t take on a 102-hour commitment like the FinTech Bootcamp? Consider enrolling in the 21-hour Financial Modeling Bootcamp.
Whether one gets hired in a traditional finance role like banking or dives into the wild and wooly universe of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, a thorough underpinning of FinTech knowledge will hold one in good stead for years to come.
Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost
The difficulty involved in learning FinTech depends significantly on how you study it and how much you’ll need to apply your knowledge. You may need to master programming languages like Python and Java, data visualization tools like Power BI or Tableau, or learn about cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Data Scientists, Financial Analysts, and Cybersecurity Experts all learn FinTech to varying degrees.
FinTech prerequisites also depend to a high degree on how they will be applied. Learning computer programming like Python, gaining probability and statistics expertise, and studying FinTech companies can pave the way for a career in this wide-ranging field.
The cost of FinTech training also varies. While college and university programs typically cost more than any other options, in-person or online bootcamps offer intensive training at much more affordable prices. Many students begin with free online tutorials or seminars, but these only provide a starting point for most FinTech careers.
Read more about how difficult it is to learn FinTech.
Free Introductory FinTech Courses Online
If you’re not yet ready to commit to a full-length course, you can start learning about FinTech for free online. Check out Noble Desktop’s Get Started In Data Science seminar or their Intro to Python Fundamentals seminar. In these free introductory courses, you’ll learn about subjects like data science, practical uses of Python, and how to analyze datasets, among others.
Additional course providers who offer free online classes include Global FinTech Academy and FBS Markets, Inc. You’ll find offerings on topics like Regulatory Technology (RegTech), FinTech applications, and FinTech Law and Policy, to name a few.
Read about more free FinTech videos and online tutorials.
Key Insights
- FinTech refers to financial technology, including innovative products, services, and the companies that use them.
- FinTech positions can require a significant time commitment for training. However, roles in some sectors require more expertise than others.
- Top fields for FinTech include:
- Banking/Finance
- Cybersecurity
- Data science
- Investment Advisory/Wealth Management
- Mobile App Development
- Some FinTech positions require a degree, certifications of various types, or years of experience. But a FinTech bootcamp can prepare you for a range of entry-level roles.
- To prepare for a FinTech career, you should:
- Create an action plan.
- Enroll in a course.
- Research certifications in your field.
Learn FinTech with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop
Some people think there’s only one path to training for a FinTech career, that of a lengthy degree program, but there are other alternatives. Among the most popular is the bootcamp or certificate training model.
Noble Desktop is a leading provider of online education in areas directly relevant to the booming FinTech field. They provide multiple educational options for students, both those who are new to FinTech and others already working in tech. The following are some of their most popular programs.
- FinTech Bootcamp - This comprehensive FinTech course is open to beginners and can be completed in four weeks full-time or four months part-time. Topics include SQL and Python for data science, automation, and machine learning.
- Python for Finance Bootcamp - The 18-hour Python for Finance Bootcamp acquaints students with financial models, managing portfolios with Python, and other Python-centered topics. Students can save by taking this class as part of the FinTech Bootcamp. See course listings for prerequisite information.
- Financial Modeling Bootcamp - A 21-hour program, the Financial Modeling Bootcamp includes topics like Discount Cash Flow (DCF), Leveraged Buyouts (LBO) Modeling, and financial analysis with MS-Excel. Check course listings for details, including prerequisite information.
Other Noble Desktop programs to consider are the Python Programming Bootcamp, Data Science Certificate, and Python for Data Science Bootcamp.
