Career Details

41-3031.00 - Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.

Key Facts

Bright Outlook

Career Details

Green Job

Career Details

Current Employment

341,500

Estimate

Forecasted Employment

374,000

Estimate

Change in Employment

+32,500

Estimate

Change in Employment %

+9.5%

Estimate

Tasks

The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.

Core

Make bids or offers to buy or sell securities.
Monitor markets or positions.
Agree on buying or selling prices at optimal levels for clients.
Keep accurate records of transactions.
Buy or sell stocks, bonds, commodity futures, foreign currencies, or other securities on behalf of investment dealers.
Complete sales order tickets and submit for processing of client-requested transactions.
Report all positions or trading results.
Interview clients to determine clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, or financial objectives.
Discuss financial options with clients and keep them informed about transactions.
Determine customers' financial services needs and prepare proposals to sell services that address these needs.
Sell services or equipment, such as trusts, investments, or check processing services.
Identify opportunities or develop channels for purchase or sale of securities or commodities.
Develop financial plans, based on analysis of clients' financial status.
Review all securities transactions to ensure accuracy of information and conformance to governing agency regulations.
Contact prospective customers to present information and explain available services.
Devise trading, option, or hedge strategies.
Track and analyze factors that affect price movement, such as trade policies, weather conditions, political developments, or supply and demand changes.
Inform other traders, managers, or customers of market conditions, including volume, price, competition, or dynamics.
Offer advice on the purchase or sale of particular securities.
Evaluate costs and revenue of agreements to determine continued profitability.
Explain stock market terms or trading practices to clients.
Calculate costs for billings or commissions.
Prepare financial reports to monitor client or corporate finances.
Supply the latest price quotes on any security, as well as information on the activities or financial positions of the corporations issuing these securities.

Generic

Negotiate prices or contracts for securities or commodities sales or purchases.
Prepare and send requests for price quotations to all companies in a particular market.
Price securities or commodities based on market conditions.
Purchase or sell financial derivatives for customers.

Supplemental

Supervise support staff and ensure proper execution of contracts.
Relay buy or sell orders to securities exchanges or to firm trading departments.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.

Economics and Accounting

Customer and Personal Service

English Language

Mathematics

Sales and Marketing

Computers and Electronics

Administration and Management

Clerical

Law and Government

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Tools

The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Calculating machines and accessories

Computer data input devices

Computers

Duplicating machines

Personal communication devices

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Technology

The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Network applications software

Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software

Development software

Data management and query software

Information exchange software

Content authoring and editing software

Operating environment software

Business function specific software

Industry specific software

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Certifications

FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward

The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.

Specialty

Advanced

Core

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Licensing

The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.

No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Related Programs

Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.

INSTITUTION

PROGRAMS

Bridgewater College

Programs

Business Administration Major - BA

Bachelor of Arts

The George S. Aldhizer II Department of Economics and Business Administration offers two majors—economics and business administration—that prepare students to pursue managerial and other professional careers as well as graduate education. We build on the liberal arts foundation provided by the College’s general education program and give each student the knowledge, skills and experience to become a successful and ethical leader, capable of making valued contributions to his or her workplace, society and self. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, case analyses, team projects and presentations, and other in-class activities, courses are designed to integrate economic and business theory and practice; encourage independent and critical thinking using both qualitative and quantitative reasoning; and develop skills in decision making and implementation, teamwork and collaboration, and all forms of communication. Experiential learning opportunities abound through internships, study abroad programs and participation in student organizations, to supplement classroom learning. The economics major consists of 14 courses in economics and mathematics. Economics majors may choose among three tracks: business, government policy and preparation for graduate school via additional mathematics courses. Economics majors can also earn an emphasis in financial economics. The business administration major consists of 15 courses in business, economics and mathematics. To gain greater depth in a particular area of business, many students pursue one of the four concentrations we offer in the business administration major: accounting, finance, marketing and organization management. By taking additional courses, in one of these areas, students build specialization on the solid foundation provided by the business administration major. In addition to the previously mentioned majors, the department also offers minors in business administration, certified financial planning, and economics.

Randolph-Macon College

Programs

Business - Finance (BA)

Bachelor of Arts

A major in business offers students the opportunity to explore theories and concepts from accounting, business, and economics. Students study in an active learning environment and begin to understand and appreciate the complex nature of business organizations through applied economic theory. A major in business prepares students for a career in all business environments and provides an excellent foundation for graduate studies in such fields as business and law. The major in business requires a common core of courses plus one of three concentrations: Finance, Management, or Marketing. All courses in the core and in each concentration must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

Business - Management (BA)

Bachelor of Arts

Business - Marketing (BA)

Bachelor of Arts