The trick is identifying the several top-notch choices among the hundreds that exist. Just as in any other major job sector, the financial niche is a mixed bag.

Some positions, like banking customer service and insurance sales, are designed as training grounds and not meant to be long-term parking spots for the ambitious. But these lower-paying entry points serve a vital purpose because they offer on-the-job experience to those who aim to become professional traders, CPAs, financial advisors, and securities brokers. It’s actually a good thing that there is no definitive list of the best finance careers.

The field is constantly adapting and changing so much that any such list would immediately be outdated. Plus, the discipline is so wide that even a roster of 50 titles wouldn’t begin to be exhaustive. With those caveats in mind, the following could be considered among the top four areas for hard-working, ambitious financial workers of the 2020s.

Estimators

For some reason, estimators are often left off lists of excellent jobs in the financial career sector, and that’s unfortunate. Also called cost estimators, these professionals tend to have four-year degrees with concentrations in accounting, specifically cost accounting. Many of the openings are in construction, where precise bidding data is at the very heart of a building company’s bid on a given project.

A typical estimator follows a well-defined path, from entry-level spots in which they essentially act as apprentices for full-fledged practitioners, all the way up the ladder from there. Two big bonuses for those who choose estimating include a clear path upward and excellent salaries. If you enjoy traveling, there are all sorts of opportunities to do so, primarily in the building trades, but it’s not a necessity. Finally, estimators are in high demand even in lethargic economies.

Financial Managers

If you want a high level of challenge, top pay, as much responsibility as you can handle, and plenty of openings to vie for, being a financial manager is an ideal selection. Whether you enter private industry or the government sector, you’ll be doing the core tasks that keep any entity functioning on a day-to-day basis. Depending on the size and kind of entity you choose, expect to receive your early years of training in a wide variety of slots, many of which are consumer facing and competitive.

College degrees are the ticket into the financial manager universe, but advanced diplomas, particularly MBAs, are common in the upper ranks. If you have strong math and social skills, are willing to travel during your first few years in the profession, and are committed to continuing education requirements, striving to be a financial manager could be a good fit for your skills and personality.

Forensic Accountants

Accounting jobs of all kinds are a great way to break into this competitive niche. However, forensic accountants are in high demand in the cyber age. What do they do? Assuming you are willing to earn a degree in accounting and possibly a master’s with a concentration in forensic studies, you’ll be reconstructing financial statements, working on legal investigations, rooting out fraud, and using your high-level skills to do after-the-fact analysis of all sorts of documents related to income and expenses.

Within the accounting profession, these financial experts are known for their commitment to ongoing, life-long education, the willingness to travel, and sharp minds. One of the best ways to get started is to speak with a career counselor at your school and ask about specific coursework that pertains to forensic finance jobs. The earlier you get started the better, and aiming for a master’s degree is probably the single most essential piece of the education/training puzzle.

Loan Officers

Loan officers are always in demand, and will become more vital with each passing year as the global economy increasingly relies on debt, borrowing, leverage, and credit. It’s helpful to let go of outdated conceptions you might have about this very old job title. Today’s loan officer positions are filled by experts with varying backgrounds, infallible social skills, solid mathematical abilities, and IT acumen.

Entry-level openings are numerous in both the public and private sector. A four-year degree in business is helpful but many loan pros have liberal arts degrees. Any banking experience, even as an intern at the retail level, is viewed favorably by hiring managers. Pay is excellent and the position is another in the bulletproof category because even in weak economies your skills are in high demand.