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Finance Careers In Singapore: 4 Things You Need To Know

Finance careers in Singapore are changing, creating exciting opportunities for business school graduates in fintech, green investments and more

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Wed Oct 28 2020

BusinessBecause

Home to over 1,200 financial institutions, Singapore is a global hub for finance. Its strategic location in the heart of Asia, strong credit rating, and tech readiness make finance careers in Singapore an attractive prospect for professionals the world over.

The sector is also undergoing some significant changes. “Disruption is becoming commonplace” comments John Sequeira, Associate Professor of Finance at Singapore Management University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business (SMU LKCSB). 

“The changing financial landscape will also see the displacement of many traditional jobs.”

John is one of the Directors for the Master of Science in Applied Finance (MAF) program, which equips students with the skills they need to make their mark in this quickly-changing ecosystem.

Below are four things you need to know if you want to work in Singapore’s dynamic financial scene. 


1. Fintech is growing fast

Singapore is fast becoming a fintech hub. In fact, around 43% of new Southeast Asian fintech companies chose Singapore as their base in 2019, drawn to its large skilled workforce, strategic location in Asia, and friendly tax regulations.

As Singapore opens up digital banking licenses, new players—like e-commerce, telecommunication, and tech companies—are likely to enter the financial sphere, spurring demand for digitally savvy finance professionals.  

“To be successful in Singapore’s finance sector, you must develop a working knowledge of digital technology and data analytics, and understand how to harness them to bring value to employers and clients,” John notes.

"Roles that require this kind of digital literacy tend to command high salaries in today’s market," he adds.

To help graduates access these roles, the MAF program at SMU LKCSB is introducing a specific fintech track to its repertoire. Students who choose this track will study fintech topics ranging from Digital Transformation in Retail Banking Technology, to Analytics in Financial Services. 

“The track will help to provide MAF graduates with strong job opportunities in this vibrant area, which is seeing significant growth,” says John.


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Thanks to its tech readiness and skilled workforce, Singapore is an attractive spot for fintech companies © leungchopan via iStock


2. Coronavirus is accelerating the pace of change

Fintech disruption has been commonplace for several years, but the coronavirus outbreak has sped up developments, John explains.

“The result of working from home, for instance, has opened the door to digital living—and growth in areas like e-commerce and tele-medicine,” he says. “These digitization efforts, along with the advancement of big data analytics, will affect all aspects of finance and investment operations.”

John also expects to see non-traditional financial players—particularly tech firms—entering the industry. With more diverse players in the ecosystem, ambitious professionals will need to learn quickly and be adaptable. 


3. Soft skills are in demand

Although technical skills are crucial for success in finance, employers are also on the lookout for graduates with equally strong people skills.

In fact, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), 61% of employers believe that communication skills are becoming more important.

In Singapore’s financial landscape, many in-demand jobs require candidates who can communicate effectively with a wide range of people. 

“Client and customer-facing roles especially require more than just technical skills in order to succeed,” John explains. 

“As well as excellent communication skills, these roles require strong critical thinking skills, good cultural understanding, and resilience and adaptability.”

Students in the MAF program at SMU LKCSB have ample opportunities to develop soft skills like these, John adds. In-class discussions, group work, networking events, and a dedicated career services team help students take their communication, organization, and critical thinking skills to the next level. 


Student Reviews

Singapore Management University - Lee Kong Chian School of Business

Nikita

Verified

12/07/2023

On Campus

A Peek Behind SMU

Located in the middle of the Central Business District, SMU is surrounded by a plethora of different bars and restaurants to try. Unlike its other counterparts, all buildings are within a walkable distance of each other. However, depending on the course you do, you might find the courses incredibly engaging or somewhat dull. Most political science courses have incredible professors, however, specific mathematical or computer science courses might have duller professors absorbed in teaching high-level content, resulting in a necessity for self-learning. At the end of the day, your experience depends on the course you take and your willingness to put in the hours required for harder courses.

Student

Verified

19/06/2023

On Campus

Holistic Business Curriculum

Exposure to diverse range of projects train students to adopt a holistic view and experienced generalists. Weightage are allocated evenly between exams and projects so it trains students to be an all-rounded and practise good time management. Professors have real working experiences and shares valuable insights. Despite developing graduates that are competent for real jobs, SMU has yet to receive certain certifications which is a disadvantage in job application process.

Aditya

Verified

23/10/2019

Flexibility of courses

The number of courses that SMU provides is really nice. One can choose a variety of courses from various disciplines. A person can also choose their minors from different disciplines. For example one can do a Major in Economics and a 2nd major in Finance etc.