Candidates for financial services courses are working professionals whose skill levels range from entry-level to executive-level. They might already have a generalized degree such as a Bachelor's in Business Administration, but need more specialized training that is in line with their profession. For example, a recent college graduate who secures a position as a financial advisor will need to complete training and certification related to a Series 7 license in order to fulfill his job responsibilities.
Even though it is a sub-segment of the business profession and the macro-economic environment, the arena of financial services offers a wide variety of specialized functions. Many established professionals in the fields of accounting, tax preparation, law, paralegals and real estate assistants take financial services courses in their area of expertise in order to become more adept at their chosen profession or to stay up to date with current regulations. Financial services courses can range from regulation and compliance (i.e. Sarbanes-Oxley) to credit analysis to financial reporting and equity trading.
In addition to staying up to date on current regulations and changes in a particular field such as tax preparation, an individual may want to change or advance his career. He may want to move into a more specialized area, but does not necessarily have the time or resources to undertake a full degree program. In many cases, undertaking a full degree program may be unnecessary and the financial services courses pertaining to their potential new role may be subsidized by the employer.
Many community colleges offer these type of courses. For those professionals who desire convenience, there are quite a few accredited online sources, such as BPP Professional Development. Online universities, such as DeVry, also offer graduate certificate courses in some areas of financial services. Traditional universities are another potential source for these type of courses through their continuing education or adult learning programs.