what is a financial assistant?

As a financial assistant, you support financial accountants or chief finance officers. The role is an excellent entry point into the world of finance. As a highly organised, detail-oriented numbers whizz, you primarily relieve senior staff in the finance department. This involves managing financial documents, processing payments, and maintaining databases. You also assist with monthly reporting and prepare financial statements. In some organisations, you update budgets, while others rely on you for financial planning. You may also help with tax returns. In investment banking, you take on extensive research tasks to support financial analysts. To be effective in this role, you need solid knowledge of accounting and controlling. In specialised companies, additional expertise may be required, such as international tax law, bottom-up analyses, or risk controlling. Curious? Then read on to find out what awaits you as a financial assistant and what career prospects you have.

financial assistant jobs
1

working as a financial assistant.

Your responsibilities as a financial assistant are quite diverse. However, they do depend on where you work. In addition to your general accounting duties, you will also support specialists. Find out more about your tasks here.

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types of financial assistants.

As a financial assistant, you're in demand across all industries. When you choose a company, you're also selecting a specific area of responsibility. In larger organisations, you support the financial accountants. However, you can also specialise. We'll introduce you to different types of finance assistants:

  • Financial assistant trust services: In this role, you will handle various trust-related tasks. Typically, you will assist with financial accounting, prepare annual financial statements, and manage payroll accounting. Additionally, you will prepare VAT returns and tax declarations for individuals and legal entities.
  • Financial assistant in financial services tax: If you find taxes fascinating, you can specialise in this challenging area. You’ll assist managers by preparing tax assessments and legal documents for tax authorities and courts. With some experience, you’ll review tax returns, tax provisions, and disclosures. You’ll also prepare documentation related to the tax aspects of financing, reorganisations, restructurings, and transformations.
  • Financial auditor in business assurance: This exciting field connects you with national and international companies, service organisations, and foundations. You will review annual and group financial statements across various industries and accounting standards. Typically, you prepare tax returns independently. In some cases, you will carry out small audit assignments. Additionally, you support special audits and projects. Sometimes, your manager will also assign you advisory tasks.
  • Financial assistant – financial planning: An engaging role with major insurance companies awaits you in this specialised area. You will prepare and follow up on client appointments, documenting relevant data in the advisory system. Your responsibilities also include maintaining customer information, which involves organising, recording, and updating data. Additionally, you will support the non-life insurance department with quotation processes and order processing. As a financial assistant, you will be the first point of contact within the company – face-to-face, over the phone, and via electronic communication.
  • Financial assistant investment banking: In investment banking, your primary role is to support financial analysts. You systematically gather all the necessary information related to corporate acquisitions, company investments, or stock market trading. This includes data and facts about the industry, the company itself, and the market environment. If you specialise in stock market trading, you collect information on shares, bonds, currencies, and commodities. Based on your comprehensive data collection, financial analysts analyse and evaluate the information. The more relevant and accurate the facts are, the more effective the recommendations to management will be.
Two males talking. Both have beards. One wears glasses. One male in the background. Informal setting. Inside. Checkered shirt. Supporting color blue.
Two males talking. Both have beards. One wears glasses. One male in the background. Informal setting. Inside. Checkered shirt. Supporting color blue.
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salary as a financial assistant.

A look at the popular job platforms in Switzerland shows you a wide range of gross salaries. This is mainly because, as a financial assistant, you have numerous specialisations available to you. If you work in small firms' accounting departments, you will earn less than in large corporations. Your starting salary also depends on your responsibilities. On average, it is around CHF 72,000 per year, which equates to a monthly salary of CHF 6,000. You can increase your earnings through higher qualifications and work experience. Your place of work also has a significant impact on your monthly pay. Large companies and insurers often pay additional bonuses and commissions. Find out more here about your gross salary as a financial assistant.

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vocational and further education as a financial assistant.

Just as varied as your tasks are the requirements for your training as a financial assistant. For a position in a company's accounting department, a basic commercial education often suffices. Further training as an accounts clerk in accounting can also be beneficial. Ideally, you will have completed this in your future specialist area, such as trust services or financial auditing. For more demanding roles in tax law, companies often require a degree with a bachelor’s or master’s qualification in economics or business informatics. However, as a qualified tax expert, you also have a strong foundation. If you’re aiming for the big insurance companies, it’s best to undertake a basic commercial education in insurance. A VBV qualification or further training as a certified financial advisor IAF can improve your prospects. As a financial assistant, there are numerous opportunities for your professional development. Take advantage of the offerings from industry associations, vocational colleges, universities of applied sciences, and further education centres.

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positions as a financial assistant.

Financial assistants are in demand wherever there are accounting and finance departments. If you already have several years of professional experience, banks, insurance companies, and businesses will be vying for you. If salary isn't your top priority, you might find interesting roles in NGOs. However, trustees, auditors, and public sector organisations are also interested in skilled professionals. Are you looking for an attractive position with prospects? Take a look at our current vacancies for financial assistant.

Zwei Männer arbeiten in einer Büroumgebung zusammen
Zwei Männer arbeiten in einer Büroumgebung zusammen
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positions for career changers as financial assistants.

Good prospects for starting out as a Financial Assistant include having a basic business education or a degree. Work experience in accounting makes your job search easier. For certain specialisations, such as fiduciary services or auditing, additional qualifications are required. This also presents an opportunity for career changers. If you already have experience in the financial sector, you can acquire any missing skills through further training. Studying a related field, such as Business Economics, can also improve your chances of success.

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career opportunities and development potential as a financial assistant.

As a financial assistant, you have an excellent foundation for a successful career in the finance sector. Further training opens up many doors. Every specialised area offers development opportunities. In taxation, you can advance to become a tax expert or an auditor. Chartered banking professionals are highly valued employees within financial service providers. If research and analysis fascinate you, you can specialise as a financial analyst. If you're interested in a managerial role, obtaining a master's degree will give you a strong advantage. A combination of studying economics with a focus on controlling, professional experience, and ambition is unbeatable. Want to develop further as a financial assistant? Take a look at our tests and tips.

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competencies as a financial assistant.

As a finance assistant, you support the finance department. In addition to your expertise in accounting, you need to have additional skills and competencies such as:

  • IT skills: In your role as a finance assistant, you record receipts, prepare financial statements, and maintain databases. For this, you need specific IT knowledge. You are proficient in the common MS Office programmes. In small businesses, this allows you to, among other things, visually represent financial developments. In larger organisations, you often work with customised software solutions. Your IT affinity helps you to get up to speed quickly. Most companies use databases, inventory management systems, and ERP systems. Professional accounting software makes your bookkeeping easier. Business Intelligence (BI) and analysis tools support you with evaluations and reporting.
  • Communication skills: As a finance assistant, you communicate with a variety of people. You know how to interact appropriately with management, business partners, and colleagues. Respectful communication comes naturally to you. Additionally, you are able to translate technical terms into language that is easily understood. This means that colleagues in areas unrelated to accounting can also understand you. Both internal and external contacts appreciate your social skills and your reliable, approachable manner.
  • Attention to detail: In your role as a financial assistant, utmost care is essential. Incorrect data, analyses, or reports can have serious consequences. Therefore, you pay close attention to every detail in your work. For example, you check that the correct company address is listed on the invoice. Before authorising a transfer, you verify the bank details. You prefer to double-check before processing payments or recording receipts. If the reports don’t seem plausible, you meticulously review all the figures again. Thanks to your love of detail, you even spot the tiniest errors.
  • Research skills: Especially in investment banking, it’s important to effectively support financial analysts. Typically, you do this by taking over the information gathering process. The key is to find the right sources and filter out reliable information. You also demonstrate your research skills by using a variety of sources. These include not only the internet but also financial reports, competitor information, and internal data. The better your data foundation, the more targeted and accurate the recommendations that financial analysts can develop from it.
Womale in a black blazer, sitting at her desk.
Womale in a black blazer, sitting at her desk.
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advantages of working as a financial assistant at randstad.

There are many good reasons to work at Randstad as a financial assistant.
✓ exciting jobs with well-known companies
✓ a reliable point of contact whenever you need one; personalised advice matters
✓ attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ further education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ do you have a fixed-term contract? Often, there’s the opportunity to secure a permanent position afterwards. Many well-known companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad.

your training budget as a financial assistant at randstad.

If you work as a finance assistant for Randstad, you have access to further training courses. As part of the TempTrainings programme from swissstaffing, you can attend training sessions. You will be reimbursed for the course fees later, provided you pass the course exam. Your consultant from Randstad is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can acquire additional language skills or job-specific knowledge, all during your working hours as a finance assistant.

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application tips for data analysts at randstad.

Have you found your dream job as a financial assistant? It's not just qualifications and certificates that determine the success of your applications. Careful, error-free, and personalised documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to optimise your chances:

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frequently asked questions.

Here you will find frequently asked questions and the answers regarding the role of financial assistant.

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