50%-70% of FinTech start-ups seek finance/accounting graduates with skills other than traditional finance

Graduates with specialized certifications see a 20%-25% salary hike when transitioning into traditional financial institutions

A recent study conducted by Zell Education revealed that about 50%-70% of FinTech startups hiring finance/accounting graduates are looking for candidates with additional competencies such as data analysis, programming, and blockchain knowledge, reflecting the sector’s growing reliance on technology-driven financial solutions.

As financial services become more integrated with technology, companies are prioritizing professionals who can navigate both domains. Among the additional skills in high demand, data analysis tops the list, with 35%-45% of FinTech startups actively seeking candidates proficient in financial data interpretation and analytics. Programming skills follow closely, with 30%-40% of startups looking for finance professionals who understand coding languages such as Python and SQL to support automation, algorithmic trading, and AI-driven financial products. Blockchain expertise is also increasingly valuable, with 25%-35% of FinTech firms searching for talent who understand decentralized finance (DeFi), smart contracts, and digital assets.

Further delving into the findings, Mr. Anant Bengani, Co – Founder & Director of Zell Education shared, “Thanks to AI, tech developments are on over-drive. Things are changing and changing fast. Now is the time for finance professionals to develop interdisciplinary expertise to compete well in the job market. With more than half of the Startups seeking finance graduates with additional tech skills, it is evident that the future of financial careers would most definitely lie at the intersection of finance, technology, and data.”

The demand for hybrid skill sets aligns with the overall growth in FinTech hiring trends. The percentage of FinTech companies recruiting finance and accounting graduates has steadily increased from 25%-30% in 2021 to 40%-50% in 2023, demonstrating the industry’s continued expansion and need for specialized talent. Internships have also emerged as a critical entry point for finance professionals into FinTech. Currently, 50%-60% of FinTech startups offer internship-to-full-time conversion programs, and 60%-70% of interns successfully transition into permanent roles, highlighting the industry’s preference for hands-on experience before full-time hiring.

Among the leading FinTech verticals hiring finance professionals, payments, lending, and wealth management remain dominant sectors. Companies in digital payments require professionals with expertise in financial technology integration, regulatory frameworks, and compliance. The lending sector seeks specialists in credit risk management and financial modeling, while wealth management firms are hiring candidates skilled in investment analysis, portfolio management, and financial planning for robo-advisory platforms.