Module description
What is the module about?
This module explores the changing nature of work and expertise in various financial professions, paying particular attention to cutting edge research in this area. As KBS graduates will end up in a range of different financial fields, it is important that they are exposed to the realities of career pathways in those different fields as well as understanding financial careers from a deeper social science perspective.
Who should do this module?
Anyone interested in pursuing a career in a financial field such as accounting, fund management, tax, equity research, banking, fintech and who wants to understand the formal and informal rules of the game that dictate success in those fields. While key aspects of financial expertise will be discussed such as audit, fundamental analysis, portfolio management, the purpose of the module is not to instruct students in these techniques so much as understand how they are leveraged as part of career strategies and ways of structuring financial professions. It is recommended that participants study both Asset Management (5QQMN532) and Financial Accounting (5SSMN235) prior to taking this course.
Topic Outline
Topic 1.
The historical emergence and evolution of financial professions
Topic 2.
Making Partner in the Big 4 Professional Service Firms
Topic 3.
Professionals across borders: cross-cultural comparative work on professionals in the Big 4
Topic 4.
Fund managers
Topic 5.
Financial Analysts
Topic 6.
Wealth Managers & Investment Advisors
Topic 7.
How technology is reshaping financial fields
Assessment details
75% Examination
25% Individual coursework
Teaching pattern
Weekly Workshop
Suggested reading list
Key text or background reading
Compulsory
Millo, Spence and Valentine (2025) Inertia: Ossified Ideas and Sticky Relationships in Financial Markets, Columbia University Press.
Supplementary
Arjaliès, D-L., Grant, P., Hardie, I., Mackenzie, D. & Svetlova, E. (2017). Chains of finance: How investment management is shaped. Oxford University Press.