What are the most relevant skills to develop for a career in Consulting and Finance?

Question

Hi everyone,
I'm completing my BBA in International Business, majoring in Accounting & Finance and minoring in AI applications, ERP systems (SAP), IFRS and Advanced Excel. I’d love to hear your advice on:

What are the most valuable hard and soft skills I should focus on developing to be competitive in these fields?
Are there any less obvious skills that make a candidate stand out during interviews or in early career roles?
Any certifications or learning paths (beyond what I have) that are especially appreciated?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi there,

Great to see your initiative — your academic background already sets a strong foundation. To stand out further in Consulting and Finance, here are key skills to focus on:

Hard skills

Financial modeling and valuation (Excel, Power BI/Tableau)
Data literacy — Python, SQL, and comfort with analytics
Strategic thinking and commercial awareness
Clear, structured slide-building (PowerPoint is essential)

Soft skills

Structured communication — breaking down complex ideas simply
Stakeholder management — working effectively with clients and teams
Resilience and adaptability — handling pressure and feedback
Intellectual curiosity — asking sharp, insightful questions

Less obvious (but valued)

Synthesis over analysis — turning data into clear insights
Cultural awareness — especially in global or client-facing roles
Strong time management — juggling fast-paced, competing priorities

Certifications and learning paths

Finance: CFA (for investment roles), FMVA
Consulting: Courses in business strategy, analytics, or design thinking (e.g., HBS Online, Coursera)
Project work: Agile, Scrum, or PMP can add value, especially in transformation-focused roles

You're clearly on the right track. Happy to connect further if useful!

Best,

Evelina

Answer 2

Hi there,

I see you've received lots of great answers already.

But actually, if I have to distil it to only one skill, it's emotional intelligence.

All great consultants who end up being successful across time have this in common. Analytics, by comparison, only brings you that far. But if you have the ability to understand what motivates people and how to work with them, as well as to regulate yourself, you'll be way ahead of everybody else.

You might also find this guide helpful:

Expert Guide: What Do Management Consultants Do?

Best,
Cristian

Answer 3

Hi,

Certifications are really not important for an entry role in consulting, although for finance you might want to consider the CFA.

For consulting, I would suggest focusing on critical thinking and quantitative reasoning.

Less 'obvious' skills for consulting for me include being likeable and being a team player :)

If you are deciding between the 2 industries, this article might be helpful for you:

Consulting vs Investment Banking: Which is Right For You?

Answer 4

hey there :)

you’ve already got a strong base! for consulting and finance, focus on problem-solving, communication, and structured thinking as core soft skills. hard skills like financial modeling, data analysis (Python, Power BI), and advanced Excel are key. what sets people apart: sharp business judgment, clear slide-writing, and storytelling with data. CFA or FMVA can help in finance, but real-world project experience often matters more. keep learning and stay curious—happy to chat if you want to dig deeper!

best, Alessa 😊

Answer 5

Hi there,

I’ll add one more skill on top of the great answers you’ve already received — and for me, this one is number one in any corporate, organizational, or entrepreneurial career:

The ability to network and build meaningful working relationships.

Why? Because it unlocks everything else.

You can learn new skills faster, open up hidden opportunities, get honest feedback, receive career guidance, and — let’s be honest — make the whole ride a lot more enjoyable. The people around you are the best source of leverage you’ll ever have. Use it.

Best,

Alberto

Answer 6

Hi there,

For consulting: problem solving (conceptual and practical), communication (top down, executive, clear and objective) and the ability to influence others (clients, managers and peers). There are other things such as resilience, working under pressure, leadership, etc. but those above are the cardial ones.

Best,

Mari