Struggling with how to answer “Why finance?” without sounding generic

Hi Anonymous,

no worries, this is a common challenge and completely normal to face.

From what I’ve seen, the best answers to “Why finance?” feel personal and grounded, not overly polished. You don’t need a dramatic story, but you do want to show curiosity and a moment where finance started to click for you.

I know someone who talked about a student project where they analyzed a company’s earnings. At first, it was just a class task, but they found themselves going deeper than required, really trying to understand the drivers behind the numbers. That genuine interest became the core of their answer.

Something like: “I first got interested in finance during a university project where we built a financial model for a company. I realized I enjoyed connecting financial data with business decisions and thinking critically about value creation. That experience made me want to explore the industry further.”

It doesn’t have to be perfect. If you can point to a real experience, even a small one, it’ll come across as authentic.

I hope that helps! 😊

From coaching candidates I know the best answers to “Why finance?” are the personal ones. For me it was that I liked numbers, but pure math felt too abstract. Finance became exciting once I noticed that the figures reflect real companies, real people and their decisions 🙂

You do not need to copy my story, but think back to a moment when finance felt real for you. Maybe it was a class project, a news story you followed, or a task during an internship. If you describe that moment in simple words, your answer will feel authentic and never generic.

Totally get it. “Why finance?” is tricky because it’s so common. The key is to connect your personal story with what finance really means to you, beyond just numbers or money.

Here are a few authentic angles that work:

• Talk about how you like solving real-world problems, and finance lets you do that by helping businesses grow or manage risks.
• Mention how you enjoy the fast pace and constant learning—finance changes all the time, and that challenges you.
• Share a specific moment or experience (even from studying ACCA) that made you realize finance fits your skills and mindset.
• Focus on the impact—how finance roles help shape strategies or decisions that matter.

For example:
“I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers, but what really drew me to finance was realizing it’s not just about calculations—it’s about making decisions that drive real business outcomes. During my ACCA studies, I loved the parts where I analyzed financial statements to spot risks and opportunities. That problem-solving and impact motivate me to build a career here.”

Hey!

When answering “Why finance?” focus on linking your personal experiences and interests to the skills and impact that the industry offers. Talk about what excites you, such as analyzing companies, understanding markets, or structuring deals, and illustrate it with a concrete example from your coursework, internships, or a project that sparked your curiosity. 

Highlight how these experiences shaped your decision to pursue finance and what drives you to thrive in a fast-paced, analytical environment. Framing your answer around your genuine curiosity and desire to contribute meaningfully makes it feel authentic and memorable.