Occupation Summary

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

O*NET 41-3031.00

Description:

Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.

Annual Wages:
$93,036.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 20.04%.
Education Level:
Bachelor's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry

  1. Make bids or offers to buy or sell securities.
  2. Monitor markets or positions.
  3. Agree on buying or selling prices at optimal levels for clients.
  4. Keep accurate records of transactions.
  5. Buy or sell stocks, bonds, commodity futures, foreign currencies, or other securities on behalf of investment dealers.
  6. Complete sales order tickets and submit for processing of client-requested transactions.
  7. Report all positions or trading results.
  8. Interview clients to determine clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, or financial objectives.
  9. Discuss financial options with clients and keep them informed about transactions.
  10. Determine customers' financial services needs and prepare proposals to sell services that address these needs.
  11. Sell services or equipment, such as trusts, investments, or check processing services.
  12. Identify opportunities or develop channels for purchase or sale of securities or commodities.
  13. Develop financial plans, based on analysis of clients' financial status.
  14. Review all securities transactions to ensure accuracy of information and conformance to governing agency regulations.
  15. Contact prospective customers to present information and explain available services.
  16. Devise trading, option, or hedge strategies.
  17. Track and analyze factors that affect price movement, such as trade policies, weather conditions, political developments, or supply and demand changes.
  18. Inform other traders, managers, or customers of market conditions, including volume, price, competition, or dynamics.
  19. Offer advice on the purchase or sale of particular securities.
  20. Evaluate costs and revenue of agreements to determine continued profitability.
  21. Explain stock market terms or trading practices to clients.
  22. Calculate costs for billings or commissions.
  23. Prepare financial reports to monitor client or corporate finances.
  24. Supply the latest price quotes on any security, as well as information on the activities or financial positions of the corporations issuing these securities.
  25. Supervise support staff and ensure proper execution of contracts.
  26. Relay buy or sell orders to securities exchanges or to firm trading departments.
  27. Negotiate prices or contracts for securities or commodities sales or purchases.
  28. Prepare and send requests for price quotations to all companies in a particular market.
  29. Price securities or commodities based on market conditions.
  30. Purchase or sell financial derivatives for customers.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents employed Annual Growth Rate
Nondepository credit intermediation 5.7 0.80
Insurance carriers 2.3 0.36


Labor Market Information


2022 Statewide average hourly wage $44.73
2022 National average hourly wage $48.43
2020 National employment 466,300
2020 Texas employment 37,654
Texas projected employment by 2030 45,201
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2030 4,282




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
86.40%
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
78.60%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
76.40%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
74.60%
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
74.20%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
70.00%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
68.40%
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
62.20%
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
60.00%
Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
53.60%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
75.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
75.00%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
72.40%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
72.40%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
70.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
70.00%
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
70.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
70.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
67.60%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
67.60%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
82.40%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
77.60%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
75.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
72.40%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
72.40%
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
70.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
70.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
70.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
67.60%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
67.60%


  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    -- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Processing Information
    -- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Other Activities


  • Achievement
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
  • Working Conditions
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.



Tools

Desktop calculator: 10-key calculators;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Laser fax machine: Laser facsimile machines;

Notebook computers: Notebook computers; Laptop computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Photocopiers: Photocopying equipment;

Scanners: Computer data input scanners;

Special purpose telephones: Multi-line telephone systems;

Tablet computers: Tablet computers;

Wearable computing devices: Mobile computing devices;


Technology

Accounting software: Fund accounting software; Sage 50 Accounting;

Analytical or scientific software: The MathWorks MATLAB;

Business intelligence and data analysis software: IBM Cognos Impromptu;

Calendar and scheduling software: Scheduling software;

Cloud-based data access and sharing software: Microsoft SharePoint;

Compliance software: Regulatory agency compliance software;

Customer relationship management CRM software: Oracle Siebel CRM; Salesforce software; Microsoft Dynamics; Customer relationship management CRM software; CSI Complex Systems ClientTrade;

Data base user interface and query software: Database management software; FundCount Web; FileMaker Pro; Microsoft Access; Web-based information systems;

Desktop communications software: Imagine Software Imagine Trading System; ADP/Vantra VOLTS;

Development environment software: Microsoft Visual Basic;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook; IBM Notes; Email software;

Enterprise resource planning ERP software: Microsoft Dynamics GP; Oracle PeopleSoft; Oracle PeopleSoft Financials; Oracle Hyperion; SAP software;

Financial analysis software: Sales analysis software; Realm Business Solutions INSIGHT for ARGUS; Redi Enterprise Development Redi ERM; Multiple trading transaction systems; Oracle E-Business Suite Financials; Web-based trading systems; SunGard MicroHedge; Telvent DTN ProphetX; Thomson Reuters Tradeweb; Tradeweb Markets Tradeweb; Trading Blox; Triple Point Commodity XL; Knight BondPoint; Leading Market Technologies EXPO; CQG Integrated Client; Derivicom FinOptions XL; Financial needs analysis software; Fixed income alternative trading systems ATS; AIQ Systems TradingExpert Pro; AnalyzerXL; Aspen Graphics Technical Analysis Software; Bloomberg Professional; BondDesk Group Trader WorkStation; CableSoft LiveWire Trader; Calypso Technology Calypso Asset Management; Charles River Development Charles River Investment Management System; Citi The Yield Book Calculator;

Graphics or photo imaging software: Graphics software;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Object or component oriented development software: Oracle Java; Python; R; C++;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: UNIX; Linux; Microsoft Windows;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Project management software: Project management software;

Spreadsheet software: Spreadsheet software; Microsoft Excel;

Transaction server software: Customer information control system CICS;

Web page creation and editing software: LinkedIn;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word; Word processing software;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents include:
  • 43-4011.00 Brokerage Clerks
  • 13-2041.00 Credit Analysts
  • 13-2051.00 Financial and Investment Analysts
  • 13-2054.00 Financial Risk Specialists
  • 11-3031.03 Investment Fund Managers
  • 13-2072.00 Loan Officers
  • 43-4141.00 New Accounts Clerks
  • 13-2052.00 Personal Financial Advisors
  • 41-9021.00 Real Estate Brokers
  • 13-1022.00 Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents, visit: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA)
  • For more information about licensing of securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents, visit: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
  • For more information about certification for securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents, visit: CFA Institute
  • Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.