Beyond Coding: High-Impact Fintech Careers for Non-Engineers
Unlock your potential in fintech with these exciting roles—no coding skills needed!
When most people think of a “tech career,” the first image that comes to mind is someone coding away on a computer, building the next big app or platform. But here’s the thing: tech isn’t just about coding, and there’s so much more to the industry than engineering. Whether you’re fresh out of law school, a finance graduate, or a creative, there are loads of non-engineering roles in the tech industry—especially in fintech.
So, if coding isn’t your thing, don’t worry. There’s a space for you in tech, and these roles are just as critical to making things run. Let’s dive into some exciting non-engineering career paths in fintech and how you can get started—even if you’ve never written a line of code.
1. Compliance Officer
If you’ve recently graduated from law school and aren’t interested in traditional courtroom roles, becoming a compliance officer in fintech could be a great fit. Compliance officers ensure that companies are adhering to regulations, from anti-money laundering (AML) laws to data privacy requirements. In fintech, there’s a lot of regulatory oversight, so understanding the licensing structure (like payment licenses and money transfer licenses) and the nuances of these rules is key to the role.
How to get started:
Learn the regulatory licensing structure in fintech and become familiar with the nuances of compliance. This might include studying the laws around payment systems, international money transfers, and digital banking.
Take fintech-specific courses or certifications in compliance and AML regulations.
Apply for internships or junior compliance roles to gain hands-on experience.
2. Accountant or Financial Analyst
If you love working with numbers, fintech companies need you! As an accountant or financial analyst, your role would be to manage the company’s financial health—whether it’s handling budgets, forecasting profits, or ensuring taxes and reports are in order. Understanding how to build financial models and create effective budgets is crucial, and these skills are highly sought after.
How to get started:
Learn how to build financial models and budgeting by taking online courses on platforms like Coursera, or explore fintech-specific learning opportunities on platforms like Paylogue.
Get familiar with accounting software commonly used in fintech, like Xero or QuickBooks.
Start by applying for entry-level accounting or financial analyst roles in fintech companies.
3. Reconciliation & Settlement Specialist
Reconciliation and settlement are key roles in fintech, especially in payments-focused companies. As a reconciliation and settlement specialist, your job is to ensure that all financial transactions are accurately accounted for and settled properly between customers, banks, and the company. It’s a behind-the-scenes role, but it’s vital to making sure that money moves smoothly through the system.
How to get started:
Learn about payment processing systems and financial reconciliation tools.
Apply for finance-related roles in fintech companies and grow into a specialized role in reconciliation and settlement.
4. Product Operations
Product operations is all about ensuring that a fintech product runs smoothly from a business and operational standpoint. You’ll manage the product lifecycle, troubleshoot issues, and ensure user feedback is implemented. This role is great for people who like multitasking and keeping everything on track.
How to get started:
Look into certifications in product management or project management (like Agile or PMP).
Gain experience in tech support or operations roles and transition into product operations as you grow your skills.
5. Customer Success & Support
Every fintech company needs a strong customer success and support team to keep users happy. You’ll be the one helping customers navigate the product, solving their issues, and making sure they have a great experience. If you enjoy working with people and are a natural problem-solver, this could be the role for you.
How to get started:
Build strong communication and customer service skills.
Apply for entry-level customer support roles at fintech companies and work your way up to customer success positions.
6. Marketing & Growth Specialist
Fintech companies rely on strong marketing and growth strategies to attract and retain customers. As a marketing or growth specialist, you’ll be responsible for creating campaigns, developing content, and finding ways to grow the company’s user base. It’s a perfect role for people who love thinking creatively and have a knack for business.
How to get started:
Take digital marketing certifications (Google offers free courses).
Build a portfolio of marketing work and apply for junior marketing roles in fintech companies or startups.
7. Legal Advisor
If traditional law practice isn’t for you, fintech offers a great alternative path. Legal advisors in fintech help companies navigate the complex legal landscape, dealing with contracts, intellectual property, and compliance with data protection laws. You’ll be the go-to person for keeping the company on the right side of the law while helping them navigate new markets and challenges.
How to get started:
Learn about fintech regulations and data protection laws.
Gain experience by interning with a fintech legal team or a law firm that specializes in tech clients.
8. Risk Analyst
Fintech companies deal with risk all the time, from financial risk to operational risk. As a risk analyst, your job will be to analyze data and predict potential risks, whether it’s credit risk, fraud, or other threats. This role is perfect for people who love diving deep into data and using it to make strategic decisions.
How to get started:
Take courses in risk management and data analysis.
Learn tools like Excel, SQL, or PowerBI to analyze large sets of data, and then apply for entry-level risk analyst positions.
9. Operations Manager
If you love ensuring things run smoothly and efficiently, operations management could be a great fit. As an operations manager in fintech, your job will be to make sure all the different departments work together seamlessly, oversee processes, and manage the day-to-day operations of the business.
How to get started:
Gain experience in business management or administration.
Apply for junior operations roles in fintech and work your way up.
10. Quality Assurance (QA) and Software Testing
Quality assurance and software testing are crucial in fintech because they ensure that the software works perfectly before it’s launched. As a QA tester, you’ll test the product to find bugs, glitches, or anything that could go wrong before customers get their hands on it. Your role is to ensure the product meets quality standards and works as intended.
How to get started:
Learn the basics of software testing through online courses or certifications in QA.
Understand different types of testing (manual, automated) and get comfortable with testing tools like Selenium, JIRA, or TestRail.
Apply for junior QA or software testing roles in fintech companies to build experience.
How to Get Started in Non-Engineering Tech Careers
The best part about these roles? Most of them don’t require coding experience. It’s all about finding where your strengths lie and learning the specific tools used in that role. Whether you’re fresh out of school or looking to switch careers, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get into the tech space.
Here’s how to start:
Take online courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Google offer a wide range of courses to build your skills.
Gain experience through internships: Getting hands-on experience is key, so look for internships or entry-level positions to start.
Network: Connect with people in the industry via LinkedIn or professional events. This can open doors to opportunities and mentorship.
Conclusion: Tech is for Everyone!
If you’re looking to get into tech but don’t want to code, there’s plenty of room for you. Whether you’re great with numbers, love working with people, or are skilled in ensuring products work perfectly, tech companies need diverse talents to thrive. Non-engineering roles are just as crucial, and there’s no limit to where your career can take you in this fast-growing industry.
So, whether you’re fresh out of law school, an accounting graduate, or just looking to make a career shift—explore these opportunities, learn the skills, and dive into the world of fintech or tech in general. There’s no better time to start than now!