Is Finance a Hard Class?

Finance can be a challenging topic to learn since there are many new concepts and skills to cover, however, it is something that almost anyone can master. If you already have some related experience, then the learning process is likely to be easier, but even a beginner can ultimately become an expert in finance. This article discusses some of the challenges you might encounter while you are learning, and ways to make the learning process easier.

What is Hard About Learning Finance?

If you don’t have any experience in finance, learning can be challenging at the beginning. You’ll need to develop financial literacy and learn a lot of new concepts and skills. You’ll also need to learn a number of computer applications that you’ll use for analyzing financial data, organizing projects, and creating reports. Ultimately though, with practice and dedication, this is a skill that almost anyone can learn. 

One thing that can be particularly challenging is the volume of data that you’ll probably have to deal with. When starting a financial career, you may become overwhelmed with the amount of data that requires input into various databases. Regarding financing, various aspects need to be tracked, which can lead to high amounts of data. To make this less challenging, you can learn various data science programs to learn how to automate various parts of the process. 

Another thing that some people find challenging is the soft skills--things like learning how to manage people and relationships--involved in finance. Many of these skills are gained through time and practice. People new to the field sometimes expect their jobs to be focused on numbers and financial concepts and are surprised at the amount of time they spend interacting with other people. In almost any type of financial position, you’ll have to deal with a variety of different relationships, with people like clients, employees, and vendors, and over time you’ll improve your soft skills as you work through the variety of situations that you’ll have to deal with.

How Can I Make Learning Finance Easier?

One way to make the learning process easier is to use online resources. There is no shortage of free resources for anyone looking to learn financial skills, particularly if you are willing to take advantage of sites like YouTube or other free training providers. For example, Noble Desktop offers a free Stock Market Investing seminar for students looking to learn the basics of personal investment and an Excel Tips and Tricks seminar that is suited for beginners. These courses are excellent introductions to the basics of finance and are built with first-time learners in mind, so students can take advantage of these classes regardless of the path that they choose to take with their further training.

In addition, services like MasterClass, Coursera, and Udemy offer a wide range of courses for learning all sorts of financial and investing skills. These courses give students the opportunity to learn at their own pace and to decide the order and focus of their lessons, providing even more freeform options for learning vital financial skills. These training programs also offer students a very low cost of start-up investment, meaning that if you find that you aren’t a big fan of whatever kind of lesson that you are using, you can easily switch to another option.

You can also find resources through professional networks and publications. In an article titled “You need to manage your finances better. What's the best way to stay up-to-date with the latest trends?” LinkedIn suggests some good types of professional resources. It says, “You can subscribe to newsletters, podcasts, blogs, magazines, or books that cover topics relevant to your financial goals and interests. You can also use social media platforms, such as Twitter, LinkedIn, or Reddit, to follow experts, influencers, or communities that share insights and opinions on finance.” You’ll also find that there are many experts willing to share their expertise online through various chat forums. You can visit these forums and look for relevant information, or you can even post a specific question. 

Best Ways to Learn Finance Without Difficulty

Another great way to make the learning process easier is to enroll in a course with a live instructor who can guide you through the ins and outs of learning this topic. Live classes will provide students with the structure and guidance they are looking for to ensure that they stay on track and succeed at their long-term finance training goals. In addition to structure, learning with a live instructor will also give you a chance to get focused feedback on your work and support when you run into problems with the lessons. This added support might not seem like the most impactful aspect of learning these skills, but it will help to ensure that you don’t fall behind or stop with your training because you run into significant issues.

In addition, learning with a live instructor is an excellent way to be sure that you’re gaining an understanding of all of the principles and tools that finance professionals use. Most finance instructors have years of experience both in teaching and in the field of finance. Not only can they help you gain a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of finance, but they can also share tips and tricks that could take you years to figure out by yourself. 

Another benefit of taking a live class is that you’ll learn as part of a group. This can be beneficial in a number of ways. One is that it enhances the learning process because you’ll be exposed to a range of different perspectives and ways of working; many students say that they gain a deeper understanding of finance concepts when they discuss them and work through exercises as a group. In some cases, you might ask peers for help or you might be the one offering help, both of which can enhance the learning process further. Finally, being part of a group of people with similar professional goals can give you access to networking relationships that can be valuable throughout your professional career. 

Learn Finance with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is based in New York City and offers a number of different finance classes, including both short courses that can help you quickly master the basics, and longer, more comprehensive programs, where you can develop a strong finance skill set. Its classes can be taken in person at its Manhattan facility or in a live online format. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department. All courses include the option of a free retake within one year.

• One popular Noble Desktop option is the “MBA” Business Certificate. This course is an “MBA-style” program and it includes some of the skills taught in MBA programs. In this class, you’ll learn tools and strategies for finance, project management, marketing, and data analysis. You’ll also learn about the practical applications of generative AI and will get access to a self-paced class that covers the basics of business insurance, employment law, and business law. This class includes the option to take electives that match your specific area of interest. Finally, it comes with eight one-on-one mentoring sessions.
• Another option is the Financial Modeling Bootcamp. This course covers finance and accounting concepts, and you’ll build a comprehensive discounted cash flow model in Excel that is based on a real company. You will also learn about corporate finance and you’ll gain advanced Excel skills. Students who want to take this class should have intermediate-level proficiency in Excel. 
• Noble Desktop also offers a Financial Analyst Training Program. This class covers core Excel skills, in addition to Excel skills used in financial modeling. You’ll also learn about financial modeling, and build a 3-statement financial model. In addition, you’ll learn about reviewing company presentations, financial reports, and earnings releases so that you can find model drivers and assumptions. Finally, the course covers accounting, corporate finance, and valuation. 
• One of Noble Desktop’s newest offerings is the Chat GTP & AI for Business Bootcamp. This course is designed to give you the skills you’ll need to utilize AI in your daily business tasks. You’ll learn how to create effective prompts, manage conversations, and use advanced features like memory settings. You’ll also learn about the ethical considerations of AI. In addition, the course focuses on ways to use AI for task management, communication, and project planning. You’ll learn about automating repetitive tasks, optimizing schedules, and improving collaboration and administrative workflows.

Noble also offers a variety of short Excel classes: Excel Level 1,Level 2, and Level 3. Level 1 is focused on getting familiar with the interface, entering data, using essential formulas and functions, and creating charts. You’ll also learn how to format and print. Level 2 covers splitting and joining text, adding data validation, named ranges, database functions, adding logical statements, and using Pivot Tables. In addition, you’ll learn to use statistical functions and create advanced combo charts. In Level 3, instructors cover advanced concepts including cell locking, auditing, hotkeys, formatting for calculating dates, advanced functions, advanced analytical tools, Pivot Charts, and advanced database functions.