How College Graduates Can Forge A Career Path In CRE Finance

A career in commercial real estate is not limited to students who specifically study real estate.

Students working toward a degree in business or accounting should consider a career in real estate finance — which encompasses the financial tasks involved in purchasing, developing and overseeing assets.

Specialities In Real Estate Finance

1. Asset Management:Analyze an asset’s performance to create a plan for getting strong returns while reducing risk.
2. Acquisitions Management: Add assets to a portfolio based on what makes sense for the company’s investment strategy and use analysis and financial modeling to make predictions about an asset’s value.
3. Underwriting: Evaluate the financial status of a property and a borrower seeking a loan for the property to figure out the level of risk for the loan.
4. Portfolio management: Manage CRE properties in a portfolio, helping clients maximize their properties and make decisions
5. Real estate accounting: Oversee financial activities, transactions and records related to acquiring, selling or managing assets.

Skills College Graduates Need

1. Financial modeling: The use of Excel and other software to make predictions about how an asset will perform financially.
2. Risk assessment: Evaluate metrics to weigh the possibility of risk, whether when lending money to a borrower or looking at the market to evaluate asset performance.
3. Analytical Thinking: Evaluate real estate trends and trajectories and make decisions based on findings.
4. Communication: Inform clients and stakeholders about crucial information about investments or status of a loan and negotiate terms of a deal

What Comes After Graduation

College graduates can start their career in real estate finance as an analyst and work their way up to an associate-level job. Higher-level roles include Managing Director, Vice President and Chief Finance Officer.

College graduates who are starting their careers can visit SelectLeaders to connect with a hiring manager, view resources for hiring and apply for open roles on its job board.

Click here to learn more about CRE finance and view open roles.