Being a student trying to find their way in the current job market might feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Having an optimistic outlook and strong perseverance are essential for landing a graduate job role.

After discovering there are 27,000 online searches each month* for graduate finance jobs, MoneyTransfers.com analysed data from employer feedback specialists GlassDoor to discover which graduate finance roles are currently the highest paying in each European country.

The highest paid finance graduates in Europe

Overall, MoneyTransfers.com discovered that Switzerland has the highest paying graduate finance roles in Europe! Paying newcomers an impressive starting salary of £93,379 annually for finance associates roles, they pay £21,619 more per year than the second-place country.

The second highest paying European country is Liechtenstein. Graduates working in auditor positions could earn a hefty salary of £71,760 per year. 

Following Liechtenstein is Luxembourg who provide an annual salary of £71,473 to finance graduates who are working in investment analysis.

The highest paying graduate finance role in each European country

MoneyTransfers.com found that in Bulgaria (£10,751), Croatia (£11,557), Cyprus (£16,944), Finland (£62,321), Greece (£21,945), Latvia (£12,036), Liechtenstein (£71,760), Lithuania (£36,205), Poland (£19,524) and Slovenia (£38,569) auditor roles are currently the highest paying graduate finance job.

From these selected countries, Liechtenstein has the highest average graduate salary for auditors whilst Bulgaria has the lowest.

In Austria (£61,034), Czech Republic (£14,541), Denmark (£65,839), Estonia (£22,060), Norway (£64,631), Portugal (£19,997), Romania (£8,527), Slovakia (£16,331) and Sweden (£41,864) finance analyst is currently the highest paying graduate finance role.

Out of these countries, Denmark has the highest average graduate salary for finance analysts whilst Romania has the lowest.

Focusing on the UK, the highest paying graduate role currently for finance graduates is investment analyst at an average annual salary of £43,797.

Moreover, graduates in France (£45,989), Germany (£61,722), Ireland (£36,657) and Switzerland (£93,379) have the greatest earning potential in finance associate positions.

Interestingly, in Spain, finance administrator is the graduate finance role that can bank prospective candidates the most money at an average annual salary of £29,151. Whilst the same is true for graduate junior accountant jobs (£32,795) in Ukraine.

MoneyTransfers.com top three tips for landing a graduate finance role

Network, Network, Network

During a graduate job search, you must try to make things happen for you. Identify a list of companies and key figures that you really like in the finance industry and contact them via platforms such as LinkedIn, to not only showcase your skills but ask them thought-provoking questions. The more rapport you build with finance industry influencers, the more noticed and memorable you become.

Keep Learning

Use up your time up productively. Learn finance skills in your spare time that will help you to stand out and become a more qualified candidate. To do so, you don’t even have to break the bank or leave your house. With an array of online finance courses available, you can study when and wherever you want. Most of these courses also provide certifications upon completion, so you can add them to your CV.

Start building a portfolio of work

Don’t just rely on your CV to get you through the door. Employers love to see candidates who practice what they preach. There are multiple ways for you to showcase your skills such as working on your own independent finance projects or contributing to someone else’s via online freelancer services. This allows you to build a body of work and showcase your talents in a more practical way to potential employers