Investing in the Future
This Cluster Grouping aligns with Connecticut’s strengths in accounting, banking and credit services, financial strategy and investments, insurance, and real estate. These careers center on managing money, assessing risk, guiding financial decisions, and supporting economic growth. This Cluster Grouping plays a critical role in the state’s finance‑driven economy and its nationally recognized insurance and real estate markets.
Career Clusters and Sub-Clusters
Financial Services
The Financial Services Career Cluster encompasses careers in managing and advising financial transactions, including banking, lending, corporate finance, debt management, accounting, insurance, and real estate. These careers contribute to economic stability and growth by supporting the financial health of individuals and organizations.
Connecticut Sub-Clusters
Accounting
Careers focused on managing financial records for individuals and businesses and advising on individual and family financial planning and debt management. This field includes accountants, who ensure financial accuracy and compliance, and personal finance advisors, who guide individuals in savings, investments, and retirement planning. This Sub-Cluster also includes financial auditors and forensic accountants, who play a crucial role in this field by ensuring the integrity and reliability of financial information through comprehensive audits and assessments.
Example Courses
| Course Title | SCED Code |
|---|---|
| Accounting | 12104 |
| Comparative Economics | 04202 |
| Income Tax Accounting | 12109 |
| Economics – Workplace Experience | 04248 |
Dual Credit Course Examples
- CT State ACCT1250: Accounting Application I
- Goodwin University ACC110: Applied Accounting
- Post University ACC150: Accounting Essentials
Work Based Learning Examples
- Job Shadow – Auditor
- Internship – School Accounting Office
- School Based Enterprise – School Enterprise Bookkeeper
CT Department of Labor Occupational Data (High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand)
- Accountants and Auditors: High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks: High-Skill
- Personal Financial Advisors: High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand
Banking & Credit
Careers centered on money management, loans, microlending, and commercial and consumer credit across banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers, and finance companies. Professionals in this field have expertise in evaluating creditworthiness, managing loans, providing financial solutions to facilitate access to capital for individuals and businesses, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
Example Courses
| Course Title | SCED Code |
|---|---|
| Banking | 12102 |
| Banking and Finance | 12101 |
| Finance – Other | 12149 |
| Finance – Workplace Experience | 12148 |
Dual Credit Course Examples
- CT State BFIN250: Principles of Banking
- CT State ACCT1130: Principles of Financial Accounting
- Post University ACC215: Spreadsheet and General Ledger Software
Work Based Learning Examples
- Job Shadow – Credit Analyst
- Internship – In-School Credit Union Teller
- School Based Enterprise – School Enterprise Ledger Manager
CT Department of Labor Occupational Data (High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand)
- Credit Analysts: High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand
- Credit Counselors: High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand
- Financial Examiners: High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand
Financial Strategy & Investments
Careers involved in managing a company’s capital structure and corporate financial strategies, operations, and investments, including venture capital and private equity. This field also includes careers focused on the acquisition of investment offerings such as stocks, bonds, fixed-income products, pension plans, emerging digital assets, and other resources aimed at income generation or asset appreciation. The Sub-Cluster encompasses tactics for small business fundraising and financing via microlending and operational scaling and for devising exit strategies to evolve startups into sustainable enterprises. Professionals in this field ensure that financial practices and transactions adhere to legal and ethical standards.
Example Courses
| Course Title | SCED Code |
|---|---|
| Business Economics | 12105 |
| Consumer Economics/Personal Finance | 19262 |
| Securities and Investments | 12107 |
| Finance – Workplace Experience | 12148 |
Dual Credit Course Examples
- CT State BFIN2100: Principles of Finance
- CT State BENT2170: Small Business Management and Growth
- Goodwin University BUS150: Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Work Based Learning Examples
- Job Shadow – Personal Financial Manager/Advisor
- Internship – Non-Profit Fundraising
- School Based Enterprise – School Enterprise Cost/Benefit Analyst
CT Department of Labor Occupational Data (High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand)
- Financial and Investment Analysts: High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand
- Fundraising Managers: High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand
- Personal Financial Advisors: High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand
Insurance
Careers rooted in assessing risk; providing financial protection against loss; and offering products including life, health, and property insurance. Professionals in this field hold expertise in analysis and the ability to evaluate risk factors, investigate and process claims, create risk management strategies, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. This field uses applied mathematics and statistics to predict future events and design viable insurance policies.
Example Courses
| Course Title | SCED Code |
|---|---|
| Finance – Independent Study | 12147 |
| Finance – Other | 12149 |
| Risk Management and Insurance | 12106 |
| Finance – Workplace Experience | 12148 |
Dual Credit Course Examples
- No current opportunities
Work Based Learning Examples
- Job Shadow – Insurance Broker
- Internship – Town Risk Manager
- School Based Enterprise – School Enterprise Liability Awareness
CT Department of Labor Occupational Data (High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand)
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators: High-Wage, In-Demand
- Compliance Officers: High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand
- Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage: High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand
Real Estate
Careers focused on the buying, selling, leasing, and management of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Professionals in this field navigate the complex landscape of licensing, fair housing, zoning, environmental regulations, health, safety, and financial laws to facilitate legal and ethical property transactions.
Example Courses
| Course Title | SCED Code |
|---|---|
| Finance – Independent Study | 12147 |
| Finance – Other | 12149 |
| Finance – Workplace Experience | 12148 |
Dual Credit Course Examples
- No current opportunities/seeking post-secondary partnerships.
Work Based Learning Examples
- Job Shadow – Real Estate Agent
- Internship – Real Estate Brokerage Office
- Cooperative Work Education – Property Management
CT Department of Labor Occupational Data (High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand)
- Property Appraisers and Assessors: High-Skill, High-Wage
- Real Estate Brokers: High-Wage, In-Demand
Across the Financial Services Cluster
CTE Instructor Certifications and Endorsements
- 010 Business
- 045 Home Economics (Limited alignment between Personal Financial Management and Financial Literacy courses)
- 089 Marketing
- 098 Real Estate
Example Industry Recognized Credentials
- Adult Roles and Financial Literacy
- Bookkeeper Certification
- CT Real Estate License
Financial Services CTSO(s)
- DECA
- FBLA
Standards
- Business Administration Core Standards
- Business Management & Administration Career Cluster Standards and the associated Business Management & Administration Career Pathway Standards
- Finance Career Cluster Standards
Resources
- FBLA (CT)
- FBLA (National)
- Introducing Students to Banking Services Careers
- Learning Activity Packages, lesson plans from the MBA Research & Curriculum Center
- Project Based Learning Resources from the MBA Research & Curriculum Center
- Webinars for teachers on accessing materials from the MBA Research & Curriculum Center
Connecticut's Personal Financial Management and Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement
Personal Financial Management and Financial Literacy
Conn. Gen. Stats. Sections 10-16b, 10-16pp and 10-221a requires local and regional boards of education to provide learning opportunities for all students to accumulate one-half credit in personal financial management and financial literacy courses commencing with the graduating class of 2027. Critically applying financial literacy competencies prepares students for success in learning, life, and work beyond the classroom. Personal Finance is not a stand-alone Career Cluster or Career Pathway. Courses in Personal Finance or Financial Literacy can be listed appropriately in Programs of Study in the Management & Entrepreneurship, Financial Services, or Marketing & Sales Career Clusters as part of a program of study.
State Standards
On May 4, 2022, the Connecticut State Board of Education adopted the MBA Research Standards. The MBA Research Standards reflect the importance of equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed for any career in business. The MBA Research standards are organized on the premise of starting broad and narrowing in specificity as the student progresses in their program of study. This ensures that students enter the workforce, college, or a career with an understanding of these core concepts.
Standards Alignment
The State Board of Education (SBE) formally adopted the MBA Research Standards for the 3 business-related Career and Technical Education Career Clusters in May of 2022. Adoption of the NextGen Personal Finance Curricula for the CSDE Model Curricula for grades 6-8 and 9-12 followed in June 2022. The Learning Outcomes (Jump$tart) and Performance Indicators (MBA Research) align in many aspects and are complimentary. Jump$tart and MBA Research have independently developed nationally vetted standards for Personal Finance.
- Standards | Business Education Guidelines | MBA Research
- Grade 8 National Standards for Personal Finance Education Crosswalk to National Business Administration Standards
- Grade 12 National Standards for Personal Finance Education Crosswalk to National Business Administration Standards
- Connecticut Standards for Personal Finance Management and Financial Literacy
- Connecticut Standards for Personal Financial Management & Financial Literacy Performance Elements and Indicators
Educator Resources
The CSDE 6-12 Model Financial Literacy Collection Resources | GoOpen CT has developed a model financial literacy course in partnership with Next Generation Personal Finance (NGPF). The NGPF Semester Course is designed to be an engaging, teacher-led curriculum for grades 9-12. This course is perfect for teachers who have an entire semester to teach personal finance concepts. It features lesson plans to meet diverse learning styles; rigorous, engaging activities throughout the term; and a digital format so that content is always up-to-date and accessible. The course content aligns to the State Board Education (SBE) Approved Marketing and Business Administration (MBA) Research National Standards for Personal Financial Education, and Jump$tart Standards.
CSDE Financial Literacy Course Kit
Approved Supplemental Resources – GoOpenCT Open Educational Resources (OER) Collection
- MBA Research newly revised Personal Finance Curriculum
- JumpStart
- JumpStart Coalition
- EVERFI: Financial Literacy for High School Students | Free Course
- NextGen Personal Finance
- Federal Reserve Curricula: A "Standard" Personal Finance Curriculum
- Financial Literacy Portal
- Model curricula on GoOpenCT
- Connecticut Model Personal Finance for Grades 6-8
- Connecticut Model Personal Finance for Grades 9-12