Mission: Our ultimate goal is to foster robust, but fair and orderly, markets in which America’s 90 million investors can feel confident.
As the world around us changes, two things keep us grounded: our values and our mission. Collaboration, Expertise, Innovation, Responsibility. Investor Protection, Market Integrity.
FINRA has been on a hiring spree, working to fill scores of open positions. But given that almost all employees are working remotely as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, how are these new hires getting the equipment to start work from home? The solution: “FINRA in a Box.” Learn more about how we are on-boarding new employees remotely and follow Tiffany through her FINRA In a Box unboxing experience!
COVID-19 Update: FINRA remains fully operational and is continuing to hire and onboard new employees remotely to carry out all of our vital regulatory responsibilities, protecting investors and market integrity.
Our mission is clear—to provide investor protection and promote market integrity. That mission empowers our employees—giving them more than a job, but a passion. When every day you have an opportunity to make an impact, it is easy to love what you do and to thrive.
We are committed to recruiting and retaining the very best employees. We know it’s the hard work and dedication of our diverse and passionate team that makes FINRA the strong organization it is. That’s why we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, including programs that promote work-life balance, offer opportunities for professional growth and a robust diversity and inclusion program.
Collaboration. Expertise. Innovation. Responsibility.
Everything FINRA does happens with these four values in mind. They underpin how FINRA team members make decisions and how they operate effectively to fulfill their mission of investor protection and market integrity. They reflect FINRA's commitment to each other and their community, energy and spirit. Living by these values has created a culture that makes FINRA employees excited about coming to work each day. Most importantly, these values capture who FINRA is and what we believe FINRA can be in the future.
We encourage balance.
help employees achieve that through a variety of work-life programs. They include flexible work arrangements, because FINRA understands that supporting diverse work styles and scheduling needs can be an important factor in the satisfaction and productivity of its teams.
FINRA also partners with Bright Horizons, a leading back-up care provider, for center-based child, home-based child and adult back-up care. In terms of professional development, FINRA provides support for the Toastmasters International® program because leadership skills and public speaking are two common goals for many employees. And FINRA has ten different employee resource groups that allow for personal and professional development.
Over the years, we’ve been honored for our efforts: Working Mother Magazine included us among its 100 Best Companies, AARP named us one of its 50 Best Employers for Workers Over 50, Computerworld Magazine chose us as one of the 100 Best Places to Work in IT and the Maryland Work~Life Alliance has awarded us its Workplace Excellence Seal for several years running.
Performing an Intergral Role
At FINRA, Technology has a seat at the table. When significant opportunities and critical challenges are discussed, the Technology team is there, playing an integral role in creating solutions. Technology team members are embedded in virtually every area of FINRA’s business, resulting in an open culture where Technology’s ideas and viewpoints contribute to FINRA’s effectiveness and efficiency.
Meaningful Innovation
FINRA technologists pioneer new technologies and they do so to pursue a meaningful goal: helping to protect investors. They develop new ways to process Big Data to put market intelligence directly in the hands of human analysts, and they employ machine learning to help sift through billions of electronic records—all to help detect potential abuses by those who would threaten the integrity of the market.
"Over the past couple of years, FINRA has embarked on a technology transformation using cutting-edge technologies such as big data, machine learning, and the cloud. FINRA encourages engineers to explore and innovate with new technologies." - Fazludeen, Technical Project Manager
A career at FINRA puts you in the middle of the financial world. Every day, our Member Supervision financial examiners are in the field taking a close look at the way brokers operate to ensure compliance with our own rules and federal securities laws to ensure our financial markets remain fair and secure.
Our mission is Investor Protection, Market Integrity. FINRA examiners are at the heart of that mission. Their work is critical in safeguarding investors and ensuring the integrity of our financial markets. It is challenging and rewarding work that demands an understanding of financial markets, an eye for risk, the curiosity of an investigator and a passion for our mission.
Helpful (2)
I have been working at FINRA full-time (More than 5 years)
Pros
FINRA is a great place to work for those who want to feel like they are doing some good in the world.
Overall, the culture at FINRA is great. The organization values collaboration, innovation and diversity and inclusion. I've never worked somewhere with so many employee resource groups before! (I think it's up to 10??)
After five years with the company (and one promotion), I can honestly say I still feel like I'm learning and still embracing new challenges. That's what has kept me engaged. Plus, I get to work with some seriously smart people. I'm lucky to be able to learn from their expertise every day.
Another pro in the current environment is that while many financial firms might be laying off given what covid-19 has done to the economy, FINRA won't since FINRA is most important during periods of greater volatility.
Cons
FINRA doesn't pay as much as a financial services firm, but the work-life balance more than makes up for that difference, in my opinion. Not to mention the knowledge that your work is actually doing some good in the world - not just making a big organization some money.
One other con is that if you are at a cocktail party, you can pretty much guarantee that most people will have never heard of FINRA and if they have heard of FINRA, they probably work in the financial services industry and might not want to talk to you.
Helpful (1)
Application
I applied through a staffing agency. I interviewed at FINRA.
Interview
Interview was a great experience. I had an initial hour long video interview. The interviewer was extremely friendly. I was invited for an in person interview the following week and had 3 different interviews with a group of 2 folks each time. It lasted for 3 hours. All the interviewers were very knowledgeable, friendly and thorough. The questions asked during the interview were relevant and technical.
Interview Questions
Diversity Commitment
Has programs that support a diverse and inclusive workforce
Tech Hiring Commitment
Helping to train, hire and promote more technology workers
Social Responsibility Pledge
Formal programs or foundation to give back to communities
Veteran Hiring Commitment
Committed to helping America's military veterans find work
Pay Equality Pledge
Committed to paying equitably for equal work & experience
Career Advancement Program
Helping employees "upskill" into higher-paying positions
Pledge to Thrive
Taking steps to prioritize employee well-being
