10 Steps to Building a Complete Financial Portfolio

If you’re thinking about starting a business, improving your professional skills, or making yourself stand out with your employer, you may want to consider investing in yourself by taking educational courses. Many colleges and universities offer professional certification programs such as NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies; certificates available include Financial Analysis, Accounting, Bookkeeping, Portfolio Management, French, German, Italian, International Affairs, Web Development, Marketing, Property Management, Real Estate Finance and Investment, Cinematography, and Product Design.

As the investing for beginners guide, I'm often asked advice for someone starting out on their own. The answer is almost invariably: enroll in basic accounting and finance courses. Although the cost may be several thousand dollars, the knowledge you gain can make a significant difference in your income if applied wisely; paying for itself many, many times over.