Wading through the frenzy of the trading floor or surrounded by computers humming miles away from Wall Street, brokerage clerks track the progress of every player in the game of high finance. Their wide-ranging responsibilities in this growing field all involve computing and recording data on securities transactions.

The most common type of brokerage clerk is called the broker's assistant, or sale's assistant. This clerk interfaces with clients and handles the paperwork for securities purchases and sales and other account records. They're knowledgeable about investment products and can explain them clearly.

Other brokerage clerks specialize in tracking and organizing the sales and purchases of every stock, bond, commodity, or other investment product offered by a securities firm. It's all managed by customized computer software.

A high school diploma can suffice for brokerage clerk positions that are primarily clerical. A bachelor's degree is preferred for job categories requiring a deeper understanding of finance. Many brokerage firms hire college graduates for entry-level clerical jobs and promote them into management positions as their skills develop. This is a field that requires focus, confidence, financial savvy, communication skills, and energy.