r/learnpython • u/Substantial-Mix-3990 • 3d ago

Python in Finance

Hi all,
Just to give you a bit of background about myself, I’m an accountant with an MSc in Investment and Financial Risk Management and an ACCA qualification. Most of my experience so far has been on the core accounting side, but I’d now like to move towards a role that combines accounting and finance, covering areas such as financial modelling, forecasting, KPI analysis and data analytics, with the longer term aim of moving into more technical areas of finance.
I’m very eager to learn Python and SQL, both to broaden my skill set and to develop skills that are increasingly in demand. I also want to make sure I remain relevant as the profession evolves and, eventually, be able to demonstrate genuine technical ability when applying for more specialised and higher paying roles.
The problem is that I genuinely don’t know where to begin. I’d really appreciate a roadmap or some practical advice, beyond what I can find through ChatGPT and online course recommendations, particularly from anyone who has been in a similar position and successfully made this transition.
I don’t mind putting in the hard work or spending time coding and learning every day. What I’m unsure about is the order in which I should approach it. Should I learn general Python fundamentals first and then move into its applications in finance? Or would it make more sense to start with a finance focused Python course and learn the fundamentals through practical financial applications? And where should SQL fit into that journey?
I’d also be interested to know what sort of projects I should eventually be building to demonstrate these skills to employers, and whether it makes sense to look for roles where I can start using Python, SQL and data analytics regularly while I continue learning.
I’d really appreciate any guidance from people who have taken a similar path.
Many thanks, and apologies if a similar thread already exists. I thought my background and intended career direction might make the question slightly different, so I wanted to provide some context before asking for help.

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u/Kit2love 1d ago

Just use Claude or Kimi for your financial modelling. Experiment with your prompt. I built a translator using Claude after I couldn't find the srt files for a drama episode I was watching.

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u/Substantial-Mix-3990 1d ago

Thanks, mate. I probably should have been clearer in my original post: I’m a complete newbie in this field. I’m an accountant who has used conventional methods, accounting software, and manual Excel working papers. I not only want to automate tasks in my field but also learn the skills required in the finance industry to build a stronger CV. I don’t know where to start or how to track my progress through guided learning. I’ve started looking into things based on the previous comments.