What they do all day? The first line of defense in preventing banking disasters, these professionals work on site at banks, acting as the eyes and ears for financial regulatory agencies. They conduct audits, inspecting banks' assets, loans and liquidity, to make sure institutions are in compliance with regulations and aren't engaging in risky behavior.

How to get the job? Being detail-oriented is critical for such exacting work. Since the job involves complex financial analysis, it's useful to have banking experience or a degree in accounting, economics or finance.

What's great? What's not? Comprehensive on-the-job training is a big draw. For example, new hires at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which regulates national banks, spend their first six to eight months on a training team. But working in the field requires extensive travel. And bank examiners have a lot riding on their shoulders: They can come under heavy scrutiny if they miss a red flag. --G.W.

What they do all day? The first line of defense in preventing banking disasters, these professionals work on site at banks, acting as the eyes and ears for financial regulatory agencies. They conduct audits, inspecting banks' assets, loans and liquidity, to make sure institutions are in compliance with regulations and aren't engaging in risky behavior. --G.W.