Updated November 14, 2023
A financial analyst creates reports and presentations for the management of a firm to assist with making financial decisions. The work of financial analysts helps firm leaders make important decisions about almost every aspect of a business. Financial analysts may work in-house for a large corporation and handle only research projects related to that company, or they may work for a company that specializes in financial analysis and provides services to other firms on a contractual basis.
Salary (Median Pay)
For financial analysts
- Salary: $83,660/yr
- Hourly Rate: $40.22/hr
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Duties and Responsibilities
- Gather internal firm financial data;
- Synthesize data into usable representations;
- Meet with firm executives to understand financial priorities;
- Analyze data in light of firm objectives;
- Stay informed on industry trends;
- Use financial modeling techniques;
- Create recommendations for future action; and
- Assess progress on financial benchmarks.
Qualifications
- Degree in accounting, finance or economics;
- Proficiency in financial modeling methods;
- Understanding of government regulation;
- Familiarity with Excel and relevant software;
- Data-oriented approach to analysis; and
- Communication skills, including oral presentation.