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A financial analyst is someone who makes enterprise recommendations for an employer based on analyses they carry out on factors like marketplace trends, the monetary reputation of a organization (or agencies) and the anticipated consequences of a positive form of deal. Analysts normally have educational backgrounds as enterprise, finance or accounting majors and are numbers-driven people who are secure deciphering facts and making guidelines primarily based on that statistics.

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Financial analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions.

Financial analysts work in offices. Most work full time and some work more than 40 hours per week.

Financial analysts typically must have a bachelor's degree.

The median annual wage for financial analysts was $85,660 in May 2018.

Employment of financial analysts is projected to grow 6 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. A growing range of financial products and the need for in-depth knowledge of geographic regions are expected to lead to strong employment growth.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for financial analysts.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of financial analysts with similar occupations.

Learn more about financial analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Financial analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments.

Duties

Financial analysts typically do the following:

Recommend individual investments and collections of investments, which are known as portfolios

Evaluate current and historical financial data

Study economic and business trends

Examine a company's financial statements to determine its value

Meet with company officials to gain better insight into the company's prospects

Assess the strength of the management team

Prepare written reports

Financial analysts evaluate investment opportunities. They work in banks, pension funds, mutual funds, securities firms, insurance companies, and other businesses. Financial analysts are also called securities analysts and investment analysts.

Financial analysts can be divided into two categories: buy-side analysts and sell-side analysts.

Buy-side analysts develop investment strategies for companies that have a lot of money to invest. These companies, called institutional investors, include hedge funds, insurance companies, independent money managers, and nonprofit organizations with large endowments, such as some universities.

Sell-side analysts advise financial services sales agents who sell stocks, bonds, and other investments.

Some analysts work for the business media or other research houses, which are independent from the buy and sell side.

Financial analysts generally focus on trends affecting a specific industry, geographical region, or type of product. For example, an analyst may focus on a subject area such as the energy industry, a world region such as Eastern Europe, or the foreign exchange market. They must understand how new regulations, policies, political situations, and economic trends may affect investments.

Investing is becoming more global, and some financial analysts specialize in a particular country or region. Companies want those financial analysts to understand the language, culture, business environment, and political conditions in the country or region that they cover.

The following are examples of types of financial analysts:

Portfolio managers select the mix of products, industries, and regions for their company's investment portfolio. These managers are responsible for the overall performance of the portfolio. They are also expected to explain investment decisions and strategies in meetings with stakeholders.

Fund managers work exclusively with hedge funds or mutual funds. Both fund and portfolio managers frequently make buy or sell decisions in reaction to quickly changing market conditions.

Ratings analysts evaluate the ability of companies or governments to pay their debts, including bonds. On the basis of their evaluation, a management team rates the risk of a company or government not being able to repay its bonds.

Risk analysts evaluate the risk in investment decisions and determine how to manage unpredictability and limit potential losses. This job is carried out by making investment decisions such as selecting dissimilar stocks or having a combination of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds in a portfolio.

Financial analysts held about 329,500 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of financial analysts were as follows:

Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities

23%

Professional, scientific, and technical services

13

Credit intermediation and related activities

12

Management of companies and enterprises

12

Insurance carriers and related activities

6

Financial analysts work primarily in offices but travel frequently to visit companies or clients.

Many financial analysts work at large financial institutions based in New York City or other major financial centers.

Work Schedules

Most financial analysts work full time and some work more than 40 hours per week. Much of their research must be done after office hours because their days are filled with telephone calls and meetings.

Financial analysts typically must have a bachelor's degree.

Education

Most positions require a bachelor's degree. A number of fields of study provide appropriate preparation, including accounting, economics, finance, statistics, and mathematics.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the main licensing organization for the securities industry. A license is generally required to sell financial products, which may apply to some financial analyst positions. Because most of the licenses require sponsorship by an employer, companies do not expect individuals to have these licenses before starting a job.

Employers often recommend certification, which can improve the chances for advancement. An example is the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification from the CFA Institute. Financial analysts can become CFA certified if they have a bachelor's degree, 4 years of qualified work experience, and pass three exams. Financial analysts can also become certified in their field of specialty.

Advancement

Financial analysts typically start by specializing in a specific investment field. As they gain experience, they can become portfolio managers and select the mix of investments for a company's portfolio. They can also become fund managers and manage large investment portfolios for individual investors. A master's degree in finance or business administration can improve an analyst's chances of advancing to one of these positions.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Financial analysts must process a range of information in finding profitable investments.

Communication skills. Financial analysts must explain their recommendations to clients in clear language that clients can easily understand.

Computer skills. Financial analysts must be adept at using software packages to analyze financial data, see trends, create portfolios, and make forecasts.

Decisionmaking skills. Financial analysts must provide a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell a security.

Detail oriented. Financial analysts must pay attention to details when reviewing possible investments, as small issues may have large implications for the health of an investment.

Math skills. Financial analysts use mathematical skills when estimating the value of financial securities.

Median annual wages, May 2018

The median annual wage for financial analysts was $85,660 in May 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $52,540, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $167,420.

In May 2018, the median annual wages for financial analysts in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities

$101,410

Professional, scientific, and technical services

84,540

Management of companies and enterprises

83,640

Credit intermediation and related activities

81,420

Insurance carriers and related activities

78,870

Fund managers are typically compensated by fees, usually structured as a percentage of assets under management and a percentage of the fund's annual return.

Most financial analysts work full time and some work more than 40 hours per week. Much of their research must be done after office hours because their days are filled with telephone calls and meetings.

Employment of financial analysts is projected to grow 6 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. A growing range of financial products and the need for in-depth knowledge of geographic regions are expected to lead to strong employment growth.

Demand for financial analysts tends to grow with overall economic activity. Financial analysts will be needed to evaluate investment opportunities when new businesses are established or existing businesses expand. In addition, emerging markets throughout the world are providing new investment opportunities, which require expertise in geographic regions where those markets are located.

Demand is also projected to increase as the growth of "big data" and technological improvements allow financial analysts to access a wider range of data and conduct higher quality analysis. This analysis will help businesses manage their finances, identify investment trends, and deliver new products or services to clients.

Job Prospects

Despite employment growth, competition is expected for financial analyst positions. Growth in financial services is projected to create new positions, but there are still far more people who would like to enter the occupation than there are jobs in the occupation. Having certifications and a graduate degree can significantly improve an applicant's prospects.

Occupational Title

Financial analysts

SOC Code

13-2051

Employment, 2018

329,500

Projected Employment, 2028

349,800

Percent Change, 2018-28

6

Numeric Change, 2018-28

20,300

Employment by Industry
Get data

For more information about licensure for financial analysts, visit
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
For more information about training and certification, visit
CFA Institute
For more information about certifications in financial analysis, visit
Global Academy of Finance and Management
CareerOneStop

For a career video on financial analysts, visit
Financial Analysts
O*NET
Financial Analysts

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Financial analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. Financial analysts work in offices. Most work full time and some work more than 40 hours per week. Financial analysts typically must have a bachelor's degree. The median annual wage for financial analysts was $85,660 in May 2018.

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Some benefits are having access to extremely important financial information over a company, and knowing this information is advantage because they can't fire you knowing that you know everything. Another benefit of becoming an financial analyst is that you get to make/influence all executive decisions regarding the company.

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Pros and Cons of Being a Financial Analyst

Financial analysts work for banks and other firms and help them make sound investment decisions. Weigh some of the benefits and disadvantages of becoming a financial analyst before making your career decisions.

Pros of Being a Financial Analyst

High median salary (nearly $79,000 as of May 2014)*

Favorable expected employment growth (16% from 2012-2022)*

Opportunities for advancement*

Can work in a variety of industries*

Cons of Being a Financial Analyst

Competition for jobs*

Licensure required for many jobs*

Some employers require a master's degree*

May work long hours*

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Career Information

Job Description and Duties

A financial analyst assesses the economic performance of corporations in order to help them make investment decisions. These investment professionals work for banks, insurance companies and securities firms as well as pension and mutual funds. In this profession, you'll gather necessary financial information, analyze it and make the appropriate investment recommendations to your corporate clients. You will read your company's financial statements and study commodity prices, expenses and tax rates in order to determine future earning potential. You can generally expect to work long hours in this profession; in fact, the BLS reports that nearly 33% of financial analysts work 50-70 hours per week.

As a financial analyst, you may work as either a buy-side analyst, who creates investment strategies for businesses that want to invest money, or as a sell-side analyst, who give advice to companies or people who want to sell securities. You might also specialize in a particular facet of the field, like portfolio management, fund management, ratings analysis or risk analysis.

Career Outlook and Salary Information

The BLS states that financial analyst employment was expected to grow 16% from 2012-2022. This may be because investments and financial assets are becoming increasingly complex, and so companies need more financial analysts to advise on investment strategies. However, there will still be considerable competition for jobs, since many people are drawn to this high-paying field. The BLS also reported that the median annual wage for these workers was about $79,000 as of May 2014. The lowest-paid workers earned about $48,000 or less, while the highest-paid workers made about $155,000 or more.

What Are the Requirements?

Education and Licensure

If you're planning to become a financial analyst, you need to have a bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting or another related field; however, some employers require applicants to hold graduate degrees. You should also have knowledge of statistics, economics, business, accounting and budgeting. You may also have to know advanced topics in financial analysis, options pricing and risk management.

Additionally, you may have to receive licensure from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), depending on where you work. In these cases, you'll obtain licensing sponsorship from your employer and obtain licensure after being hired.

Useful Skills

Along with education, research skills, technical aptitude and self motivation are important for a career in financial analysis. Other characteristics you'll need include:

Attention to detail

Excellent analytical skills

Able to work under pressure

Strong math skills

Good communication skills

Job Postings from Real Employers

Employers often look for applicants who have several years of experience in finance as well as industry-specific experience, and many prefer applicants with advanced degrees. Additionally, most employers required applicants to be proficient in spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel. Here are a few samples of real job postings available in March 2012:

An engineering, construction and technical services company in Virginia seeks a financial analyst with a bachelor's degree in business or finance and at least three years of financial-management-related experience. The ideal applicant would have experience in CostPoint, Microsoft Excel, DOD acquisitions and the life cycle support contracting process.

A finance company in Michigan requests the help of a senior financial analyst with three years of experience who could also work with budgets. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or MBA holder was preferred. The employer also preferred applicants who had knowledge of Cognos and Oracle financials.

A healthcare organization in Illinois was seeking a financial analyst who could determine pricing for medical services. The employer preferred an applicant with a master's degree and 6-10 years of experience in financial services.

An IT/consulting company located in Virginia needed a financial analyst who had a high school diploma or the equivalent, but they preferred an applicant with a bachelor's degree.

An automotive company advertised for a financial analyst to work with IT managers in developing capital and expense budgets. The employer preferred applicants with an MBA as well as prior experience with SAP software and the automobile industry.

How to Stand Out

Earn Advanced Education

While a bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification, many employers favor financial analysts who hold master's degrees in a field related to finance or a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in financial analysis. In fact, a graduate degree is often required for promotion to advanced careers, such as in portfolio or fund management.

Get Certified

Employers often encourage certification among financial analysts. The CFA Institute offers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation to qualified candidates. To be eligible, you must have four years of experience in investments and become a CFA institute member. You'll then have to complete a study program that is divided into three sections, each of which culminates in an exam.

Alternative Career Paths

Actuary

If being a financial analyst doesn't interest you, consider becoming an actuary. Actuaries focus on the risks involved with business, like loss of property, disabilities and injuries. They also help businesses decide which investments may provide the best returns. Actuaries usually have bachelor's degrees related to math or statistics and professional certification. The BLS states that these workers made a median salary of about $91,000 as of May 2011. Jobs for actuaries were expected to grow by 27% from 2010-2020, a faster-than-average rate, though the BLS says that competition for jobs will be intense.

Accountant or Auditor

Accountants and auditors maintain public financial records and taxes for companies and organizations. They can work in fields like government accounting, management accounting, public accounting and internal auditing. These workers need to have bachelor's degrees, but some employers require a master's degree. Accountants who deal with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) must become Certified Public Accountants. The BLS reports that accountants and auditors earned a median salary of about $63,000 as of May 2011, and employment in of these professionals was expected to grow 16% from 2010-2020.

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becoming a financial analyst: job description & salary

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Becoming a Financial Analyst: Job Description & Salary

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Financial analysts work for banks and other firms and help them make sound investment decisions. Weigh some of the benefits and disadvantages of becoming a financial analyst before making your career decisions.

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A financial analyst desires no less than a bachelor's diploma — ideally in a finance-associated major, together with accounting, statistics, or economics. Analysts who want to experience greater opportunities for jobs and salaries would possibly do not forget pursuing a master's degree in finance or a Master's of Business Administration (MBA). Advanced schooling makes these professionals extra appealing to potential employers.

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Essential Information

Financial analysts gather and evaluate industry and economic fiscal data to predict investment performance. Their findings are used by businesses and individuals to make decisions about stocks, bonds and other financial stakes. They might work for financial institutions, corporations, insurance groups and securities companies.

A bachelor's degree in finance or another relevant field is the minimum qualification, but many financial analysts improve their employment prospects by earning master's degrees. Professional certification, which calls for a degree and passage of examinations, is another way to advance a career. Some positions, such as those that involve the sale of stocks and bonds, require licensing, which is acquired after employment.

Required Education
Bachelor's degree in finance, business or related field; master's degree is common

Licensing
Required for some positions

Job Outlook (2018-2028)
6% growth ( for financial analysts)*

Median Salary (2018)
$85,660 ( for financial analysts)*

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Educational Requirements

The minimum requirement for a career in financial analysis is a bachelor's degree. Some employers prefer to hire financial analysts with master's degrees. Additionally, employers typically prefer applicants with professional certification. Licensure might be required.

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor of Science in Finance programs provide students with theoretical and analytic skills needed for careers in finance and business. Courses might include:

Managerial finance

Investment analysis

Statistics

Financial markets

International business

Marketing

Accounting

Business law and ethics

Master's Degree

While an undergraduate degree is sufficient for many positions, some require that financial analysts hold graduate degrees. Master of Business Administration programs, for example, typically take two years to complete and provide advanced instruction in business theory and management. Students generally focus their studies on one specialty, such as finance, marketing or project management.

Certification

The CFA Institute offers a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation to qualified professionals. To enroll in the certification program, applicants must be CFA Institute members and have completed or be in the final year of a bachelor's degree program ( www.cfainstitute.org). They then must pass three examinations, a process that can take 2-5 years to complete. Before being granted the CFA designation, financial analysts must have earned at least four years of professional investment experience.

Licensure

Financial analysts involved in regulated services, such as legal advising or selling stocks, bonds or insurance, might be required to obtain licensure. They usually pursue securities licensure through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, though different licenses might be required to perform other services. Rather than being a prerequisite, licensure is typically acquired during employment; financial analysts generally must be sponsored by their employers to become licensed.

Career and Salary Information

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates 6% job growth for financial analysts in the years 2018 through 2028 ( www.bls.gov). Financial analysts earned $85,660 as a median annual wage in 2018, according to the BLS.

A financial analyst needs at least a bachelor's degree in finance or business, and many hold master's degrees. Most go on to obtain a securities license from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Professional certification is also available by meeting experience requirements and passing an exam.

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financial analyst: educational requirements for financial analysts

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Financial Analyst: Educational Requirements for Financial Analysts

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Financial analysts gather and evaluate industry and economic fiscal data to predict investment performance. Their findings are used by businesses and individuals to make decisions about stocks, bonds and other financial stakes. They might work for financial institutions, corporations, insurance groups and securities companies.

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It is not required to Volunteer/Intern somewhere to become a Financial Analyst; although, it would be more appealing to have Interned at a Financing firm and increase your hiring chances.

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How to become a financial analyst with no experience

is a lucrative industry that pays huge salaries and bonuses across a wide range of jobs. Employees in the industry earn big bucks annually, thanks to the growing number of financial players in the market. A recently graduated can expect to receive a starting salary of $70, 000 and above (see to learn more). Even though most employers are looking for experienced analysts, you can follow this guide to learn how to become a financial analyst with no experience.

Here are five tips on how to become a financial analyst with no experience:

#1 Do as much networking as possible

Always be polite, professional, and curious. Most importantly of all, don't directly ask them for a job, but instead ask them what they would do if they were in your shoes, trying to become a financial analyst with no experience.

#2 Learn the Wall Street lingo and follow current events

Take advantage of CFI's Free Courses o get a head start on your finance career and start learning the lingo as quickly as possible!

#3 Start and maintain a finance blog

#4 Leverage your university career center

Spend time with the career advisors in your university career centers and ask them to introduce you to alumni in the industry so you can network with them (see Step #1).

#5 Use a Trading Simulator

#6 Enroll in an online financial Analyst training program

Participating in FMVA® Certification online financial analyst training programs will help kick-start your career as a financial analyst with zero experience. Financial analyst training programs will teach you useful skills such as financial forecasting and , which will supplement the theory that university programs focus on. CFI's Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA)™ certification program will give you the practical Excel, finance, and accounting skills you need to get hired full time.

Check out our free courses that will give you a head start in financial analysis and modeling.

Read more CFI career resources

Thank you for reading this guide on how to become a financial analyst with no experience! CFI's mission is to help you advance your career, and with that goal in mind, these additional resources will be a big help:

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How To Become a Financial Analyst with No Experience - Top 6 Tips

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This guide on how to become a financial analyst with no experience covers five tips: 1 lots of networking, 2 learn Wall Street lingo, 3 start a finance blog, 4 Leverage your university career center, and 5 enroll in an online financial analyst training program.

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Communication skills.

Computer skills.

Decision making skills.

Detail oriented.

Math skills

Willing to work long hours

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It goes without saying that analytical skills are important when you're a financial analyst but there is a whole host of other attributes employers look for when they hire financial analysts.

Here are the ten most important financial analyst skills we have identified.

Research is by far the most important part of an Analysts job because, without the data mined from research, there can be no analysis. Research involves spending time understanding the problem/scenario, plotting out the questions and knowing where to look for the answers.
This means you need to be resourceful and aware of your environment. What makes one financial analyst better than the other is knowing where to find the best quality data.

A depreciation number of 454 will lead to a very different answer than a depreciation number of 545. One percent here or there on a DCF can completely alter the valuation of a company. The devil really does lie in the details of a financial analyst job and you need to be able to catch the changes, both mistakes, and trends, to be able to arrive at insightful conclusions.

A lot has been said about analytical skills, so much so, people don't really know what it entails. The analysis in Finance involves pulling apart the threads of a problem, perhaps a balance sheet, asking the right questions of your data, and bringing all your answers together in a coherent form to present to your client or your team.

Being able to compile data, compile research findings, compile analysis in an organized manner that can save time efficiently is a skill many people do not appreciate enough.

A financial analyst cannot be intimidated by numbers. The level of numerical complexity is dependent on the job. An investment banking analyst will perhaps only ever have to add/subtract/divide and multiply but a fixed income analyst or a portfolio analyst will have complex equations to calculate. Options and futures are often known as 'quant' jobs and mathematical skills have to be very sound to do well in these jobs.

The global financial services terrain is ever changing and a good financial analyst has to be able to make spot decisions based not the data he/she has so that a client can always be certain they are ahead of the curve.

Excel and PowerPoint are to the Financial Analyst like a measuring tape and a drill machine to a carpenter. There is no career without it and mastering both software will ensure you are efficient and quick at your job.

Being able to listen, speak and write well is critical because you have to be able to wean out information, and communicate everything you analyze efficiently and effectively. You will often be put on the spot in front of clients or asked to write reports with tight deadlines and being confident about your speaking and writing skills goes a long way in your career.

The ability to persuade is important for an analyst. We are persuading investors to listen to our stock recommendations, convincing clients we are the bankers for the job, and getting clients to sign on. All of this requires the ability to sell a story in a convincing manner which goes back to not only communication skills but the ability to use the written analysis to sell the situation.

Analysts need to main relationships across stakeholders be it companies, clients, colleagues, your own leadership team, to ensure they get access to information, create effective solutions, work well in a team, and build your career. Financial analysis is as much a people job as anything else and building and keeps relationships will help in both doing your job and advancing your career.

All analysts will eventually lead teams of analysts and this requires a show of leadership. To not just be able to lead a team, but mentor junior analysts and create a collaborative culture that will create successful companies.

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What are the Top Skills Required for a Financial Analyst? | Imarticus Learning

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It goes without saying that analytical skills are important when you're a financial analyst but there is a whole host of other attributes employers look for when they hire financial analysts. Here are the ten most important financial analyst skills we have identified.

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On average Financial Analyst make anywhere from 50k-90k.
Some benefits are having access to extremely important financial information over a company, and knowing this information is advantage because they can't fire you knowing that you know everything. Another benefit of becoming an financial analyst is that you get to make/influence all executive decisions regarding the company.

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Salary: Financial Analyst in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

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1,674 Financial Analyst Salaries in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX provided anonymously by employees. What salary does a Financial Analyst earn in Dallas-Fort Worth?

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Arrive at the office, respond to any urgent emails. Then finish any work that wasn't finished the day before. Next, discuss budget and the forecast predictions of what could possibly happen. Later, catch up on financial news and take notes. Lastly, finishing up the budgeting model.

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Among the more rigorous yet rewarding career options in the financial services industry is that of a financial analyst. But what, exactly, does a financial analyst do on a daily basis? The answer to that question is largely dependent upon an analyst's level of experience. While younger analysts tend to do a lot of data gathering, financial modeling and spreadsheet maintenance, more senior analysts tend to spend more of their time developing investment theses, speaking with company management teams and other investors, and marketing ideas (if they are on the sell-side). Let's take a closer look at a day in the life of a junior and senior financial analyst.

During the first few years of an analyst's career, he or she can expect to spend the majority of his or her time gathering relevant data, updating comparison spreadsheets and financial models, and reading the relevant news and industry publications. The goal of these activities is to develop a solid fundamental understanding of a particular business, sector or industry. Additionally, many younger analysts allocate a portion of their time towards studying for professional and licensing exams, such as the CFA exam (Source 3), Series 7 and Series 63 licenses. While position titles vary across firms, we use the title "junior analyst" to describe a financial analyst who has less than three years of experience.

Once a junior analyst achieves a certain level of industry expertise and develops a reasonably strong network of contacts, his or her professional responsibilities evolve into using data to develop an investment opinion. Additionally, a senior analyst spends quite a bit of time developing relationships with industry and company contacts, and marketing the team's work. Mentorship is also an important component of a senior analyst's day-to-day responsibilities.

Despite the differences in a junior and senior analyst's professional responsibilities, there are similarities in the flows of their day. Here, we present you with a day in the life of a financial analyst.

5:30 AM: Check Relevant News
Junior and Senior Analyst:Check the news to see if there have been any overnight news releases related to the team's coverage universe, or if there have been any market-moving events.

Senior Analyst: If there is news on the tape, the senior analyst determines whether or not it affects the analyst's investment opinions, and how much action should be taken with this news. If there is no news on the tape, the senior analyst's morning may involve speaking at the firm's morning meeting or meeting with institutional clients or members of a company's management team.

7:00 AM: Morning Meeting
Junior Analyst:Many sell-side and buy-side operations facilitate an internal daily morning meeting wherein the key takeaways of analysts' research are discussed. Junior analysts are typically encouraged to attend this meeting as it broadens their knowledge base, among other benefits.

Senior Analyst: If a senior analyst is presenting an investment idea to the firm, the analyst might do so during the firm's morning meeting. Alternatively, the senior analyst might meet with clients or company management.

8:00 AM: Check-In with Traders and Salespeople
Junior and Senior Analyst:Regular contact with other team members throughout the firm ensures that an analyst's ideas are well known and understood.
9:00 AM to 11:00 PM: Marketing, Making Connections, Work on Long-Term Projects and Maintenance Research, etc.
The ebb and flow of an analyst's daily activities depend upon factors such as the earnings calendar, the senior analyst's marketing calendar, and whether or not there are research projects in progress (there usually are).

10:00 AM:
Junior Analyst: Update marketing slide deck in advance of senior analyst's marketing trip. Deliver deck to other team members for review.

Senior Analyst:Conference call with company management team to clarify some points regarding the company's business model and to schedule an investor visit to a distribution center. Attend internal meeting. Review logistics for a non-deal roadshow.

Senior Analyst: Lunch with the industry contact.

1:30 PM:
Junior Analyst: Prepare research note template in advance of the earnings release.

Senior Analyst: Review the junior analyst's work and offer constructive feedback.

3:30 PM:
Junior Analyst: Review conference call transcripts and earnings release from the prior quarter in advance of the earnings release.

Senior Analyst: Continue to call clients; check in with trading desk regarding unusually high trading volume in a particular stock.

5:00 PM:
Junior Analyst: An earnings report is released; thus, the junior analyst must update the team's financial model and research note template using data from the earnings release. Then the junior analyst must prepare questions for the company's management team. Any salient points contained within the press release should be flagged to the senior analyst and team.

Senior Analyst: Review earnings report in search of any important points. Contact management team to clarify any questions. Determine the effect of the earnings release on the analyst's investment opinion.

8:00 PM:
Junior Analyst: Submit the updated research note and financial model to the senior analyst for review. Make changes as needed.

Senior Analyst: Review research note and model. Make nuanced changes as required.

Senior Analyst: Develop talking points for tomorrow's morning meeting. Review client call lists as calls will need to be made early in the morning.

10:30 PM:
Junior Analyst:Note is published. Make preparations for a senior analyst to speak during the next day's morning meeting.

Senior Analyst: As soon as the note is published, prepare a voice mail blast for distribution to certain clients.

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A Day In the Life of a Financial Analyst

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Among the more rigorous yet rewarding career options in the financial services industry is that of a financial analyst. But what, exactly, does a financial analyst do on a daily basis? The answer to that question is largely dependent upon an analyst's level of experience.

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They get all the same medical benefits as any average employee. 401k for retirement. Work hours are not flexible because any information given at work has to to stay at work, and some people don't have the same hundreds and thousands of dollars machine equipment they use at work.

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The average salary for a Senior Financial Analyst is $79,840.

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Job Description for Senior Financial Analyst

The position of senior financial analyst requires high degrees of proficiency in analyzing accounting data, determining economic, statistical, and financial risks, and organizing real-world solutions that will lead to the successful completion of their projects. Senior financial analysts may be required to manage teams of analysts, which includes assigning tasks, reviewing reports, determining risks and rewards, compiling data, and organizing presentations for upper management. Senior financial ...Read more

Senior Financial Analyst Tasks

Job Satisfaction for Senior Financial Analyst

Popular Employer Salaries for Senior Financial Analyst

The top respondents for the job title Senior Financial Analyst are from the companies Amazon.com Inc, Johnson & Johnson and Lockheed Martin Corp. Reported salaries are highest at Amazon.com Inc where the average pay is $92,201. Other companies that offer high salaries for this role include Intel Corporation and Johnson & Johnson, earning around $90,872 and $83,781, respectively. UnitedHealth Group pays the lowest at around $65,502. Comcast Cable, Inc. and Lockheed Martin Corp also pay on the lower end of the scale, paying $74,447 and $77,358, respectively.

Senior Financial Analyst Job Listings

Popular Skills for Senior Financial Analyst

Skills in Forecasting and Financial Modeling are correlated to pay that is above average. Skills that pay less than market rate include Financial Reporting, Microsoft Excel and Financial Analysis.

Pay by Experience Level for Senior Financial Analyst

An entry-level Senior Financial Analyst with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $70,260 based on 69 salaries. An early career Senior Financial Analyst with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $75,165 based on 4,260 salaries. A mid-career Senior Financial Analyst with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $81,347 based on 5,444 salaries. An experienced Senior Financial Analyst with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $85,492 based on 2,859 salaries. In their late career (20 years and higher), employees earn an average total compensation of $88,478.

Pay Difference by Location

Employees with Senior Financial Analyst in their job title in San Francisco, California earn an average of 21.8% more than the national average. These job titles also find higher than average salaries in New York, New York (4.0% more) and Los Angeles, California (3.0% more). The lowest salaries can be found in Atlanta, Georgia (2.4% less), Boston, Massachusetts (1.1% less) and Chicago, Illinois (0.7% less).

Years of Experience

This data is based on 13,518 survey responses.

Related Job Salaries

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Senior Financial Analyst Salary | PayScale

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The average salary for a Senior Financial Analyst is $79,840. How has your pay changed over time for your market? Find out by taking our salary quiz. The position of senior financial analyst requires high degrees of proficiency in analyzing accounting data, determining economic, statistical, and financial risks, and organizing real-world solutions that will lead to the successful completion of their projects.