What does a financial analyst do day to day?
A Day in the Life of a Financial Analyst. Financial analysts gather information, assemble spreadsheets, write reports, and review all non-legal pertinent information about prospective deals. They examine the feasibility of a deal and prepare a plan of action based on financial analysis.
Here's what a financial analyst might do day to day:
Merge and examine financial data which includes budgets, income statement etc. taking account of the company's objectives and financial standing. Draw together and summarise data to construct refined reports on monetary status and risks of the company.
Financial Analyst Job Description
Analyze financial statements to evaluate investment opportunities. Create financial modeling for investors to find profitable investments. Recommend individual investments and collections of investments. Assess the performance of stocks, other types of investments, and bonds.
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. Generally speaking, a day in the life of a junior or senior analyst can be very labor-intensive.
Achieving a healthy work-life balance is particularly vital for Financial Analysts, who often face long hours, tight deadlines, and the stress of high-stakes decision-making.
It's a lucrative and interesting career, and financial analysts can expect to make around $85,000 per year, but that number is going to look very different depending on the route an individual financial analyst takes.
Independent analysts aim to provide unbiased and objective ratings. Independent analysts receive compensation either from the companies they research, which is called fee-based research, or by selling subscription-based reports.
They need both strong math skills—specifically in statistics and probability—and computer literacy, as analysts use software to look at trends and make forecasts. These professionals should also have a good grasp of economics and know how to read and interpret financial statements.
Annual Salary | Weekly Pay | |
---|---|---|
Top Earners | $114,974 | $2,211 |
75th Percentile | $109,100 | $2,098 |
Average | $79,353 | $1,526 |
25th Percentile | $69,100 | $1,328 |
The median annual wage for business and financial occupations is $46,310 higher than the median annual wage for all occupations. Drawbacks of a career in finance can include high stress, long working hours, continuing education requirements, and, in some cases, limited job stability.
Is financial analyst a high stress job?
Even though Financial Analysts work long hours and sometimes must handle a lot of stress in the workplace, these professionals are well-compensated for their efforts.
Key Hard Skills for a Financial Analyst
Financial analysts must have strong financial reporting skills and an in-depth understanding of financial regulation. Risk Management: Risk management refers to assessing uncertainty in investment decisions and reducing excessive risk.
Wealth managers and Private Bankers are stressful jobs in finance. Finishing near the top on some surveys and further down on others, wealth managers and financial advisors deal with one particular vehicle for stress: they eat only what they kill. Wealth managers get fired nearly as often as they get hired.
Traveling as an Investment Banking Analyst
As an investment banking analyst, I actually did not travel very much. I find that most analysts generally only have to travel for live deals (IPO road show, sell-side process, etc.), which I would estimate happens on average once per quarter for each analyst.
Work from home financial analysts often measure key performance indicators, produce reports on request, ensure data integrity, and support regulatory compliance activities. This is a remote, home-based position, though some companies may occasionally ask you to visit the office to attend meetings or give reports.
- Dentist. Dentists often have the flexibility to set their own schedules, especially if they own their practice. ...
- Psychologist. ...
- Marketing professional. ...
- Teacher. ...
- Research engineer. ...
- UX designer. ...
- Graphic designer. ...
- Recruiter.
Both finance and tech offer lucrative career opportunities, and the highest-paying field between the two can vary depending on various factors such as location, job role, and level of expertise. However, it is generally observed that the tech industry tends to have higher earning potential compared to finance.
City Name | Average Salary | Compared to National Average |
---|---|---|
San Francisco, CA | $114,708 | + 26% (85,391) |
Colorado, CO | $100,000 | + 15% (85,391) |
Pittsburgh, PA | $97,857 | + 13% (85,391) |
Tampa Bay, FL | $94,571 | + 10% (85,391) |
As of Apr 12, 2024, the average annual pay for a Financial Analyst in the United States is $88,111 a year.
According to BLS, the requirements for the Chartered Financial Analyst credential include: A bachelor's degree in finance or accounting. A minimum of four years of qualified work experience. Passing scores on the three CFA Institute exams.
How many hours a week do financial analysts work?
At the entry-level, you'll usually work between 40 and 50 hours per week. However, that varies based on the group and the time of year. For example, FP&A Analysts might work more like 50-60 hours per week because the role tends to be more strategic and involves more interaction with management.
- Accounting. Financial analysts have accounting skills that allow them to read and understand financial statements and reports. ...
- Organization. ...
- Financial modeling. ...
- Technical analysis. ...
- Research. ...
- Communication. ...
- Mathematical knowledge. ...
- Writing.
Aspiring Financial Analysts can gain relevant knowledge and skills through in-person and online courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs. These provide much shorter study durations compared to traditional college programs. Building a professional portfolio is crucial for job applications.
Believe it or not, mastery of advanced math skills is not necessary to have a career in finance. With today's technology, all math-related tasks can be done by computers and calculators.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that business and finance jobs will be in demand from 2022 to 2032, with 911,400 openings on average each year. Certain roles within finance, like financial examiner, are expected to grow over six times faster than the rate for all occupations nationwide.