What Does it Take to Be a Financial Analyst?
Position Description Conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions.
A Day in the Life of a Financial Analyst
- Evaluate and compare the relative quality of various securities in a given industry.
- Purchase investments for companies in accordance with company policy.
- Determine the financial viability of alternative energy generation or fuel production systems, based on power source or feedstock quality, financing costs, potential revenue, and total project costs.
- Collaborate with investment bankers to attract new corporate clients to securities firms.
- Research and recommend environmentally-related financial products, such as energy futures, water rights, carbon credits, government environmental funds, and cleantech industry funds and company stocks.
- Draw charts and graphs, using computer spreadsheets, to illustrate technical reports.
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Skills Needed to be a Financial Analyst
Below is a list of the skills most Financial Analysts say are important on the job.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles
- Treasury Analyst
- Commodity Analyst
- Investment Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Banking Analyst
Are There Job Opportunities for Financial Analysts?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 296,100 jobs in the United States for Financial Analyst. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 32,100 new jobs for Financial Analyst by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 29,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Financial Analyst are Utah, Arizona, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Financial Analyst Average Salary
Financial Analysts make between $52,540 and $167,420 a year.
Financial Analysts who work in New York, California, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Financial Analysts make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $88,350 |
| Alaska | $101,720 |
| Arizona | $78,650 |
| Arkansas | $78,050 |
| California | $109,640 |
| Colorado | $109,120 |
| Connecticut | $105,950 |
| Delaware | $93,740 |
| District of Columbia | $102,510 |
| Florida | $78,280 |
| Georgia | $84,350 |
| Hawaii | $78,800 |
| Idaho | $75,280 |
| Illinois | $88,760 |
| Indiana | $78,290 |
| Iowa | $83,230 |
| Kansas | $77,130 |
| Kentucky | $69,830 |
| Louisiana | $75,630 |
| Maine | $79,610 |
| Maryland | $92,800 |
| Massachusetts | $105,540 |
| Michigan | $84,410 |
| Minnesota | $93,160 |
| Mississippi | $74,230 |
| Missouri | $91,800 |
| Montana | $99,630 |
| Nebraska | $70,740 |
| Nevada | $83,370 |
| New Hampshire | $94,680 |
| New Jersey | $106,100 |
| New Mexico | $103,040 |
| New York | $137,270 |
| North Carolina | $89,020 |
| North Dakota | $82,770 |
| Ohio | $80,060 |
| Oklahoma | $70,300 |
| Oregon | $92,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,870 |
| Rhode Island | $80,650 |
| South Carolina | $80,690 |
| South Dakota | $73,870 |
| Tennessee | $74,870 |
| Texas | $94,980 |
| Utah | $78,510 |
| Vermont | $84,300 |
| Virginia | $97,990 |
| Washington | $87,590 |
| West Virginia | $75,290 |
| Wisconsin | $81,000 |
| Wyoming | $139,660 |
What Tools do Financial Analysts Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Financial Analysts may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Data visualization software
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Structured query language SQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- SAS
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
How to Become a Financial Analyst
Learn what Financial Analyst education requirements there are.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Financial Analyst?
Who Employs Financial Analysts?
Below are examples of industries where Financial Analysts work:
References:
Image Credit: Dave Dugdale via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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