Financial Analyst

Markets may shift like sand, but sound investment advice is timeless like the ocean. Financial Analysts evaluate investment opportunities and guide businesses and individuals to determine the best use of resources to achieve business objectives.

What do Financial Analysts do?

A Financial Analyst would typically need to:

Many Financial Analysts work at large financial institutions based in New York City or other major financial centers. Financial Analysts work primarily in offices but frequently travel to visit companies or clients. The dress code for Financial Analysts depends on the location, sector, size, and type of company but would be business formal for the most part.

Aspiring Financial Analysts must obtain three-plus years of experience in corporate finance, financial planning & analysis, statistical analysis, investment banking, and financial modeling.

Most positions as a Financial Analyst require a bachelor's or master's degree in business, accounting, mathematics, economics, finance, statistics, or law.

The most common specialization is in finance, although some analysts recommend starting with an accounting degree, as it provides a stronger foundation for analyzing the workings of financial statements. Though not required, an MBA may be preferred. Knowledge of the economy, tax laws, and money markets is desirable.

Benchmarking studies done at several financial institutions show that logical ability combined with numerical ability and domain knowledge show the strongest correlation to a financial analyst's success.

Certification in Microsoft Excel Specialist will make your resume that much more attractive. A license is generally required to sell financial products, which may apply to some Financial Analyst positions.

Most companies nowadays expect Financial Analysts to have good knowledge of spreadsheets and standard statistical packages. Because most of the licenses require sponsorship by an employer, companies do not expect individuals to have these licenses before starting a job.

The role of a Financial Analyst is one of the most coveted in the financial services industry. Financial Analysts can work in both junior and senior positions within a firm, and it is a position that often leads to other career opportunities in the financial services industry.

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.

Despite employment growth, there will be stiff competition…