Financial Analysts

Job Summary

Financial analysts carry out their roles within banks, mutual funds, insurance companies, securities firms and some other large organizations with the purpose of guiding the business in their investment plans. Therefore, financial analysts must understand the company financials, constantly watch the local and international markets, and help businesses make investment decisions.

There are two general types of financial analysts: Buy-side and Sell-side. Buy-side analysts develop investment strategies for wealthy corporations and sell-side analysts advise financial individuals or businesses on the selling of stocks, bonds and other investments.


Duties

Financial analysts generally carry out the following duties:

  • Evaluate and suggest investment opportunities

  • Collect current and past financial data to analyze

  • Study market financial trends

  • Evaluate a company’s value by analyzing their financial statements

  • Understand company plans through meetings with officials

  • Determine the strength of a management team

  • Prepare written reports


Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in accounting, economics, statistics, finance or mathematics is usually the basic requirement.

Licensing, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification, is usually obtained post-employment since it is sponsored by an employee. To achieve the CFA, an individual must complete a bachelor’s degree, 4 years of work experience and pass three exams.

After acquiring a CFA, there is opportunity for further advancement as licensing can also be achieved for specific investment specializations. An individual therefore has the potential to become a Portfolio manager with further experience where they are able to manage the mix of investments for a company’s portfolio.

Testing

In order to test Financial Analysts effectively, employers usually administer the Math Business Test along with the Business IQ test. These tests will help employers analyze the individual’s mathematical skills, analytical skills and ability to make sound business decisions. The work ethics personality test test is also a favorable option to determine how the individual may operate at different levels of employment.

 

Recommended Test

 

 

Financial Analysts

Job Facts

2018 Median Pay
 $85,660 per year, $41.18 per hour
Entry level qualification
 Bachelor’s Degree
Number of jobs in 2016
 296,100
Expected Growth rate (2016 – 26)
 11%