Financial analyst jobs continue to be among the hottest positions now, with the midpoint financial analyst salaries at $69,250 for professionals with one to three years of experience.
Companies rely on experienced financial analysts to support business growth by identifying trends in financial data and helping senior management make informed decisions. The trend toward a more strategic and analytic finance function requires a financial analyst to make more frequent, tangible contributions across departments.
For that reason, candidates to fill financial analyst jobs are in demand across many industries. These jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 6 percent through 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Whether you are just starting your career or have experience in this position, here's some vital information to help guide you in your job search or your career path, starting with the financial analyst salary.
Financial analyst salaries
Just starting out? A financial analyst in corporate accounting with less than a year of experience can expect a salary midpoint (or median national salary) of $53,250, according to the Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance Professionals.
Are you in management? The salary midpoint for financial analysts at the higher levels can be anywhere from $85,500 for a senior financial analyst to $106,000 for a financial analyst manager and $134,500 for a director.
So as you can see, there's room to grow when it comes to financial analyst salaries.
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The demand for financial analysts
Employers are looking for specialists who can identify opportunities for increasing business in the years ahead and can interpret financial data and turn it into solid business recommendations. What's driving the demand?
- Today's business decisions require financial expertise. Most firms require an expert to deal with financial business decisions. This expert should be able to forecast where the company's money is coming from now, and in the future, then help managers decide how to invest it in ways that generate the greatest return.
- The population is aging. More and more experienced financial analyst professionals, namely baby boomers, are deciding to retire, which is fueling the demand to replace them. In addition, some positions become vacant as other financial analysts are promoted. So more opportunities are opening up, and companies are seeking new financial analyst candidates to fill them.
Are you an employer looking for a financial analyst? We can help with that. Learn how.
Duties and expectations
CFOs say there's an increasing need for specialized knowledge and for professionals who can "drill down" on all financial data collected and quickly provide analyses to enable better business decisions, project a company’s future earnings and make recommendations to management based on their findings.
A financial analyst needs top-notch decision-making skills. And they need to be able to contribute to department-specific and overall business strategies and provide data-based solutions grounded in solid analysis. They're also expected to translate reports and forecasts into easy-to-understand advice that streamlines processes, improves efficiency, saves time and money, and prepares the company for growth.
Job hunting? Check out our open financial analyst positions.
If you want to work in finance, but you're not sure if any of the financial analyst jobs you see are right for you, consider seeking something similar as a budget analyst, financial manager or senior accountant.
Professional experience and skills
Managers hiring for financial analyst jobs typically write job descriptions that call for someone with a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field, and often an MBA, particularly for senior-level positions. Accounting certifications, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), commonly required in financial services, demonstrate knowledge and expertise to prospective employers and clients.
The Salary Guide lists proficiency in Hyperion as one of the in-demand skills for a financial analyst position. In addition, hiring managers expect financial analysts to have knowledge of current financial software, including Microsoft Excel and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. They should also have data analytics skills, including the ability to observe meta-patterns.
Financial analysts also must have strong interpersonal skills in order to convey their recommendations clearly and effectively. A detail-oriented approach, decision-making abilities and communication skills involving collaboration, tact and diplomacy are also important. Financial analysts should be self-starters willing to dig deep into research. They should be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
This post has been updated to reflect more current information.
