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Financial Analysts

Also called: Financial Analyst, Securities Analyst, Investment Analyst, Equity Research Analyst

What they do:
Conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions.
On the job, you would:
  • Draw charts and graphs, using computer spreadsheets, to illustrate technical reports.
  • Inform investment decisions by analyzing financial information to forecast business, industry, or economic conditions.
  • Monitor developments in the fields of industrial technology, business, finance, and economic theory.

Knowledge

Business
  • accounting and economics
  • management
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics

Skills

Basic Skills
  • reading work related information
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

Verbal
  • read and understand what is written
  • communicate by speaking
Math
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide
  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
Ideas and Logic
  • use rules to solve problems
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Persistence
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Financial analysis software
  • AnalyzerXL software
  • Experian Credinomics
Analytical or scientific software
  • Palisade Evolver
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
Spreadsheet software
  • Apple AppleWorks
  • Corel QuattroPro

Education

Education: (rated 4 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
master's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Bright Outlook
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
$75,650
per year, on average
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Green
This work is part of the green economy.

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See more details at O*NET OnLine about financial analysts.