How many hours do financial analyst work a week?
At the entry-level, you'll usually work between 40 and 50 hours per week. However, that varies based on the group and the time of year. For example, FP&A Analysts might work more like 50-60 hours per week because the role tends to be more strategic and involves more interaction with management.
Even though Financial Analysts work long hours and sometimes must handle a lot of stress in the workplace, these professionals are well-compensated for their efforts. In 2021, the average salary in the U.S. for a Financial Analyst was $96,000.
A Day in the Life of a Financial Analyst. Financial analysts gather information, assemble spreadsheets, write reports, and review all non-legal pertinent information about prospective deals. They examine the feasibility of a deal and prepare a plan of action based on financial analysis.
Around 60 hours a week, with the most intense being the hours when the market is open.
Work-Life Balance FAQs for FP&A Analyst
On average, FP&A Analysts generally work between 40 to 50 hours per week. The workload can fluctuate with financial cycles, reporting deadlines, and strategic planning periods.
- Most stressful job in finance : Investment Banker (M&A or capital markets professional) ...
- Second most stressful job in finance : Trader. ...
- Third most stressful job in finance : Risk management & Compliance.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that financial analysts earned median annual salaries of $81,590 in May 2019. Salaries ranged from less than $47,230 to $156,150 or more.
Financial analysts may work at institutions that are based in large cities. Financial analysts work primarily in offices but may travel to visit companies or clients.
It is super important to go into these conversations prepared, especially after having been laid off. You do not want to give the impression you were let go due to subpar performance. Many analysts are getting laid off due to a bad economy, lackluster deal flow, and bloated teams from over-hiring during the bull run.
| Annual Salary | Weekly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $114,974 | $2,211 |
| 75th Percentile | $109,100 | $2,098 |
| Average | $79,353 | $1,526 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,100 | $1,328 |
Do finance majors make 6 figures?
Yes, sure you can make around six figures at some of these fortune 500 corporate finance role or be an investment banking analyst making close to $200K a year just a year out of undergrad, but that's not where the real money is made in finance.
Finance degrees are generally considered to be challenging. In a program like this, students gain exposure to new concepts, from financial lingo to mathematical problems, so there can be a learning curve.
Career advancement for senior analysts can include becoming a portfolio manager or fund manager where they manage a company's investment portfolio. They have the ability to move into high ranking roles in investment banking.
Work from home financial analysts often measure key performance indicators, produce reports on request, ensure data integrity, and support regulatory compliance activities. This is a remote, home-based position, though some companies may occasionally ask you to visit the office to attend meetings or give reports.
- Management Consulting (40-80 Hours Per Week)
- Single Manager Hedge Fund (50-70 Hours Per Week)
- Growth Equity (40-60 Hours Per Week)
- Venture Capital (40-60 Hours Per Week)
- Sales and Trading (40-60 Hours Per Week)
- Corporate Finance / Banking (40-60 Hours Per Week)
At the entry-level, you'll usually work between 40 and 50 hours per week. However, that varies based on the group and the time of year. For example, FP&A Analysts might work more like 50-60 hours per week because the role tends to be more strategic and involves more interaction with management.
Finance degree jobs can provide relatively high pay, stability, opportunities for advancement and consistent demand projections. Careers in finance may also offer flexibility for employees by allowing them to work remotely or in hybrid environments.
- Investment banker.
- Hedge fund manager.
- Financial analyst.
- Information technology auditor.
- Financial software developer.
- Private equity associate.
- Chief compliance officer.
- Chief financial officer.
Financial careers often involve high barriers to entry, stiff competition among applicants, and a lot of stress. Still, these jobs offer numerous perks, including a challenging work environment, interaction with highly motivated and intelligent colleagues, opportunities for advancement, and excellent pay.
On average, financial analysts rate the meaningfulness of their work a 2.3/5. The majority of financial analysts struggle to find any sort of meaning in their work, likely resulting in less satisfaction with the career overall.
What are the cons of being a financial analyst?
- Stress: Some finance professionals find that their roles or industries feature stressful work environments. ...
- Long hours: Employees in the financial sector might also work overtime or unusual business hours, such as evenings and weekends.
The national average salary for accountants is $54,603 per year , while the national average salary for financial analysts is $71,345 per year . Financial analysts typically make more money than accountants, and they often have higher starting salaries.
| City Name | Average Salary | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $114,708 | + 26% (85,391) |
| Colorado, CO | $100,000 | + 15% (85,391) |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $97,857 | + 13% (85,391) |
| Tampa Bay, FL | $94,571 | + 10% (85,391) |
How long does it take to become a financial analyst? You can become a financial analyst within four years, or the time it takes you to earn a bachelor's degree. Depending on the type of work you plan to do, it may take additional time to earn licensure through FINRA as well.
With greater experience and expertise, a senior financial analyst can continue into a supervisory position. A senior analyst in the securities industry often moves up to become a portfolio manager or a fund manager overseeing a team of senior analysts. There may also be an opportunity to enter a senior management role.
