Is it hard to become a financial analyst?
They need both strong math skills—specifically in statistics and probability—and computer literacy, as analysts use software to look at trends and make forecasts. These professionals should also have a good grasp of economics and know how to read and interpret financial statements.
The process of creating financial models is complex and challenging. It requires individuals to wear many hats and have a range of technical and mathematical skills, as well as soft skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
Competition for these jobs is fierce, especially among analysts new to the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.2% employment growth for financial analysts between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 68,000 jobs should open up.
Being a financial analyst can be a tough gig because it requires a lot of complex thinking, preparation, and hard work. Many analysts report that the hardest part of their job is communicating sophisticated analysis and insights to decision-makers in a way that is both comprehensible and actionable.
Minimum GPA: Minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA required, 3.5 GPA preferred. Certifications: All are optional: Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA), Certified Public Accountant® (CPA), or MBA.
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.
- 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.
Others view it as a grueling, stressful profession that requires long hours. Those who thrive working with numbers, algorithms, and risk management and have the determination and dedication to succeed will likely find a job as a Financial Analyst, a rewarding career path.
Believe it or not, mastery of advanced math skills is not necessary to have a career in finance. With today's technology, all math-related tasks can be done by computers and calculators. That said, there are some basic math skills that would certainly make you a better candidate in the finance industry.
The workforce of Financial analysts in 2021 was 273,293 people, with 41.4% woman, and 58.6% men. The average age of male Financial analysts in the workforce is 37.6 and of female Financial analysts is 40.6, and the most common race/ethnicity for Financial analysts is White.
Is financial analyst a stable job?
Job Outlook
Overall employment of financial analysts is projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 27,400 openings for financial analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
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.
- 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.
Even when you are working with financial models, none of the math is complex. There's addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division… and occasionally built-in Excel functions like IRR, Mean, and Median. You never use calculus or differential equations or even geometry / trigonometry.
Financial analysts are conventional and investigative
They also tend to be investigative, which means that they are quite inquisitive and curious people that often like to spend time alone with their thoughts. If you are one or both of these archetypes, you may be well suited to be a financial analyst.
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.
The GPA that qualifies you best for a high waged role in the finance and economics industry is generally 3.5+. Otherwise, when less than 2.5, it doesn't qualify you for a noteworthy career position. If you fail to get at least a 3.2 GPA, do not expect to climb a dream position.
| 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 |
Finance careers can be very lucrative for high-performing workers, with management roles commonly earning over $150,000 annually and executive salaries often reaching even higher.
Most people have traditionally viewed finance careers as high-cost but high-reward. It's extremely difficult to break in, but once you're in, the compensation and exit opportunities make the initial effort worth it.
Why are finance jobs so hard to get?
Applying for entry-level finance jobs can be overwhelmingly competitive just because of the number of people graduating with finance degrees yearly, and if you're able to, getting a bachelor's degree will help you stand out against the competition.
The top 5 highest paying jobs in finance are investment banking, hedge fund management, CFO roles, private equity, and actuarial positions. These careers typically offer substantial salaries and the potential for significant bonuses.
- Investment banker.
- Hedge fund manager.
- Financial analyst.
- Information technology auditor.
- Financial software developer.
- Private equity associate.
- Chief compliance officer.
- Chief financial officer.
While the financial industry is traditionally associated with high wage earners, making it into the top three paying industries of 2024, there are 10 specific finance careers or jobs that hold significant salary potential and are showing promising signs of growth and industry demand.
Additionally, research analysts may travel quite frequently depending on the firm. It's important for the analysts to learn as much detail as possible about the companies they cover. This could mean visiting company headquarters, traveling to industry conferences, and meeting with suppliers, customers, etc.
