Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts unlock financial insights to power business decisions.
What does a Financial Analyst do?
Financial Analysts piece together financial data to reveal the full picture of how a business is performing. They help build the roadmap for the future by working on budgets, forecasts, and strategic plans.
By collaborating with executives and cross-functional teams, they deliver timely, accurate insights that drive key decisions. Their analysis supports investment opportunities and business cases that shape the company’s future and impact the bottom line.
Key skills
- Analytical and quantitative
- Attention to detail
- Collaboration
- Communication
Becoming a Financial Analyst
Qualifications
Graduates of Finance, Accounting, and Business typically possess the core skills that align well with the demands of a Financial Analyst role. Useful qualifications include:
- Chartered Financial Analyst®
- Certified Public Accountant and other accounting credentials
- MBA
Who hires a Financial Analyst?
Companies across all industries – from AI and fashion to utilities – employ Financial Analysts. Companies with more complex businesses may seek Financial Analysts with a specialized focus.
Check out a typical job description
Companies typically look for Financial Analysts who are detail-oriented, collaborative, and curious.
Strong financial modeling skills and proficiency in Excel are essential. Key responsibilities include preparing:
- Budgets
- Forecasts
- Strategic plans
- Monthly reports
Analysts also support investment planning and business case development, often working closely with teams across the organization.
Clear communication and the ability to present financial data effectively to stakeholders are critical to success in this role.
Now let’s talk career progression
Where this role could take you
The skills developed as a Financial Analyst are highly transferable and provide a strong foundation for future leadership roles. Many analysts progress into senior finance positions, taking on greater responsibility for financial oversight and reporting.
Others choose to specialize in areas such as financial planning and analysis (FP&A), mergers and acquisitions (M&A), or financial reporting.
With significant experience and strong leadership capabilities, some move into C-suite roles such as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), or even Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This flexibility makes the Financial Analyst role a valuable launchpad for a wide range of careers in business and finance.
Your future
With strong leadership skills and a solid professional reputation, Financial Analysts can advance to roles such as Finance Manager, and eventually to executive positions like CFO or even CEO. Many CFOs are seen as strategic partners to the CEO, making them natural candidates for top leadership roles.
The right role for you?
If you enjoy solving puzzles, a Financial Analyst role might be a great fit. You'll dive deep into financial data to uncover the story behind the numbers, zooming in on the details while keeping sight of the bigger picture.
Collaboration is key, as you'll work closely with teams across the organization to piece together insights that drive decision-making.
With access to rich business data, you’ll gain a deep understanding of how the company operates, positioning you well for future leadership and decision-making roles.
At the same time, it’s a high-stakes role that demands accuracy and thorough analysis as your insights can affect the company’s financial performance or stock price. You’ll need to be able to challenge assumptions to avoid blind spots and be prepared for long hours during planning cycles and reporting deadlines.
Find your fit in finance
Have you taken our quiz yet? Discover which finance career paths align with your passions, strengths, and values.