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Financial Analyst  What They Do

Just the Facts


Financial Analysts Career Video



Conducts quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions.

This career is part of the Finance cluster Securities and Investments pathway.


A person in this career:

  • Draws charts and graphs, using computer spreadsheets, to illustrate technical reports.
  • Informs investment decisions by analyzing financial information to forecast business, industry, or economic conditions.
  • Monitors developments in the fields of industrial technology, business, finance, and economic theory.
  • Interprets data on price, yield, stability, future investment-risk trends, economic influences, and other factors affecting investment programs.
  • Monitors fundamental economic, industrial, and corporate developments by analyzing information from financial publications and services, investment banking firms, government agencies, trade publications, company sources, or personal interviews.
  • Recommends investments and investment timing to companies, investment firm staff, or the public.
  • Determines the prices at which securities should be syndicated and offered to the public.
  • Prepares plans of action for investment, using financial analyses.
  • Evaluates and compares the relative quality of various securities in a given industry.
  • Presents oral or written reports on general economic trends, individual corporations, and entire industries.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Analyst --
  • Credit Products Officer --
  • Equity Research Analyst --
  • Investment Analyst --
  • Planning Analyst --
  • Portfolio Manager -- Ultimately responsible for the performance and the day to day operation of a fund or asset management vehicle.
  • Real Estate Analyst -- Provides in-depth information to other industry professionals by collecting and analyzing current market data and trends and generating reports using criteria such as property type, location, price, occupancy and lease rates.
  • Securities Analyst --
  • Trust Officer -- Directs and coordinates activities relative to creating and administering personal, corporate, probate, and court-ordered guardianship trusts in accordance with terms creating trust, will, or court order.