Financial and Investment Analysts

A subset of this occupation's profile is available. Data collection is currently underway to populate other parts of the profile.

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

Sample of reported job titles: Analyst, Credit Products Officer, Equity Research Analyst, Financial Analyst, Investment Analyst, Planning Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Real Estate Analyst, Securities Analyst, Trust Officer

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV

  • Advise clients on aspects of capitalization, such as amounts, sources, or timing.
  • Analyze financial or operational performance of companies facing financial difficulties to identify or recommend remedies.
  • Assess companies as investments for clients by examining company facilities.
  • Collaborate on projects with other professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, or public relations experts.
  • Collaborate with investment bankers to attract new corporate clients.
  • Conduct financial analyses related to investments in green construction or green retrofitting projects.
  • Confer with clients to restructure debt, refinance debt, or raise new debt.
  • Create client presentations of plan details.
  • Determine the prices at which securities should be syndicated and offered to the public.
  • Develop and maintain client relationships.
  • Draw charts and graphs, using computer spreadsheets, to illustrate technical reports.
  • Employ financial models to develop solutions to financial problems or to assess the financial or capital impact of transactions.
  • Evaluate and compare the relative quality of various securities in a given industry.
  • Evaluate capital needs of clients and assess market conditions to inform structuring of financial packages.
  • Inform investment decisions by analyzing financial information to forecast business, industry, or economic conditions.
  • Interpret data on price, yield, stability, future investment-risk trends, economic influences, and other factors affecting investment programs.
  • Monitor developments in the fields of industrial technology, business, finance, and economic theory.
  • Monitor 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.
  • Perform securities valuation or pricing.
  • Prepare all materials for transactions or execution of deals.
  • Prepare plans of action for investment, using financial analyses.
  • Present oral or written reports on general economic trends, individual corporations, and entire industries.
  • Purchase investments for companies in accordance with company policy.
  • Recommend investments and investment timing to companies, investment firm staff, or the public.
  • Specialize in green financial instruments, such as socially responsible mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETF) that are comprised of green companies.
  • Supervise, train, or mentor junior team members.

back to top

Technology Skills Save Table: XLSX CSV

  • Accounting software — Fund accounting software; Intuit QuickBooks Hot technology ; Sage 50 Accounting; Tax software
  • Analytical or scientific software — IBM SPSS Statistics Hot technology ; SAS Hot technology ; StataCorp Stata; The MathWorks MATLAB Hot technology ; 14 more
  • Business intelligence and data analysis software — Alteryx software Hot technology ; IBM Cognos Impromptu; Microsoft Power BI In-Demand Hot technology ; Tableau In-Demand Hot technology ; 4 more
  • Charting software — Montgomery Investment Technology Utility XL; TickQuest NeoTicker
  • Cloud-based data access and sharing software — Microsoft SharePoint Hot technology
  • Configuration management software — Perforce Helix software
  • Customer relationship management CRM software — Salesforce software Hot technology
  • Data base management system software — Apache Hive Hot technology ; Apache Pig; Teradata Database Hot technology
  • Data base reporting software — Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS Hot technology ; Reporting software; SAP Crystal Reports
  • Data base user interface and query software — Microsoft SQL Server Hot technology ; Oracle Database Hot technology ; Structured query language SQL In-Demand Hot technology ; Yardi software Hot technology ; 4 more
  • Development environment software — Microsoft Visual Basic Hot technology ; Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA Hot technology
  • Document management software — Microsoft Office SharePoint Server MOSS
  • Electronic mail software — Email software; IBM Notes; Microsoft Exchange; Microsoft Outlook In-Demand Hot technology
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Microsoft Dynamics Hot technology ; Oracle PeopleSoft Hot technology ; SAP software In-Demand Hot technology ; Workday software Hot technology ; 9 more
  • Enterprise system management software — IBM Power Systems software
  • Expert system software — Ivorix Neurostrategy Finance; Matheny Pattern Forecaster Plus; NeuroSolutions for MatLab
  • Financial analysis software — Delphi Technology; Moody's RiskCalc; Oracle E-Business Suite Financials; Oracle Hyperion Financial Management; 77 more
  • Human resources software — ADP Workforce Now; Human resource management software HRMS
  • Information retrieval or search software — dailyVest Investment Personalization Platform; LexisNexis; TradeTools Monthly U.S. Economic Database; Ward Systems Group NeuroShell Trader; 1 more
  • Internet browser software — Web browser software
  • Object or component oriented development software — R Hot technology
  • Office suite software — Microsoft Office software In-Demand Hot technology
  • Presentation software — Apple Keynote; DealMaven PresLink for PowerPoint and Word; Google Slides; Microsoft PowerPoint In-Demand Hot technology
  • Process mapping and design software — Microsoft Visio Hot technology
  • Project management software — Microsoft Project Hot technology ; Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management Hot technology
  • Sales and marketing software — Marketo Marketing Automation Hot technology
  • Spreadsheet software — Apple AppleWorks; Corel QuattroPro; IBM Lotus 1-2-3; Microsoft Excel In-Demand Hot technology
  • Word processing software — Google Docs Hot technology ; Microsoft OneNote; Microsoft Word Hot technology ; Report generation software
Hot technology
Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings.
In demand
In Demand skills are frequently included in employer job postings for this occupation.

back to top

Tools Used Save Table: XLSX CSV

back to top

Occupational Requirements

Detailed Work Activities Save Table: XLSX CSV

back to top

Experience Requirements

Job Zone Save Table: XLSX CSV

Title
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related Experience
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
SVP Range
(7.0 to < 8.0)

back to top

Training & Credentials

State training
Local training
Certifications
State licenses

back to top

Apprenticeship Opportunities

Start your career and build your skillset. Visit Apprenticeship.gov external site to learn about opportunities related to this occupation.

back to top

Worker Characteristics

Interests Save Table: XLSX CSV

Occupational InterestInterest
76
 
Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
68
 
Enterprising — Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
68
 
Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
21
 
Social — Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
13
 
Artistic — Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
0
 
Realistic — Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

back to top

Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages (2023)
$47.60 hourly, $99,010 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2023)
347,400 employees
Projected growth (2023-2033)
Much faster than average (9% or higher)
Projected job openings (2023-2033)
26,100
State trends
Top industries (2023)
Finance and Insurance (44% employed in this sector)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 wage data external site and 2023-2033 employment projections external site. “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2023-2033). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

back to top

Job Openings on the Web

State job openings
Local job openings

back to top

More Information

back to top

Professional Associations

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

National Associations
Regional Associations
Accreditation, Certification, & Unions

back to top