Financial Risk Specialists

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

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

Sample of reported job titles: Analyst, Equity Research Analyst, Risk Analyst, Risk Manager, Risk Specialist, Securities Analyst

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV

  • Analyze areas of potential risk to the assets, earning capacity, or success of organizations.
  • Analyze new legislation to determine impact on risk exposure.
  • Conduct statistical analyses to quantify risk, using statistical analysis software or econometric models.
  • Confer with traders to identify and communicate risks associated with specific trading strategies or positions.
  • Consult financial literature to ensure use of the latest models or statistical techniques.
  • Contribute to development of risk management systems.
  • Determine potential environmental impacts of new products or processes on long-term growth and profitability.
  • Develop contingency plans to deal with emergencies.
  • Develop or implement risk-assessment models or methodologies.
  • Devise scenario analyses reflecting possible severe market events.
  • Devise systems or processes to monitor validity of risk assessments.
  • Document, and ensure communication of, key risks.
  • Draw charts and graphs, using computer spreadsheets, to illustrate technical reports.
  • Evaluate and compare the relative quality of various securities in a given industry.
  • Evaluate the risks and benefits involved in implementing green building technologies.
  • Evaluate the risks related to green investments, such as renewable energy company stocks.
  • Gather risk-related data from internal or external resources.
  • Identify key risks and mitigating factors of potential investments, such as asset types and values, legal and ownership structures, professional reputations, customer bases, or industry segments.
  • Inform financial 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.
  • Maintain input or data quality of risk management systems.
  • Meet with clients to answer queries on subjects such as risk exposure, market scenarios, or values-at-risk calculations.
  • Monitor developments in the fields of industrial technology, business, finance, and economic theory.
  • Prepare plans of action for investment, using financial analyses.
  • Produce reports or presentations that outline findings, explain risk positions, or recommend changes.
  • Provide statistical modeling advice to other departments.
  • Recommend investments and investment timing to companies, investment firm staff, or the public.
  • Recommend ways to control or reduce risk.
  • Review or draft risk disclosures for offer documents.
  • Track, measure, or report on aspects of market risk for traded issues.

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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 ; 16 more
  • Business intelligence and data analysis software — IBM Cognos Impromptu; Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition; Qlik Tech QlikView; Tableau In-Demand Hot technology ; 1 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
  • Content workflow software — Atlassian JIRA Hot technology
  • 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 — Amazon Web Services AWS software Hot technology ; Microsoft SQL Server Hot technology ; ServiceNow Hot technology ; Yardi software Hot technology ; 5 more
  • Development environment software — Microsoft Azure software Hot technology ; Microsoft Visual Basic Hot technology ; Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA Hot technology ; Ruby Hot technology
  • Document management software — Microsoft Office SharePoint Server MOSS
  • Electronic mail software — IBM Notes; Microsoft Exchange; Microsoft Outlook In-Demand Hot technology
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Microsoft Dynamics Hot technology ; Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne; Oracle PeopleSoft Hot technology ; SAP 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; Oracle E-Business Suite Financials; Wolfram Research Mathematica Finance Essentials; Wolfram Research Mathematica UnRisk Pricing Engine; 73 more
  • Human resources software — ADP Workforce Now; Human resource management software HRMS
  • Information retrieval or search software — dailyVest Investment Personalization Platform; LexisNexis; S&P Capital IQ; Standard & Poor's Capital IQ Compustat; 4 more
  • Internet browser software — Web browser software
  • Object or component oriented development software — C++ Hot technology ; Perl Hot technology ; Python In-Demand Hot technology ; R Hot technology
  • Office suite software — Microsoft Office software In-Demand Hot technology
  • Operating system software — Linux Hot technology ; UNIX 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
  • Transaction security and virus protection software — McAfee
  • 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.

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Tools Used Save Table: XLSX CSV

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Occupational Requirements

Detailed Work Activities Save Table: XLSX CSV

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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)

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Training & Credentials

State training
Local training
Certifications
State licenses

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Apprenticeship Opportunities

Example apprenticeship titles for this occupation:

  • Risk Management Analyst (Energy)

Specific title(s) listed above are vetted by industry and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor for use in a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

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

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Worker Characteristics

Interests Save Table: XLSX CSV

Occupational InterestInterest
73
 
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.
66
 
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.
65
 
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.
25
 
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.
11
 
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.
5
 
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.

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Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages (2023)
$51.01 hourly, $106,090 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2023)
57,500 employees
Projected growth (2023-2033)
Faster than average (6% to 8%)
Projected job openings (2023-2033)
4,600
State trends
Top industries (2023)
Finance and Insurance (65% 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.

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Job Openings on the Web

State job openings
Local job openings

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More Information

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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

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