Summary Report for:
13-2051.00 - Financial Analysts
Conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions.
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
Tasks | Technology Skills | Tools Used | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Detailed Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests | Work Styles | Work Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks
- Inform investment decisions by analyzing financial information to forecast business, industry, or economic conditions.
- Prepare plans of action for investment, using financial analyses.
- Evaluate and compare the relative quality of various securities in a given industry.
- Recommend investments and investment timing to companies, investment firm staff, or the public.
- Present oral or written reports on general economic trends, individual corporations, and entire industries.
- 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.
- Interpret data on price, yield, stability, future investment-risk trends, economic influences, and other factors affecting investment programs.
- Purchase investments for companies in accordance with company policy.
- Monitor developments in the fields of industrial technology, business, finance, and economic theory.
- Draw charts and graphs, using computer spreadsheets, to illustrate technical reports.
- Collaborate with investment bankers to attract new corporate clients to securities firms.
Technology Skills
- Accounting software — Fund accounting software
; Intuit QuickBooks ; Sage 50 Accounting ; Tax software
- Analytical or scientific software — SAS ; StataCorp Stata ; The MathWorks MATLAB ; Ward Systems Group NeuralShell Predictor (see all 18 examples)
- Business intelligence and data analysis software — IBM Cognos Impromptu ; MicroStrategy ; Qlik Tech QlikView ; Tableau (see all 5 examples)
- Charting software — Montgomery Investment Technology Utility XL; TickQuest NeoTicker
- Customer relationship management CRM software — Salesforce software
- Data base management system software — Teradata Database
- Data base reporting software — SAP Crystal Reports
- Data base user interface and query software — IBM Lotus Approach; Microsoft Access ; Structured query language SQL ; Yardi (see all 6 examples)
- Development environment software — Microsoft Visual Basic
- Document management software — Microsoft Office SharePoint Server MOSS
- Electronic mail software — IBM Notes
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Microsoft Dynamics GP ; Oracle Fusion Applications ; Oracle PeopleSoft ; SAP Business Objects (see all 12 examples)
- 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 ; Longview Performance Management Platform; Oracle E-Business Suite Financials ; Wolfram Research Mathematica UnRisk Pricing Engine (see all 77 examples)
- Graphics or photo imaging software — Microsoft Visio
- Human resources software — 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 (see all 5 examples)
- Medical software — MEDITECH software
- Object or component oriented development software — R
- Office suite software — Microsoft Office
- Presentation software — DealMaven PresLink for PowerPoint and Word; Microsoft PowerPoint
- Project management software — Microsoft Project ; Microsoft SharePoint
- Spreadsheet software — Apple AppleWorks; Corel QuattroPro; IBM Lotus 1-2-3; Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software — Microsoft Word; Report generation software
Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.
Tools Used
- Desktop calculator — 10-key calculators
- Desktop computers
- Notebook computers
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers — Personal digital assistants PDA
- Tablet computers
Knowledge
- Economics and Accounting — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
- English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Communications and Media — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
- Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
- Sales and Marketing — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Skills
- Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
- Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
- Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
- Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
- Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
- Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Work Activities
- Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Detailed Work Activities
- Analyze business or financial data.
- Apply mathematical models of financial or business conditions.
- Develop financial or business plans.
- Determine the value of goods or services.
- Recommend investments to clients.
- Present business-related information to audiences.
- Analyze industry trends.
- Assess risks to business operations.
- Purchase products or services.
- Create images of data, locations, or products.
- Market products, services, or events.
- Analyze risks related to investments in green technology.
- Analyze market conditions or trends.
- Identify strategic business investment opportunities.
- Assess the cost effectiveness of products, projects, or services.
- Research issues related to the environment or sustainable business practices.
Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities
Work Context
- Electronic Mail — 97% responded “Every day.”
- Telephone — 95% responded “Every day.”
- Duration of Typical Work Week — 89% responded “More than 40 hours.”
- Face-to-Face Discussions — 76% responded “Every day.”
- Spend Time Sitting — 69% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 88% responded “Every day.”
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 47% responded “Extremely important.”
- Contact With Others — 16% responded “Contact with others about half the time.”
- Structured versus Unstructured Work — 56% responded “Some freedom.”
- Time Pressure — 43% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
- Work With Work Group or Team — 47% responded “Extremely important.”
- Level of Competition — 52% responded “Extremely competitive.”
- Freedom to Make Decisions — 50% responded “Some freedom.”
- Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 46% responded “Important results.”
- Letters and Memos — 65% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
- Frequency of Decision Making — 34% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
- Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 27% responded “Important.”
- Deal With External Customers — 49% responded “Very important.”
- Public Speaking — 42% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
- Consequence of Error — 23% responded “Not serious at all.”
Job Zone
| 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 accountants, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators. |
| SVP Range | (7.0 to < 8.0) |
Education
 Percentage of Respondents |
Education Level Required |
|---|---|
61   |
Bachelor's degree |
| 35 |
Master's degree |
| 2 |
Associate's degree |
Interests
All 3 displayedInterest code: CIE
- Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Styles
- Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
- Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
- Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
- Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
- Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
- Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Work Values
- Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
- Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Related Occupations
| 11-3111.00 | Compensation and Benefits Managers |
| 13-1141.00 | Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists |
| 13-1161.00 | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 
|
| 13-2011.01 | Accountants
|
| 13-2011.02 | Auditors
Bright Outlook
|
| 13-2031.00 | Budget Analysts |
| 13-2041.00 | Credit Analysts |
| 13-2052.00 | Personal Financial Advisors
|
| 13-2061.00 | Financial Examiners |
| 13-2099.02 | Risk Management Specialists
Green
|
Wages & Employment Trends
| Median wages (2016) | $39.31 hourly, $81,760 annual |
| State wages | 
|
| Employment (2014) | 278,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2014-2024) | 
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
|
| Projected job openings (2014-2024) | 89,400 |
| State trends | 
|
| Top industries (2014) | |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016 wage data
and 2014-2024 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2014-2024). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
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.
- Financial analysts
. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition.
