what is a financial analyst?

As a financial analyst, you guide individuals or businesses on investment opportunities with lucrative outcomes. You use industry knowledge, market trends and financial data to find the best strategy for continued growth. Your job involves analysing economic trends, financial information and business news.

As a financial analyst, you can work in investment companies or financial institutions like banks. Some businesses also need internal financial analysts to monitor their investment strategies and minimise losses. Depending on your position, you are responsible for various research tasks that guide investment decisions. Some tasks include evaluating financial data and market developments or examining the organisation's financial statements. You also participate in financial modelling to predict the performance of various investments. Since the tasks are data-intensive, you require strong analytical and mathematical skills to evaluate the data and develop investment strategies.

To build financial models for data analysis and forecasting, proficiency in building portfolios and using various statistical software for analysis is important. The software helps you track past and present financial information and use prediction models to determine if an investment is viable.

Would working as a financial analyst suit your strong mathematical skills and business acumen? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a financial analyst role.

financial analyst jobs
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average financial analyst salary

According to the Economic Research Institute, the median salary of a financial analyst is €45,000 per year. As a financial analyst, your earnings depend on your educational credentials and experience level. For instance, a financial analyst early in their career in Greece starts with a salary of €31,000per year. When you have at least five years of experience, your earnings increase to over €55,000 annually.

what factors affect the salary of a financial analyst?

The compensation package of financial analysts depends on educational qualifications. When you have additional professional certifications, you can earn more. For instance, a chartered financial analyst (CFA) earns a higher salary than a financial analyst without CFA credentials. Your expertise and qualifications allow you to negotiate a higher salary.

The size of the company you work for also determines your earnings. When you work for a small start-up, you start with a lower compensation package due to the limited resources available. Working for a large company increases your earning potential due to the complexity of your tasks and the unlimited resources available.

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types of financial analysts

Some types of financial analysts include:

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working as a financial analyst

As a financial analyst, you evaluate financial data and recommend the best investments for a company. Discover financial analysts' specific duties, tasks, work schedules and career opportunities.

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financial analyst skills and education

To become a financial analyst in Greece, you require the following educational qualifications:

  • bachelor’s degree: you need a bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, accounting or another related field, like economics and statistics. While a master’s degree is not mandatory, it gives you a competitive advantage.
  • work experience and certification: you require experience to join mid-level and senior positions. Gain experience through internships and entry-level jobs. It is also important to seek out certification to advance your professional development. For instance, you can pursue professional certification to become a Chartered Financial Analyst and join the CFA Society Greece.

competencies and characteristics of financial analysts

You need these soft and hard skills to succeed as a financial analyst:

  • research skills: your job involves mining data from various sources for financial analysis. Research skills help you find historical data from company records and macroeconomic data from industry sources. You can make predictions from the data analysis with sufficient information.
  • attention to detail: being detail-oriented helps you notice market trends and make accurate predictions. Attentiveness to detail helps you make insightful conclusions based on changes in the market.
  • analytical skills: as a financial analyst, you evaluate tons of data and make accurate conclusions. You need analytical skills to ask the right questions, draw accurate conclusions and discern the best solutions for your clients.
  • maths skills: being good in maths and numbers helps you handle complex calculations in financial modelling. Sometimes, you use complex equations to complete data analysis. Maths skills also help you formulate financial models, including charts and graphs.
  • communication skills: you need communication skills to explain complex financial jargon to clients and investors. Communication and people skills also help you maintain relationships with stakeholders to gain access to information.
  • problem-solving skills: as a financial analyst, you are a problem-solver who finds solutions to the company's liquidity problems and financial constraints. Your exceptional problem-solving skills in dealing with financial issues help the company gain investors.
  • technical skills: as a financial analyst, you rely on sophisticated accounting software to analyse financial data. Your technical skills help you learn new software applications quickly and perform your duties as a financial analyst effectively.
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FAQs

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a financial analyst.

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