Definition: Financial Analyst Job Description

What are the missions of the financial analyst? What training to follow to exercise this profession? What are his outlets and his salary? The answers are provided to you by this financial analyst job file.

Financial analyst profession

A stock market investment specialist, the financial analyst helps investors choose the most profitable and least risky stocks through in-depth studies.

Discover the profession in detail: mission, training, recruitment, retraining.

What is a financial analyst?

Under the authority of a head of financial studies or a department manager, the financial analyst (or in charge of financial studies) assesses the good health of listed companies in order to advise financial investors or stock market operators.

It assesses them in all their aspects: profitability, human resources, restructuring to be carried out, etc.

To do this, it collects all the information necessary to establish a diagnosis of the economic health of the listed company.

To carry out an analysis on the sustainability and profitability of the company, it therefore takes into account financial, economic and social indicators.

This professional is essential given that the finance of a company can depend on his advice.

A financial analyst is generally specialized in a particular sector.

Today, the profession is very feminized.

Missions of the financial analyst

Collecting information:

• Carry out constant financial monitoring in the specialized press
• Gather documents and financial statements of companies
• Meet the heads of financial communication, financial directors and general managers of companies
• Participate in some internal meetings

Analysis of the results:

• Analyze balance sheets and annual reports of companies
• Carry out comparative analyzes (between the information collected on companies and the stock market price of their shares and with the results of the competition)
• Establish an assessment of the trends and value of a company (while placing the information in the general context of the market)

The production of recommendations:

• Write a briefing note on which their employer or client (trader, portfolio manager, designer of financial products) will base their work on financial investments or company buyouts
• Issue recommendations for the sale or purchase of shares

Where does the financial analyst work?

The financial analyst works mainly in the bancassurance sector in a bank, a brokerage firm or within financial analysis research offices.

Trend of the profession

The job of financial analyst is mainly exercised in Île-de-France and currently offers many job opportunities.

However, competition is fierce in this profession, which recruits mainly from so-called excellence sectors.

Qualifications required to become a financial analyst

To become a financial analyst, several qualities and skills are essential:

• Solid knowledge of finance and the stock exchange system
• Good general economic culture
• In-depth knowledge of the sector in which he specializes
• Be on the lookout for economic and financial news
• Analytical and synthesis skills
• Be comfortable with numbers
• Rigor
• Adaptability
• Anticipation
• Curiosity
• Organisation
• Reactivity
• Excellent oral and written communication
• Good stress management and resistance to pressure

Training to become a financial analyst

Financial analysis requires solid knowledge in mathematics, law, economics, marketing and of course finance.

To access the profession, many courses (business school, engineering school, IEP, university…) are possible but the doctorate level is required.

Initial training

Doctorate level

• Business and management school diploma, finance specialty
• Engineering degree supplemented by a finance specialization
• IEP diploma specializing in economics or finance
• Master in finance
• Master in Corporate and Market Finance
• Master in Financial Analysis and Strategy
• Master in Economic Engineering
• Master in accounting, control, audit
• Master in Banking and Financial Law
• Master in currency, banking, finance, insurance

Bac+6 level

• Specialized master in international financial analysis
• Specialized master’s degree in banking and financial engineering
• Specialized master in financial techniques

Continuing education

As part of a professional development or reorientation, it is possible to become a financial analyst through continuing education by following training with the SFAF (French Society of Financial Analysts) to obtain the diplomas international AWM, CIWM or CIIA. These training courses are open to candidates holding a 3/4 bac+degree with a minimum of 6, 12 or 24 months of professional experience in the financial sector.

Possible evolutions of the financial analyst

A financial analyst can progress to positions in a financial institution or in a company by occupying the function of director of financial studies, department director but also management controller, auditor or financial director.

Salary of a financial analyst

The salary of a financial analyst varies greatly depending on his experience: $ 2,500 for a beginner and up to $ 10,000 for the most experienced professionals.