Is being a financial analyst stressful?
Even though Financial Analysts work long hours and sometimes must handle a lot of stress in the workplace, these professionals are well-compensated for their efforts. In 2021, the average salary in the U.S. for a Financial Analyst was $96,000.
Yes, being a financial analyst is a hard job.
Most financial analysts report high-stress levels and heavy workloads. The work itself is complex and requires a lot of knowledge and continuous study.
The ebb and flow of an analyst's daily activities depend upon factors such as the earnings calendar, the senior analyst's marketing calendar, and whether or not there are research projects in progress. Generally speaking, a day in the life of a junior or senior analyst can be very labor-intensive.
Being a financial analyst can be a tough gig because it requires a lot of complex thinking, preparation, and hard work. Many analysts report that the hardest part of their job is communicating sophisticated analysis and insights to decision-makers in a way that is both comprehensible and actionable.
Like every field, there are also drawbacks to a career in finance. They can include high stress, big responsibility, long working hours, continuing education requirements, and, in some cases, a lack of job security—the finance industry is generally quite cyclical.
Overall, Financial Analysts report being happy with their jobs. When interviewed about whether they like their career, Financial Analysts report above-average job satisfaction. Not only is financial analytics currently ranked as the 13th-best business job in the U.S., but it's also listed as the 66th-best job overall.
The most common reasons financial advisors quit are lack of fulfillment, difficulty finding clients, and burnout. Over 90% of financial advisors do not last three years, which means that there is a very low retention rate for financial advisors. To be a successful financial advisor, you need to be able to close a deal.
They need both strong math skills and computer literacy, as analysts use software to look at trends and make forecasts. After conducting research, financial analysts need to make decisions. Their recommendations can affect a company's longevity, so they must be thorough but decisive.
- Most stressful job in finance : Investment Banker (M&A or capital markets professional) ...
- Second most stressful job in finance : Trader. ...
- Third most stressful job in finance : Risk management & Compliance.
Minimum GPA: Minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA required, 3.5 GPA preferred. Certifications: All are optional: Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA), Certified Public Accountant® (CPA), or MBA.
What type of person should be a financial analyst?
An analytical mindset, strong business acumen, effective communication skills, ethical integrity, adaptability, attention to detail, and being a team player are all essential traits that make exceptional financial analysts stand out.
Taking into account those personality differences, there are also differences in the content of finance and accounting that can determine that one is harder than the other. Generally speaking, people consider accounting majors to be more difficult to study and pass than finance majors.
![Is being a financial analyst stressful? (2024)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/d75INz4eqjc/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCOADEI4CSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLA4zfcNiopOEaKVXrGMzD0_QPvdqw)
Analysts have a more stable salary because they tend to earn a larger base salary, with the opportunity to receive bonuses on top. Financial advisers largely earn lower base salaries and instead work mostly for commissions and fees.
Introverts are also known for paying close attention to details, problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. The financial industry offers opportunities for introverts who not only struggle in social situations, but also for those who socialize well, according Florida Tech.
A Day in the Life of a Financial Analyst. Financial analysts gather information, assemble spreadsheets, write reports, and review all non-legal pertinent information about prospective deals. They examine the feasibility of a deal and prepare a plan of action based on financial analysis.
Responsibility: A financial analyst is a highly respected position, and their research and recommendations can have a dramatic impact on the company. This can translate to performance-based compensation and high levels of stress. On-the-Job Training: The analysis needs of every job will be different.
Financial analytics is considered a stressful field of employment due to deadlines. For this reason, working overtime is common in this profession. Many financial professionals work between 50-80 hours a week to complete assigned work.
For their influence and sizable paychecks, financial analysts pay the price by working long hours: One in three put in between 50 and 70 hours a week. Competition for these jobs is fierce, especially among analysts new to the field.
Work from home financial analysts often measure key performance indicators, produce reports on request, ensure data integrity, and support regulatory compliance activities. This is a remote, home-based position, though some companies may occasionally ask you to visit the office to attend meetings or give reports.
Applying for entry-level finance jobs can be overwhelmingly competitive just because of the number of people graduating with finance degrees yearly, and if you're able to, getting a bachelor's degree will help you stand out against the competition.
Are financial analysts in high demand?
The job outlook for Financial Analysts is strong, with a projected 9% growth rate from 2021 to 2031, partly due to anticipated increases in economic activity and the emergence of industries requiring financial knowledge.
They may fire their advisor if they feel their advice is generic or not tailored to their specific needs. Clients want to know that their financial advisor is taking the time to understand their situation and goals and crafting a strategy just for them.
Believe it or not, mastery of advanced math skills is not necessary to have a career in finance. With today's technology, all math-related tasks can be done by computers and calculators. That said, there are some basic math skills that would certainly make you a better candidate in the finance industry.
Financial Analyst - Working for a corporation to determine investment strategies for the organization. An entry-level analyst usually does not make six figures. But after a few years in the role, six-figure salaries are common.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for financial analysts to grow 6% by 2031. This is slightly less than the average growth for all occupations, but the BLS also expects about 41,000 openings for financial analysts each year during this time.
References
- https://www.pwc.com/us/en/careers/why-cpa.html
- https://campusleaders.org/is-finance-a-hard-major/
- https://www.schweser.com/cfa/blog/career-information/cfa-charter-vs-cpa-salary
- https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/en/insights/articles/how-to-start-an-accounting-firm
- https://www.analystforum.com/t/cfa-cpa-combo/95670
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/reasons-to-become-cpa
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/071113/why-clients-fire-financial-advisors.asp
- https://www.becker.com/blog/cfa-vs-cpa
- https://www.surgent.com/resources/cpa-salary-guide/
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Finance-Degree-Salary
- https://mergersandinquisitions.com/investment-banking-math/
- https://www.theforage.com/blog/careers/cfa-vs-cpa
- https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0213/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-financial-analyst.aspx
- https://www.surgent.com/resources/2022-cpa-exam-pass-rates/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/accounting-professionals-high-demand-2023-recruitment-trends
- https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/cpa-vs-mba
- https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/resources/careers/salary/six-figure-salary
- https://www.b12.io/resource-center/accounting-firm/how-to-generate-passive-income-as-an-accountant.html
- https://www.datarails.com/fpa-salary-and-career-guide/
- https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/accountant
- https://accounting.uworld.com/blog/cpa-review/earn-over-3-million-your-lifetime-cpa/
- https://www.zippia.com/answers/is-a-financial-analyst-a-hard-job/
- https://poetsandquantsforundergrads.com/news/the-highest-paying-business-majors/
- https://www.thewallstreetschool.com/blog/cfa-vs-cpa-comparison/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-traits-look-when-hiring-financial-analysts-heather-fernando
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/101315/career-advice-financial-analyst-vs-financial-adviser.asp
- https://www.quora.com/Is-there-more-money-in-accounting-or-finance
- https://www.efficientlearning.com/cpa/resources/how-hard-is-the-cpa-exam/
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/120214/whats-average-salary-someone-finance-major.asp
- https://www.gcu.edu/blog/business-management/bachelor-science-finance-right-me
- https://www.accounting.com/careers/financial-analyst/how-to-become/
- https://www.gleim.com/cpa-review/cpa-salary/
- https://www.herzing.edu/blog/key-differences-between-mba-accounting-and-cpa
- https://www.onlinemba.com/mba-careers/finance/financial-analyst/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/090815/career-advice-financial-analyst-vs-accountant.asp
- https://www.key.com/content/dam/kco/documents/about/careers/Finance_Analyst_Day_in_the_Life.pdf
- https://mergersandinquisitions.com/corporate-finance-career-path/
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bigfour.asp
- https://training-you.fr/the-most-and-least-stressful-jobs-in-banking-and-finance/
- https://www.universalcpareview.com/benefits-of-being-a-cpa/
- https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/financial-analyst
- https://mendoza.nd.edu/undergraduate/accountancy-finance/
- https://blog.eres.com/cpa-demand/
- https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0213/how-to-transition-into-a-finance-career.aspx
- https://www.nobledesktop.com/careers/financial-analyst/career-benefits
- https://www.gmercyu.edu/academics/learn/finance-vs-accounting
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-rags-riches-how-accountant-became-billionaire-praveen-ponmudiyan
- https://www.quora.com/Does-CPA-have-a-good-career
- https://topworkplaces.com/highest-paying-finance-jobs/
- https://www.tealhq.com/work-life-balance/fp-a-analyst
- https://www.collegevaluesonline.com/rankings/highest-paying-business-degrees/
- https://www.topaccountingdegrees.org/faq/what-types-of-math-skills-will-i-need-for-an-accounting-degree/
- https://www.metromba.com/2019/11/business-analytics-or-accounting/
- https://www.zippia.com/budget-analyst-jobs/budget-analyst-vs-accountant-differences/
- https://www.princetonreview.com/careers/68/financial-analyst
- https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/news/2022/09/12/finance-degree-hard
- https://www.efficientlearning.com/blog/why-become-a-cpa/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/business-and-marketing/careers-in-finance/
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/is-accounting-for-me
- https://topworkplaces.com/how-to-get-a-job-in-finance/
- https://www.nobledesktop.com/careers/financial-analyst/daily-life
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-careers/08/financial-career-options-professionals.asp
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/accountant-vs-financial-analyst
- https://www.cpajournal.com/2023/12/01/the-accounting-profession-is-in-crisis/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/like-you-dont-need-cpa-become-cfo-wassia-kamon-cpa-cma-mba
- https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/blog/posts/accounting-bachelors-degree-requirements-what-you-need-to-know.htm
- https://www.gmercyu.edu/academics/learn/careers-in-finance
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/business-and-marketing/become-a-financial-analyst/
- https://www.wgu.edu/blog/finance-degree-difficult2301.html
- https://www.zippia.com/answers/is-finance-harder-than-accounting/
- https://www.efficientlearning.com/cfa/resources/cfa-vs-cpa/
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/g/Highest-Paying-Accounting-Jobs
- https://www.acquisition-international.com/what-is-harder-accounting-or-finance/
- https://kruzeconsulting.com/cfo-cpa-startup/
- https://www.encyro.com/blog/how-can-solo-accountants-make-500k-a-year/
- https://www.cato.org/blog/combat-accountant-shortage-state-should-consider-cpa-licensing-reform
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Big-Four-Accounting-Salary--in-California
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-a-financial-analyst
- https://www.topuniversities.com/courses/accounting-finance/accounting-vs-finance-which-should-you-study
- https://learn.org/articles/easiest_business_administration_degree.html
- https://research.com/degrees/finance-degree-vs-accounting
- https://www.wallstreetmojo.com/finance-vs-accounting/
- https://www.nobledesktop.com/careers/financial-analyst/job-outlook
- https://www.franklin.edu/blog/accounting-mvp/how-hard-is-the-cpa-exam
- https://corvee.com/blog/are-accountants-underpaid/
- https://us.aicpa.org/interestareas/youngcpanetwork/resources/reduce-stress-at-work
- https://www.skillspire.net/post/transforming-your-career-from-accountant-to-data-analyst
- https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/is-a-finance-degree-worth-it-everything-you-need-to-know/
- https://www.zippia.com/answers/why-i-quit-being-a-financial-advisor/
- https://www.quora.com/Which-US-state-has-a-tough-CPA-exam
- https://www.quora.com/Is-it-beneficial-for-CEOs-to-have-an-accounting-background
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/career/Work-From-Home-Financial-Analyst/What-Is-How-to-Become
- https://online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/finance/resources/finance-degree-vs-accounting-degree/
- https://www.bill.com/blog/financial-analyst-salary
- https://work.chron.com/financial-careers-introverts-15796.html
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/highest-paying-business-majors
- https://www.franklin.edu/blog/accounting-mvp/masters-degree-in-accounting-salary
- https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa/charterholder-careers/credential-comparison
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career/cpa-vs-cfa/
- https://www.jwu.edu/news/2023/03/accounting-degree-jobs.html
- https://www.efficientlearning.com/cpa/resources/cpa-exam-pass-rates/
- https://www.mba.com/business-school-and-careers/salary-and-roi/finance-degree-salaries-is-a-master-of-finance-worth-it
- https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/business/do-with-an-accounting-degree-besides-accounting
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/051415/how-much-do-cpas-make.asp
- https://www.forbes.com/2010/02/09/bonuses-banks-finance-housing-crisis-opinions-contributors-stephen-j-rose.html
- https://www.quora.com/Do-certified-public-accountants-CPAs-get-paid-more-than-accountants-without-the-designation