In the business world, the figure of the financial analyst is central to the success of projects. However, do you know exactly what these professionals do?
At Universidad Europea, we have always been committed to offering education and training that allows our students to become top-level financial analysts. Indeed, we offer a wide range of programmes to suit all needs and levels of experience, such as the master in Business Administration, the bachelor in Business Administration, Global Bachelor´s Degree International Business, or the Business Management Degree in Valencia.
If you are interested in working in the financial sector, but you are still not sure if you want to dedicate yourself professionally to analysis, in this post we clear up any doubts you may have. Read on to find out what role financial analysts perform and what they do within any given organisation.
Financial analysts are professionals trained to interpret different economic data, which allows them to advise their clients or their companies in decision-making, helping them to obtain the maximum possible benefits. They do not only diagnose the current situation of the organisation, but also predict future scenarios that may affect the results.
To do their job, financial analysts use information provided by different organisations, companies and institutions in the sector. In order to interpret it, they must have a number of specific competencies, such as analytical capacity and computer skills.
While the tasks may vary depending on the size of the organisation, the following is an example of some of the typical roles a financial analyst carries out:
In view of the functions described above, it is obvious that advanced mathematical knowledge is a prerequisite for a career in this area, but it is not the only requirement. Financial analysts need to manage time and resources effectively, so organisational and planning skills are equally important. In addition, due to the very nature of the job, attention to detail is essential.
And we cannot forget soft skills. In addition to conducting in-depth studies, analysts need to be able to present the results effectively to their clients and convince them that the measures they are proposing are the right ones. In this respect, communication skills and emotional intelligence will be their greatest allies.
Despite what it may seem, analysts do not only work in financial institutions, but virtually all large companies have such a professional in their finance department. Another option that many choose is to work as a freelance analyst and be a consultant for different organisations that hire your services.
In addition, it should be noted that the role of financial analysts varies greatly depending on who your employer is, as each company has different needs:
Although there are various master's degrees and MBAs geared towards this sector, there is no one degree that focuses exclusively on financial analysis. Therefore, in order to work in this field, you will need to have a degree in Mathematics, Business Administration and Management, Statistics, Economics or Accounting.