Financial
Analyst

Financial analysts predict investment performances by gathering and evaluating the industry and economic fiscal data. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds and other investments and make recommendations to people and businesses about investment decisions. They work in banks, securities firms, insurance companies, pension funds, mutual funds and other businesses. In general, financial analysts can be divided into two categories: buy-side analysts and sell-side analysts. Buy-side analysts develop investment strategies for organizations, while sell-side analysts advise financial services sales agents on selling stocks, bonds and other investments. Some of their primary responsibilities include:

• Compiling and analyzing financial reports and finding discrepancies that require the attention of senior management

• Recommending individual or a collection of investments, known as a portfolio

• Evaluating financial data — both current and past — and identifying economic and business trends

• Meeting with senior management and executives to gain better insight into the organization’s prospects

• Preparing financial reports with reliable conclusions that management can use to implement more effective operational strategies

• Providing EOM reports for C-level executives