Career as Financial Analyst

What:  The person who does financial analysis for external or internal clients is called financial analyst. Financial analysts help people decide how to invest their money. There are various other terms such as securities analyst, research analyst, equity analyst or investment analyst which are used for financial analyst. Besides financial analysis, a finance analyst performs duties such as writing reports as a part of brokerage which may contain fundamental analysis principles. Additionally, technical chart analysis and tactical evaluation of the market environment too are considered cardinal part of a financial analyst’s job.

Financial analysts help people decide how to invest their money. They work for banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, and securities firms. They often meet with company officials to learn more about the firms in which they want to invest. After the meetings, the analysts write reports and give talks about what they found out. Then, they suggest buying or selling that firm’s stock.

Financial analysts may specialize. Those in investment banking study the companies that want to sell stock to the public for the first time. They also might study the pros and cons of a merger (when two companies join together) or a takeover (when one company buys another). Some financial analysts are ratings analysts who find out if companies can pay their debts.

Any fresher financial analyst can earn any salary in the range of Rs 15,000- Rs40, 000 per month. After five or more years of work experience there is four to five times growth in the salary package of financial analysts.

How: In order to become a financial analyst a candidate must have done graduation with mathematics as one subject. Additionally, a degree in business administration, accounting, finance or statistics benefits a lot in getting a job in finance organisations. A strong hand in statistics, business, economics, administration and accounting enhances the growth potential within an organisation.

Additionally, soon after doing 10+2, candidates can apply for CA course to become a financial analyst. An aptitude to numbers and finance helps candidates grow further in career as a financial analyst. Depending upon the inclination, one can try for better career as financial analyst called buy-side analyst whose job is to work for hedge funds, FOREX, fixed income analysis, investor relations management, etc.

As an increase in investment activities can be marked in recent years, qualified financial analysts would be required to assist investment planning. Additionally, dearth of qualified professionals to do strategic financial analysis in India is expected to continue as colleges and financial management institutes are not able

To meet internationally established standards for finance management.

Where: The financial centres of Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Kanpur, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, etc. have plenty of jobs for financial analysts. Post-liberalisation, there has been immense growth in employment opportunities in IPOs, FDI, FII, etc. which require expert knowledge of finance and in consequence the financial analysts.

Institutions: (see below)