What does a finance/accounting analyst do?
A finance/accounting analyst is primarily responsible for reviewing and analyzing the profits, expenditures, and overall financial records of a company to provide advice on financial decisions. They conduct research and analysis on various marketing conditions, consumers, and even investment opportunities to devise business models and economic forecasts. There are also instances when they have to coordinate with other staff and junior analysts. Moreover, as a finance/accounting analyst, it is essential to have an in-depth understanding of the company and adhere to its vision, mission, and goals.
Finance/accounting analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real finance/accounting analyst resumes:
- Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
- Provide transitional finance department support in analysis and operations, including account reconciliations, and vendor dispute resolutions.
- Provide records management support for all treasury relate documents.
- Coordinate with treasury department for funding request from properties accountants.
- Provide operational support for quarterly SOX and internal control testing.
- Maintain SOX and third-party contractual compliance and review reported data for accuracy and completeness.
- Prepare accounting journal entries including allocations, reclassification entries, reconciliations and other month-end close tasks.
- Develop database system for $200MM+ portfolio using database normalization and data hygiene techniques to ensure consistency and quality.
- Design and implement KPIs and monthly dashboard to track and analyze growth and performance.
- Analyze key metrics, KPIs, and intelligence gather for business and project planning, including headcount analysis.
- Analyze potential investments, including securities, real estate, options strategies and structure derivatives and make recommendations to senior management.
Finance/accounting analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Finance/Accounting Analysts are proficient in Reconciliations, GAAP, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Finance/Accounting Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Reconciliations, 9%
Performed reconciliations to GL system, Futurity operating accounts, compensation and check replacement ensuring profitability of new products.
- GAAP, 6%
Implemented procedures to ensure that financial reports are accurate and are maintained in accordance with GAAP and Regulatory requirements.
- Customer Service, 5%
Provided exceptional customer service while liaising between project managers, accounting team and other departments to achieve desirable results.
- Internal Controls, 4%
Maintained effective and adequate internal controls to ensure proper financial accounting and security over assets.
- Process Improvement, 4%
Participated in continuous improvement assignments where ideas were generated that resulted in cost-savings and process improvements for the company.
- Financial Analysis, 4%
Provided traditional department services including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, account reconciliation, financial analysis and vendor services.
Most finance/accounting analysts use their skills in "reconciliations," "gaap," and "customer service" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential finance/accounting analyst responsibilities here:
Computer skills. One of the key soft skills for a finance/accounting analyst to have is computer skills. You can see how this relates to what finance/accounting analysts do because "financial analysts must be adept at using software to analyze financial data and trends, create portfolios, and make forecasts." Additionally, a finance/accounting analyst resume shows how finance/accounting analysts use computer skills: "classify, record, and summarize numerical and financial data to compile and keep financial records, using ledgers or computers. "
Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform finance/accounting analyst duties is analytical skills. Finance/accounting analysts responsibilities require that "financial analysts must evaluate a range of information in finding profitable investments." Finance/accounting analysts also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "extracted and assessed erp system data for use by senior financial management in decision-making. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for finance/accounting analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how finance/accounting analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "financial analysts must be able to clearly explain their recommendations to clients." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a finance/accounting analyst: "managed multiple projects, including communication, union and project planning process skills used preparation of financial analysis. ".
Detail oriented. For certain finance/accounting analyst responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of a finance/accounting analyst rely on this skill, as "financial analysts must pay attention when reviewing a possible investment, as even small issues may have large implications for its health." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what finance/accounting analysts do: "develop detailed internal financial reports for management and parent company. "
Math skills. Another common skill required for finance/accounting analyst responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of finance/accounting analysts all the time, as "financial analysts use mathematics to estimate the value of financial securities." An excerpt from a real finance/accounting analyst resume shows how this skill is central to what a finance/accounting analyst does: "developed trend analysis and other quantitative reports to track performance and production trends. "
The three companies that hire the most finance/accounting analysts are:
- The Walt Disney Company30 finance/accounting analysts jobs
- Conagra Brands28 finance/accounting analysts jobs
- Armstrong World Industries11 finance/accounting analysts jobs
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Finance/accounting analyst vs. Staff analyst
Staff Analysts are employees who oversee the activities related to the employees. They monitor the performance of the employees and assess whether particular employees suit the role they have. They also assess the current roles in the company to see if those roles are really needed. Staff Analysts ensure that the manpower allocation in the company is efficient. They analyze staff-related data to check whether there are more areas for improvement. Staff Analysts may also be assigned to come up with projects related to improving productivity.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between finance/accounting analysts and staff analyst. For instance, finance/accounting analyst responsibilities require skills such as "reconciliations," "gaap," "customer service," and "internal controls." Whereas a staff analyst is skilled in "project management," "technical support," "windows," and "logistics." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Staff analysts earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $107,444. On the other hand, finance/accounting analysts are paid more in the utilities industry with an average salary of $84,064.staff analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than finance/accounting analysts. In fact, staff analysts are 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Finance/accounting analyst vs. Treasury analyst
A treasury analyst is an individual who manages and analyses the financial activities of an organization that can include cash flows, liability obligations, and assets. Treasury analysts are required to execute the daily cash management of the organization such as cash forecasting, investing of excess cash, and running a hedging program in interest rates. They must present monthly reports and daily briefings on cash flows to senior management and provide advice on the financial operations of the movement of cash. Treasury analysts also update treasury policies and procedures for the organization to comply.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, finance/accounting analyst responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "strong analytical," "financial data," and "close process." Meanwhile, a treasury analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "treasury operations," "financial statements," "journal entries," and "balance sheet." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, treasury analysts earn a higher salary than finance/accounting analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, treasury analysts earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $87,077. Whereas finance/accounting analysts have higher pay in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $84,064.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Treasury analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than finance/accounting analysts. In fact, they're 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for finance/accounting analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Nate Peach Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics, George Fox University
Finance/accounting analyst vs. Tax analyst
A tax analyst specializes in managing and filing tax forms and tax returns, all while devising strategies to reduce tax payments legally. A tax analyst may work as a member of a company or independently. Moreover, in a company setting, the responsibilities of a tax analyst revolve around coordinating with different departments to obtain all necessary documentation and financial information, maintaining accurate and extensive records of all transactions, and resolving any issues or concerns. Furthermore, it is essential to remain updated with all the tax laws, all while adhering to the policies and regulations of the company.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a finance/accounting analyst is likely to be skilled in "internal controls," "financial analysis," "financial reports," and "financial data," while a typical tax analyst is skilled in "tax audits," "tax compliance," "tax payments," and "tax software."
Tax analysts earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $79,702. Comparatively, finance/accounting analysts have the highest earning potential in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $84,064.tax analysts typically earn similar educational levels compared to finance/accounting analysts. Specifically, they're 3.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Finance/accounting analyst vs. Revenue analyst
A revenue analyst is primarily in charge of analyzing a company's revenues and expenditures to help them make better business decisions. Their responsibilities revolve around tracking the company finances, gathering and recording data, producing progress reports, and identifying opportunities to boost sales and profits. There are also instances when a revenue analyst must devise plans to cut costs, recommend budgets, build models, develop revenue forecasts, and comply with the laws and regulations. Furthermore, it is also essential to implement the company's policies and guidelines to the team and every task involved.
Types of finance/accounting analyst
Updated January 8, 2025











