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Finance analyst vs finance consultant

The differences between finance analysts and finance consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a finance analyst and a finance consultant. Additionally, a finance consultant has an average salary of $77,551, which is higher than the $69,887 average annual salary of a finance analyst.

The top three skills for a finance analyst include financial analysis, financial models and financial data. The most important skills for a finance consultant are customer service, financial services, and financial statements.

Finance analyst vs finance consultant overview

Finance AnalystFinance Consultant
Yearly salary$69,887$77,551
Hourly rate$33.60$37.28
Growth rate9%15%
Number of jobs138,60094,259
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4045
Years of experience44

What does a finance analyst do?

A finance analyst is responsible for evaluating a company's financial data and historical reports to assess investment opportunities and provide accurate financial statements in support of business strategies and company performance prediction. A financial analyst's duties also include suggesting recommendations to boost operations efficiency and grow revenues, researching the current market performance and economic trends to adjust budget goals as needed, and managing client portfolios. Finance analysts must have excellent critical and analytical thinking skills to identify the best actions for the company's profitability.

What does a finance consultant do?

A finance consultant is responsible for providing financial plans and advice for clients, managing their finances and investment decisions, and helping them achieve their long-term financial goals. Finance consultants carefully evaluate clients' financial situations, help them decide on insurance options, and patiently respond to finance-related inquiries and concerns. They should be able to monitor financial market conditions to decide on the right strategies for the clients' best interests. A finance consultant must have excellent analytical skills, as well as broad knowledge of the financial industry and stock market movements.

Finance analyst vs finance consultant salary

Finance analysts and finance consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Finance AnalystFinance Consultant
Average salary$69,887$77,551
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $104,000Between $54,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew York
Best paying companyThe CitadelApple
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between finance analyst and finance consultant education

There are a few differences between a finance analyst and a finance consultant in terms of educational background:

Finance AnalystFinance Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Finance analyst vs finance consultant demographics

Here are the differences between finance analysts' and finance consultants' demographics:

Finance AnalystFinance Consultant
Average age4045
Gender ratioMale, 56.2% Female, 43.8%Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 14.1% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.5% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage7%5%

Differences between finance analyst and finance consultant duties and responsibilities

Finance analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage company asset accounts, wire funds to clients and record and structure amounts into QuickBooks.
  • Manage the UAT team involve in the testing of an enterprise accounting and project management software.
  • Manage customer portfolio to department KPI's, target balance, aging metrics, cash recovery and write-off tolerance.
  • Manage contract database and SalesForce for historical research and financial reporting purposes.
  • Manage and maintain information in worldwide-military database which include exemptions, transfers, retirements, and payroll records.
  • Accomplish project accounting functions including project costing, time reporting, project accruals and proper capitalization of development costs.
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Finance consultant example responsibilities.

  • Lead new hire training for FINRA test preparation and consultative sales model.
  • Manage client's portfolio to ensure proper taxation of gains/losses on exercise stock options.
  • Provide expert advice to clients to achieve their financial planning goals in conjunction with an independent RIA.
  • Lead and organize a weekly macro meeting with multi-asset strategists to discuss and challenge the team's positioning.
  • Focuse on separately manage accounts, mutual fund and ETF wrap programs, variable annuities, and alternative strategies.
  • Manage all employee relate matters, including stock options, benefits , 401K, payroll administration and human resources.
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Finance analyst vs finance consultant skills

Common finance analyst skills
  • Financial Analysis, 9%
  • Financial Models, 5%
  • Financial Data, 5%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • Variance Analysis, 4%
  • Hyperion, 3%
Common finance consultant skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Financial Services, 10%
  • Financial Statements, 5%
  • CPA, 4%
  • Business Development, 4%
  • Wealth Management, 3%

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