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Finance analyst vs investment analyst

The differences between finance analysts and investment analysts 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 an investment analyst. Additionally, an investment analyst has an average salary of $79,056, 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 an investment analyst are portfolio management, financial statements, and strong analytical.

Finance analyst vs investment analyst overview

Finance AnalystInvestment Analyst
Yearly salary$69,887$79,056
Hourly rate$33.60$38.01
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs138,60063,003
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4040
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 an investment analyst do?

An Investment Analyst provides research and information to help traders, fund managers and stock brokers make decisions about investments. They are hired by companies, investment trusts, stock trading and brokerage firms, and insurance providers.

Finance analyst vs investment analyst salary

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

Finance AnalystInvestment Analyst
Average salary$69,887$79,056
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $104,000Between $44,000 And $140,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew York
Best paying companyThe CitadelThe Citadel
Best paying industryFinanceTelecommunication

Differences between finance analyst and investment analyst education

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

Finance AnalystInvestment Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorBusinessFinance
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Finance analyst vs investment analyst demographics

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

Finance AnalystInvestment Analyst
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 56.2% Female, 43.8%Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
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, 5.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 14.1% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between finance analyst and investment analyst 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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Investment analyst example responsibilities.

  • Update weekly liquidity stress report and utilize VBA and SQL to automate the process
  • Manage and update early engagement processes daily through SharePoint.
  • Manage trade executions and broker relationships for all portfolio positions across several banks, prime brokerage accounts and electronic commodities exchanges.
  • Perform financial analyses including discount cash flow, leverage buyout, public market comparable trading and precedent transaction-base valuations
  • Participate in the asset management valuation committee and provide management oversight to accounting, legal, and operations personnel.
  • Used JAVA to develop trading spread calculator.
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Finance analyst vs investment analyst skills

Common finance analyst skills
  • Financial Analysis, 9%
  • Financial Models, 5%
  • Financial Data, 5%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • Variance Analysis, 4%
  • Hyperion, 3%
Common investment analyst skills
  • Portfolio Management, 7%
  • Financial Statements, 6%
  • Strong Analytical, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Real Estate, 5%
  • Risk Management, 3%

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