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What is a finance and reporting analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted expert
Nate Peach Ph.D.

A finance and reporting analyst is an individual responsible for analyzing financial data and creating reports that help their organization make informed business decisions. They use their knowledge of financial principles, accounting practices, and data analysis tools to identify trends, forecast future financial performance, and identify areas of improvement. Finance and reporting analysts are responsible for preparing financial statements, tracking budgets, developing financial models, and monitoring expenses. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in financial software are essential for success.

What general advice would you give to a finance and reporting analyst?

Nate Peach Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Economics, George Fox University

Try to stay optimistic. You've invested your time, energy, and money on a precious degree. The pandemic has not changed the value of the skills you've acquired. What it has done is to make it challenging to find a job for the moment. Things are weird right now. Many companies are redesigning their hiring practices, which is bound to cause challenges for job seekers. The skills that you developed as an economist are precious to employers, be diligent in your job search, and you will be rewarded with a great career.
ScoreFinance And Reporting AnalystUS Average
Salary
5.7

Avg. Salary $73,160

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.8

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.10%

Asian 14.09%

Black or African American 5.64%

Hispanic or Latino 7.67%

Unknown 4.50%

White 68.00%

Gender

female 43.85%

male 56.15%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress level
5.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a finance and reporting analyst?

Pros

  • Challenging and intellectually stimulating work

  • High salary potential

  • Opportunities for advancement and career growth

  • Valuable skills and experience in financial analysis, reporting, and forecasting

  • Potential for travel and networking opportunities

Cons

  • Heavy workload and long hours during peak periods (e.g., budgeting, forecasting)

  • High stress levels due to tight deadlines and high expectations

  • Limited work-life balance due to demanding schedules

  • Risk of burnout or fatigue from the intensity of the work

  • Constant need to adapt to new software platforms and reporting requirements

Finance and reporting analyst career paths

Key steps to become a finance and reporting analyst

  1. Explore finance and reporting analyst education requirements

    Most common finance and reporting analyst degrees

    Bachelor's

    75.9 %

    Master's

    18.1 %

    Associate

    4.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific finance and reporting analyst skills

    SkillsPercentages
    PowerPoint5.69%
    Reconciliations5.36%
    Financial Analysis5.34%
    External Auditors4.65%
    Internal Controls3.80%
  3. Complete relevant finance and reporting analyst training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New finance and reporting analysts learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a finance and reporting analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real finance and reporting analyst resumes.
  4. Research finance and reporting analyst duties and responsibilities

    • Manage derivative accounting at global level and ensure accounting and economic hedging objectives are align.
    • Maintain integrity of subsidiary financial data via account reconciliations, supervise accounting activities, and implement control measures where necessary.
    • Review and analyze financial data and reconciliations to ensure accuracy and compliance with the departmental guidelines and company policy.
    • Perform quality control on data and formulas by utilizing multiple ERP's.
  5. Prepare your finance and reporting analyst resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your finance and reporting analyst resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a finance and reporting analyst resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable finance and reporting analyst resume templates

    Build a professional finance and reporting analyst resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your finance and reporting analyst resume.
    Finance And Reporting Analyst Resume
    Finance And Reporting Analyst Resume
    Finance And Reporting Analyst Resume
    Finance And Reporting Analyst Resume
    Finance And Reporting Analyst Resume
    Finance And Reporting Analyst Resume
    Finance And Reporting Analyst Resume
    Finance And Reporting Analyst Resume
    Finance And Reporting Analyst Resume
  6. Apply for finance and reporting analyst jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a finance and reporting analyst job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first finance and reporting analyst job

Zippi

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Average finance and reporting analyst salary

The average finance and reporting analyst salary in the United States is $73,160 per year or $35 per hour. Finance and reporting analyst salaries range between $53,000 and $100,000 per year.

Average finance and reporting analyst salary
$73,160 Yearly
$35.17 hourly

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How do finance and reporting analysts rate their job?

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Finance and reporting analyst reviews

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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