What is a finance systems analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Nate Peach Ph.D.,

Dr. Pauline Mosley

A finance systems analyst evaluates and improves financial software and systems for companies. They work with finance and IT teams to ensure accurate collecting, processing, and reporting of data. A finance systems analyst may also identify opportunities to streamline financial processes and improve efficiency. They may also implement new financial software. A finance systems analyst uses analytical skills and knowledge of accounting and financial reporting. They also use communication skills to work with various teams.

What general advice would you give to a finance systems 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 Systems AnalystUS Average

Salary

6.7

Avg. Salary $85,795

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.3

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.19%

Asian 14.61%

Black or African American 10.17%

Hispanic or Latino 10.95%

Unknown 5.00%

White 59.08%

Gender

female 44.27%

male 55.73%

Age - 42

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 - 42

Stress level

5.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

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

Pros

High salary potential
Opportunities for career advancement
Opportunities for travel
Work-life balance can be good
Potential for remote work

Cons

High pressure environment with tight deadlines
Long hours during peak periods
Can be repetitive and monotonous at times
May require working outside of traditional business hours (e.g. evenings or weekends)
Possible high stress levels due to financial implications of system errors or issues

Key steps to become a finance systems analyst

Explore finance systems analyst education requirements

Most common finance systems analyst degrees

Bachelor's

73.0 %

Master's

16.3 %

Associate

8.3 %

Start to develop specific finance systems analyst skills

Skills	Percentages
Financial Systems	11.28%
Hyperion	4.91%
Customer Service	4.61%
Project Management	4.61%
BI	3.38%

Complete relevant finance systems analyst training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New finance systems 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 systems analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real finance systems analyst resumes.

Research finance systems analyst duties and responsibilities

Document and manage project defects find in system testing with JIRA application.
Manage HFM applications, application security, metadata, rules, member lists, data forms, journals.
Maintain and manage database integrity for accurate report calculations.
Manage various SDLC projects involving cross-functional teams in a multi-platform environment.

Prepare your finance systems analyst resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your finance systems 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 systems 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 systems analyst resume templates

Build a professional finance systems 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 systems analyst resume.