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The differences between investment advisors and corporate finance analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an investment advisor and a corporate finance analyst. Additionally, an investment advisor has an average salary of $105,377, which is higher than the $76,023 average annual salary of a corporate finance analyst.
The top three skills for an investment advisor include exceptional client, risk management and client relationships. The most important skills for a corporate finance analyst are financial analysis, strong analytical, and financial models.
| Investment Advisor | Corporate Finance Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $105,377 | $76,023 |
| Hourly rate | $50.66 | $36.55 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 63,438 | 114,375 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An investment advisor is responsible for managing the clients' financial portfolios, advising them of investment options according to their financial goals and objectives, and their ability to handle risks. Investment advisors should have excellent knowledge of the investment policies, providing the clients with the best financial strategies according to their interests. They also determine their expenses, income, and credit scores to identify a comprehensive financial plan. An investment advisor helps the clients with cash management techniques, as well as conducting data analysis on financial market projections.
Corporate finance analysts make significant business decisions based on the data they gather. Typically, corporate finance analysts work within an organization and support management decisions through actionable financial information. They monitor the taxes, expenses, financial statements, and other financial details of where the company sources its income. This position requires a formal qualification in accounting. It also necessitates the analyst to develop interpersonal skills, knowledge in information technology software, financial reporting skills, and experience in management.
Investment advisors and corporate finance analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Investment Advisor | Corporate Finance Analyst | |
| Average salary | $105,377 | $76,023 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $184,000 | Between $52,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Michigan |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Finance |
There are a few differences between an investment advisor and a corporate finance analyst in terms of educational background:
| Investment Advisor | Corporate Finance Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between investment advisors' and corporate finance analysts' demographics:
| Investment Advisor | Corporate Finance Analyst | |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% | Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.2% White, 72.3% 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 Percentage | 5% | 7% |