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Investment analyst vs business & finance analyst

The differences between investment analysts and business & 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 analyst and a business & finance analyst. Additionally, an investment analyst has an average salary of $79,056, which is higher than the $70,514 average annual salary of a business & finance analyst.

The top three skills for an investment analyst include portfolio management, financial statements and strong analytical. The most important skills for a business & finance analyst are financial analysis, business analysis, and shared services.

Investment analyst vs business & finance analyst overview

Investment AnalystBusiness & Finance Analyst
Yearly salary$79,056$70,514
Hourly rate$38.01$33.90
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs63,003168,111
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

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.

What does a business & finance analyst do?

A financial business analyst is also referred to as a business analyst who recommends and enforces corporate efficiency and profitability methods. Financial business analysts analyze the business model and finances of an organization. Their findings serve as the source of their suggestions to improve businesses' budgeting, management, and overall operations. They have the ability to predict the outcome of the decisions made by enterprises. The skills necessary for this job include interpersonal skills, management experience, financial reporting, and strong communication skills.

Investment analyst vs business & finance analyst salary

Investment analysts and business & finance analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Investment AnalystBusiness & Finance Analyst
Average salary$79,056$70,514
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $140,000Between $50,000 And $99,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkWashington
Best paying companyThe CitadelGoogle
Best paying industryTelecommunicationFinance

Differences between investment analyst and business & finance analyst education

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

Investment AnalystBusiness & Finance Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorFinanceBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Investment analyst vs business & finance analyst demographics

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

Investment AnalystBusiness & Finance Analyst
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 70.1% Female, 29.9%Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4%
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 investment analyst and business & finance analyst duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Business & finance analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain DCAA approve accrual record keeping system while maintaining GAAP standards.
  • Lead company in Essbase implementation and developing a centralize and standardize reporting process.
  • Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
  • Conduct data analysis using SQL.
  • Manipulate and run labor reports weekly using Hyperion for account financial measures and assumptions.
  • Analyze huge sets of data using SQL and excel for ensuring data quality and issues.
  • Show more

Investment analyst vs business & finance analyst skills

Common investment analyst skills
  • Portfolio Management, 7%
  • Financial Statements, 6%
  • Strong Analytical, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Real Estate, 5%
  • Risk Management, 3%
Common business & finance analyst skills
  • Financial Analysis, 13%
  • Business Analysis, 6%
  • Shared Services, 5%
  • Financial Data, 4%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • Process Improvement, 4%

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