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Investment analyst vs corporate finance analyst

The differences between investment analysts 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 analyst and a corporate finance analyst. Additionally, an investment analyst has an average salary of $79,056, which is higher than the $76,023 average annual salary of a corporate finance analyst.

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

Investment analyst vs corporate finance analyst overview

Investment AnalystCorporate Finance Analyst
Yearly salary$79,056$76,023
Hourly rate$38.01$36.55
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs63,003114,375
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
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 corporate finance analyst do?

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 analyst vs corporate finance analyst salary

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

Investment AnalystCorporate Finance Analyst
Average salary$79,056$76,023
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $140,000Between $52,000 And $109,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMichigan
Best paying companyThe CitadelGoogle
Best paying industryTelecommunicationFinance

Differences between investment analyst and corporate finance analyst education

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

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

Investment analyst vs corporate finance analyst demographics

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

Investment AnalystCorporate Finance Analyst
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 70.1% Female, 29.9%Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5%
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 corporate 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

Corporate finance analyst example responsibilities.

  • Lead finance project team to create site-wide (Essbase) reporting system under extremely tight deadlines.
  • Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
  • Record related journal entries and general ledger account reconciliations and functions using journal entry and account reconciliation software tools.
  • Provide technical expertise in process design and implementation of the new Hyperion general ledger system and associate reports.
  • Reconstruct, modify and maintain operating expense planning model in HYPERION.
  • Reduce errors and rework in daily operations via visual basic (VBA) macros and SQL manipulation.
  • Show more

Investment analyst vs corporate 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 corporate finance analyst skills
  • Financial Analysis, 8%
  • Strong Analytical, 7%
  • Financial Models, 7%
  • Hyperion, 4%
  • Balance Sheet, 4%
  • Due Diligence, 4%

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