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Lead finance analyst vs finance analyst

The differences between lead finance analysts and 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 a lead finance analyst and a finance analyst. Additionally, a lead finance analyst has an average salary of $85,672, which is higher than the $69,887 average annual salary of a finance analyst.

The top three skills for a lead finance analyst include financial analysis, hyperion and financial planning analysis. The most important skills for a finance analyst are financial analysis, financial models, and financial data.

Lead finance analyst vs finance analyst overview

Lead Finance AnalystFinance Analyst
Yearly salary$85,672$69,887
Hourly rate$41.19$33.60
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs89,105138,600
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

What does a lead finance analyst do?

A lead finance analyst is responsible for monitoring the company's financial conditions, analyzing account statements, and resolving payment discrepancies. Lead finance analysts create expense reports and budget forecasting, as well as identifying business opportunities that would minimize loss and generate revenues for the business. They also oversee financial and business transactions, perform bank reconciliations, and manage outstanding payments. A lead finance analyst must have excellent analytical and communication skills, especially in discussing financial results to the management and recommending strategic techniques for cost-reduction activities.

What does a finance analyst do?

A finance analyst is responsible for evaluating a company's financial data and historical reports to assess investment opportunities and provide accurate financial statements in support of business strategies and company performance prediction. A financial analyst's duties also include suggesting recommendations to boost operations efficiency and grow revenues, researching the current market performance and economic trends to adjust budget goals as needed, and managing client portfolios. Finance analysts must have excellent critical and analytical thinking skills to identify the best actions for the company's profitability.

Lead finance analyst vs finance analyst salary

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

Lead Finance AnalystFinance Analyst
Average salary$85,672$69,887
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $114,000Between $46,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companyPacific Investment Management Company LLCThe Citadel
Best paying industryTelecommunicationFinance

Differences between lead finance analyst and finance analyst education

There are a few differences between a lead finance analyst and a finance analyst in terms of educational background:

Lead Finance AnalystFinance Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Lead finance analyst vs finance analyst demographics

Here are the differences between lead finance analysts' and finance analysts' demographics:

Lead Finance AnalystFinance Analyst
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 57.0% Female, 43.0%Male, 56.2% Female, 43.8%
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 lead finance analyst and finance analyst duties and responsibilities

Lead finance analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage and train a team of twelve employees to create SQL audits to identify errors in electronic billing.
  • Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
  • Point of contact for external audit engagements relate to preparation of GAAP audit financial statements.
  • Complete bank reconciliations on a monthly basis.
  • Post cash receipts daily, and ensure accurate reconciliation to banks and ERP system.
  • Standardize processes in preparation of ERP implementation.
  • Show more

Finance analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage company asset accounts, wire funds to clients and record and structure amounts into QuickBooks.
  • Manage the UAT team involve in the testing of an enterprise accounting and project management software.
  • Manage customer portfolio to department KPI's, target balance, aging metrics, cash recovery and write-off tolerance.
  • Manage contract database and SalesForce for historical research and financial reporting purposes.
  • Manage and maintain information in worldwide-military database which include exemptions, transfers, retirements, and payroll records.
  • Accomplish project accounting functions including project costing, time reporting, project accruals and proper capitalization of development costs.
  • Show more

Lead finance analyst vs finance analyst skills

Common lead finance analyst skills
  • Financial Analysis, 9%
  • Hyperion, 8%
  • Financial Planning Analysis, 6%
  • Ad-Hoc Analysis, 4%
  • Balance Sheet, 3%
  • Financial Data, 3%
Common finance analyst skills
  • Financial Analysis, 9%
  • Financial Models, 5%
  • Financial Data, 5%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • Variance Analysis, 4%
  • Hyperion, 3%

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