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The differences between lead finance analysts and finance directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a lead finance analyst, becoming a finance director takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a finance director has an average salary of $118,518, which is higher than the $85,672 average annual salary of a lead 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 director are CPA, financial analysis, and payroll.
| Lead Finance Analyst | Finance Director | |
| Yearly salary | $85,672 | $118,518 |
| Hourly rate | $41.19 | $56.98 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 89,105 | 90,012 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 40 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 8 |
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.
A finance director's role is to oversee all financial activities and aspects of a company or organization. One of their duties is to gather necessary financial data and cultivate reports on essential matters such as revenue and budget, provide risk assessments and estimates, implement vital policies, and allocate funds within the company. Furthermore, a finance director must also devise strategies and recommend innovative methods for financial gains, while in adherence to the organization's policies and regulations.
Lead finance analysts and finance directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Finance Analyst | Finance Director | |
| Average salary | $85,672 | $118,518 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $114,000 | Between $76,000 And $183,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Pacific Investment Management Company LLC | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a lead finance analyst and a finance director in terms of educational background:
| Lead Finance Analyst | Finance Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between lead finance analysts' and finance directors' demographics:
| Lead Finance Analyst | Finance Director | |
| Average age | 40 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0% | Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 9.4% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 11% |