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Project finance analyst vs finance analyst

The differences between project 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 project finance analyst and a finance analyst. Additionally, a project finance analyst has an average salary of $77,005, which is higher than the $69,887 average annual salary of a finance analyst.

The top three skills for a project finance analyst include financial analysis, project management and financial data. The most important skills for a finance analyst are financial analysis, financial models, and financial data.

Project finance analyst vs finance analyst overview

Project Finance AnalystFinance Analyst
Yearly salary$77,005$69,887
Hourly rate$37.02$33.60
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs106,230138,600
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

What does a project finance analyst do?

A project finance analyst is responsible for analyzing the financial needs and reports of an organization's project management system. Project finance analysts review project terms and expense forecasting and identify strategies to minimize financial loss. They also resolve account discrepancies and file accurate financial statements upon the assessment of project plans, resources, and timetables. A project finance analyst must have excellent communication and analytical skills to determine potential risks and enhance the company's portfolio for business proposals.

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.

Project finance analyst vs finance analyst salary

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

Project Finance AnalystFinance Analyst
Average salary$77,005$69,887
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $108,000Between $46,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaConnecticut
Best paying companyGoogleThe Citadel
Best paying industryManufacturingFinance

Differences between project finance analyst and finance analyst education

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

Project Finance AnalystFinance Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Project finance analyst vs finance analyst demographics

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

Project Finance AnalystFinance Analyst
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 48.8% Female, 51.2%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 project finance analyst and finance analyst duties and responsibilities

Project finance analyst example responsibilities.

  • Lead a reconciliations project team responsible for the implementing new systemic reconciliations replacing manual and legacy processes.
  • Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
  • Work with the accounting team to ensure revenue recognition rules where in compliance with GAAP and internal policy.
  • Ensure that budgets are loaded into ERP properly and tie to control totals
  • Complete coursework through PeopleSoft in order to thoroughly understand each module's processes.
  • Identify and implement optimal manner of extracting, purging and transferring data from old systems to PeopleSoft.
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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.
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Project finance analyst vs finance analyst skills

Common project finance analyst skills
  • Financial Analysis, 11%
  • Project Management, 9%
  • Financial Data, 4%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • Hyperion, 3%
  • Financial Management, 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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