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The differences between senior cost analysts and senior finance consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a senior cost analyst and a senior finance consultant. Additionally, a senior finance consultant has an average salary of $97,689, which is higher than the $77,845 average annual salary of a senior cost analyst.
The top three skills for a senior cost analyst include financial analysis, cost analysis and cost estimates. The most important skills for a senior finance consultant are financial analysis, project management, and financial services.
| Senior Cost Analyst | Senior Finance Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $77,845 | $97,689 |
| Hourly rate | $37.43 | $46.97 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 53,872 | 112,032 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Senior cost analysts are lead professionals who collaborate with a variety of departments to gather financial data and perform analysis to uncover inefficiencies. These analysts are required to develop accurate cost estimates that are used in producing pricing quotations on products and programs. They must utilize the enterprise resource planning (ERP) business system to track the quotation process and maintain standard costs through cost roll activities. Senior cost analysts must also collaborate with managers to facilitate initiatives and projects that are cost-saving.
A senior finance consultant is responsible for helping clients manage their account portfolios, recommending investment options, and monitoring their finances. Senior finance consultants should have extensive knowledge of the financial industry, especially on working with clients and inform them of current financial services and strategize financial plans according to the clients' needs and best interests. They also respond to clients' inquiries and concerns regarding their account performance and financial discrepancies, resolving issues to achieve the clients' long-term financial goals and objectives.
Senior cost analysts and senior finance consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Cost Analyst | Senior Finance Consultant | |
| Average salary | $77,845 | $97,689 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $105,000 | Between $68,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Dell |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior cost analyst and a senior finance consultant in terms of educational background:
| Senior Cost Analyst | Senior Finance Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between senior cost analysts' and senior finance consultants' demographics:
| Senior Cost Analyst | Senior Finance Consultant | |
| Average age | 47 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5% | Male, 68.2% Female, 31.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 7.9% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | 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 Percentage | 13% | 7% |