Financial analysts provide essential financial guidance to businesses and individuals alike. Let’s examine some of the duties they perform to see why financial analysts are so highly valued and why it pays to pursue a career in this lucrative role. 

Job Duties of a Financial Analyst  

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the role of financial analysts is to “guide businesses and individuals in decisions about expending money to attain profit.” Essentially, they assess the amount of money going out and coming in and recommend ways that their clients can spend less money and make more of it. Of course, they don’t just guess at these. Financial analysis is a data-driven field that relies on the use of specialized tools to identify historical and future financial trends. A financial analyst’s duties include: 

  • Suggesting which investments their clients should make. 
  • Monitoring business and economic trends. 
  • Reviewing a client’s current and past financial situations. 
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of a company’s leadership team. 
  • Reporting their findings to clients. 

Financial analysts are highly valued because their expertise can guide clients toward greater profitability. They often use data gleaned from accountants and may themselves have an accounting background, but the two jobs are not identical. Financial analysts take a broader look at the financial picture, concentrating their attention on trends to determine a specific financial direction, while accountants tend to focus on their clients’ or employers’ daily financial data. 

Rewards and Opportunities for Financial Analysts 

According to the BLS, median annual pay for financial analysts in 2021 was $81,410. Future job growth is expected to be steady, with approximately 41,000 financial analyst jobs to be added annually in the United States from 2020 to 2030. Opportunities for those possessing the desired skills and credentials will be plentiful.  

Employers prefer to hire or promote financial analysts who have a master’s degree. A graduate degree not only helps a candidate stand out from the competition but also enables them to enjoy higher compensation and employment rates. The BLS reports that master’s degree holders earn about 18% more than those whose highest education credential is a bachelor’s degree. Further, master’s degree holders are more likely to be employed than those who hold an undergraduate degree alone. A Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance can help a financial analyst establish a more satisfying, successful career! 

Why Earning an MBA in Finance Online Makes Good Financial Sense 

If you want to pursue a career as a financial analyst, you’ll need solid credentials. UT Permian Basin’s online Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance comes highly recommended. This convenient online UTPB program is offered through our AACSB-accredited College of Business, a revered distinction shared by only 5% of business programs worldwide and awarded after a rigorous peer-review process that ensures accredited business schools “meet the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, curriculum, and learner success.” Recognized internationally for its university rankings, U.S. News & World Report also named our MBA program among its “10 Most Affordable Online MBA Programs” in 2022.  

When you consider our online program’s prominent accolades, competitive tuition rate, and professional benefits, it’s clear that an MBA in finance from UTPB may be the wisest investment you can make in your financial analyst or related career. But the advantages don’t stop there. 

Terminally Qualified Faculty and Curriculum  

The faculty of our online MBA with a concentration in finance is made up of distinguished doctoral-level business professionals—the same accomplished business veterans who teach an identical high-quality curriculum at our Odessa, TX campus. With their guidance, you’ll master critical financial management skills that will empower you to:  

  • Evaluate and interpret many forms of financial information. 
  • Think strategically. 
  • Navigate various facets of investment, accounting, and economics. 
  • Make ethical choices for a corporate entity. 
  • Apply your expertise in numerous professional roles. 

A Program That Works on Your Schedule 

Our MBA in finance program is delivered in a 100% online, asynchronous format that offers tremendous flexibility for busy individuals in any stage of their career. You can access and complete coursework 24/7 from virtually any location on the planet. Earning a career-enhancing MBA need not interfere with your current professional responsibilities or personal commitments.  

Need some time before beginning your master’s degree? You can choose from six start dates throughout the year. And once you commence your studies, you can finish your degree and add a respected MBA in finance to your resume in as little as 15 months. 

Kickstart a career as a financial analyst with an online MBA with a concentration in finance from UT Permian Basin! 

Sources: 
https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/financial-analyst
https://info.indeed.com/career/financial-analyst