[SallyCPA]

Just wondering if anyone works as a financial analyst or knows anything about the career? I know a lot of people switch from public accounting to a financial analyst role for a big corporation so I was wondering what people thought..

[Anonymous]

I made the jump from public to working as a financial analyst and love it. The work life balance is great, no crazy busy season, etc. Plus, I work in the airline industry and the travel benefits are the best thing that's ever happened to me.

[Sunni]

^How do you make this transfer? Thinking about doing the CFA exam in secrecy this December. That way I have some credentials but I dont want bosses and potential employers knowing that I am moving to financial analysis.

B - 76 A - 76 R - 84 F - 75. Passed by the skin of my teeth!

[ohiocpacma]

A Financial Analyst title has a broad meaning. In corporate finance, that could cover different duties and expertise. I starting in Cost Accounting and moved to corporate finance. The duties in my area are reviewing P&Ls, measuring viability of new business, financial models/analysis, and month end review. There are other Financial Analysts that have very different duties depending on their department. I would say that my FA role has more direct influence on operations of the business than my previous accounting roles.

We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man. 

[Anonymous]

Yeah I agree, I've worked as a financial analyst at three different companies and the roles have been different. Most revolve around some sort of quasi accounting role though. Performing journal entries, creating and presenting financial models, month end review, reviewing GL's for variance analysis, etc. My suggestion would be unless you wanted to go into Investor Relations or something similiar than a CFA is not going to be overkill. However having a CPA would add a lot to your credibility and will help down the road for promotions. About half of the analysts I work with now are either a CPA / MBA / and the other half have an accounting / finance degree.

[Author]

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