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Corporate Finance Career Information

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What Do Corporate Financial Analysts Do?

Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo

Corporate financial analysts are to business what a navigator is to a large ship: They chart a company's financial course based on goals prescribed by management and use a variety of tools and techniques to keep the company on track.

It is the analyst's responsibility to prepare both internal financial reports for management and external reports for companies that are publicly owned.

They sift through incoming streams of financial data and use it, along with market data, to set expectations for future performance.

With this kind of major monetary responsibility, it is not surprising that corporate finance jobs require exacting precision; even small errors can cost a company a fortune. Those who do well have an impressively well-attuned attention to detail and are able to accurately and efficiently analyze vast amounts of data.

Corporate finance positions generally pay very well and are quite stable, with predictable demands set around calendar reporting times: weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually. To begin your journey on the road to becoming a corporate financial analyst, find finance bachelor's, MBA or master's degree programs.

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Corporate Finance Career Path

Entry Level Mid Level Senior Level

Types of Roles

Financial analyst, associate support analyst, business analyst

Cash manager, senior financial analyst, strategic planner

Director of finance, controller, CFO, treasurer, CEO

Experience

0 - 3 years

4 - 8 years

10+ years

Getting There

  • Bachelor's degree in finance or economics
  • Strong communication and analytical skills
  • Technology skills and experience (specifically in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft SQL Server)
  • All entry-level requirements
  • Demonstrated high-quality performance and attention to detail
  • An MBA with a focus in finance or economics
  • All mid-level requirements
  • Track record of excellence and leadership in the field
  • Solid management skills
  • Knowledge of the industry and US accounting principles

Salary*

$39,000 - $74,000

$48,000 - $109,000

$128,000 - $608,000

Description

  • Document financial transactions
  • Prepare financial reports
  • Perform trend analysis
  • Recognize problems in data
  • Create pricing strategies
  • Create and monitor company budgets
  • Explain financial data to company managers
  • Write company financial policies
  • Hire and supervise junior analysts
  • Monitor company cash flow
  • Build financial forecasts
  • Create financial plans
  • Direct investments
  • Ensure company compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
  • Lead teams of people

* Depends on company size, specific job and location
Sources: SalaryExpert.com, Salary.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wois.org, Monster.com

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Spotlight Schools

Northeastern University - College of Business Administration

Northeastern offers its AACSB-accredited MBA program in a 100% online format. They are a world leader in practice-based education focused on expanding students' managerial skills and knowledge base.

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Boston University

Boston University offers top online master's programs in banking / financial services management and project management to enable graduates to get ahead in their careers.

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American InterContinental University Online

AIU Online offers convenient, flexible alternatives that enable you to fit a career-focused education into your current lifestyle. This is the perfect format for students looking to pursue opportunities in a competitive job market.

Select a Campus: Online