Explore a career in corporate finance
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What Do Corporate Financial Analysts Do?
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.

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 mid-level requirements
- Track record of excellence and leadership in the field
- Solid management skills
- Knowledge of the industry and US accounting principles
|
| Salary* | $47,000 - $74,000 | $61,000 - $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, Payscale.com, Salary.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wois.org, Monster.com


Northeastern University - College of Business Administration
Northeastern offers its AACSB-accredited MBA program in a 100 percent online format. They are a world leader in practice-based education focused on expanding students' managerial skills and knowledge base.
DeVry University - Keller Graduate School of Management
DeVry's Keller Graduate School of Management provides high-quality, practitioner-oriented graduate management degree programs for adult learners. Courses are available days, evenings, weekends and online.
University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix makes quality higher education highly accessible for working students through convenient campus locations and flexible online classes. Get a real-world education with real value.