Financial Analyst
Analyse financial data to help businesses or investors make decisions.
This UK financial analyst career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £28,000 - £40,000
- Mid-career salary
- £50,000 - £80,000
- Senior salary
- £90,000 - £150,000+
- Work environment
- Office, often London-based
- Time to entry
- 0 - 2 years
- Degree required
- Usually expected
- Category
- Business, Finance and Legal
What a Financial Analyst does
Analyse financial data to help businesses or investors make decisions.
- FP&A Analyst - Forecast and plan a company's financial future.
- Investment Analyst - Research companies and assets for investors.
- Equity Research Analyst - Cover specific stocks for investment banks or funds.
How to become a Financial Analyst
- Look up Financial Analyst roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Financial Analyst - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Excel modelling
- Statistics
- Commercial awareness
- Communication