| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Finance and Accounts |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | FP&A Manager |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 1 to 4 years in analysis or finance |
Financial Analyst job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Financial Analyst
Department: Finance and Accounts
Reports to: FP&A Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Financial Analyst studies the numbers to guide decisions. They analyse performance, build models, work out returns on projects and investments and prepare reports that leaders act on. The role can sit in FP&A, corporate finance or a business team and reports to a Finance Manager or FP&A Manager. A good Financial Analyst asks the right questions of the data, builds sound models and gives clear, honest answers on what the numbers mean and what to do.
Key responsibilities
- Analyse financial and operating performance and explain the drivers.
- Build financial models for projects, investments and major business decisions.
- Compute returns, payback and sensitivity for investment proposals under review.
- Prepare ratio, trend and peer benchmarking analysis for management review.
- Support the budget and forecast process with data and analysis.
- Pull and clean data from systems for reliable analysis.
- Prepare clear reports and dashboards for management on a regular schedule.
- Evaluate cost, revenue and margin improvement opportunities for the business.
- Track key metrics and flag movements that need attention.
- Present findings and clear recommendations to leadership and other stakeholders.
Requirements
- MBA in Finance, CFA Level candidate or B.Com
- Strong modelling and analysis skills
- A BI or data tool is an advantage
- 1 to 4 years in analysis or finance
KRAs and KPIs for a Financial Analyst
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Analysis quality | Analysis accepted in reviews with no material error found |
| Model reliability | Decision models delivered accurate and on time for every request |
| Turnaround | Analysis requests delivered within the agreed working days |
| Insight | Every report ends with a clear finding or recommendation |
| Data quality | Data used validated so no rework is needed for source errors |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Advanced Excel, Power BI, SAP, Financial models, SQL basics.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: FP&A Manager, Finance Business Partner, Finance Manager
Interview questions for a Financial Analyst
- How do you appraise a project with an uncertain payback?
- Walk me through a model you built and the decision it supported.
- How do you decide which ratios matter for a business?
- How do you make sure your data is reliable before you analyse it?
- How do you present a finding leadership may not want to hear?
- How do you run a sensitivity on your key assumptions?
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What does a Financial Analyst do?
A Financial Analyst studies numbers to guide decisions. They analyse performance, build models, compute returns on projects and investments, and prepare reports and dashboards for leaders. They support budgets and forecasts, evaluate opportunities and present clear findings. The role sits in FP&A, corporate finance or a business team.
What is the difference between a Financial Analyst and an Accountant?
An Accountant records transactions and prepares the books. A Financial Analyst interprets numbers: modelling, appraisal, ratios and reporting to guide decisions. Accounting is about accurate history; analysis is about understanding performance and shaping what the business does next.
What qualifications does a Financial Analyst need?
Most Financial Analyst roles ask for an MBA in Finance, a CFA candidate or a B.Com with strong modelling and analysis skills. One to four years of experience is usual. Advanced Excel is essential and a business intelligence or data tool such as Power BI is a strong advantage.