At a glance
- Area
- Finance · Investments · Corporate Advisory
- Stream
- Commerce
- Degree
- B.Com · BBA · MBA
- Starting pay
- 8 LPA
Financial Analyst
Also called: Financial Analyst, Investment Banking AnalystFinance · Investments · Corporate AdvisoryStream: CommerceDegree: B.Com · BBA · MBAStarts at 8 LPA
Information last verified: 5 Oct 2026
Re-check admissions, fees, exam rules, salaries and platform details before publishing time-sensitive information.
Overview
Financial analysts evaluate financial data, companies and markets to support decisions. Investment bankers focus more heavily on transactions, valuation, capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and client presentations.
Key highlights
- Data-intensive, analytical career
- Strong accounting and financial modelling base
- Multiple tracks: corporate finance, research, investment banking, asset management
- Internships and practical modelling matter
What the Work Looks Like
Work setting: Office/hybrid; investment banking can involve long and unpredictable hours, especially on live deals.
Typical tasks
- Analyse financial statements
- build forecasts and valuation models
- research sectors
- prepare reports/pitch books
- support due diligence
- monitor markets
- present insights.
Workplaces
Where they work
Investment bankscorporate finance teamsasset managersresearch firmsprivate equity/VCconsulting firmsfintechsbanks.
Common job titles
Financial AnalystFP&A AnalystEquity Research AnalystInvestment Banking AnalystValuation AnalystCorporate Finance AnalystCredit Analyst.
Skills Needed
Skills and personal qualities this career usually asks for.
Key skills
Accounting
AExcel
Efinancial modelling
FMvaluation
Veconomics
Estatistics
Sresearch
RPowerPoint
PPersonal qualities
- Curiosity
- numerical confidence
- attention to detail
- stamina
- commercial judgement
- integrity
- clear communication.
How to Get There
A usual route into this career, plus the courses and exams that lead there.
Step-by-step path
- Class 9–10: maths/business awareness → Class 11–12: Commerce + Maths where suitable → bachelor’s in finance/commerce/economics/business → internships + modelling portfolio → analyst role → optional CFA/MBA or specialist credentials based on track.
Courses
B.Com (Hons.)
BBA/BMS Finance
BA/BSc Economics
finance degrees
CFA Program later when eligible.
Entrance exams
CUET-UG
CA Foundation
CAT
Licence or registration
No universal licence for financial analyst/investment banker roles; regulated activities may require employer/market-specific registrations.
Other routes
Engineering, economics, maths and other quantitative graduates can also enter finance with strong accounting/modelling skills.
Career Growth
How the role usually changes with experience.
Growth path
- Analyst → Associate → VP/Manager → Director/Executive Director → Managing Director/Finance leadership, depending on track.
Related careers
Equity Research
Corporate Finance
Asset Management
Private Equity
Pay and Demand
Hours, bonuses and pay differ sharply between corporate finance, research and investment banking.
Yearly pay
| Stage | Yearly pay |
|---|---|
| General financial analyst pay varies by employer | |
| investment banking compensation is typically more variable and bonus-linked. |
Source: CFA Institute career resources and employer market data; verify local offers.
Demand
Strong but cyclical; transaction hiring is sensitive to capital-market and deal activity.
Future of This Career
How the work is changing
- AI is accelerating research, document review and model support, but judgement, verification, client communication and transaction execution remain critical.
New skills to watch
Python/SQLPower BIAI-assisted research with source verificationadvanced modellingdata visualisationsector expertise.
Is This Career Right for Me?
May suit you if
01- You enjoy numbers, companies, markets, research and high-accountability work.
Things to consider
02- Investment banking can involve very long hours and competitive recruiting
- finance roles require continuous market learning.
Sources and last updated
Information last verified on 5 Oct 2026.
Sources checked
| Source | Checked |
|---|---|
| cfainstitute.org | 5 Oct 2026 |
| cfainstitute.org | 5 Oct 2026 |
| cfainstitute.org | 5 Oct 2026 |