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What is it like being a Financial analyst What does the job entail? Why should I choose this over other finance related jobs??

I am a high school student in 10th grade. I have always been interested in Finance and through some research I have concluded that a financial analyst is what I think fits me best but I would like to know some other opinions on the career.

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James Constantine’s Answer

Hi Jonah,

Another approach to determine if you'd find satisfaction in a financial analyst role is to assess its desirability.

Start by conducting a basic research on Google about the responsibilities of a financial analyst. You can use the search phrase "what does a financial analyst do" to get relevant results.

So, what are the key tasks of a Financial Analyst?

The main duties include:

- Examining business and financial data.
- Creating financial models based on these analyses to aid in decision making within the organization.
- Developing financial plans and reports for the organization's leaders.
- Studying industry trends and providing recommendations based on these trends.

Does this role contribute positively to society? Indeed, it does. Managers rely on financial analysts to determine the profitability and feasibility of their business ventures. This helps to avoid financial mishaps and job losses.

Best,
JAMES
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Silvana’s Answer

Hello Jonah,

When it comes to the world of Finance, there's a wide array of career paths you might find enjoyable. In my personal experience, I've worked as a Corporate Financial Analyst, which involved closely tracking the financial performance of various accounts.

To give you a clearer picture, this role required me to oversee the budgets a company projected to spend, ensure these budgets align with the forecasts, and investigate any discrepancies between the forecasted and actual figures. My job was to uncover the reasons behind these variances and provide clear explanations to keep the company updated on its financial status.

To accomplish these tasks, I relied heavily on Excel and other data modeling tools. If you have the opportunity, I strongly recommend honing your skills in these areas (for example: Power BI, Alteryx, Tableau, SQL, Salesforce reporting, and other reporting / Business Intelligence tools). These tools were invaluable in helping me gather and analyze data, and subsequently create comprehensive reports and presentations to inform decision-making teams.

The ultimate goal of Financial Analysis is not just to provide an audience with understandable and timely insights into their financial data, but also to strategically guide them towards enhancing their profits and achieving their financial goals.

However, my experience is just a small slice of the Finance field. There are other roles that involve analyzing investments, trading markets, or advising on personal finance. There are certainly other areas I may not be familiar with, but you can explore these by searching for Finance positions on job sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor, or simply by Googling "Financial analyst" and reading the different descriptions that appear.

I hope this gives you a better understanding of the possibilities in Finance. Best of luck on your career exploration journey!
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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Jonah,

Financial analysts are experts in interpreting balance sheets to manage finances effectively. In the mid-1940s, Nicholas Darvas penned a book in New York called "How I Made $2,000,000 On The Stock Market," introducing the concept of "DARVAS BOXES." If you notice a stock consistently rising for 2 to 3 days, consider buying. This slight increase could indicate a potential upward trend.

Now, let's give this concept some momentum - let's enable it. Utilize advancements in technology, specifically Python programming language, to create software that oversees investment portfolios. You might even consider incorporating Artificial Intelligence. This software will handle the trading, buying, and selling at predetermined times. Purchase when the stock is on the verge of increasing, and sell before it decreases.

Elon Musk reportedly uses Quantum Artificial Intelligence software to generate income, but caution, vigilance, and patience are key. Don't rush into decisions! The truth is, the algorithm must be used correctly, not mishandled. Because the reality is, you can't be certain until the stock has actually increased in value. Only divine intervention can predict outcomes in advance! It's wise not to borrow money to finance risky ventures.

Nick Darvas didn't have the advantage of computers, but he had a strategy for identifying upward or downward trends. The truth is, it's often more profitable to advise others when to buy and sell, rather than taking on the risk yourself!

This could be a great career path!
Best,
Jim.
Thank you comment icon In addition to this information, could you please add some detail about what a financial analysis actually does? That will help the student understand if this is a career path they want to follow Gurpreet Lally, Admin
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hi Jonah,

A business balance sheet neatly organizes the elements that contribute to the company's earnings and those that cause expenses, affecting profits. It helps in understanding how much a company earns compared to the initial investment needed to kick-start the investment plan. In the world of stock market, this is often referred to as the P/E Ratio, which stands for Price to Earnings Ratio.

The P/E ratio is determined by dividing the current market price of a single share by the earnings per share of the company. If the P/E ratio is high, it could suggest that the stock's price is high compared to its earnings, indicating it might be overpriced. On the other hand, a low P/E ratio could mean that the stock's price is low in relation to its earnings.

The company's bookkeeper or accountant can provide insights to the company manager about the success or failure of his venture by evaluating its profitability. Based on this evaluation, the manager can then work on refining strategies and plans to boost profitability.

Best,
Jim.
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