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Parker
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
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What are average working hours (per day or per week) for a financial analyst?
Sophomore in high school
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4 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1551
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
The typical workday of a financial analyst centers around gathering, analyzing and making sense of complicated data. Even though their specific tasks depend on the industry, some main responsibilities stay the same:
• AUDITING MARKET TRENDS — Analysts need to fully understand things affecting the economy, like interest rates, employment levels and political events. This knowledge helps with their financial models and suggestions.
• RESEARCHING COMPANIES — By thoroughly learning about public and private companies, analysts identify opportunities to invest and risks. Resources like financial statements, industry reports and SEC filings provide insight.
• FINANCIAL MODELING — Analysts make intricate financial models predicting metrics like profit margins, stock prices and credit ratings over time. The models figure out how likely different outcomes are.
• DATA ANALYSIS— Using advanced methods, analysts look for trends and insights within data. Statistical analysis and data visualization turn raw figures into meaningful conclusions.
• REPORT FILLINGS — Written reports and presentations communicate analytic conclusions to stakeholders like portfolio managers. Analysts put the numbers in context using market expertise.
• CLIENT MEETINGS — Sitting down with current or possible future clients, analysts explain their data methodology, market outlook and investment ideas. Their advice guides financial decisions.
Financial Analysts are often at the epicenter of a balancing act between stringent deadlines and the pursuit of personal time. The role, characterized by rigorous data analysis, forecasting, and the pressure to provide accurate financial recommendations, can lead to LONG HOURS and a work-centric lifestyle. This intensity is further amplified during fiscal year-ends, quarterly reports, and market fluctuations, where the line between office and home can become increasingly blurred.
The question of whether Financial Analysts enjoy a good work-life balance is multifaceted, hinging on a myriad of factors including individual organizational cultures, the volatility of the financial markets, and personal effectiveness in managing professional demands. While some analysts thrive under the pressure, seamlessly integrating their work into their lives, others may find the scales tipping unfavorably. Achieving equilibrium in this career often requires deliberate effort, strategic time management, and a supportive work environment that acknowledges the necessity of downtime for sustained productivity.
• AUDITING MARKET TRENDS — Analysts need to fully understand things affecting the economy, like interest rates, employment levels and political events. This knowledge helps with their financial models and suggestions.
• RESEARCHING COMPANIES — By thoroughly learning about public and private companies, analysts identify opportunities to invest and risks. Resources like financial statements, industry reports and SEC filings provide insight.
• FINANCIAL MODELING — Analysts make intricate financial models predicting metrics like profit margins, stock prices and credit ratings over time. The models figure out how likely different outcomes are.
• DATA ANALYSIS— Using advanced methods, analysts look for trends and insights within data. Statistical analysis and data visualization turn raw figures into meaningful conclusions.
• REPORT FILLINGS — Written reports and presentations communicate analytic conclusions to stakeholders like portfolio managers. Analysts put the numbers in context using market expertise.
• CLIENT MEETINGS — Sitting down with current or possible future clients, analysts explain their data methodology, market outlook and investment ideas. Their advice guides financial decisions.
Financial Analysts are often at the epicenter of a balancing act between stringent deadlines and the pursuit of personal time. The role, characterized by rigorous data analysis, forecasting, and the pressure to provide accurate financial recommendations, can lead to LONG HOURS and a work-centric lifestyle. This intensity is further amplified during fiscal year-ends, quarterly reports, and market fluctuations, where the line between office and home can become increasingly blurred.
The question of whether Financial Analysts enjoy a good work-life balance is multifaceted, hinging on a myriad of factors including individual organizational cultures, the volatility of the financial markets, and personal effectiveness in managing professional demands. While some analysts thrive under the pressure, seamlessly integrating their work into their lives, others may find the scales tipping unfavorably. Achieving equilibrium in this career often requires deliberate effort, strategic time management, and a supportive work environment that acknowledges the necessity of downtime for sustained productivity.
Tania Mariscal Quintana
Product Manager
3
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Tania’s Answer
Hey there! I interned at BlackRock as a Financial analyst in college, and I worked around 80 hours per week. My friends who decided to follow that career path were working around 60-100 hours per week.
Ali Jama
freelance
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Ali’s Answer
the average working hours is 8 hours per day, per week is 8 hours
Christopher Bain
Director, Performance Measurement (Ops Finance Related)
7
Answers
Lexington, Kentucky
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Hi Parker,
To answer your question specifically, it very much depends. Dont worry, I will give you some specifics.
Firstly, this is not likely going to be an hourly position, meaning you will be paid a salary. What this means is your hours will be driven by what you accomplish or need to accomplish that week. This is opposed to a set hourly schedule.
For example, you may find yourself "sprinting" in a given week to meet a critical reporting deadline for leadership and work upwards of 60+ hours. The next week you may be able to take a "breather" and work 30 to 35. Typically, your manager would understand when a resource (you) has been going hard at it and will compensate when the task is finished. Seldom would you ever work more than 60 hours, and this would be rare. Perhaps 1x a year during budget season if that.
If you haven't noticed by now, it is a very task centric career! You may get an extra day off if you have been going hard.
It is not to worry, because in the end it typically balances out to about a normal 40-hour work week. Also keep in mind the more efficient you are, the more latitude to manage your time you may be given.
Lastly, I should point out a few things: (1) Company cultures can be different on this topic, so do your research (2) Typically the higher you go in the organization, the more hours you will work (3) If you find yourself consistently working low hours, this may be a sign you need to take on more work, which will ultimately lead to more success.
I have worked at 4 large companies over my career and can say that the above statements were fairly consistent between them. Thank you for asking this question. I hope you find something that you love!
See the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Financial Analysts jobs. I found this helpful when I first started and to be quite true
See if you can meet someone actively doing the job
To answer your question specifically, it very much depends. Dont worry, I will give you some specifics.
Firstly, this is not likely going to be an hourly position, meaning you will be paid a salary. What this means is your hours will be driven by what you accomplish or need to accomplish that week. This is opposed to a set hourly schedule.
For example, you may find yourself "sprinting" in a given week to meet a critical reporting deadline for leadership and work upwards of 60+ hours. The next week you may be able to take a "breather" and work 30 to 35. Typically, your manager would understand when a resource (you) has been going hard at it and will compensate when the task is finished. Seldom would you ever work more than 60 hours, and this would be rare. Perhaps 1x a year during budget season if that.
If you haven't noticed by now, it is a very task centric career! You may get an extra day off if you have been going hard.
It is not to worry, because in the end it typically balances out to about a normal 40-hour work week. Also keep in mind the more efficient you are, the more latitude to manage your time you may be given.
Lastly, I should point out a few things: (1) Company cultures can be different on this topic, so do your research (2) Typically the higher you go in the organization, the more hours you will work (3) If you find yourself consistently working low hours, this may be a sign you need to take on more work, which will ultimately lead to more success.
I have worked at 4 large companies over my career and can say that the above statements were fairly consistent between them. Thank you for asking this question. I hope you find something that you love!
Christopher recommends the following next steps: