Do financial analysts make more than accountants?
Financial analysts tend to work with the overall picture of economic trends and market movements to forecast financial situations. A career in accounting may be ideal if you enjoy examining data like auditing and reviewing financial statements. Financial analysts may make more money on average than accountants.
The national average salary for accountants is $54,603 per year , while the national average salary for financial analysts is $71,345 per year . Financial analysts typically make more money than accountants, and they often have higher starting salaries.
In 2021, the average salary estimate for workers in the business field was $63,000. Fast forward to 2023, those who had a bachelor's degree in finance tend to have slightly higher starting median incomes than those with accounting degrees.
They Earn a Competitive Salary
In 2021, the average salary in the U.S. for a Financial Analyst was $96,000. Within the field of financial analytics, some professionals earn much more than this. For example, Financial Managers made an average of $132,000 in 2021.
With greater experience and expertise, a senior financial analyst can continue into a supervisory position. A senior analyst in the securities industry often moves up to become a portfolio manager or a fund manager overseeing a team of senior analysts. There may also be an opportunity to enter a senior management role.
Financial analysts tend to work with the overall picture of economic trends and market movements to forecast financial situations. A career in accounting may be ideal if you enjoy examining data like auditing and reviewing financial statements. Financial analysts may make more money on average than accountants.
CFA vs CPA Exam difficulty
Both are challenging and require gaining skills and knowledge in complex topics. However, the CPA Exam generally requires less studying - around 80 to 120 hours per section compared to 300 hours per section of the CFA Exam, and the CPA Exam also has a higher pass rate.
CPA - best for managerial accounting, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), controllership, CFO track. CFA - ideal for corporate treasury, pension fund management, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), equity research.
While both finance and accounting can be difficult majors, accounting is considered more difficult because it requires more discipline and a lot of math. Accounting is more complex because it relies on precise sets of arithmetic principles.
You can study accounting, business, or finance to become a financial analyst. Relevant courses will cover financial statement analysis, portfolio management, and investment analysis.
What is the highest paid role in finance?
The highest-paid salary jobs in finance include roles such as investment banking professionals, hedge fund managers, private equity associates, chief financial officers (CFOs), and actuaries.
The median annual wage for business and financial occupations is $46,310 higher than the median annual wage for all occupations. Drawbacks of a career in finance can include high stress, long working hours, continuing education requirements, and, in some cases, limited job stability.
Achieving a healthy work-life balance is particularly vital for Financial Analysts, who often face long hours, tight deadlines, and the stress of high-stakes decision-making.
- Most stressful job in finance : Investment Banker (M&A or capital markets professional) ...
- Second most stressful job in finance : Trader. ...
- Third most stressful job in finance : Risk management & Compliance.
Career advancement for senior analysts can include becoming a portfolio manager or fund manager where they manage a company's investment portfolio. They have the ability to move into high ranking roles in investment banking.
- Washington, DC. $90,758 per year. 168 salaries reported.
- New York, NY. $83,769 per year. 338 salaries reported.
- Houston, TX. $82,865 per year. 178 salaries reported.
- Los Angeles, CA. $79,280 per year. ...
- Dallas, TX. $79,279 per year. ...
- Show more nearby cities.
If a career primarily focused on finance falls into their strengths, desires, and career growth, a CFA designation would be the better choice. Alternatively, if they want to explore career advancement opportunities that revolve around accounting duties, they should be looking at a CPA certification.
Competition for these jobs is fierce, especially among analysts new to the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.2% employment growth for financial analysts between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 68,000 jobs should open up.
Overall employment of financial analysts is projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 27,400 openings for financial analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Having taken and passed both, I can say that without a doubt the CPA exam is more difficult, and for one primary reason… breadth of subject matter. The Series 7 is 3 hours and 45 minutes, is comprised of 125 questions, and has a pass rate of approximately 70%.
Is CPA harder than MBA?
An MBA can be harder depending on the program, but usually entails completing coursework in areas such as marketing, management, and financial analysis. Moreover, it takes approximately 1,000 hours to become a CPA, while an MBA usually takes two years to complete.
Considering their pass rates—approximately 50% for the CPA exams, around 13.5% for candidates completing all three levels of the CFA exams, and roughly 70% for the Florida bar—statistics would suggest that the CFA credential is in fact the hardest.
If you are searching for a career path that offers stability and job security, accounting may be the perfect fit for you. Not only do accountants have a broad range of career options, but they also play an essential role in maintaining the financial health and well-being of businesses across various industries.
Is Accounting a Good Major for the Future? Accounting jobs are projected to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Accountants are always in high demand because of a constantly growing global economy.
Having reasonable expectations, getting exercise, and giving yourself rewards can all help. Being a CPA is a great job but can also be a stressful one sometimes. Young CPAs, in particular, juggle multiple tasks at different stages of completion, often for multiple bosses.
