{"id":4707,"date":"2023-06-21T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-21T17:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/?p=4707"},"modified":"2024-12-17T16:26:50","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T21:26:50","slug":"financial-analyst-vs-accountant-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/careers\/financial-analyst-vs-accountant-whats-the-difference","title":{"rendered":"Financial Analyst vs. Accountant: What’s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Both accountants and financial analysts exist at the intersection of data, finance, and business. These finance<\/a> professionals analyze financial data to help clients, companies, and institutions make informed decisions. However, the main difference between a financial analyst vs. accountant is that financial analysts<\/a> try to predict the future \u2014 they create models to determine future financial performance. On the other hand, accountants<\/a> record and report past data, like completed transactions, and use that information to create budgets and complete tax forms.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what are the other differences between financial analysts and accountants? Where do they work, what skills do you need, and how do you know which one might be a better career path for you? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to Financial Analyst vs. Accountant: Which One Is Right for Me? Quiz<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What Are Financial Analysts?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Financial analysts use data analysis to fuel company decisions, particularly with raising capital and boosting profits. The most common type of financial analyst is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)<\/a>. CFAs are experts in economics, investment management, and analysis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many CFAs are also investment bankers<\/a>, working at large banking institutions<\/a> assisting clients with buying and selling securities and facilitating mergers and acquisitions (M&A).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, financial analysts might have the exact \u201cfinancial analyst\u201d titles, but they also may have titles like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n