Financial analyst
Analyse financial data, forecast performance and recommend investment or strategic decisions.
Salary
Cited figures from Job Outlook and QILT. ExamExplained does not publish predictive earnings or projections.
| Figure | AUD | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time weekly earnings | $2300 | Job Outlook (2025-06-01) |
| Graduate starting salary | $72,000 | QILT (2025-03-01) |
What a financial analyst actually does
Financial analysts spend most of the day in spreadsheets and finance systems. In corporate or commercial finance, mornings often go to updating a rolling forecast, refreshing variance reports, and chasing business unit owners for forecast inputs. Afternoons can be deeper modelling for a capital decision, a new product launch, or a board paper. In investment banking, equity research or M&A, the rhythm is similar but client-driven: building DCF, comparables and LBO models through the day and into the evening when a live deal is on. Most in-house roles run 38-45 hours a week with peaks at month-end, half-year and full-year reporting plus annual budget. Investment banking and corporate finance roles regularly hit 55-70 hour weeks during live transactions.
Typical tasks
- Build financial models in Excel and Python.
- Prepare investment memoranda and management packs.
- Monitor market data and update forecasts.
Skills you'll use
- Three-statement financial modelling in Excel
- Discounted cash flow, comparables and precedent transaction analysis
- SQL for pulling source data from finance and operations systems
- Power BI, Tableau or similar dashboarding
- Reading and applying AASB / IFRS accounting standards
- Writing investment memos and board papers
- Presenting analysis to senior leaders without burying the message
How to become one
- 1Finish Year 12 with English plus Maths Advanced or Methods (Maths Standard is accepted at some unis but limits competitive courses)
- 2Complete a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Finance, or Bachelor of Business with a finance major (3-4 years)
- 3Build modelling and analytics skills outside class through case competitions, finance clubs and internships
- 4Apply for a graduate role in corporate finance, FP&A, equity research, investment banking, or fund management (most banks recruit a year before graduation)
- 5Consider further credentials such as CFA Program (3 levels, typically 3-4 years part-time), CPA, or CA ANZ depending on the path
Where you can work
- Investment banks (M&A, ECM, DCM and research)
- Asset managers, super funds and private equity firms
- Corporate finance / FP&A teams in ASX-listed companies
- Big-four corporate finance and transaction-services teams
- Federal and state Treasury and government-business enterprises
- Banks (commercial, retail and business banking)
- Tech and start-up finance teams
Career progression
Typical stages and salary bands. Salary figures are sourced from Job Outlook, QILT or industry bodies; brackets are 25th-75th percentile not absolute floors or ceilings.
- Analyst0-3 yearsTypical roles: Junior financial analyst, FP&A analyst, Investment banking analystSalary band: $70,000 - $95,000 per year (source, sourced 2026-05-21)
- Senior analyst3-6 yearsTypical roles: Senior financial analyst, Senior FP&A analyst, Associate (banking)Salary band: $100,000 - $145,000 per year (source, sourced 2026-05-21)
- Manager / VP7-11 yearsTypical roles: Finance manager, Vice President (banking), Head of FP&ASalary band: $150,000 - $220,000 per year (source, sourced 2026-05-21)
- Director / CFO12+ yearsTypical roles: Finance director, Director (banking), Chief Financial Officer
Is this for you?
You might love this if
- You like building models and pressure-testing the numbers behind a big decision
- You're comfortable working long hours during deal or reporting peaks
- You can summarise a 30-tab model in three slides for an executive
- You can spot when an assumption looks too clean and dig into why
- You're patient with multi-year exam programmes like the CFA
This might not suit you if
- You hate sitting at a desk modelling for hours at a time
- You want a strict 9-to-5 rhythm year-round
- You can't tolerate long deal cycles where a project may not close
- You dislike attention-to-detail review cycles from senior people
Three ways in
Uni, TAFE and trade routes for financial analyst. Not every career has all three; we only list pathways that actually lead to this occupation.
University
Bachelor degrees that lead to this career.
TAFE / VET
Nationally accredited Certificate and Diploma qualifications.
No direct TAFE pathway to this career.
Apprenticeship trade
Earn while you learn through an Australian Apprenticeship.
Not an apprenticeship trade.
Sources
- https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/explore-careers/occupation/financial-investment-advisers-and-managers
- https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/classifications/anzsco-australian-and-new-zealand-standard-classification-occupations
ExamExplained does not publish predictive salary figures. For current Australian earnings data check Job Outlook directly. Career classifications follow the ABS ANZSCO 2022 release.