Financial analysis

The process of assessing the financial possibilities, means, and status of an organisation or individual by analysing financial statements and reports in order to make well informed business or financial decisions.

economic audit
business analysis
commercial analysis
economic analysis
fiscal audit
fiscal analysis

knowledge

cross-sector

Financial analysis is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Accounting manager: Accounting managers assume responsibility for all accounting activities relating to financial reporting. They develop and maintain accounting principles and procedures to ensure timely and accurate financial statements issued, supervise accounting staff and manage the accounting activities within the appropriate time frame and budget.
Investment manager: Investment managers administer the portfolio of investments that a company has. They perform close follow up of the investments looking for the most profitable solutions represented in financial products or securities. They analyse behaviour in financial markets, interests rates, and the companies’ position in order to advise on risks and profitability for the client.
Real estate manager: Real estate managers handle and oversee the operational aspects of commercial or residential properties such as private apartments, office buildings and retail stores. They negotiate contracts for lease, identify and plan new real estate projects and construction of new buildings by partnering with a developer to identify the appropriate site for new buildings, coordinate the feasibility study for new constructions and supervise all the administrative and technical aspects involved in expanding the business. They maintain the premises and aim to increase its value. They hire, train and supervise personnel.
Financial auditor: Financial auditors collect and examine financial data for clients, organisations and companies. They ensure the financial data is properly maintained and free of material misstatements due to error or fraud, that it adds up, and functions legally and effectively. They review lending and credit policies or numbers in databases and documents, evaluate, consult and assist the source of the transaction if necessary. They use their review of the client’s financial governance as assurance to give testimony to the shareholders, stakeholders and board of directors of the organisation or company that all is up to par.
Financial manager: Financial managers handle all the matters in reference to the finance and investments of a company. They manage financial operations of companies such as the assets, liabilities, equity and cash flow aiming to maintain the financial health of the company and operative viability. Financial managers evaluate the strategic plans of the company in financial terms, maintain transparent financial operations for taxation and auditing bodies, and create the financial statements of the company at the end of the fiscal year.
Credit manager: Credit managers oversee the application of credit policy in the bank. They decide the credit limits to be imposed, the reasonable levels of risk accepted and the conditions and terms of payment made to the customers. They control the collection of payments from their customers and manage the credit department of a bank.
Corporate treasurer: Corporate treasurers determine and oversee the financial strategic policies of a company or organisation. They use cash management techniques like account organisation, cash flow monitoring, liquidity planning and control, risk management including currency and commodity risks and maintain close connection with banks and rating agencies.
Budget manager: Budget managers assess financial proposals of different departments before granting financial resources to projects. They monitor the implementation of budget policies and procedures. They work closely with other departments in the evaluation of programs, their impact in the organisation, the revenue that they can yield, and the financial efforts required.
Credit union manager: Credit union managers oversee and manage member services, supervise staff and operations of credit unions. They inform staff about the latest credit union procedures and policies and prepare financial reports.
Investor relations manager: Investor relations managers disseminate the investment strategy of the company and monitor the reactions of the investment community towards it. They use marketing, financial, communications, and security law expertise to ensure transparent communication to the larger community. They respond to inquiries from shareholders and investors in relation to the company’s financial stability, stocks, or corporate policies.
Fiscal affairs policy officer: Fiscal policy officers research, analyse and develop policies related to taxation and government spending in public policy sectors, and implement these policies to improve the existing regulation around the sector. They work closely with partners, external organisations or other stakeholders and provide them with regular updates.  
Insurance agency manager: Insurance agency managers coordinate and oversee the operations of an institution or a branch of an institution that offers insurance services. They provide clients with advice on insurance products.
Bank account manager: Bank account managers advise prospective clients on the type of banking accounts suitable for their needs. They work with clients to set up the bank account and remain their primary point of contact in the bank, assisting with all necessary documentation. Bank account managers may recommend their clients to contact other departments in the bank for other specific needs.
Insurance product manager: Insurance product managers set and direct the development of new insurance products, following the product lifecycle policy and the general insurance strategy. They also coordinate the marketing and sales activities related to the specific insurance products of the company. Insurance product managers inform their sales managers (or the sales department) about their newly developed insurance products.
Bank manager: Bank managers oversee the management of one or several bank activities. They set policies which promote safe banking operations, ensure the economic, social and commercial targets are met and that all the bank departments, activities and commercial policies are in compliance with legal requirements. They also manage employees and maintain an effective working relationship among the staff.
Financial risk analyst: Financial risk analysts correctly identify and review potential risk areas threatening the assets or capital of organisations. They specialise in either credit, market, operational or regulatory risk analysis. They use statistical analysis to evaluate risk, make recommendations to reduce and control risk and review documentation for legal compliance.
Insurance claims manager: Insurance claims managers lead the team of insurance claims officers to ensure they handle insurance claims properly and efficiently. They deal with more complex customer complains and assist with fraudulent cases. Insurance claims managers work with insurance brokers, agents, loss adjusters and customers.
Risk manager: Risk managers identify and assess potential threats and risks to a company, and give advice on how to deal with them. They create preventive plans to avoid and reduce risks, and put plans in place for when the company is threatened.
Credit risk analyst: Credit risk analysts manage individual credit risk and care for fraud prevention, business deal analysis, legal documents analysis and recommendations on the level of the risk.
Bank treasurer: Bank treasurers oversee all aspects of the financial management of a bank. They manage the liquidity and solvency of the bank. They manage and present current budgets, revise financial forecasts, prepare accounts for audit, manage the bank’s accounts and maintain accurate record-keeping of financial documentation.
Business developer:
Business developers strive to improve the market share of companies in the market. They perform strategic analyses of the core advantages that a company’s products or services have to offer, they cooperate in the development of marketing campaigns for lead generation and support on sales efforts.
Property acquisitions manager: Property acquisitions managers ensure land or property acquisitions transactions. They liaise with relevant stakeholders concerning financial aspects and risks arising from the acquisition of property. Property acquisitions managers ensure compliance with legal requirements for purchasing property and take care of all documentation and closure techniques needed.

Investment fund manager: Investment fund managers implement and monitor the investment strategy of a fund. They manage the fund’s portfolio trading activities and supervise the financial, securities, and investment analysts in charge to perform research on the investments and then make buying and selling recommendations. They make decisions on when to buy or sell the assets included in a portfolio. This manager works in a variety of settings such as banks, companies and stockbroking companies; working closely with the investment analyst. This occupation manages strategy and does not always work with relations between shareholders or investors.
Fundraising manager:
Fundraising managers are responsible for raising money on behalf of organisations, often non-profit such as charities. Moreover, they manage the fundraised resources developing programs for its use. They perform a variety of tasks to raise money such as developing corporate partnerships, coordinating direct mail campaigns, organizing fundraisers, contacting donators or sponsors, and sourcing grant income from trusts, foundations and other statutory bodies.
Banking products manager: Banking products managers study the market of banking products and adapt the existing ones to the characteristics of this evolution or create new products to suit clients needs. They monitor and evaluate the performance indicators of these products and suggest improvements. Banking products managers assist with the sales and marketing strategy of the bank.
Real estate leasing manager: Real estate leasing managers set up the lease or rental efforts of an apartment community and properties not in co-ownership and also manage the leasing staff. They produce, track and manage file leasing deposits and documents. They also oversee the lease administration and prepare tenancy budgets on an annual and monthly basis. They also actively promote the vacancies available in order to get new residents, show properties to potential tenants and are present to conclude contracts between landlords and tenants when dealing with private property.
Corporate banking manager: Corporate banking managers offer advice on a broad range of financial goods and services such as securities services, credit services, cash management, insurance products, leasing, information on merges and acquisitions and capital markets activities, to institutions and organisations.
Relationship banking manager: Relationship banking managers retain and expand existing and prospective customer relationships. They use cross-selling techniques to advise and sell various banking and financial products and services to customers. They also manage the total relationship with customers and are responsible for optimising business results and customer satisfaction.
Housing manager: Housing managers oversee housing services for tenants or residents. They work for housing associations or private organisations for which they collect rental fees, inspect properties, suggest and implement improvements concerning repairs or neighbour nuissance issues, maintain communication with tenants, handle housing applications and liaise with local authorities and property managers. They hire, train and supervise personnel.
Patent engineer: Patent engineers advise companies on different aspects of intellectual property law. They analyse inventions, and research their economic potential. They check if  patent rights have already been given out for an invention and ensure that these rights have not been affected or violated.
Asset manager: Asset managers invest the money of a client into financial assets, through vehicles such as investment funds or management of individual clients’ portfolios. This includes the management of the financial assets, within a given investment policy and risk framework, the provision of information, the assessment and monitoring of risks.

Financial analysis is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Business economics researcher: Business economics researchers conduct research on topics regarding economy, organisations, and strategy. They analyse macroeconomic and microeconomic trends and use this information to analyse the positions of industries or specific companies in the economy. They provide advice regarding strategic planning, product feasibility, forecast trends, emerging markets, taxing policies, and consumer trends.
Auditing clerk: Auditing clerks collect and examine financial data, such as inventory transactions, for organisations and companies and ensure they are accurate, properly maintained, and that they add up. They review the numbers in databases and documents, evaluate, and consult and assist the source of the transaction if necessary, which includes accountants, managers or other clerks.
Public funding advisor: Public funding advisors advise individuals and businesses about funding opportunities given by the government. They analyse the needs of clients, consult them on funds, grants and subsidies that apply to them and help with the application process. Public funding advisors also set up public grant administration in organisations.
Economist: Economists perform research and develop theories in the field of economics, whether for microeconomic or macroeconomic analysis. They study trends, analyse statistical data, and to some extent work with economic mathematical models in order to advise companies, governments, and related institutions. They advise on product feasibility, trend forecasts, emerging markets, tax policies, and consumer trends.
Central bank governor: Central bank governors set the monetary and regulatory policy, determine interest rates, maintain price stability, control the national money supply and issuance and foreign exchange currency rates and gold reserves. They oversee and control the banking industry.
Brokerage firm director:
Brokerage firm directors organise the activities and the people involved in securities trading. They envision strategies aimed at increasing the efficiency of asset trading with a focus on profitability. They may also advise clients on appropriate trades.

References

1. Financial analysis – ESCO