Do financial analysts make more money than accountants?
Yes, financial analysts make more money than accountants.
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. Based on the data provided by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
They Earn a Competitive Salary
Even though Financial Analysts work long hours and sometimes must handle a lot of stress in the workplace, these professionals are well-compensated for their efforts. In 2021, the average salary in the U.S. for a Financial Analyst was $96,000.
Salary and Career Path - CPA vs CFP
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an accountant with a bachelor's degree can earn more than $78,000 per year on average, but a CPA can earn around $119,000. Certified Financial Planner (CFP) salaries in the United States range from $39,300 to $187,200.
At the undergraduate level, many people consider accounting to be a more difficult degree. Once you move further up from that level, however, there isn't a huge amount of difference between the two. They are both difficult but in different ways.
The field of finance offers more career choices but also less predictability. In some cases, careers in finance might offer higher pay. Careers in accounting can offer more predictable and stable work but less pay in many cases.
Many people know that the CPA designation is a phenomenal gateway to career success—especially when it comes to salary. While regular accountants' salaries range anywhere between $40-60,000, many accountants' salaries can cap off between $71-99,000.
It can be worth the expense, as many people find that they actually save money by going to an accountant because their tax refund increases significantly. But there are also cases where you may want to file your return on your own.
You can study accounting, business, or finance to become a financial analyst. Relevant courses will cover financial statement analysis, portfolio management, and investment analysis.
In the corporate world, senior analysts can become treasury managers supervising working groups within their departments. A standout performer may rise through the ranks to become a chief financial officer (CFO) or chief investment officer (CIO) responsible for all of the company's financial activities.
Who pays most to financial analyst?
Job Title | Salary |
---|---|
Wells Fargo Financial Analyst salaries - 609 salaries reported | $95,327/yr |
IBM Financial Analyst salaries - 591 salaries reported | $104,102/yr |
Amazon Financial Analyst salaries - 584 salaries reported | $113,759/yr |
Google Financial Analyst salaries - 527 salaries reported | $168,498/yr |
- Clinical Business Analyst. Salary range: $76,000-$150,000 per year. ...
- SAP Business Analyst. Salary range: $104,500-$140,000 per year. ...
- Functional Analyst. ...
- Consulting Analyst. ...
- Technical Business Analyst. ...
- Business Systems Analyst. ...
- Business Solutions Analyst. ...
- Business Intelligence Analyst.
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.
Job Title | Average Annual Salary |
---|---|
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | $214,500 |
Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) | $181,750 |
Treasurer | $199,750 |
Vice President of Finance | $192,750 |
- CFO. Salary range: $141,000-$400,000 per year. ...
- Audit Partner. Salary range: $215,000-$360,000 per year. ...
- Paymaster. Salary range: $31,000-$350,000 per year. ...
- Chief Accounting Officer. Salary range: $131,000-$278,000 per year. ...
- Vice President of Finance. ...
- Fund Controller. ...
- Finance Manager. ...
- Chief Accountant.
As clearly seen in the passing rates CFA is more difficult in comparison to CPA. On an average about 50% of the registered candidates clear CPA exam whereas about 7% of the candidates clear all the 3 levels of CFA. In terms of course also, the course of CFA is much more lengthy and detailed in comparison to CPA.
Regardless of education, a successful career as a financial analyst requires strong quantitative skills, expert problem-solving abilities, adeptness in logic, and above-average communication skills.
Earning a degree in accounting can be challenging due to the complex nature of the subject matter, however it is not necessarily categorized as math-heavy. Students who are dedicated, diligent, and hard-working can successfully earn an accounting degree.
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 don't need to be a maths genius to be an Accountant. Of course, just like most jobs, you'll be expected to have a basic understanding of maths. And it certainly helps if you have an interest in numbers. But you don't have to be able to solve complex maths problems in your head to be a good Accountant.
Is accounting a hard major?
Accounting is often considered to be one of the most intense college majors there is. Students are required to take very rigorous courses in a number of different subjects. In addition, the core coursework required in accounting can be daunting and takes much studying and preparation.
Accountant
Salaries for accountants vary depending on the company. Some large companies may pay more than $500,000 a year, and independent accountants with an expansive client list can also earn more.
Salary Range: $130k – $300k + bonus. Minimum of 6-12 years of recent public accounting experience. They will possess an understanding of accounting principles and develop professional relationships…
Generally speaking, accounting jobs that center on compliance work will always leave many accountants feeling underpaid because they are working long hours with low-margin. A good rule of thumb is that data entry doesn't pay well. On the other hand, with advisory, the sky is the limit.
Regarding the accounting profession, a survey by the Journal of Accounting revealed that two-thirds of accountants were happy with their salary, work flexibility, work-life balance, and good working environment.