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Learn financial analysis

Explore how to derive meaningful insights from a company’s financial records. Enroll in a financial analysis course and learn how to make smarter business decisions with analytical tools.

What is financial analysis?

Through financial analysis, a company is able to transform financial data into meaningful insights that can illuminate problems or opportunities related to the organization’s performance. Financial analysts examine how the movement of money affects business operations and use that data to develop effective growth strategies. They may examine individual assets such as stocks, bonds, or other investments and rely on historical data to make projections about the future.

The goal of a financial analyst is to help a business save money and increase profits. While these professionals are highly skilled in sorting through data and making sense of the information, they must also be able to effectively communicate their findings to other stakeholders.

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Financial analysis course curriculum

Introductory courses in financial accounting and analysis can provide a foundational knowledge about topics such as how to read financial reports, how to conduct trend analysis, and how to use different tools to predict future performance. A course in financial decision-making can benefit those who are interested in pursuing leadership roles in a company. Learners may study different companies’ financial statements and analyze the information to determine a path for strategic growth. Other courses may focus on financial market analysis, giving learners a chance to examine the cost of goods and current liabilities, and conduct horizontal and vertical analyses.

While these courses may rely heavily on math, they will also enhance learners’ communication skills, critical thinking capabilities, awareness of current events, and knowledge of the financial sector.

Careers in financial analysis

A thorough understanding of financial statement analysis can support impactful decision-making. Financial analysts work for banks, insurance companies, news agencies, and more. People who study financial analysis can also branch out and pursue related roles like budget analyst, finance manager, or insurance underwriter.

Below you’ll learn more about what people do in these roles, the education that is required, and their median annual salary according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Budget analyst

Budget analysts help organizations understand their finances. They typically conduct routine analyses of company spending and evaluate the effectiveness of programs. Budget analysts who work in government review policies and draft budget-related legislation.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree
  • Median annual salary (2024): $87,930
Financial manager

Financial managers prepare financial statements, reports, and forecasts to inform decision-making. They often work in teams and possess in-depth knowledge of laws and regulations specific to their organization. There are several types of financial managers, such as controllers, treasurers, and risk managers.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree
  • Median annual salary (2024): $161,700
Insurance underwriter

Insurance underwriters analyze the risk of approving an applicant. They are the link between insurance sales agents and insurance companies. They must carefully assess risk so that companies don’t end up paying out more in claims than they earn in premiums. Most underwriters work in the fields of health, life, and property insurance.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree
  • Median annual salary (2024): $79,880

Build your financial analysis skills with online courses offered by edX and partner institutions. Start your learning journey today.

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