Business career
How to become a Financial Analyst
Financial analysts evaluate financial data to guide investment, budgeting and business decisions. It is the standard commerce-side career for students who want quantitative work without the length of a CA qualification.
The path from class 12
- 1
Class 12 in Commerce, ideally with Mathematics
- 2
B.Com, BBA or an economics degree
- 3
Build strong financial modelling and Excel skills
- 4
Consider CFA Level 1 or an MBA in Finance
- 5
Entry role in equity research, corporate finance or FP&A
Courses that lead here
Skills you will need
Salary context
Entry level
4 LPA
First role after qualifying
Mid-career
18 LPA
Roughly five to eight years in
Indicative only. Actual compensation varies substantially by city, employer, institution and individual performance. These figures are context for planning, not a projection of what you will earn.
Scope and outlook
Banks, investment firms, consulting, corporate finance teams and the growing global capability centres in Gurgaon, Bengaluru and Hyderabad all hire at volume. Progression runs toward investment banking, corporate strategy or portfolio management.