How to get an entry-level financial analyst job

Your first financial analyst job is usually the hardest to get. Most postings ask for some experience, and the entry-level roles that don't get a lot of applicants. Here's what the open jobs actually ask for, and how people get in.

There are 324 open entry-level financial analyst jobs and analyst programs in the US on this site right now. See them all.

What "entry-level" means in finance

Entry-level analyst jobs come in three shapes:

• Analyst programs. Banks, insurers and large companies hire graduates into rotational or analyst programs, often a year ahead. Applications open in late summer and autumn for the following summer.
• Analyst I / junior analyst roles. Ordinary jobs open all year, usually asking for 0–2 years' experience.
• Internships. Often the main way into a full-time offer at large employers. Financial analyst internships.

What employers ask for

Across entry-level postings, the common requirements are:

• A bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, maths or a related field.
• Strong Excel. Expect a modeling test or case study in the interview.
• Some exposure to accounting: knowing how the three financial statements link.
• Internship or project experience, even if it isn't required.

You don't need the CFA or CPA for most entry-level jobs. Starting Level I of the CFA can help for investment roles.

Where the jobs are

Entry-level jobs follow the big finance employers: large banks, insurers, asset managers, and the finance teams of big companies. Browse by city:

• Financial analyst jobs by city
• Remote financial analyst jobs, though fully remote entry-level roles are rare

Five things that help

1. Apply in the first week. Entry-level roles fill fast. Set up job alerts so you hear about new jobs the day they're posted.
2. Use the employer's own site. Every job here links straight to the employer's application page, not a reposting.
3. Build one solid model you can walk through: a company valuation, or a budget with a variance analysis.
4. Consider adjacent first jobs. Staff accountant, audit associate, credit analyst and finance associate roles all lead into analyst jobs within a year or two.
5. Read the posting closely. Match its words in your resume. Many employers screen resumes with software first.

Newest entry-level jobs